Due to the fact that there are so many styles of trade show exhibits, there is also a variety of trade show display cases to go with them. Sometimes, banners and displays will come with carrying cases, but they don't always, so you're left looking for an efficient way to transport your trade show items.

You may have banners, signs and graphics to carry; you may have heavy trusses or flooring to transport. You'll most likely have products and promotional materials to worry about as well. This can all add up to a hefty sum, so choose your cases wisely. Consider the following factors when checking out pricing and costs of trade show display cases:

1. Check out the material used. Trade show display cases are useless if they will not properly protect their contents.

2. Choose display booth cases in the proper sizes. You take the risk of damaging items if you try to cram them into a case that's too small. In contrast, you could waste money if you buy a case that's too big for your needs.

3. Consider buying a tradeshow display case with wheels. This is a great feature for cases that will be too heavy to lift easily.

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Keep promotional materials safe with trade show cases

Putting your banners and other signage into a case ensures that these items stay in good condition. These types of cases range from under $100 to about $250. You can add around $50 to that if you prefer to use a molded case, which is more solid and offers better protection for your materials. Between vendors, there may be a difference in price for a particular item, so comparison shopping works well.

I recommend: Get an idea for pricing of graphic tubes at American Display Alliance, which offers both regular cases and molded cases. New World Case reminds its customers to use bubble wrap to help protect their graphics, even when using a case. This shouldn't increase your costs, though, since packing supplies are generally inexpensive. You can save some money by reusing these supplies if they're still in good shape after a show.

Pack bulky items in freight cases for trade show displays

Sturdy cases are useful when you have lots of products to display at your booth. You can find these cases in almost any size you want. Also, if your panel display didn't come with a travel case, you'd be wise to transport it in a large freight case to keep it protected. Smaller cases run from about $100 to $300 while very large cases will cost you between $700 and $1,000. Large cases may cost quite a bit to ship when you initially buy them, so buying from a local company is a good idea.

I recommend: Check out the pricing at Exhibit Warehouse, which carries freight cases that are stackable and are easily moved with a forklift. Take a look at the specs of the large "tubs" for panel displays at Caseman. This company provides optional heavy-duty latches to further protect your valuables. The additional cost is well worth it to ensure that your materials are safe.

Ease the burden by using exhibit booth cases with wheels

Buying display cases with wheels can really help the transportation process since instead of lugging a heavy case around, you can simply roll it to your destination. The cost of a wheeled case is slightly more than a standard case of the same size. Expect to spend from $40 to $80 more than you would for a nonrolling case.

I recommend: Browse through the prices of wheeled cases at Discount Displays to get an idea of how much each size will run you. Budget Trade Show Displays offers banner display cases with the option of adding wheels for a small additional cost.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Buying used portable display cases for tradeshows can save you quite a bit of money. Used cases generally cost 30% to 80% of the retail price for new cases. Just make sure to inspect the cases before you buy them to ensure that they're in good condition.

Make the most of your trade show presence by using the best trade show displays. There is a variety of exhibit booth cases, and choosing the right one can have a direct impact on your trade show success.

When choosing display booth cases you should:

1. Find an exhibit and product display case that works well for a small business.
2. Find one that is portable and lightweight.
3. Ask other small businesses what works well in trade show display cases and what doesn’t.

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Try a 'case to counter' conversion kit for your display

This is an excellent solution for a small business that may not need a huge booth. Store things like a graphics banner, panels or brochures in the case, and then use the case itself as a booth. They come in attractive shapes, sizes and colors.

I recommend: Advatum makes popular conversion kits, one with graphic display and one with fabric.

Use display booth cases with wheels

This can make moving the case much easier and faster. Be sure that the wheels and wheel casings are metal and can bear a lot of weight. You will find that only the cheapest trade show cases do not have wheels, and this is not a good place to try and save money.

I recommend: Find a small and lightweight one at Display 2 Go or a bigger one at First Trade Show.

Buy flat panel show cases

They come in various sizes, but are all FedEx and UPS regulated for shipping. Most are durable and vacuum-sealed to protect your flat displays best. Most flat panel portable display cases for trade shows come with wheel and handles for ease in movement as well.

I recommend: Find some at Trade Show Direct or Exhibit Solutions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The trade show display cases you choose are spotlighting your product and your business. This is your chance to pick the one that makes you shine.

Exhibit booth cases and trade show display cases are designed to protect your display or exhibit from wear and tear. These display booth cases also ensure your exhibit doesn't get damaged when exposed to rough handling when being shipped or flown to a trade show.

The type of show cases you ultimately select will depend on the size of your display, the type of transport you intend to use to get it to the show and how much support you will have to get the case to the exhibit floor. Whether you are transporting across town or across the country, consider the following when shopping for trade show display cases supplies and equipment:

1. Choose trade show shipping cases made of durable materials to prevent damage from rough handling or mishandling.

2. Consider hard-mold, upright travel cases when searching for portable display cases for trade shows.

3. Look for a luggage style trade show display case when your display needs to accompany you on the plane.

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Choose exhibit booth cases for shipping made of durable materials

Shipping booth cases for ocean and truck transport are designed for rough handling. They are ideal for large displays that need to be shipped ahead of time or that are too large to fit in the back of your car or on an airplane. The cases are usually made of tough polyethylene and prices vary according to the size you require. They can be purchased with or without wheels.

I recommend: Shipping Cases Now sells a variety of sizes, with and without wheels for easier portability. The trade show shipping case by Siegel Display Products has reinforced steel corners for extra protection.

Consider hard mold upright travel cases when searching for portable display cases for trade shows

Travel cases are designed to fit easily in your car's trunk or on an airplane. They are upright, which makes packing and unpacking simple. More importantly, they are easy for one person to handle if you are solo when transporting your display or exhibit. Resembling golf club bags, in that they are cylindrical and upright, they often have carrying straps and as well as wheels for ease in transport.

I recommend: Hard mold travel cases by The Godfrey Group and Successful Events are upright with wheels, making packing and carrying quite easy.

Travel on airplanes with luggage style trade show display cases

Luggage transport cases are ideally suited for airline travel. These heavy-duty luggage cases are lightweight yet sturdy. Many models are lined with foam to provide added protection for your display.

I recommend: Cases By Source carries an extensive line of luggage transport cases for trade show displays. Cases and More carries luggage style transport cases and offers free shipping as well as a per-item discount when ordered in higher volume.

Setting up a great trade show exhibit begins with transporting all your materials and promotional items to the trade show. With trade show display cases, that becomes a bit easier as these cases are designed to help you transport and display your items at a trade show. There are many trade show display cases available and a wide variety of options to choose from. Learning trade show display cases key terms helps you understand which cases might be right for your business.

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Trade show display cases

Trade show display cases are cases that help you transport your items to a trade show and then display those items at the trade show. Most trade show display cases are designed to be both a display and transport container.

I recommend: Nomadic Display has a comprehensive definition of trade show display cases and an explanation of their importance.

Portable trade show display cases

Portable trade show display cases, as their name suggests, make it easy for you to transport your trade show booth from one place to another. Usually, these display cases consist of rolling containers and trade show displays that easily and quickly break down or fold to fit inside the containers.

I recommend: Tradeshowdisplayinc.com has a comprehensive definition and explanation of portable trade show display cases.

Case to counter kits

Case to counter kits are simple transport containers that transform into a podium display you can use at the trade show. Everything you need for the show is transported inside the podium.

I recommend: Trade Show Direct has a detailed and illustrated definition of case to counter kits.

Trade show freight display cases

Trade show freight display cases are large heavy-duty cases made of plastic or metal. These cases are designed to ship large trade show displays, as well as an array of trade show materials. If you have a very large display, you may need a freight case. However, do keep in mind that many traditional shipping methods -- such as UPS -- will not usually work with this type of case, so you may need to arrange for a truck or other form of transport.

I recommend: TradeShowPlus has an illustrated explanation of trade show freight display cases.

Banner shipping tube

A banner shipping tube is usually made of plastic and has a sturdy construction and closing top. It is designed to allow you to carry banner displays and other roll-up graphics to and from trade shows. When you arrive at your trade show, you can simply remove the banner display and unroll it. The banner display will have no wrinkles or tears and will be ready for presentation.

I recommend: MODdisplays has an illustrated explanation of a typical banner shipping tube.

Graphics cases

Graphics are often the most fragile part of any trade show exhibit -- and the most expensive part of the exhibit to replace. Graphic cases keep your graphics safe from trade show to trade show.

I recommend: Exhibit Solutions of New Mexico has an illustrated explanation of graphics cases, as well as several examples of graphics case products.