PLUO exhibition stand design steps: before, during and after the show

A high-performing exhibition stand attracts attention, engages visitors and actively supports your commercial objectives in a competitive environment. That is why, at PLUO, every choice is intentional: design, visitor flow, materials and usage.

We take a holistic approach to managing your exhibition stand project. We lead the project in close collaboration with you, anticipating constraints and securing every step of the stand design process.

This complete, step-by-step guide takes you behind the scenes of our method: a tailor-made, human, structured and eco-responsible approach, designed to perform at exhibitions and over time.

Phase 1: briefing and information gathering

The briefing, the cornerstone of the project

Everything starts with clear objectives. Your stand is not a neutral showcase; it serves your strategy. Do you want to generate leads, launch a product, strengthen brand awareness, organise technical demonstrations…? Together, we clarify the objectives of your exhibition stand. These objectives guide our design choices, surface area, circulation, technical solutions, and more.

At this stage, we also align messages and success indicators (KPIs). Who do we want to attract? How many qualified contacts should we aim for? How will the stand be used?

This upstream work helps us make the right decisions from the start, avoiding late trade-offs and inefficient compromises.

Planning and budget as key reference points

The date of your event guides the stand planning process – working backwards – and helps define the right choices. Design timelines, validations, production, transport and installation: each step comes with its own constraints. Respecting them ensures an efficient and smooth workflow.

The exhibition stand budget is considered as a whole. We estimate not only the production cost, but also on-site logistics, installation, dismantling, storage and potential reuse of your stand. Thanks to our partner Aluvision, our stand structures are designed to be robust and reusable, allowing us to create durable, custom-made stands that perform over time.

This global budget vision helps optimise your investment across multiple events.

Phase 2: designing your stand

3D presentation

The design of a custom stand begins with defining a concept. Our design teams imagine volumes, atmosphere, materials and signage. Your stand thus translates your commercial objectives into a spatial and sensory experience. At this stage, we prepare 3D visuals of your future stand.

Our 3D visualisation makes it easier to project yourself into the space, understand real stand usage and then work on zoning (reception, demonstration, meeting, storage).

Refining the experience 

At PLUO, one of our strengths lies in optimising visitor flows. This step plays a key role in the success of your project: an effective stand naturally guides movement, facilitates interaction and avoids dead zones or congestion. We address visitor flow early in the project, as it directly impacts both commercial performance and on-site team comfort.

Technical aspects and validations

Once the concept is approved, we develop the technical drawings. These detail structures, fixings, electrical supplies, suspended loads and exhibition safety regulations. These documents are essential for organisers, control bodies and installation teams.

Our engineering office manages the development of these technical plans in close collaboration with our production teams, ensuring full compliance of your stand.

Phase 3: stand production

In-house manufacturing

Every element of your stand is manufactured in our own workshops. We select materials according to strict durability criteria, including their potential for reuse. Our teams carry out full quality control: adjustments, finishes, stability and compliance with plans.

Combining stand design and production in-house allows us to anticipate on-site installation constraints and limit unexpected issues during setup.

Full-scale testing

In some cases, a project requires pre-assembly in the workshop. This allows us to test assemblies, lighting and technical systems.

This key step secures timelines, simplifies on-site installation and reduces the risk of non-compliance during the event.

Phase 4: on-site stand installation

Exhibition logistics management

Through experience, we understand the importance and complexity of exhibition logistics, including exhibitor coordination. We therefore give it our full attention.

Access to the exhibition venue, delivery time slots, height restrictions, temporary storage, insurance: each site has strict rules, and we take them all into account.

PLUO coordinates the transport of your stand, anticipates access constraints and manages administrative requirements to ensure a smooth installation.

Installation, handover and dismantling: three key moments, handled smoothly

Exhibition stand installation takes place within tight timeframes. Our methodology reflects this reality: we carefully coordinate teams, sequence interventions and comply with safety standards. Once installed, we carry out the stand handover with you.

After the event, dismantling is organised with the same level of rigour, along with transport and stand storage.

Phase 5: after the exhibition

Stand storage and reuse

At PLUO, we believe a well-designed stand should serve you on multiple occasions. That is why we dismantle, pack and store the elements, to reuse them as-is or adapted for future events. For clients with reusable stands, we provide 6,000 m² of storage space at our headquarters. We also handle material transport thanks to our fleet of 16 vehicles.

PLUO’s reuse approach optimises exhibition stand budgets over the long term and aligns with an eco-responsible mindset.

Event review

After each exhibition, we always take time for a debrief: analysing results, identifying areas for improvement and refining the exhibition checklist for future projects.

This feedback loop is essential to continuously improve and strengthen the effectiveness of upcoming stands.

Looking for a unique, innovative and durable stand for your next exhibition or trade show?

At PLUO, designing and installing your stand means orchestrating a complete chain of expertise. This level of control enables us to deliver flawless, durable projects perfectly aligned with your objectives.

Do you have questions or a briefing to share? We would be happy to support you in bringing your project to life. Feel free to contact our dedicated teams.