The Ultimate Guide to Reconfigurable Exhibition Stands

Reconfigurable exhibition stands are changing the way that businesses approach exhibiting. For brands attending multiple events across an exhibition calendar, stand spaces often vary in size and layout from show to show.

In the past, under the exhibition industry’s traditional “build and burn” methodology, this typically meant purchasing a new exhibition stand for each show. Not only is this costly and wasteful, but it also adds unnecessary hassle and stress for each show.

Modular, reconfigurable exhibition stands offer a smarter, more versatile alternative. They can be adapted to work in different spaces and sizes, utilising high-quality materials to uphold a consistent, professional and polished look, show after show.

In this guide, we share everything you need to know about reconfigurable exhibition stands.

Reconfigurable exhibition stands are a versatile exhibiting solution, made using modular stand solutions that can be rearranged to work in different configurations and layouts.

The stands are specifically designed for flexibility, maximising the potential for reuse across an exhibition calendar.

Reconfigurable exhibition stands offer a fantastic value proposition: they’re reusable, sustainable, flexible, and provide outstanding cost savings across a series of events.

• Flexibility – Reconfigurable exhibition stands offer fantastic flexibility. With just one repertoire of panels, exhibitors can create a range of different stand configurations and sizes, so they’re never locked into just one look or size.
• Sustainability – Reconfigurable exhibition stands are the most sustainable exhibition stands on the market. Made from high-quality materials and built for flexibility, these stands are designed to last, saving valuable resources from heading into landfills.
• Brand Consistency – One of the greatest and most commonly overlooked benefits of reconfigurable exhibition stands is the brand consistency, which comes from using the same system and company for each event.
• Cost-Savings – By investing in one stand for multiple events, businesses can save enormous amounts of money.
• Easy Transport – Modular exhibition stands are designed to be lightweight, packing down into compact, easy-to-transport cases. Because they have a smaller physical footprint, the stands can be transported in LGVs and sometimes even an estate car, lowering emissions.

Reconfigurable exhibition stands look very different, depending on the contractor and solution chosen.

Some stand systems offer a seamless graphic look, complemented by custom and bespoke features, while others are more obviously composed of separate interlinking sections. Each can look professional, but it is worth investigating which system your contractor uses to understand its individual capabilities.

Quadrant2Design, for example, solely uses the Prestige Events System. This system combines a hidden aluminium structure with seamless panoramic graphics, creating an uninterrupted canvas for branding and marketing messages.  These stands can host integrated bespoke features, elevating the look and feel of the stand.

Reconfiguration designs are best left to your contractors’ experienced design consultant, who can ensure everything is structurally sound, secure, and polished for the event.

At Quadrant2Design, we offer Lifetime Free Design, so that clients can make the most out of their investment.  This means we redesign and reconfigure an existing exhibition stand to fit new and different event spaces at no extra charge!

Many businesses opt for reconfigurable exhibition stands because they significantly lower the environmental impact of exhibiting. Where custom-built stands are used for just two-to-three days before heading to landfills, reconfigurable stands can be used across and beyond entire exhibition calendars.

Unless you are fast-approaching a rebrand, it’s worth investing in a reconfigurable exhibition stand sooner rather than later. Reconfigurable stands have a solid value proposition, and as an investment, they become more economical the longer you use them.

Within the first year of using the stand, you will notice improved environmental footprints, substantial cost savings, greater brand consistency and faster brand recall, all the while presenting sustainably to your respective market.

For Retinoid Aesthetic, we began with the largest configuration first!

No new panels were printed for this stand reconfiguration.

One additional panel was printed for this stand, allowing an endcap showcase to be included.

If you research modular exhibition stands, you will find that exhibition stand contractors all use different exhibition stand systems, each with its own weight, ease of build, capability, quality, and finish. Though many stands are referred to as reconfigurable, the quality and type of system is the real determiner of its capabilities.

For example, some modular stands utilise large expanses of stretch fabrics. As large proportions of the graphic media are hosted on one or two units of fabric, these stands are often much less flexible than other modular solutions. Some have just one or two potential setups, and this is the extent of their modularity.

At Quadrant2Design, we use the Prestige Events System, which is exclusive to us in the UK. This system is lightweight to build, yet extremely durable. It is highly adaptable and can make nearly every exhibition stand structure. Above all, this system can host many bespoke and customisable features, so no two stands look the same. Since the system is highly malleable, we can completely alter the look of the exhibition stand using just reconfiguration.

When you understand how to design for reconfigurable systems, you tap into their full potential. Reconfigurable exhibition stands have the capacity to be an incredibly versatile and useful stand solution when used properly. However, without careful consideration, branding can become outdated or restricted to fewer layouts. Here are some of our tips to maximise your exhibition stands investment and reconfiguration possibilities.

• Look at the Full Calendar – When working with a reconfigurable solution, the best thing you can do is plan for the full calendar. When you approach a contractor, they will often ask you about your largest stand space. This is not to make money out of you. Rather, when you work with the largest stand first, even just to visualise, you can create a design which is adaptable for all of your following smaller configurations. Once you have the designs, you can purchase what you need in the lead-up to the event.
• Create a Brand-First Design – When you are designing for a reconfigurable solution, it is important to think about the longevity of your messaging. While panels can be switched and replaced as needed, brand-first designs, which prioritise brand colours and core messaging, are evergreen and longer-lasting.
• Strategic Placement – Work with a specialist to ensure that the placement of your messaging and imagery has maximum reconfiguration potential. Sometimes this means keeping taglines to one or two panels, so they can easily be rearranged etc.

The answer to this question ultimately depends on the specific exhibition stand contractor you are using and the amount of new components needed for the new layout. While some contractors offer their reconfiguration designs for free, others charge an additional fee for this service.

At Quadrant2Design, we offer the actual reconfiguration designs free of charge as part of our Lifetime Free Design service, enabling our customers to make the most out of their exhibition stand investment and visualise how a new layout will work. However, if the new configuration is much larger than a previous design and requires new panels, or you would like to add new features, then these would come as a separate cost.

If you’re looking at a busy exhibition stand calendar this year, reconfigurable stands might just be the perfect solution. Our exhibition stand design consultants are specialists in reconfigurable stand design and can help you bring your vision to life. Get in touch with us at design@quadrant2design.com or call +44 (0)1202 723 500 for a free, no-obligation design proposal.