Designing a Standout Rental Booth for HPB Expo

Feb 17, 2026

HPB Expo is a show where products are meant to be experienced, not just viewed. Hearth, patio, barbecue, and outdoor kitchen brands rely on live demos, hands-on interaction, and visual storytelling to show how their products perform in real-world settings.

For exhibitors using a rental booth, strong design is what separates a functional space from a memorable one. With the right layout and visual strategy, a rental exhibit can feel intentional, polished, and fully aligned with premium outdoor-living brands. At Storm Displays, we design HPB rental booths that highlight hero products, guide attendee flow, and support live demonstrations without added complexity.

Start with a Clear Hero Product Story

HPB buyers are often scanning the aisle for something specific—grills, fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, or integrated systems. The most effective booths make it immediately clear what they’re about.

A strong HPB rental booth tells a single, focused story within the first few feet of visibility. This usually means leading with one hero product or concept that anchors the entire space. Supporting graphics and messaging should reinforce that story rather than compete with it.

Backlit walls work particularly well here. They add depth, visibility, and polish while making the brand and product readable from across the aisle without overwhelming the booth.

Use Vertical Elements to Create Presence Without Complexity

Many HPB exhibitors assume they need hanging signs to stand out, but that’s rarely the case. Rental booths can achieve strong vertical visibility through lightbox towers or integrated headers.

Backlit towers provide height, branding, and wayfinding without the added cost, lead time, or rigging coordination that comes with hanging signs. For most HPB booth sizes, these vertical elements offer enough visual presence to attract attention and guide attendees into the space.

This approach keeps the booth simpler, faster to install, and more budget-friendly—especially valuable for exhibitors managing early-year timelines.

Design the Booth Around Demo Flow

Live demonstrations are central to HPB Expo, and booth layout should support that flow naturally. Attendees should be able to approach, watch, ask questions, and move through the space without congestion.

A common and effective layout places the demo area slightly inward, with clear sightlines from the aisle and room for small groups to gather. Counters and surfaces should be positioned to support both presentation and interaction, while keeping pathways open and intuitive.

Rental booths are well suited for this kind of planning because modular components allow demo zones to be adjusted based on booth size, product footprint, or expected traffic.

Plan for the Realities of Live Demos

Live cooking and product demos come with practical considerations—heat, spills, grease, and cleanup. A well-designed rental booth anticipates these realities from the start.

Wipeable counter surfaces, floor protection in demo zones, and discreet storage behind counters make it easier to keep the space clean and professional throughout the show. Having a small, hidden cleanup kit within reach allows staff to reset quickly between demos without disrupting the flow or appearance of the booth.

These details don’t draw attention when done right—but they make a noticeable difference over the course of a busy show.

Key Elements of a Strong HPB Rental Booth Design

  • A clear hero product visible within the first few feet
  • Backlit walls or towers for brand presence and readability
  • A layout that supports natural demo flow
  • Durable, wipeable surfaces designed for live use
  • Vertical branding without the cost of hanging signs

FAQs

What draws HPB buyers from the aisle?
A single, focused hero story visible within 6–8 feet is most effective. Pairing that story with a backlit wall and a clear headline helps attendees quickly understand what the booth offers and why it’s worth stopping.

How do we manage live-demo messes?
Plan for cleanup from the beginning. Use wipeable counters, protect flooring in demo areas, and keep a discreet cleanup kit behind the counter so staff can reset quickly without interrupting engagement.

Do we need hanging signs?
In most cases, no. Lightbox towers or integrated headers provide strong vertical identification and brand visibility without the added cost, rigging coordination, or lead time associated with hanging signs.

Conclusion

A standout HPB rental booth isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things well. Clear storytelling, smart use of backlit elements, and thoughtful demo flow allow rental exhibits to perform at the same level as custom builds.
At Storm Displays, we design HPB Expo rental booths that support live demos, highlight premium products, and create spaces that feel purposeful and easy to engage with.

📞 (951) 544-9059
✉️ justin@stormdisplays.com

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