Most professionals we work with know their ways around indoor trade show signs. But when it comes to outfitting an exterior tent setup or an outdoor hospitality space, they are on uncertain ground. Can you use the same graphics and colors you chose for the booth that you have on the interior? Not always; in fact, sometimes it pays to select a different color altogether. What do you need to know?

Colors Have Meanings

Did you talk to your logo designer about color psychology? Perhaps your interior decorator brought it up when you chose the furnishings for your store or office. But what works well for a waiting room may not necessarily be ideal for an outdoor trade show display. Here are the color combinations our clients have found useful.

• Red. When used sparingly, perhaps as an accent color, red serves to draw attention to your signage. If you decide on larger graphics presentations in red, you will turn heads. But when you overdo the use of the color, you may scare attendees away.
• Yellow. Because yellow is the color frequently chosen for alerts, consumers are now conditioned to read notices that feature this tone. Pick a solid, dark yellow and stay away from pastels. Only opt for this color to underscore the importance of vital snippets of text. If you use it too frequently, visitors stop reading.
• Gray. Using gray is risky. Just like beige and khaki, it is neutral. You cannot make an impression with a neutral color. On the other hand, when you tip the gray over into silver, you now have a high-tech appeal.

Outdoor Signage Options

Whatever you place outside will have to withstand the weather and pique the curiosity of attendees. Ideally, these products will send them directly to your indoor booth.

• Weighted sign holders. Prevent tipping over with bases filled with sand or water. They hold graphics panels that you can combine to convey multiple messages. Other versions of these items allow for the presentation of curved displays.
• Café barriers. You know them from the last time you visited the bank and had to wait in line. If you are hosting a giveaway or contest on the outside, select these products because of the banners you can feature between the posts.
• Inflatables and flags. For eye-catching signage that attracts the attention of visitors across the parking lot, we recommend inflatables and flags. The former are unusual and can take on customized shapes of your logo, product, or a niche-specific image. Flags attract attention because of their fluttering in the wind. The movement draws the eye.
• Customized umbrellas. Restaurants use them to offer shade to diners on the patio. However, when you look closely, you see that the coverings feature corporate colors, logos, business names, and sometimes co-branded images.
• A-frames. We recommend using these signage solutions for wayfinding. Entice visitors to head into the expo hall and find your booth. Give specific directions, use arrows, and repeat any particular trade show promotion your business runs.

Contact our specialists today to learn more about the outdoor trade show signs that can significantly impact the foot traffic that heads to your booth.