Whether you are exhibiting at a professional conference, an industry convention, or a regional expo, the display products you need are the same ones used at trade shows, just matched to the specific space, audience, and goals of your event. Displayit manufactures conference booth displays and convention exhibits in-house at our facility in Buford, GA, with every product including custom printed graphics, hardware, and a carry bag or shipping case in the listed price. Below, we compare booth types, sizes, and price points to help you choose the right display for your next conference, convention, or expo.
What is a conference booth display?
A conference booth display is any branded graphic display used to present your company, product, or organization at a professional conference, convention, expo, or industry event. The term "conference booth" and "convention booth" describe the same physical setup as a trade show booth. The difference is the event type, not the display hardware. A 10 x 10 booth at a medical conference uses the same backwalls, banner stands, and table covers as a 10 x 10 booth at a trade show.
Conference and convention booths typically fall into one of these categories:
| Display Type | Best For | Setup | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banner Stands | Hallway placement, registration areas, breakout sessions, table-side branding | 1 person, under 2 min | $200 - $500 |
| Tabletop Displays | Table-only setups at smaller conferences or poster sessions | 1 person, under 5 min | $150 - $400 |
| Backdrop / Backwall | Standard 10 x 10 convention booth with a single branded wall | 1 person, 10 - 15 min | $800 - $1,550 |
| Multi-Frame Kit | Full 10 x 10 or 10 x 20 exhibit with multiple branded surfaces | 1-2 people, 30 - 45 min | $2,200 - $8,500 |
| Backlit Display | Large conventions or expos where maximum visual impact is needed | 1-2 people, 30 - 60 min | $1,500 - $14,500 |
If you are not sure which display type fits your event, use our interactive Trade Show Display Buying Guide to get a personalized recommendation based on your booth size, budget, and setup crew.
What size booth do I need for a conference or convention?
Most conferences and conventions use the same booth sizing system as trade shows. The most common space assignments are 10 x 10 (100 square feet), 10 x 20 (200 square feet), and table-only setups (typically a 6-foot or 8-foot table with no backwall). Some academic conferences and poster sessions only provide a table, while large industry conventions and expos offer full booth spaces identical to trade shows.
| Event Type | Typical Space | Recommended Display | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic conference or poster session | 6ft or 8ft table only | Tabletop display + fitted table cover | $300 - $700 |
| Small regional conference | Table + space for a banner stand | Retractable banner stand + table cover | $450 - $800 |
| Industry convention (standard booth) | 10 x 10 booth | 10 x 10 booth display (backwall or multi-frame kit) | $800 - $6,000 |
| Large expo or national convention | 10 x 20 or 20 x 20 booth | 10 x 20 booth display or island booth | $3,800 - $14,500+ |
Always confirm your exact space assignment with the event organizer before purchasing. Some conferences list booth dimensions in their exhibitor prospectus, while others only assign a table number. If you are only given a table and plan to add a banner stand, confirm that freestanding displays are permitted in the exhibit area.
What is the best convention booth display for a 10 x 10 space?
The 10 x 10 booth is the standard exhibit space at most conventions and expos. It provides 100 square feet. Enough room for a backwall, a small counter, and two to three staff members. The right display depends on your budget, how many events you attend per year, and whether you need maximum visual impact or maximum portability.
| Convention Display | Type | Setup | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10ft Helium Backwall | Tension Fabric | 1 person, 10 min | $800 - $1,200 |
| 10ft Graffiti SEG Display | Pop-Up (SEG) | 1 person, 15 min | $1,050 - $1,550 |
| Ensemble Kit E10J | Multi-Frame Kit | 1 person, 45 min | $2,200 - $3,300 |
| Graffiti Backlit Kit GB10D | Backlit Pop-Up | 1 person, 30 min | $2,500 - $3,800 |
| Prism Backlit Kit P10A | Premium Backlit | 2 people, 60 min | $7,500 - $10,000 |
- First-time exhibitors or those attending 1-2 events per year should start with the Helium Backwall. It is the lightest and most affordable full-width backwall, sets up in 10 minutes without tools, and includes custom-printed graphics in the price.
- Exhibitors attending multiple conventions per year should invest in a multi-frame kit that can be reconfigured for different booth sizes and event types. The hardware lasts for years, and replacement graphics let you update your branding without repurchasing the frame.
- Exhibitors at large national expos competing against hundreds of booths should consider a backlit display for maximum visibility on a crowded show floor.
For a detailed comparison of every display type including setup videos and what is included in each kit, see: What Type of Trade Show Display Is Right for My Business?
How do I set up a conference booth if I only have a table?
Many smaller conferences, networking events, and academic poster sessions only provide an exhibitor table rather than a full booth space. This is still enough to create a professional, branded presence if you combine the right elements.
A complete table-only conference setup includes:
- A fitted or stretch table cover with your logo and brand colors. This is the single most impactful change you can make to a bare conference table. A branded table cover instantly separates your setup from exhibitors using the venue-provided plain black cloth. See our full sizing guide: What Size Table Cover Do I Need? Fitted vs. Stretch vs. Draped.
- A tabletop display or banner stand placed behind or beside the table to add vertical branding. A tabletop display sits directly on the table surface, while a retractable banner stand stands on the floor behind the table and provides a taller branded surface visible from farther away. For help choosing the right banner stand width, see: What Size Banner Stand Do I Need?
- Marketing collateral and a lead capture method. Your display gets people to stop. Your staff and materials close the conversation. Keep printed materials minimal and focus on one clear call to action.
Budget for a complete table-only conference display: $300 to $800 depending on whether you use a tabletop display or a full-height banner stand. This combination works for regional conferences, career fairs, university events, and any situation where your assigned space is a table rather than a booth.
Are convention booth displays different from trade show displays?
No. Convention booth displays and trade show displays are the same products. The difference is the name of the event, not the hardware. A 10-foot backwall that works at CES works at a medical convention. A banner stand that works at an industry expo works at a university career fair. The display hardware, fabric graphics, and frame engineering do not change based on the event type.
That said, the type of event can influence which display works best for you:
| Event Characteristic | Display Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High foot traffic convention floor | Backlit display | LED illumination cuts through visual noise and draws attendees from across the hall |
| Intimate professional conference | Tension fabric backwall | Clean, professional look without overwhelming a smaller exhibit space |
| Multi-city conference circuit | Helium Backwall or banner stands | Lightest weight options minimize shipping costs when attending many events |
| Annual flagship expo | Multi-frame kit or 10 x 20 display | Larger format with multiple branded surfaces signals investment and permanence |
| Table-only networking event | Table cover + banner stand | Maximum impact for minimal space and budget |
For a full comparison of display types by price and setup difficulty, see: Pop-Up vs. Backwall vs. Multi-Frame Trade Show Displays.
How much does a convention or expo booth display cost?
Convention and expo booth displays use the same pricing as trade show displays. The cost depends on your booth size, display type, and whether you want standard or backlit graphics. Every Displayit display includes custom printed graphics, hardware, and a shipping case or carry bag in the listed price.
| Display Category | Price Range | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Table Covers | $235 - $360 | Custom-printed fitted, stretch, or draped cover |
| Banner Stands | $200 - $500 | Retractable hardware, printed graphic, carry bag |
| 10ft Backwalls | $800 - $1,550 | Frame, custom graphic, shipping case |
| Multi-Frame Kits | $2,200 - $8,500 | Multiple frames, graphics, counters, shipping cases |
| Backlit Displays | $1,500 - $14,500 | LED-lit frame, translucent graphic, shipping case |
Budget an additional 20% to 30% above the display price for event related expenses including shipping, drayage (if the venue requires it), and electrical hookups (for backlit displays). Lightweight fabric displays like the Helium Backwall minimize shipping costs because they can often travel as checked luggage rather than freight. See our full cost analysis: Old vs. New Trade Show Displays: A Weight, Setup & Cost Analysis.
Ready to find the right display for your next conference, convention, or expo? Browse all trade show displays to compare every option, or use our Trade Show Display Buying Guide for a personalized recommendation. For questions about which display fits your event, schedule a free consultation with the Displayit team.
About the Author
Adam Chait is the CEO of Displayit, a U.S. based trade show display manufacturer that has been helping companies exhibit with confidence since 1996. Displayit designs, prints, and ships custom trade show displays from its facility in Buford, GA, serving thousands of exhibitors across every major industry. Adam leads a team of display specialists who work directly with exhibitors to match the right booth solution to their space, timeline, and budget. For personalized guidance, schedule a free consultation with the Displayit team.