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When you plan the design of your trade show display, it is important to think of your trade show booth floor as your fifth wall. The flooring of your trade show booth should always complement-- and enhance-- the environment of your trade show display. In fact, your choice of flooring can add a third dimension to your trade show booth.

When the city of Chicago used full-color digitally printed footprints- in- the sand on their trade show carpet, it was the starting point of a 'follow me' tour of the Chicago area that made their booth 3 dimensional.

Their realistic footprints-in-sand carpet graphics enticed visitors to follow the footprints leading up to Lake Michigan shown graphically on the trade show booth wall. It was a clever way to explore the terrain of the city of Chicago and its environs. Imaginative trade show flooring can create 3 dimensional trade show booths with flooring that uses footprints, railroad tracks, and other devices that stimulate a 'follow me' look.

Using creative flooring graphics can enhance the look of your trade show booth. By merely adding imaginative carpeting concepts to your trade show exhibit, you will be able to successfully update the look of your existing trade show booth. Also, compelling floor designs can act as a beacon inviting visitors to view featured products perched on top of attention-getting floor destinations.

Contemporary flooring uses materials that are now easier to use and ship. New lightweight and durable flooring materials can easily roll up like carpet. Interlocking floors are extremely portable and can handle the demands of small and large trade show exhibitors. With new 10' wide carpet panels, flex floor panels, pre-measured padding and carpet bags with wheels, trade show flooring assembles faster, and is easier to dismantle and less costly to ship.

Today's trade show booth flooring concepts offer a greater variety of choices than ever before-- from carpets in solid or specifically dyed colors, inlays and logos, to flex floors that look like stone, metal, fabric or hardwoods. Consider the addition of a corporate logo or brand name to exhibit flooring to make and reinforce your brand impression. The application of border designs, custom inlays and carpet sculpting can significantly add a quality look to your trade show booth d'cor.

According to Dave Walens, President of Brumark, a flooring solutions company for the trade show and event industry headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, there are many smart and flexible innovations in flooring for today's trade show exhibitor.

Walens mentions that one new innovation is the plastic tile raised floor that is a quick to install and an easy way to level the trade show booth floor. It has the advantage of allowing you to manage electrical, plumbing and air easily and effectively under your trade show exhibit without the threat of damage or the inconvenience of large carpeting. The system's integrated shipping pallet makes packing, loading and unloading quick and simple. The raised floor is also pleasing to the eye and the slightly elevated surface can enhance the decor of the trade show booth.

Rubber flooring can be used for areas subject to heavy wear. The durability, flexibility, safety, comfort, slip resistance and aesthetic appeal makes rubber flooring an appealing option for both indoor and outdoor flooring applications.

Padding is also available to provide comfort for those trade show booth attendants who spend long hours on their feet. Visitors often notice the extra cushioning as well with appreciative comments to the trade show exhibit hosts.

Walens adds that, in addition to the trade show floor materials, the trade show exhibitor must be mindful of carpet accessories such as tape, clear plastic sheets used to protect the carpet from damage, and flat extension cords with lighted ends that eliminate bumps under your carpet or flooring. This works well whether you are considering a trade show booth at the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago, the Kaiser Convention Center in Oakland, the Moscone Center in San Francisco, the Santa Clara Convention Center or the San Jose McEnery Convention Center

Remember when trade show exhibitors think out- of- the- box exposure ideas for their trade show booth, they often consider overhead hanging signs. However, if you properly integrate your trade show flooring into the design of your trade show display, you can have a successful exhibit experience by providing underfoot appeal to your trade show booth visitors as well.