Motive Exhibitions team explains what hanging banners are, how venue rigging works, and why they suit space-only stands from 4×4 upwards – including typical costs from £3,000+. The post draws on Motive Exhibitions’ work on the 1st Containers exhibition stand at LAMMA, which featured in Clarkson’s Farm, with a gallery of hanging banner examples from shows across the UK.
When Jeremy Clarkson turned up to LAMMA earlier this year, he walked straight past a lot of stands. But one thing he, Caleb, or anyone tuning into Clarkson’s Farm couldn’t miss? The hanging banner above the 1st Containers exhibition stand – built and installed by us.
That’s exactly the point of a hanging banner.
So what is a hanging banner, exactly?
A hanging banner – sometimes called rigging – is a branded display suspended from the venue ceiling above your exhibition stand. It puts your name in the air, visible from across the hall, long before anyone reaches your space. Many of the UK’s largest trade shows, including those held at the NEC Birmingham, require you to book rigging directly with the venue. Teamed with trussing, it also opens up options for lighting rigs – a great way to enhance your stand and show your products in their best light.
Is it expensive?
It can be a pricey option. You’re looking at starting from around £2,000 when you factor in the venue rigging fees and the production of the banner itself. But for a space-only stand, it’s very effective in giving height and presence.
How does booking work?
You need to order it in advance and your exhibition stand builder will factor it into the stand design. Venues control all ceiling access, so you have to book your rigging slot directly with them – they send the rig down from the roof to attach the banner to. We then install the banner on site, it gets lifted into position, and that’s it.
What do you actually get for that?
“Look up and you’ll see our exhibition stand.” It’s a useful line to drop in any pre-show email or social post to get people coming to see you first. On the day, it brings brand awareness and alerts visitors who might’ve put you on their shortlist that you’re in the hall.
Beyond visibility, a hanging banner gives your space a more defined, premium feel – and somewhere to hang lights above your exhibition stand. If the competitor next to you has one and you don’t, visitors will see them before they see you.
If the competitor next to you has one and you don’t, visitors will see them before they see you. –
Edward Marshall, Creative Director, Motive Exhibitions
Is a hanging banner right for every stand?
You’ll need to be on a space-only stand, and it really only makes sense from a 4×4 upwards.
Interested? Get in touch and we’ll talk you through what’s possible at your next show.
Hanging banners on exhibition stands
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Motive Exhibitions, 3 Orion Court, Ambuscade Road, Colmworth Business Park, Eaton Socon, St. Neots, PE19 8YX
