The trade show industry, a centuries-old platform for business networking and brand promotion, continues to evolve in response to shifting attendee preferences and advancements in technology.

As we move into 2025, exhibitors are adapting to emerging trends that enhance engagement and align with broader societal values. Here are the key trends reshaping trade show marketing.

1. Content-Led Experiences Enhanced with Technology

Exhibitors are prioritizing educational and interactive content to engage attendees meaningfully. As Millennials, Gen Z, and tech-savvy Gen X professionals dominate the attendee demographic, traditional exhibit setups have given way to dynamic, tech-augmented experiences.

  • Educational Presentations: Brands are moving beyond product pitches to establish thought leadership by hosting expert-led sessions, workshops, or panel discussions. These events position exhibitors as industry leaders, offering value to attendees seeking knowledge. For instance, case studies, technical insights, and live Q&A sessions draw crowds, build trust, and foster deeper connections with potential clients.
  • Interactive Demonstrations: Hands-on product trials supported by multimedia tools are increasingly popular. Attendees can interact with products while viewing videos or tutorials on digital displays. This multi-sensory approach caters to diverse learning preferences and keeps visitors engaged longer.
  • Immersive Technology: Tools like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and holograms present complex information in a memorable way. They allow attendees to virtually explore products or locations that would be difficult to showcase physically, and in a more interactive way.

CenterPoint integrates these cutting-edge technologies to create dynamic exhibit spaces. These experiences not only captivate audiences but also establish clients as forward-thinking leaders in their industries.

Sleep Number at CES 2022 50x50 custom exhibit with mixed reality headset

Sleep Number booth visitors at CES were invited to wear a Microsoft HoloLens mixed reality headset for a sensory and immersive experience that let attendees see, feel and hear the 360 smart bed benefits. The HoloLens virtual content blended with the physical product demo, which enhanced the visitors’ product experience.  More Sleep Number photos here.

2. Sustainable Practices

Exhibitors are increasingly motivated to pursue sustainable exhibiting programs to align with consumer and stakeholder demand for environmentally responsible practices, reduce costs, and enhance their brand image.

  • Eco-Friendly Exhibit Design: Reusable modular exhibits are replacing single-use construction, minimizing waste while maximizing flexibility. Recycled materials, FSC-certified wood, and energy-efficient installations are becoming the norm. CenterPoint’s commitment to modularity ensures its clients stay ahead of these trends.
  • Rental Exhibits: Rentals maximize the reuse of components, reducing the demand for new materials and the associated carbon footprint from fabrication. Additionally, rentals reduce waste by allowing exhibitors to avoid discarding custom-built exhibits after limited use.
  • Energy and Transport Efficiency: Lightweight designs lower shipping emissions, while renewable-powered AV systems reduce on-site energy use. CenterPoint’s partnerships with green-certified suppliers enable clients to achieve sustainability goals seamlessly.

Rad AI 20x x80 trade show exhibit RSNA 2024 right front with tower

Rad AI at RSNA 2024 featured a modular design with extrusions made entirely from recycled aluminum and 100% recyclable graphic materials, showcasing how sustainability can be integrated into stunning designs. See more Rad AI photos here. 

3. Personalized Engagement

In today’s trade show environment, where attendees are inundated with options, recent innovations facilitating personalization provide a powerful new way to break through the clutter. Personalization leverages data and technology to create tailored experiences that resonate with individuals, ensuring interactions are both meaningful and memorable.

  • Data-Driven Personalization: Modern exhibitors use attendee data derived by AI-powered facial recognition to craft unique journeys for each visitor. For example, interactive kiosks can dynamically adjust content to reflect visitor interests, offering targeted product recommendations or customized demonstrations. This approach enhances relevance and engagement while helping attendees find value quickly.
  • Interactive Digital Personalization: Tools like dynamic demo stations allow attendees to select topics of interest, interact with relevant tools, and receive follow-up materials customized to their needs. This level of personalization fosters deeper connections and makes post-show follow-ups more impactful.

CenterPoint combines these strategies to create customized, data-driven experiences that align with each client’s goals. Whether it’s tailoring content to attendee profiles or designing adaptive engagement tools, CenterPoint ensures that every interaction feels personal and intentional.

Visitors to Ferrum’s exhibit at PACK EXPO 2024 were greeted by a reception desk and a touch screen interactive kiosk that let them choose which products they wanted info on.

4. Experiential Design To Boost Media Sharing

The rise of social media has transformed the way trade shows capture and share moments. Attendees seek visually stunning, interactive experiences they can showcase online, making experiential content creation a key element of successful exhibits.

  • Instagrammable Design: Photo-worthy installations, creative displays, and unique brand moments within exhibits encourage attendees to share their experiences on social platforms. Which memorably creates stronger emotional bonds between attendees and brands, and authentically extends brand reach beyond the show floor.
  • Live Social Media Streaming in Action: Live streams and podcasts hosted directly from exhibits, especially by social media influencers, allow exhibitors to connect with remote audiences, showcase expertise, and create content that lives on beyond the event. For example, Sleep Number integrated NFL players into its booth, broadcasting live interviews and podcasts featuring athletes trying out their products.

CenterPoint helps exhibitors transform their spaces into experiential hubs that captivate audiences and inspire organic engagement. By blending cutting-edge design with interactive elements, CenterPoint ensures each exhibit maximizes both in-person impact and online visibility.

Delta Faucet’s KBIS 2024 exhibit, featured in Event Marketer’s article about the top 10 exhibits at KBIS 2024, provided a perfect blend of visual appeal and brand storytelling, generating organic buzz and amplifying the event’s reach via attendees’ and influencers’ social media shares. See more Delta Faucet photos here. Photo by Event Marketer magazine.

5. Real-Time Analytics for Engagement

As exhibit costs continue to rise, the ability to measure and optimize performance in real time has become a vital component of trade show success. Real-time analytics provide exhibitors with actionable insights, enabling them to make informed decisions that enhance engagement and maximize ROI during the event.

  • Heat Mapping: Advanced technologies like RFID and Bluetooth sensors track attendee movement within an exhibit, highlighting areas of high and low traffic. Heat maps help exhibitors visualize how attendees interact with their space, enabling them to refine layouts and allocate resources for maximum impact. These adjustments can improve visitor flow and ensure key displays receive the attention they deserve.
  • AI-Powered Insights: Tools that analyze metrics such as dwell time, emotional responses, and visitor interactions provide a deeper understanding of attendee engagement. For example, AI can help prioritize high-potential leads by assigning scores based on behavior and interest, ensuring follow-up efforts are focused and effective.

CenterPoint leverages these tools to help clients optimize their exhibit strategies on the show floor. By integrating heat mapping and AI-driven analytics, CenterPoint empowers exhibitors to adapt in real time, ensuring a more engaging experience for attendees and a stronger return on investment for their program.

Putting 2025 Trends to Use

The trade show industry is entering a transformative era, driven by technology, sustainability, and the evolving needs of exhibitors and attendees. By embracing these 2025 trends, exhibitors can create memorable experiences, measure success in real time, and foster meaningful connections with their audiences.

Want to learn more about these trends?
Contact CenterPoint for insights and solutions tailored to your exhibiting needs.