Overhead Signs and Rigging: The “Hidden” Cost of Going Big at a Trade Show

Overhead signs & rigging

An overhead sign isn't simply a big logo hanging above your booth. When properly designed, it can become a beacon for your brand, help attendees find you, reinforce your presence throughout the exhibit hall and give your booth a more substantial visual impact.

But before you order that overhead sign beacon, understand the complete cost of ownership—including rigging, shipping and drayage.

When we work with clients who are exhibiting for the first time—or even seasoned repeat exhibitors—the topic of overhead signs often comes up.

We welcome the discussion because a well-designed overhead sign can take your brand high above the exhibit floor and make your booth visible from across the hall.

The obvious benefit? Attendees and prospects can easily spot your company and navigate toward your booth.

But there's another benefit that isn't always so obvious: your overhead sign can become a landmark for the entire exhibit hall.

“See that XYZ Inc. sign way over there? The food court is just to the left of it.”

A Typical Conversation About Overhead Signs

Future/Current Exhibitor:
“We'd like a huge overhead sign above the booth!”

Trade Show Tools (TST):
“Great! We have all shapes and sizes. We can even make your sign rotate.”

Future/Current Exhibitor:
“Can you price a 15' × 15' square overhead sign with double-sided graphics? No need to rotate. We don't want to get too crazy.”

TST:
“I'd be happy to price that for you. But be sure to look into the rigging cost. You'll need to account for that at every show.”

Future/Current Exhibitor:
“Okay…but what's rigging?”

TST:
“Rigging is the process of safely lifting, suspending and securing exhibit elements above your booth space.”

But it's really about much more than simply hanging a sign.

Rigging ensures the safety and stability of suspended elements, which can include LED video walls, aisle signs, box truss/lighting and other suspended structures.

In the U.S., show management and the convention venue establish the rules and regulations governing overhead rigging, and those requirements can vary considerably from one venue and show to another.

The Cost of Rigging

Future/Current Exhibitor:
“And what is that cost you mentioned?”

TST: An overhead sign in Nashville is approximately $2,300–$4,500 or more per show for a 15' × 15' overhead sign, depending on the venue, sign weight, rigging points, ceiling height, equipment and installation schedule. Weekend and overtime work can increase the cost.

This is intended to include both installation (hanging) and dismantling (taking it down), along with basic rigging equipment. Actual costs are determined by the venue's rigging contractor and the specific requirements of the show.

Future/Current Exhibitor:
“Considering these additional costs, is an overhead sign worth it?”

TST:
“If your budget and objectives warrant it, absolutely. There are several benefits., including visibility, aesthetics, more open space on the floor. I mean, you own the airspace above the booth space, you might as well use it.”

Future/Current Exhibitor:
“All that sounds pretty good. But what's my initial investment for a 15' × 15' square overhead sign with double-sided graphics?”

TST:
“I thought you'd never ask!”

A 15' × 15' × 36" high square overhead sign with double-sided graphics is approximately $4,935.

And remember, that's a one-time investment.

The rigging expense—and potentially increased shipping and drayage costs—are ongoing expenses for each show.

Future/Current Exhibitor:
“Drayage?”

TST:
“Ahhh…that's a whole other conversation.”

The Bottom Line

At Trade Show Tools, we'd rather help you understand those costs before the show than surprise you with them afterward. More about overhead signs in Nashville, TN, can be viewed here: https://www.tradeshowtools.net/hanging-overhead-signs

This post was inspired by an article in Exhibitor Magazine by Andrew Clark of Derse Inc.