200m2’s modular Trusswire system can be adapted to a wide range of exhibition requirements and can be scaled to suit almost any floor space or height
From the opulence of the Great Exhibition in 1851, when the specially built Crystal Palace housed statues and full-sized trees as well as the exhibition stands—which were themselves a sight to behold—to today’s streamlined trade shows, the key concern has always been how to present products and services to best advantage.
Where once stands were specially built for each exhibition, and possibly used only once, over the past 20 years or so there has been a steady move towards stands that can be re-used and re-configured. In today’s tight economic climate with its attendant budget constraints, exhibitors are looking to get the best value for money—without compromising on eye-catching presentation.
(Above and below) The Great Exhibition of 1851, housed in the specially-built Crystal Palace, featured full size trees and statues as well as exhibition stands. Like today’s exhibitors, the key concern of those taking part in the Great Exhibition of 1851 was to make their exhibit stand out from the crowd
This has led to the increased popularity of modular systems with their flexibility and ease of adaptation, either using standard modules or with the incorporation of bespoke elements.
Boxing clever
Manchester-based Unibox, manufacturer of the Unibox Modular Exhibition Stand System, has observed how exhibitors are under increasing pressure to get more out of less.
“In turn, as exhibition stand manufacturers, we are expected to get creative and do the same,” says Nick Wraith, managing director at Unibox. He adds: “Our clients are facing the difficulty of shrinking budgets, whilst having to ensure their exhibition spaces are turned into engaging, visually stimulating environments that help produce solid leads and ultimately provide a good ROI.”
In response to this, Unibox has also seen an increase in its use of fabric walls in exhibition spaces, as Wraith explains: “Fabric walls allow us to create a seamless, high quality finish, wrap-around effect for our clients. One of the benefits of using a fabric wall is how cost effective they are as they’re easier to transport and robust. They also offer more design flexibility, with LED illumination as an option to create high impact visual displays.”
Unibox has seen an increase in the use of fabric walls, which have the benefit of being highly cost-effective as they are easier to transport and are more robust
The Unibox Modular System consists of a versatile range of profiles and accessories which enable stylish and effective exhibition stand solutions to be created. Unibox is continuously developing the way modular systems can be used and has numerous methods of attaching panels and graphics from magnetic to spider clamps, allowing customers to create highly individual exhibition spaces.
The Unibox Modular Exhibition Stand system offers a wide range of profiles and accessories that enable stylish and effective exhibition stand solutions to be created
Over the years, Unibox has worked closely with Hills Design, with Wraith outlining the advantages its systems gives the company: “They have taken our modular exhibition system around the world, using it to create impressive stands from one original design, by amending and adding to it over the years.”
Wraith continues proudly: “One of the reasons they use the Unibox system is because it’s so easy to install and reconfigure, turning the same stand into something new for each event.”
Hills Design is a trusted service partner to some of the world’s largest companies, with over 30 years’ experience, and has a consistent track record for first-rate, personalised service. With exhibitions pending world-wide, from PowerGen in Amsterdam to GasTech in Abu Dhabi, Hills Design had to prove it possessed the cutting-edge expertise in exhibition design to provide excellent bespoke stands at every event.
Greg Hills, managing director of Hills Design, therefore turned to Unibox: “Taking exhibition kit across the UAE and Europe is no easy task. You have to trust the equipment you’re working with and know that it’s durable enough to last. Unibox has given us just that.
“The Unibox modular aluminium system is ideal, allowing me the flexibility to customise my client’s stand to their exact requirements for each different event. Due to the wide range of Unibox profiles, connectors and accessories, we were able to give the stand a complete refresh each time we built it, without having to buy a brand new stand.”
Wraith adds: “Hill’s success with the Unibox modular system is also owed to the support received from the Unibox technical team, who provided the advice and CAD drawings needed for fresh designs to keep their clients happy and ensure visitors to the exhibitions have an impressive stand to engage with.
“One thing is certain, providing solutions that will work for clients across multiple events isn’t something that’s going to go away.”
Providing solutions that will work for clients across multiple events isn’t something that’s going to go away”
London-based exhibition contractor 200m2 Exhibitions, the only authorised partner of Trusswire in the UK, has also recognised and accommodated the changing needs of exhibitors.
200m2 managing director, Tim Cronin, comments on how the sector is changing: “Increasingly, exhibitors are looking for flexibility when it comes to exhibition planning. Consequently, people are investing in modular exhibition stand systems which quickly adapt to any width/height requirement. The best systems, like our own Trusswire, can also be used outdoors as well.”
The only foldable trussing system currently available, Trusswire is extremely lightweight yet strong due to its clever use of composite materials. The company claims that it is also extremely easy to assemble, requiring no tools, and can be scaled to suit almost any floor space or height.
(Above and below) With a 20 x 20cm profile when extended, 200m2 Exhibitions’s Trusswire system folds completely flat after use, making it very easy to transport
Trusswire was the system of choice for Louis Poulsen, an award winning Danish lighting manufacturer, famous for the very simple, discreet and functional design of its products, which are admired for their unique quality and lasting appeal. The company was looking for a modular exhibition system that would complement the brand’s strong architectural and contemporary heritage. Trusswire X-20 was eventually selected as the preferred solution due to its own award winning design.
Trusswire X-20 supports its own specially designed system for displaying stand graphics. Artwork simply clips into place to make the exhibition stand look very stylish. And with a 20 x 20cm (8 x 8") profile when extended, Trusswire also folds away to be almost completely flat after use, making it very easy to transport and store.
The technology was chosen by Danish lighting manufacturer Louis Poulsen to complement the simple and functional design of its products
“Exhibition stand rental is further extending the flexibility of modular exhibition stands,” continues Cronin, adding: “Organisations are buying a ‘core’ module and then leasing in additional modules as required. This also allows organisations to exhibit at two different shows at the same time if required.
“There has also been a shift in demand when it comes to exhibition stand graphics. Increasingly, people are asking for environmentally-friendly inks and materials when ordering large-format print. It’s a refreshing change but arguably an important one when you think that most organisations will refresh at least one main exhibition panel for every new show. Tailoring the message for each specific show is important.”
Creating a buzz
A modular system was also the order of the day when Buzz Productions was approached by Trotec Laser to create an eye-catching stand for their 2014 exhibition schedule. They wanted something with a high-end finish to reflect the quality and build throughout the Trotec range of laser cutting and engraving machines.
O Factoid: Six million people—equivalent to one third of the entire population of Britain at the time—visited the Great Exhibition of 1851. Ticket prices ranged from one shilling (today’s equivalent £4.78) to three guineas (today’s equivalent £300.93). The event made a surplus of £186,000 (today’s equivalent £17,770,000) which was used to found the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum. O
The stand also needed to transport easily, be usable over the next three years and be modular to accommodate various site spaces. The Octanorm modular system was, therefore, chosen as the basis for the stand.
The main stand was created using Octanorm M1020 (80 x 80mm) for all verticals and horizontals, with angled M1020 connected using hinge joints, M1260, M1270, and M1271.
The Octanorm modular system was chosen by Buzz Productions as the basis for an eye-catching exhibition stand created for
Trotec Laser as it is easily transportable and usable
A double-sided tension fabric frame was created using M1325 fitted to M1020, and Perspex panels were fitted to the front of M1020 using M1391 panel retainers. A counter was also constructed from M1000 (40 x 40mm) and M1020 that was mitre cut.
Adrian Potts from Buzz Production describes their approach: “The perfect solution for this was to create a stand design around elements that had been cut on the laser itself to demonstrate its versatility. After Buzz Production created the initial design we worked with RTD Systems using various profiles (which we powder coated) and fittings to support a range of cut/engraved substrates.
“We also added a tensioned fabric side wall enabling us to either use the stand in a corner plot or three sided end of isle. By removing the fabric and some extrusion elements this was all possible due to the modular nature of the system, without compromise. The back wall was tiled with a white gloss laser cut acrylic panels mounted on panel retainers. We applied a direct print to the tiles and laser cut letters for the logo. Laser etched glass was fitted to the door porthole and laser engraved Corian worktops and panel retainers were added, to give that final detail, finishing the stand perfectly.”
Potts continues: “Using Octanorm as part or whole of the stand design, we are always finding new and innovative ways of working with the many pro-files and components offered. It’s always a pleasure to work with Octanorm as they turn things around quickly and are always very helpful.”
Using Octanorm as part or whole of the stand design, we are always finding new and innovative ways of working with the many profiles and components offered”
Things have certainly come a long way since the Great Exhibition but its instigator Prince Albert, who was a great supporter and promoter of the new and modern, would surely be impressed by the innovation demonstrated by the designers and developers of today’s exhibition stand technology.
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