We’ve been bringing people and experiences together for nearly a century. And in that time, we’ve learned something simple: the success of a show doesn’t rest on one big thing, but on hundreds of small ones.
Here are ten pressure points that can make or break your event - and the services we provide to solve them.
1. Logistics: the hidden choreography
Build-up is a balancing act. Trucks arrive early, late, or not at all. Customs paperwork goes missing. Forklifts get stuck in bottlenecks. And while the show floor might look calm on opening morning, the 48 hours before it are often anything but. One delay can ripple across the entire schedule.
Organisers know that logistics aren’t just about moving things - they’re about managing expectations. Exhibitors want their goods on time. Contractors want clear access. Venues want rules followed, and when something goes wrong, it’s the organiser who gets the call.
So, what’s a practical way to balance the scales? Scheduling deliveries in advance and working with a partner who handles customs and heavy lifting is key. Our team manages global exhibition logistics, from freight and customs to on-site handling, so you don’t have to.
2. Exhibitor support: your loyalty engine
Exhibitors don’t just want a space - they want to feel supported. When they’re left chasing answers, struggling with forms, or unsure who to speak to, frustration builds. And frustrated exhibitors don’t rebook. They tell their peers, and the reputation of the event suffers.
Support isn’t just about solving problems - it’s about preventing them. Clear communication, fast responses, and visible help desks turn stress into confidence. Exhibitors who feel looked after are more likely to invest, upgrade, and return.
Make support visible and multilingual, so no exhibitor feels stranded. This is something we achieve through multilingual exhibitor support, online ordering, and staffed help desks before, during and after events.
3. Flooring: the first impression nobody names
Visitors rarely notice the floor - unless it’s bad. Frayed edges, mismatched colours, uneven or uncovered surfaces quietly undermine the professionalism of the entire event. It’s a detail that sets the tone, even if no one talks about it.
And then there’s sustainability. Flooring is one of the most visible (and sometimes wasteful) parts of a build. Organisers are under pressure to prove their environmental credentials, and flooring choices are often the first thing sponsors and stakeholders ask about.
But simply choosing not to install carpet is not a one-size-fits-all fix that rarely hits the mark. Especially when recyclable, branded flooring is available, looks sharp, and provides a sustainable option. That’s why we install and recycle Rewind carpets – it looks great, comes in an array of colour options, and is recycled back into materials for the supply chain after use.
4. Furniture hire: atmosphere made easy
Furniture is often treated as an afterthought, but it shapes how people feel. A lounge invites conversation; a cluttered theatre kills it. Matching style, scale, and comfort to the event brand makes the difference.
Organisers also face practical challenges: sourcing enough furniture, ensuring it’s clean, safe, and sustainable, and coordinating delivery and setup across multiple zones. It’s not just about chairs and tables - it’s about creating environments that work.
A realistic place to start solving this challenge is to design lounges and theatres with packages that match your brand colours. The rest then falls to a supplier like us, that offers a wide range of FSC-certified hire furniture, designed to suit every space and delivered ready to go. Look for a comprehensive service like ours, which includes a large range to choose from, plus delivery and removal when your event closes.
5. Electrics: the quiet assurance
Power is invisible - until it isn’t. A failed socket, a flickering light, or a tripped circuit can derail a session, frustrate a sponsor, or leave an exhibitor in the dark. And while most visitors won’t notice when electrics work perfectly, they’ll absolutely notice when they don’t.
Organisers need confidence that every plug, light, and cable is safe, tested, and supported. That means planning for capacity, building in redundancy, and having technicians on hand who can fix issues fast - ideally before anyone notices.
Choosing an event supplier such as ourselves - that designs, installs, and supports electrical systems across the show floor, with energy-efficient fittings and on-site response teams - is the only practical way to solve this.
6. Shell scheme: flexible foundations
Shell scheme exhibitor booth build is often the backbone of a show - especially for first-time or budget-conscious exhibitors. But when it’s poorly presented, it can make the entire event feel generic. Exhibitors want something that feels like their brand, not just a box.
Organisers need a booth-build system that’s scalable, customisable, and easy to manage. One that allows for branding, lighting, and layout flexibility - without turning every stand into a bespoke build. And crucially, one that looks good in photos.
Modular shell scheme systems with customisable finishes, designed for scale and visual impact, are available. You can also offer both standard and premium modular options to boost revenue from your show floor. Our shell scheme and AMP modular systems solve this problem - in volume, with customisable fixtures and finishes.
7. Feature areas: where content comes alive
Feature areas are the heartbeat of an exhibition. They’re where ideas are shared, connections are made, and the brand of the event truly comes to life. But they’re also complex. A seminar theatre needs good acoustics, clear sightlines, and reliable AV. A networking lounge needs comfort, flow, and atmosphere. And every square metre needs to justify its existence - especially when sponsors are involved.
Organisers often find themselves juggling layout, signage, furniture, branding, and tech - all while trying to make the space feel cohesive and premium. These areas aren’t just functional; they’re emotional. Visitors remember how they felt in them. Sponsors remember how they looked. And both judge the event by how well they worked.
So, what’s a practical way to make feature areas perform? Designing them as modular, sponsorship-ready zones - with reusable structures and integrated branding - helps organisers deliver impact without starting from scratch. GES builds theatres, lounges, and registration zones using zero-to-landfill systems that balance form, function, and flexibility.
8. Graphics: your silent sales team
Graphics are everywhere - and they do more than decorate. They guide visitors, reinforce branding, communicate values, and create visual cohesion across the show. But when they’re inconsistent, low-quality, or hard to read, they create confusion and dilute the event’s impact. Visitors get lost. Sponsors get frustrated. The show feels disjointed.
Organisers are also under pressure to deliver sustainable graphics. That means choosing recyclable materials, avoiding solvent inks, and planning for post-show recovery - all while managing dozens (or hundreds) of assets across the venue. It’s a logistical and creative challenge rolled into one.
So, what’s a practical way to keep graphics sharp and sustainable? Switching to recyclable substrates and water-based inks, and working with a partner who can design, produce, install, and recover them in one joined-up process. We handle graphics at every scale, with sustainability built in.
9. Show Ready: levelling up exhibitors
Space-only exhibitors often arrive with good intentions and limited resources. They bring a banner, a table, and a hope - and leave disappointed. That not only affects their experience, but also the overall look and feel of the show floor. A patchwork of underwhelming stands doesn’t inspire confidence in visitors or sponsors.
Organisers want to help these exhibitors succeed, but without adding complexity. Space-only packages offer a middle ground: professional-looking stands at fixed prices, with everything included. It’s a way to raise the floor - literally and figuratively - and make the whole event feel more premium.
So, what’s a practical way to support space-only exhibitors? Offering pre-designed stand packages with walls, graphics, furniture, and electrics - all ready to go. Our Show Ready stand packages give exhibitors a polished presence without the stress.
10. Event intelligence: proof in real time
Organisers often rely on instinct to judge success - but sponsors want data. They want to know how many people visited, how long they stayed, and what they engaged with. Without that, it’s hard to justify investment or plan improvements. And without visibility, organisers miss opportunities to adapt mid-show.
Real-time insight also helps organisers respond on the fly. If a theatre is underperforming, if a zone is overcrowded, if a sponsor activation isn’t landing - data helps you act before the show ends. It turns gut feel into strategy, and post-show reports into persuasive rebooking tools.
So, what’s a practical way to turn insight into action? Using real-time dashboards and heat maps to track engagement across the show floor. Our Event Intelligence tools give organisers and sponsors the data they need to prove ROI and plan smarter.
The bigger picture
Every organiser recognises these challenges. What matters is how you handle them. For us, they’re not obstacles - they’re our services.
👉 Talk to us about your next exhibition, congress, or event. From logistics to live data, we deliver the details that make events unforgettable. Get in contact with our team today.