At a busy Ottawa trade show, you don’t have long to get someone’s attention. There may be dozens (or even hundreds) of other booths in the room. People are moving quickly. You’ve got to grab their attention before anyone else does.
Whether your event is indoors at the Cohere Centre in January or outdoors at one of our city’s beautiful parks in July, a well-designed, memorable sign will bring more customers to your booth.
Here’s how to make that happen:
What Makes Event Signage Work At Ottawa Trade Shows, Conferences, And Community Events
Trying to say too much is one of the easiest ways to make a sign harder to understand.
Start with what someone needs to catch while walking past: Your company name, what you’re offering, and why the person should stop and visit. Keep important text large, use strong contrast, and leave enough open space to prevent things from getting too noisy.
Next, you have to think about quality and resolution. For many large-format event signs, around 150 pixels per inch (PPI) at the final printed size is a useful target (though the actual ideal resolution depends on the size of the graphic and how closely people will view it).
A 36” × 96” banner at 150 PPI would require an image roughly 5,400 × 14,400 pixels – that’s a very high-resolution image!
Logos are a little different. Whenever possible, use a vector file such as an SVG, EPS, or properly prepared PDF, which can be enlarged without becoming pixelated.
Finally, think about brand consistency. Your banners, table graphics, handouts, and booth display don’t need to be identical, but they should clearly belong to the same brand.
How To Choose The Right Event Display For Your Space And Goals
Event displays are as unique as the companies that use them. A business attending several trade shows a year may need something durable and modular. A company sponsoring a one-day community event might just need a great banner.
Before ordering anything, consider your available space, how often you’ll reuse the display, how you’ll transport it, and how much setup you want to do.
Banners For Quick Visibility & Promotions
Banners are popular for a reason: They’re simple, versatile, and easy to move. Great in the scorching July heat, better still when you’re running out of a venue on a cold December day.
Retractable banner stands work well beside a table, at an entrance, or within a smaller booth. They pack down quickly and can be reused at presentations, recruiting events, conferences, and future trade shows.
Larger vinyl banners make more sense when you need visibility across a wider area or signage that can also be used outdoors.
If you’re comparing Ottawa banners for events, there are a few things to consider: Where will it sit? How far away will people be? Will it travel regularly? Will it ever be exposed to wind or weather? Answering those questions (and checking with the venues you regularly visit for any size limitations) will help you pick the right size for your banners.
Pop-Up Displays & Coordinated Trade Show Graphics For Booth Presence
Pop-up displays can create a strong visual backdrop and give your brand more presence if you have the room for a larger display.
To really catch attendees’ eyes, a combination of backdrops, banners, and other features (like branded table throws) can be the best approach. A backdrop establishes who you are, while banners can attract attendees while highlighting a service or promotion, with other branded materials reinforcing your message.
That’s especially useful at larger Ottawa expos, where your booth has to make sense both from across the aisle and when someone walks up to it.
When considering different pop-up display options, think about reuse, too; pop-ups are larger and more expensive, so opting for less seasonal calls-to-action is a good play. Smaller banners can carry the event-specific messaging; design the pop-up to be reusable.
Planning Effective Event Signage With SpeedPro Ottawa
SpeedPro Ottawa creates custom banners, banner stands, trade show displays and booths, and coordinated graphics for businesses preparing for events throughout the Ottawa area.
Looking for a display you can reuse for years to come or a banner for a one-off event? We can help; contact us today!
Event Signage FAQ
What type of event signage is best for a trade show booth?
For many booths, a combination works best: A larger backdrop or pop-up display for visibility, supported by retractable banners or table graphics for more specific messaging.
Are pop-up displays or retractable banners better for small spaces?
Retractable banners usually give you more flexibility in a tight footprint. Pop-up displays offer greater visual impact, but work best when you have enough booth space to avoid making things feel crowded.
How far away should event graphics be readable from?
Your logo and main message should be understandable from the aisle. Detailed information can be reserved for graphics people will see once they approach your booth.
What should I include on a banner or trade show display?
Keep the essentials prominent: Your logo, a clear message about what you do, and one useful takeaway or call to action. Website addresses, QR codes, and contact details can help, but shouldn’t compete with the main message.
Can I reuse event signage for multiple events?
Absolutely. Keep the main pieces evergreen when possible. Avoid putting dates or event names on expensive backdrops; use smaller, replaceable graphics for information that may change.
