Small changes can often make a huge difference in life. Like mirrors in small rooms, a pinch of garlic in any dish, or a simple heartfelt thank you.  

Trade show flooring is one of those small, often overlooked changes that can transform a ho-hum display into a mesmerizing exhibit. Considering 82% of trade show attendees have buying authority it’s absolutely important to make every detail count.

It’s often easy to overlook trade show flooring and many exhibitors settle for beige, tan, or gray carpet with basic padding. And that’s fine. However, if you view the floor as another branding and design surface, the creative opportunities expand exponentially. 

Getting Started with Trade Show Flooring

Trade show flooring should be both functional and beautiful. It should tell any attendee strolling by your booth that you own that space, as opposed to the other exhibitors who are just renting theirs. Does that mean your flooring has to be colorful or expensive or graphically intense? No. Every booth design and every company has different goals.  

Your trade show flooring will depend on your display, your marketing objectives, and your budget. But make no mistake, the right choice will improve the appearance of your booth and ideally lead to maximum foot traffic in your exhibit space. If you’re unsure about your flooring options, and most of us are, then consult with a custom trade show design company. They understand how to tailor the flooring to meet the varying budgets and marketing goals of their clients. In addition, they will know the right sources and material to use and how to stay on-brand with your particular booth.

10 Key Considerations for Trade Show Exhibit Flooring 

Before we dive too deep into the weeds about trade show exhibit flooring, let’s review the basics. These are 10 considerations to answer before discussing your design options. 

1. Budget: Trade show flooring can range in price from a simple carpet rental to a custom-designed floor. Determine how much you are willing to spend on flooring before you start shopping around.
2. Booth Size and Shape: The size and shape of your booth will determine how much flooring you need and what type of flooring will be easiest to install.
3. Foot Traffic: Consider how many people are expected to visit your booth and choose a flooring option that can withstand heavy traffic.
4. Durability: Trade show flooring needs to be durable enough to withstand foot traffic, rolling displays, and heavy equipment.
5. Aesthetics: Your flooring should complement your booth design and branding. You can use color, pattern, and texture to create a visually appealing space.
6. Comfort: If you and your staff will be standing on your feet all day, consider an anti-fatigue mat to reduce stress on your joints.
7. Ease of Installation and Removal: You will need to be able to install and remove your flooring quickly and easily.
8. Weight and Portability: If you are traveling to the trade show, consider the weight and portability of your flooring option.
9. Safety: Make sure your flooring is slip-resistant and meets all fire safety regulations.
10. Regulations: Some trade show venues have restrictions on the type of flooring that can be used. Be sure to check with the venue before you make a purchase.

By considering these factors, you can choose the best trade show flooring for your needs.

Trade Show Wood Flooring

Outside of North America, wood flooring is the standard for most trade show floors, particularly in island exhibits. No other flooring has the same upscale look and durability. Most wood floors are raised for wire management and include ramps for disability access. The wood flooring is assembled in sections and requires labor familiar with the installation. 

Because wood flooring costs considerably more than carpeting, vinyl, or tiles, exhibitors nearly always rent rather than purchase it. 

One design option, particularly for larger islands, is to add a raised wood floor in one section of the booth. This could work well for a seating or conference area or a dining room or bar. This adds elegance to the overall design without the expense of a wood floor throughout the booth. 

If you want the look of wood flooring, but without the cost, then consider vinyl flooring with a wood design. Standard vinyl wood grain patterns include oak, maple, chestnut, ash, and corawood in various colors. Other non-wood designs include black, white, slate, checkerboard, and gray.

Trade Show Carpet Flooring

Traditional carpet is an easy choice for most exhibitors. Carpet is the most common flooring for booths, accounting for roughly 50% of flooring at most shows.  It can be rented or purchased. It comes in a variety of colors and weights and allows for basic wire management when combined with foam padding. Options include custom printing or inlays for a more upscale appearance. 

Here are several advantages:

• Comfort: Carpet provides a more comfortable surface for attendees and booth staff standing for long periods.
• Acoustics: It absorbs sound, creating a quieter environment for conversations and presentations.
• Safety: Carpet offers slip resistance and some cushioning, reducing the risk of falls.
• Versatility: Available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures to complement any booth design. It can even be printed with your branding!
• Durability: When chosen with the right weight and density, trade show carpet can withstand heavy foot traffic and wear and tear. 

For many exhibitors, especially those with portable inline booths, a rental carpet is a good choice. However, carpet can be costly to ship if purchased and requires daily vacuuming either by the booth staff or by the show contractor.

Interlocking Trade Show Flooring Tiles

Unlike carpeting, interlocking tiles are easy to ship and store and are more durable. They can be ordered in a variety of colors and textures, including fabric, woodgrain, and foam. They’re easy to install, comfortable, and replacing damaged tiles is relatively inexpensive. For a more finished look, exhibitors should always order tiles with an angled edge along the front or side of the booth. 

Popular color options include: 

• Black: Black is a classic color that can create a sophisticated and professional look for your booth. It also helps hide dirt and grime, which is a plus for high-traffic trade shows.
• Gray: Gray is another neutral color that is a versatile choice for trade show flooring. It can be used to create a modern or industrial look for your booth.
• Blue: Blue is a popular color for trade show flooring because it is associated with trust, credibility, and security. It can also be used to create a calming or relaxing atmosphere.
• White: White can help to make your booth look larger and brighter. However, it is important to choose a white tile that is stain-resistant and easy to clean.

Some interlocking tiles (or even tiles that connect without the puzzle piece edges) are more seamless and attractive. Those come close to mimicking carpeting or vinyl flooring. When convenience is a top priority for an exhibitor, then interlocking tiles are hard to beat.

Trade Show Vinyl Flooring or Flex Flooring

Rollable vinyl flooring, often called flex flooring, is an excellent alternative to carpeting. Flex flooring comes in rolls like carpet, includes attached thin padding, and comes in a variety of styles that mimic the look of wood or stone, like gray wood, medium oak, or light slate. It’s comparable in price to carpet and easy to clean. However, like carpet, it can be expensive to ship and must be replaced if damaged.  

Flex Flooring Features and Benefits:

• Beautiful Exotic Hardwood Styles
• Adds an Upscale Look to Your Exhibit
• Durable and Easy to Clean and Maintain
• Fast, Simple Installation and Dismantle
• Rolls Up for Easy Transport and Storage
• 10′ and 12 ‘ Standard Widths
• Add Padding for Additional Comfort

Available in a Convenient Portable Option, FlexFloor to Go

Custom Trade Show Flooring

Custom trade show floor includes modifying all the above along with another recent trend. Carpet can be inlaid to create a logo or graphic in the booth. Specific areas can be designated by colors. And, of course, colors can reinforce the overall visual booth design and graphics. 

Exhibitors have combined carpet with vinyl flooring, using the vinyl to show a pathway(s) to specific products, meeting rooms, or presentation areas. Printed rollable vinyl is another option such as repeating logos or flooring that looks like bricks, stones, or sand. When you choose a graphic for your floor, anything is possible.

Creative Trade Show Flooring Ideas 

Choosing none of the above is also an option if you are creative. For example, one company wanted their exhibit to be a quiet space where attendees could relax and have a beer. Their booth resembled a pub and included a long bar, tables and chairs, and a truss ceiling with a ceiling fan. The floor… the existing concrete but with strategically placed adhesive stickers with the bar name and the company’s unique services. Here are a few additional creative trade show flooring ideas.  

• Graphic Overlays. Graphic overlays are a great solution to customize with the ability to remove the graphics after the show. The base flooring can be reused after the event and new overlays printed and installed at the next show in no time. 
• Soft Floor Interlocking Tiles. Comfortable, convenient, and economical, SoftFloor 2 ft. x 2 ft. Interlocking tiles are available in 14 colors, They require no adhesives, install quickly, and ship in portable cases. Colors can be mixed and matched to create custom designs. 
• Turf. Artificial turf brings the beauty of the outside to the inside with a durable flooring surface. Add turf painting for a distinctive look.  
• Infusion Dye Carpet. Exhibit houses have diversified over the years to handle not only their client’s trade show but also their event, marketing, retail, and mobile engagements. Infusion Dye Carpet is distinctive and memorable. Casinos, hotels, high-rise lobbies, and convention centers often have this type of flooring.

Trade Show Flooring Rental

Many exhibitors choose to rent rather than buy their trade show flooring. In most cases, particularly when renting carpet and padding, the cost is similar to purchasing. However, exhibitors enjoy these advantages:

• Convenience: Rental companies handle delivery, installation, and removal of the flooring, saving you time and effort.
• Variety: Rental companies offer a wide variety of flooring options to choose from, including carpet, vinyl, interlocking tiles, and even specialty flooring like wood-grain finishes.
• Storage: Storing flooring is invariably a hassle for most exhibitors, even if it’s stored with their exhibit house. It’s costly, plus the color or style may not be appropriate as a company’s trade show marketing campaigns change. Renting eliminates all that. 

What to consider when renting trade show flooring:

• Booth Size and Shape: Rental companies can help you determine how much flooring you need based on the size and shape of your booth.
• Foot Traffic: They can advise on flooring options that can withstand the expected level of foot traffic at your booth.
• Desired Look:: Communicate your desired aesthetic – professional, modern, upscale – to the rental company for recommendations.
• Venue Regulations: Some venues have restrictions on the type of flooring that can be used. 

Finally, get quotes from multiple companies and compare prices and services before making a decision. Ask about add-on services: Some companies offer installation and removal services, while others may require you to handle this yourself. And most importantly, book early, especially for popular trade shows.

More Questions on Trade Show Booth Flooring?

Contact us! Our business is innovating trade show displays and trade show flooring is one of the best (and easiest) ways to do that. Of course, flooring isn’t the most important thing for everyone; everything still depends on what the rest of your booth looks like and what your goals are. But it’s certainly always worth considering.

Do you have a vision of what your next trade show booth could look like? We love talking shop. Show and tell us what you’ve got and we’ll help take it to the next level to make your next trade show experience the best one yet.