To refurbish or not? It's a question that plays in your mind when you need to decide whether you need to refurbish your existing trade show display or purchase a new one. To help you on decision-making, Exhibitors Magazine asked ten exhibiting-industry experts to share their thoughts on exhibit refurbishment:
Refurbishment is the Greener option, but it's not realistic when the materials are so worn that they can't be refinished to meet your brand's standards.
- Tom Bowman, president Bowman Change Inc.
Exhibit refurbishment is like house painting: You think you'll paint just one room, and you end up painting the whole house.
- Judy Volker, marketing director, Iatric Systems, Inc.
If the brand is radically changing, it's easier to give birth than raise the dead.
- Matt Williams, CEO, Exhibit Partners LLC
Graphics and lighting are one way to refresh the look of an aging exhibit.
- Chris Radovich, senior creative director, Delphi Productions Inc. (Group Delphi)
New graphics can completely change the look of an exhibit with minimal cost and in a short time frame.
- Natalie Whited, vice president of marketing, Orbus Exhibit and Display Group
Refurbishing, when done correctly for the right project, can be cost effective. But for major structural changes, refurbishing may not be a good fit.
- Steven Griffith, president, Nationwide Displays
If you have a mishmash of pieces from multiple exhibit houses, various systems, and conflicting substrates, it's more cost effective to start with a clean slate.
- Dana Esposito, creative director, Elevation Exhibits and Events
New designs, exhibit components, and custom elements combine to look much sharper than any refurbishment.
- Ted Spies, general manager, Gateway Exhibit Services
Without a long-term vision for messaging, a refurbishment might result in a one-off design.
- Terrence Young, CMP, international events manager, Pyrotek Inc.