Industry surveys show the major money burners are renting space, creating your booth, and paying for show-related services, such as electricity, labor, furnishings, and carpet. Other expenses include travel, lodging, and meals for you and your staff, entertainment, exhibit promotion, shipping expenses, and customer follow-up. The smallest booth is typically 10 feet by 10 feet.
Some estimates put such costs much higher.
The magazine put the average size of a new exhibit at 1,457 square feet. They generally include your space, a basic sign, the pipe and drape that defines your space, table and chairs, and carpet. Even with discounts or deals, if you don't get potential customers to your exhibit, you run the risk of spending lots of money and time for little return. So promotion is vital. Most experts recommend you purchase a pre-show mailing list from the event manager and send a mailing with your booth number and hours.