At ExhibitorLIVE, we didn’t just serve up branded prizes—we gathered real data from real trade show decision-makers. Our Experiential Vending Machine wasn’t just a swag stop; it was a data mine. With hundreds of participants engaging with the machine, here’s what we learned about how planners are approaching their trade show game in 2025.
1. The Heavy Hitters Are Just That—Heavy
How many trade shows do you plan per year?
Let’s talk volume. Nearly 46% of respondents are managing 21+ trade shows annually, a clear sign that large-scale event strategy is alive and thriving. Meanwhile, about 41% are planning between 1 and 10 shows, showing a strong presence of both enterprise-level operators and more selective marketers.
Translation: Whether you’re hitting 5 shows or 50, trade show floors remain a prime stage for brand storytelling.
2. Budgets Tell the Story of Strategy
What’s the typical activation budget per booth?
Budget ranges revealed a split between scrappy and splashy.
Over 63% of respondents spend $25,000 or less
But a sizable 28% are investing $50,000 or more
High-impact doesn’t always mean high spend, but for brands aiming to leave a lasting mark, it’s clear that deeper investments in experience are driving the booth buzz.
3. The 10×10 Still Reigns—but Not Alone
What is your typical trade show booth size?
Unsurprisingly, the 10’ x 10’ and 10’ x 20’ formats tied as the most common booth sizes (each at 28.3%). But there’s a rising presence of larger footprints:
20’ x 20’: 26.2%
30’ x 30’ or larger: 17.3%
While compact booths dominate the field, there’s a visible shift toward experiential real estate. Think more room, more interaction, more impact.
4. Where Do Planners Get Inspired?
Which shows do you attend to source new activations?
When it comes to inspiration, it’s a four-show race:
ExhibitorLIVE: 34.6%
IMEX America: 31.4%
Event Tech Live: 23.6%
IAEE Expo! Expo!: 19.9%
These aren’t just trade shows—they’re playgrounds for the activation-obsessed.
5. What Activations Actually Matter?
What types of booth activations are most in demand?
Gamified experiences are at the top of everyone’s wishlist:
Leaderboard competitions: 81%
Branded swag experiences: 67%
Virtual Reality/Mixed Reality: 60%
AI-powered experiences: 56%
Immersive photo/video: 50%
Gamification is leading the charge, but tech-forward experiences—especially immersive, shareable ones—are close behind.
What It Means for You
ExhibitorLIVE is the leading conference and exhibition for trade show and corporate event marketing professionals. Known as the training ground for exhibit pros, it brings together top-tier vendors, breakout ideas, and hands-on experiences designed to elevate booth strategies. From cutting-edge activations to practical workshops, it’s where brand teams go to see what’s next—and who’s making it happen.
