If you are researching rental displays for your next trade show, the first thing you will notice is that most rental companies do not publish pricing. That makes it difficult to budget and nearly impossible to compare options. At Displayit, we both manufacture portable trade show displays for purchase and offer full-service custom booth rentals through our High Impact division. That puts us in a position to give you a straightforward answer on what renting actually costs, what you get for that price, and when buying makes more sense.
What does a 10x10 trade show booth rental actually cost?
A custom 10x10 trade show booth rental through High Impact starts at approximately $7,000. That is for a fully designed, custom-built booth with branded graphics, furniture, and structural elements that go well beyond what a standard portable display offers. Here is how the cost breaks down:
| Cost Component | Included in Rental? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Custom booth design | Yes | 3D renderings and design consultation |
| Booth structure and fabrication | Yes | Custom-built framing, walls, counters, shelving |
| Custom-printed graphics | Yes | Branded panels, backlit graphics, signage |
| Furniture | Yes | Counters, slatwalls, shelving, monitor mounts |
| I&D (install and dismantle) | Separate | Professional setup and teardown by our crew |
| Freight and shipping | Separate | Varies by venue and distance |
| Flooring | Separate | Optional add-on |
| LED video walls | Separate | Optional add-on |
| Storage between shows | Handled by High Impact | No storage cost to you |
The $7,000 starting price reflects the custom design and build that goes into a rental booth. This is not a pop-up backwall with a banner stand. It is a fully engineered booth with counters, shelving, monitor mounts, branded graphics, and architectural elements that create a completely different presence on the show floor. To see examples of what these builds look like, browse the High Impact portfolio.
What do you get in a rental that you do not get when you buy a portable display?
This is where the real difference shows up. A rental through High Impact is not a scaled-up version of a portable display. It is a different category of booth entirely. Here is what the rental includes that a portable display does not:
- Custom booth architecture. Curved walls, canopies, overhead structures, and integrated counters designed specifically for your brand and floor plan. This is the type of build that would cost $15,000 to $30,000 or more to purchase as a custom exhibit.
- Turnkey logistics. High Impact handles design, fabrication, shipping to the venue, professional installation, and teardown. You show up to a finished booth. With a portable display, you manage shipping and setup yourself.
- Show-to-show flexibility. You can change your booth design, graphics, size, and layout for each event. If you exhibit at three different shows with three different audiences, each booth can be tailored to that market.
- No storage, no maintenance. Between shows, the booth is stored and maintained by High Impact. You do not need warehouse space, and you do not need to inspect or repair components between events.
The key point most exhibitors miss: A $7,000 rental gives you access to a custom-built booth that would cost $15,000 to $30,000+ to purchase outright. You are not paying a premium to rent. You are paying a fraction of the purchase price for a level of booth that most exhibitors could not justify buying.
What does it cost to buy a 10x10 trade show booth instead?
If you prefer to own your display and manage your own setup, Displayit manufactures a full range of portable trade show displays designed for 10x10 booths. These ship with custom-printed graphics and are built for years of reuse. Here is what the purchase range looks like:
| Display Type | Price Range | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Pop-up backwall | $830 to $1,425 | Collapsing frame, custom graphic, carrying case, self-setup in minutes |
| Tension fabric backwall | $1,035 to $1,205 | Push-fit frame, dye-sub fabric graphic with silicone edge, carrying case |
| Display kit (backwall + accessories) | $2,050 to $2,535 | Backwall, counter, literature stand, custom graphics for all pieces |
| Backlit display | $2,745 to $3,500 | LED-illuminated frame, backlit SEG graphic, carrying bags |
The portable route costs a fraction of a rental, but you are getting a different type of booth. A portable display is a professional, branded backwall that you set up yourself in 15 to 30 minutes. A rental is a fully built environment with custom architecture, furniture, and turnkey service. They serve different needs at different price points. For a closer look at 10x10 layouts and configurations at every budget level, see: 10x10 Trade Show Booth Ideas, Layouts, and Configurations by Budget.
When should you rent? When should you buy?
This is the question we help exhibitors answer every week. Both options exist because both serve a real need. Here is the decision framework we walk through with our customers:
| Scenario | Rent | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| You exhibit 1 to 2 times per year | Strong option if you want a premium look | Better value if a portable display fits your needs |
| You exhibit 3+ times per year | Gets expensive quickly at $7,000+ per show | Pays for itself after 2 to 3 uses |
| You need a custom, built-out booth | Access custom quality at a fraction of purchase price | $15,000 to $30,000+ to own a custom build |
| You want to test a look before committing | Ideal, try a design without long-term commitment | Harder to pivot once you own it |
| You want zero logistics to manage | Turnkey: design through teardown handled for you | You handle shipping and setup yourself |
| You have one flagship show per year | Go big at your most important event | Buy a portable display for smaller events |
What we see most often: Many exhibitors do both. They own a portable display from Displayit for their regular trade show schedule and rent a custom booth through High Impact for their biggest show of the year. That gives them a professional presence at every event and a premium, fully built environment where it matters most.
For a deeper look at the tradeoffs, see our renting vs buying guide, or browse the Trade Show Display Buying Guide if you are leaning toward owning.
Whether renting or buying is the right move depends on how often you exhibit, what kind of presence you need, and how much of the logistics you want to handle yourself. If you want a turnkey custom booth for an upcoming show, explore our 10x10 rental kits through High Impact Services. If you want to own a portable display you can take to every show and set up yourself, talk to our team at Displayit and we will match you with the right 10x10 booth for your budget and schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions About 10x10 Trade Show Booth Rentals
Can I rent a trade show booth for just one show?
Does the rental price include setup and teardown?
Can I customize the graphics on a rental booth?
Is it cheaper to rent or buy a 10x10 trade show booth?
How far in advance should I book a trade show booth rental?
About the Author
Jonathan Hartley is a Board Member and Partner at Displayit, a U.S. based trade show display manufacturer that has been helping companies exhibit with confidence since 1996. Jonathan works with Displayit's leadership team on product strategy and growth, including the company's full-service rental program through High Impact Services. For personalized guidance on renting or buying, schedule a free consultation with the Displayit team.