AT A TRADE SHOW,
YOUR BOOTH IS YOUR
ENTIRE COMPANY
" Three seconds. That's how long you have to stop someone and make them want to know more. "
SIX EXHIBIT SYSTEMS
— WE BUILD THEM ALL
Every show, every booth size, every brand has different requirements. Here's what we fabricate — and how each system serves a different exhibiting strategy:
Inline Booth Displays
The standard trade show footprint. We design inline exhibits that maximize every square foot — with tension fabric backwalls, hanging graphics, illuminated counters, product display shelving, and branded flooring. A well-designed 10x10 inline booth consistently outperforms a poorly designed 20x20.
Island Exhibits
Four-sided open exhibits for companies commanding a floor presence. Custom-built structures with double-deck options, meeting rooms, demo stations, storage, and 360-degree brand visibility. Island exhibits are statements — we design and fabricate them to make the right one.
Tension Fabric Systems
Lightweight aluminum frame structures with dye-sublimation printed fabric graphics. Fast setup, lightweight shipping, wrinkle-resistant presentation. The most popular system for companies doing multiple shows per year — one frame, multiple graphic sets for different campaigns.
Pop-Up Displays & Banner Stands
Portable, compact display solutions for smaller shows, conferences, and satellite events. We produce high-quality pop-up displays and retractable banner stands with professional-grade graphics — far above the print-shop standard you've seen everywhere else.
Modular Exhibit Systems
Reconfigurable exhibit systems that can be set up as a 10x10, 10x20, or 20x20 using the same components. Ideal for companies with variable booth sizes across different shows, or for companies that expect to scale their exhibit program over the next few years.
Custom Environments
Fully custom-built exhibit environments for companies that need a unique structural statement — curved walls, custom millwork, integrated AV, interactive demo stations, double-deck structures, and branded environments that don't look like anyone else's booth on the floor.
04_ADVANTAGES WHY NORTHWEST LK?
We Build for
Reuse, Not One Show
An exhibit that's built cheaply to survive one show isn't an asset — it's an expense. We engineer every exhibit for repeated setup and teardown cycles, repeated shipping and storage, and multi-year service life. The materials we specify, the connections we design, and the structural tolerances we hold are all chosen with longevity in mind. Your exhibit is an investment that pays off across every show you do.
Graphics That
Stop Traffic
The graphic work on your exhibit is doing the hardest job: stopping a stranger in a crowded hall and making them look. We don't just print — we design. Our exhibit graphics are engineered for the specific viewing distances, lighting conditions, and traffic flow patterns of trade show floors. Every layout decision, every color choice, every image selection is made with one question in mind: will this make someone stop?
Globally Sourced
Materials & Tech
We source exhibit components, fabric systems, and structural hardware from global leaders in the exhibit industry. The LED lighting systems, tension fabric frames, and modular connector hardware in your exhibit perform at a level that off-the-shelf or domestic-only solutions simply cannot match. This shows on the floor — literally.
C-45 Licensed
Contractor
Northwest LK holds a California C-45 Licensed Sign Contractor certification — the state-required credential for permitted sign and display installations. For trade show exhibits that require venue-specific installation permits or compliance documentation (common at convention centers like the LA Convention Center, Anaheim Convention Center, and others), our C-45 license ensures your installation is fully authorized, documented, and compliant. Many exhibit houses cannot say the same.
THE FIVE ELEMENTS OF A BOOTH THAT CONVERTS
After building exhibits for companies across dozens of industries and hundreds of shows, we've identified the five elements that consistently separate high-performing booths from expensive ones that don't work. We design all five into every exhibit we build.
A Hook You Can Read from 20 Feet
Your primary headline — the one thing you want every passerby to know — must be readable from 20 feet away while walking. We size, position, and light your key message so it registers before the prospect is close enough to stop.
A Clear Open Entry Point
Booths that are physically open and inviting generate more foot traffic than those with counters or barriers at the front. We design entries that draw people in — not screens them out. Traffic flow is part of our design process from day one.
Controlled Lighting
Convention center lighting is designed to illuminate the floor — not to make your exhibit look good. We integrate exhibit lighting — LED spotlights, backlit graphics, counter lighting, and accent systems — that makes your booth visually pop against the ambient light of the hall.
A Place to Have a Conversation
The best lead conversations happen when the prospect is seated and the noise of the floor falls away slightly. Even a 10x10 booth can have a designated conversation area. We design for it — whether that's a simple branded counter with stools, or a proper meeting area within a larger exhibit.
Storage You Can't See
Cases, bags, extra brochures, personal items, and equipment need to go somewhere — and that somewhere shouldn't be visible to visitors. We design integrated storage into every exhibit, regardless of size. A clean, uncluttered booth looks more professional and gives staff room to focus on prospects.
EXHIBITS FOR EVERY
INDUSTRY & SHOW TYPE
Technology
& SaaS
Clean, modern exhibit environments that communicate innovation without visual noise. Interactive demo stations, digital displays, and modular systems that scale with your funding rounds. We've built for companies exhibiting at CES, Salesforce World Tour, and regional tech summits.
Healthcare
& Medical
Clinical precision in exhibit design — clean materials, authoritative graphics, and ADA-compliant layouts that communicate trust and expertise. Exhibit systems for medical device companies, pharmaceutical brands, and healthcare service organizations exhibiting at trade shows and medical conferences.
Consumer
Products &
Retail
Product-forward exhibit designs that showcase your merchandise at its best. Built-in product shelving, lighting designed for product photography quality, and brand environments that make visitors want to own what they're seeing.
Real Estate &
Development
Large-format environmental graphics, development renderings, site model displays, and branded environments for real estate companies exhibiting at industry conferences and investor events. We understand that your display is selling a vision — we design for that.
Manufacturing
& Industrial
Heavy-duty exhibit structures for companies with large or heavy products on display. Custom-engineered flooring, product display platforms, and exhibit systems built to showcase machinery, components, and industrial solutions at trade shows.
Professional
Services &
Finance
Sophisticated, understated exhibit environments for professional services firms, financial institutions, and consulting organizations. Materials and design language that communicate stability, expertise, and trustworthiness — in an environment where every competitor is trying to say the same thing.
FROM BRIEF TO BOOTH
Exhibit projects move fast — show deadlines are fixed and non-negotiable. We've built exhibits on tight timelines many times. Here's how we manage the process so your booth is ready, tested, and packed before your show opens.
Discovery Consultation
We learn your show schedule, booth size, key messages, brand guidelines, budget, and what's worked or not worked at previous shows. The more context you give us, the better the exhibit we produce.
Concept Design
We produce 2–3 exhibit design concepts with photorealistic 3D renderings showing your exhibit in a simulated trade show environment. You see the booth from attendee perspective — from the aisle, at 20 feet, and up close. We refine until the concept is right.
Graphics Production
Once the structural design is approved, graphics are produced at full resolution. We proof all graphics with you before production — checking brand accuracy, spelling, and visual hierarchy. What you approve is what gets printed.
Fabrication & Pre-Build
Your exhibit is fabricated and fully assembled at our Irvine facility before it ships anywhere. We pre-build to verify fit, test all lighting and electrical systems, and photograph the completed booth. Any issues are resolved in our shop — not at the show.
Shipping & Logistics
We pack your exhibit for freight shipping in custom crates or cases designed to protect the structure during transport. We advise on drayage, advance warehouse vs. direct-to-show shipping, and labor requirements for your specific venue.
Install Support & Post-Show
We provide setup instructions and support for your team's on-site installation — or we can travel to your show for supervised installation. After the show, we advise on storage, maintenance, and graphic refresh options to maximize the exhibit's service life.
Exhibits Built for Southern California Companies & National Shows
From 10x10 inline booths to custom island exhibits — designed to stop traffic, built to last.
Infinite - Neon Sign
Neon Signage Delivers A Bold, Modern Visual Impact Through Bright, Smooth Illumination. Crafted With High-Quality LED Soft Silicone Neon Strips, It Provides Even Lighting And Clean, Fluid Lines While Maintaining Energy Efficiency And Long-Term Durability. Ideal For Brand Displays, Feature Walls, Storefront Signage, And Interior Décor, It Adds Distinctive Character And Atmosphere To Any Space.
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Layered Mirror
These Layered Acrylic Mirror Dimensional Letters Seamlessly Blend Contemporary Flair With Eye-Catching Reflective Appeal. Crafted From Premium-Grade Acrylic With A Precision-Cut Mirrored Surface, Each Letter Offers Crisp Definition And Striking Light Interaction — Adding Both Depth And Brilliance To Any Visual Display. Perfect For Modern Retail Branding, Stylish Office Signage, Or Interior
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Room ID Signs
These Room ID Signs Blend The Modern Elegance Of Brushed Stainless Steel With The Natural Warmth Of Wood, Creating A Stylish And Functional Signage Solution. Made From High-Grade Stainless Steel Combined With Select Wood, Each Sign Is Crafted For Visual Clarity And Design Harmony. Ideal For Offices, Medical Facilities, Schools, And Hospitality Spaces, They Help Ensure Clear Room Identification While
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TRADE SHOW EXHIBIT FAQs
How much does a custom trade show exhibit cost?
Trade show exhibit costs vary widely based on booth size, system type, and custom build requirements. General ranges: · Retractable banner stands (per unit): $300–$800 · Pop-up display (10-foot): $1,500–$3,500 · Tension fabric inline booth (10×10): $3,000–$7,000 · Custom inline exhibit (10×10): $5,000–$15,000 · Modular exhibit system (10×20): $8,000–$20,000 · Custom island exhibit (20×20): $20,000–$60,000+ All pricing includes design, fabrication, and graphics. Shipping, drayage, and installation labor are quoted separately as they depend on show venue and location. We provide full itemized quotes after your free consultation.
How far in advance should we order a custom exhibit?
For a custom exhibit, we recommend a minimum of 8–10 weeks from project start to show floor for a first-time build. Here’s why: · Design and approval: 1–2 weeks · Graphics production: 1 week · Fabrication: 3–5 weeks · Pre-build and QC: 3–5 days · Shipping to show: 1–2 weeks (depending on venue) For complex island exhibits or custom environments, allow 12–16 weeks. If your show is closer, contact us — we’ve hit tight deadlines before, and we’ll tell you honestly what’s achievable in your timeframe.
Can we reuse the exhibit at multiple shows?
Yes — and this is something we design for from day one. All of our exhibit systems are engineered for repeated setup, teardown, shipping, and storage cycles. Tension fabric graphics can be swapped out for different shows or campaigns while keeping the same frame. Modular systems can be reconfigured into different footprints. We’ll advise on the system that gives you the most flexibility for your specific show schedule.
Do you handle shipping and show logistics?
We pack your exhibit professionally and advise on all shipping logistics — advance warehouse timelines, direct-to-show shipping options, and freight carrier selection. We provide complete setup instructions and a pre-build photo reference so your team can install efficiently on-site. For high-priority shows, we can provide on-site installation supervision. Contact us to discuss your specific show’s requirements.
We already have an exhibit. Can you update the graphics or modify the structure?
Yes — exhibit refurbishment and graphic refresh is one of our most common services. We can produce new fabric graphics for existing tension fabric frames, reprint and relaminate panels for existing structures, modify structural elements to update the layout, add lighting to an existing exhibit, and assess the overall condition to advise on repair vs. replacement. Send us photos of your current exhibit and we’ll evaluate it.
Your competitors are being seen.
Are You?
Every show you exhibit at, you're competing for attention with every other company on the floor. The booth that stops traffic wins. Start with a free design consultation — tell us your show, your booth size, and your message, and we'll show you what's possible.