Visibility
We always look for spaces near the front door and high traffic areas. Being close to the front gives us a first sight, last sight lasting impression. Then we try to pick a spot near some of our core clients. We like our space to be close to our clients so they can use our space as a resource to show our products to their clients' end-users.
— Anonymous

      Space #345
I resist the temptation to choose the largest footprint and instead opt for a versatile space that allows for accessibility, visibility, and positioning along the main attendee traffic path. Space #345 is close to high-traffic areas and would support most key exhibitor objectives. And an “activation-adjacent” area may be ideal for finding the balance between show floor energy and relative seclusion where a new product can be demoed.
— Halcie Svor-Bernstein, vice president, account services, Czarnowski

      Space #513 or 712
I would choose #513 or #712 because your exposure is always higher on the main aisle near the entrance. Often the second booth in is better than the first because people tend to walk in the hall a bit and get their bearings before they enter a booth space. I think #513 has the edge over #712 because any activation area is typically non-commercial and has minimal architecture. This allows for more traffic and better sightlines into your space.
— Courtney Soice, CMO, Hamilton

      Space #454
I think 20-by-30-foot island spaces can create a meaningful impact while saving money that can be put toward execution. Space #454 has a central location that's great for booth traffic. There are wide aisles on two sides of the space, which provide an unobstructed view from other booths. This space doesn't have columns or obstructions, and it's near the biggest booth at the venue, most likely the biggest company in the industry, so it will likely bring foot traffic to the space.
— Bart Henyan, brand strategist, Warehouse21



      Space #700
I recommend exhibits closest to the entryway and down the front aisles because those will get the most attention and engagement before show attendees start experiencing information overload from all the visual stimulation throughout the hall.

Booth 700 is the best position centered on the entry doors. My second choices are #513, #521, #712, #720, #802, #812, and #820. Third choices are #401, #406, #413, #421, #906, #912, and #920.

My team and I always look at the show floor plan when a new design request comes in. It is important that visitors' first impression of the brand is memorable, favorable, and draws them in. The great thing about the booth numbers I listed above is that you can be certain of the angle from which visitors will first view the exhibit, so you can design the exhibit to make that first reveal really dramatic. Even if other angles of the exhibit are not as wonderful (though they certainly can be) that first impression is what will stick in the visitor's memory regarding that brand. And if your exhibit is #700, the first impression goes beyond the brand and is also the first impression of the whole show.

I also like the island exhibits directly around the large central networking area: #529, #728, #828, #928, #429, #329, #243, #339, #345, #932, #935, #938, #941, and #949. Show attendees will spend a lot of time in that central space, possibly taking a break. While in that area they will be aware of all those surrounding exhibits and see something that catches their eye, then go to check that exhibit out after being refreshed from their break. What is more challenging about those spaces is they are going to be approached from more sides, so there's not a clear first view. The booth can be designed to encourage entry from one side, or designed to be appealing on multiple sides, so it's not a dealbreaker, but from a design perspective, it's more challenging to make multiple views equally appealing.
— Katina Rigall Zipay, creative director, Classic Exhibits

      Space #345 and #243
Under the assumption that the rules and regulations are full cubit content use, with no sight line or setback restrictions, I like booth space #345, which looks like a 20-by-30. I like the idea of having a long side of my exhibit facing the Networking Area because there would likely be fewer other exhibits 'blocking' our front. And although I typically avoid columns at all costs, I like that this column is at our backside. If columns hold firefighting equipment, by law they need to have a lot of clearance around them. Plus, some show halls park trash buckets at columns during a show.

If I wanted a 20-by-20, I'd choose #243 because the front can face the Networking Area, but is farther from the presentation part of the networking area. The lower side of that 20-by-20 can also feel like a very approachable front side, the space faces the hall entrance, and the column would be on the backside.

Another nice space for a 20-by-20 island is #521 because it feels like it has two main/wider aisles and it's not far from the entrance or the networking area.

If I desired a linear, due to budget, I would always try to secure a linear along the perimeter, but only if show rules allowed me to have an exhibit higher than 8 feet tall. Plus, an open corner is great. Spaces #1135 and #1147 are nice, but #1147 would be my first choice since there are no neighbors abutting.

Island peninsulas are my least favorite, both as an exhibitor and a designer. If the island peninsula has full cubit content rules, it is a little less painful. An island peninsula with standard island peninsula setbacks and sightline restrictions are the bane of my existence. They limit what you can do with the structure to help display a client's brand identity. Also, those rules and regs limit the amount of space you paid for on the topside of your carpet. Available functional space is limited, and the overall look, feel, and function of the exhibit is compromised.

And don't even get me started on an island under 30-by-40 with a column inside its space.
— Dana Esposito, EVP, strategy, BlueHive Exhibits

      High Traffic
People think being near the entrance is best, but don't forget high traffic areas like food courts, restrooms, lounges, or theaters. Also consider the natural flow of attendees as they navigate the hall. Are there escalators that could boost your visibility? Is there a new product zone that attendees are likely to visit? Perhaps a high-profile speaker? These factors influence the attendee journey and can determine how much attention your booth receives.
— Sohini Mitra, strategic sales executive, MC2

      Vector View
I draw a cone on the floor plan from the entrance to the back rear corners of the hall. I don't include the show office because no attendees are there, and I do include food court and bathrooms. Battery life is better, so proximity to charging stations is not a factor. My step two is looking for aisles that span the entire show, double wide aisles, and the intersection of those aisles, because that's likely to have higher traffic. Then I look at the front of the networking area because it will have people entering and exiting. Everyone has to go through the entrance, but not everyone will go to the back of the hall.
— Steve Deckel, CEO, Deckel & Moneypenny

      Space #700
Space #700 is right on the main aisle leading to the networking area, and because it's impossible to miss, we could avoid spending a ton on rigging and high signage. That lets our client focus more on the attendee engagement in the space, which will pay greater dividends in terms of relationship building, quality lead gen, and pipeline.
— Jay Menashe, sales & marketing, EDE Corp.