How An Animated Trade Show Video Can Boost Your Trade Show Success

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Trade shows are an important opportunity for businesses to showcase their products and services, network with potential customers and partners, and generate new leads and sales. However, with so many companies vying for attention at these events, it can be a challenge to stand out from the crowd. That’s where animated trade show videos come in – they can be a powerful tool for boosting your trade show success and make your booth more engaging and memorable. In this post, we’ll explore how and why to create animated videos for trade shows, as well as tips for making them more effective for your business.

Examples of Trade Show Videos You Can Get From Video Igniter

Video Igniter can create any kind of 2D or 3D animated trade show video for you. Check out our animation portfolio here. Request access to our demo reels and price sheet here.

Video Production Demo Reel:

Trade Show Demo Videos:

Are you looking for an example of a different style of animation? Send us a message to let us know what kind of animation example you want to see and we will follow up with relevant production samples.

Why Use Animated Videos for Trade Shows?

Animated videos are a great way to capture attention and engage trade show attendees. They can be used to showcase your products or services, explain complex concepts, or simply add some visual interest to your booth. Here are some of the key benefits of using animated videos at trade shows:

1. Attention-Grabbing: Animated videos are inherently more eye-catching than static images or text. They can help draw people to your booth and make it stand out from the ocean of other exhibitors.

2. Memorable: Animated videos are more likely to stick in people’s minds relative to other types of content (pamphlets, brochures, business cards, etc). By creating a memorable video, you can ensure that attendees remember your booth and your company long after the event is over.

3. Cost-Effective: Animated videos, motion graphics, animated infographics, explainer videos and kinetic typography animations can be created relatively quickly and easily, and can be used for multiple events. They can also be repurposed for your social media and displayed on your website.

4. Customizable: Animated videos are relatively to easy to update and customize (compared to live action videos). You can update text and images in your animated trade show video without having to pay for a brand new video.

5. Sharable: Add a QR code to your business card so people can watch your video on their phone.

How to Make an Animated Video for a Trade Show

Now that we’ve explored why animated videos are a valuable tool for trade shows, let’s dive into how to create one. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Define Your Goals

Before you start creating your video, it’s important to define your goals. What do you want the video to accomplish? Do you want to showcase a product, explain a concept, or simply add some visual interest to your booth? Understanding your goals will help you create a video that is both effective and relevant to your audience.

Choose Your Producer

There are a variety of tools, software programs, freelancers and animation studios that can be used to create your animated trade show video. Some popular DIY options include Adobe After Effects, Powtoon, Wideo, and Vyond. If you don’t want to create the video yourself, you can hire us, Video Igniter Animation.

Develop Your Script & Storyboard

Download Video Igniter’s Free Storyboard Template

Once you’ve picked out your animation producer, it’s time to plan out your video. Create a script & storyboard that outline the key scenes and elements that will appear on screen during each part of your video. This will help ensure that your animator knows what to create.

Source The Audio

Trade shows are noisy so it’s possible your video may play on a loop with no audio. In fact, it’s a good idea to develop your trade show video so that people can learn just by watching, without needing to hear anything at all. Assume most people won’t be close enough to hear. That being said, adding a voiceover narration and soundtrack are still good ideas. Even if people can’t hear what your video is saying at the trade show, it’s still useful to have the narrative explanation for people who are able to watch your video online.

Create The Animation

Now that your storyboard is approved, the animation team can develop the visuals for your animated trade show video. This may involve creating characters, backgrounds, and other visual elements. After you approve the design of the illustrations, the animation team will add motion to the illustrations so that they sync up with your voiceover.

Test and Refine

Once your video is complete, test it out on members of your target audience to ensure that it meets your communication goals and resonates with your audience. Make any necessary tweaks or changes to improve its effectiveness before using it at a trade show.

Tips for Making Your Animated Trade Show Video Effective

Now that you know how to create an animated trade show video, let’s explore some tips for making it as effective as possible:

Keep it Short: Trade show attendees are often short on time, so it’s important to keep your video short and to the point. Aim for a length of 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Your video will play on a loop so people can catch it again if they missed something the first time.

Focus on the Benefits: When creating your video, focus on the benefits of your product or service rather than its features. This will help attendees understand how your offering can help them, rather than simply seeing what it does.

Use Humor: Humor can be a great way to engage attendees and make your booth more memorable. Just be sure to keep it appropriate and relevant to your brand and audience.

Make it Interactive: Consider adding interactive elements to your video, such as touchscreens or buttons that trigger different videos to play. This can help keep attendees engaged and interested.

Incorporate Your Brand: Be sure to incorporate your brand into your video using colors, logos, and other visual elements that reinforce your brand identity.

Types of Trade Show Videos That Perform Best on the Show Floor

Not all trade show videos are created equal. The most effective trade show video formats are designed specifically for busy, noisy environments where attendees may only glance at your booth for a few seconds. Choosing the right type of animated trade show video can dramatically impact foot traffic, engagement, and lead quality.

Explainer Trade Show Videos
Explainer-style trade show videos focus on clearly communicating what your company does and who it’s for. These videos work best when they emphasize a single core value proposition and use strong visuals to guide viewers through the message without relying on audio.

Product Demo Trade Show Videos
Animated product demo videos are ideal for showcasing software platforms, workflows, or physical products that are difficult to demonstrate live. Animation allows you to zoom in on details, visualize processes, and show outcomes that would be impossible to capture on camera.

Brand Awareness & Looping Booth Videos
Some trade show videos are designed purely to attract attention. These looping animated videos use bold motion, typography, and branding to pull people in from across the aisle and encourage them to stop at your booth.

Industry-Specific Trade Show Videos
Customizing your trade show video to speak directly to a specific industry—such as healthcare, manufacturing, SaaS, or finance—can increase relevance and improve lead quality. Industry-specific language and visuals help attendees instantly recognize that your solution is meant for them.

Best Length and Format for a High-Performing Trade Show Video

One of the most common questions businesses ask is: How long should a trade show video be? The answer depends on how it’s being used—but shorter is almost always better.

For most booths, the ideal animated trade show video length is 30–90 seconds, designed to loop seamlessly. Attendees should be able to understand the core message even if they start watching halfway through.

Best practices for trade show video length and format:

Use short scenes (3–5 seconds each)
Design the video to work without sound
Include large, readable text
Prioritize visuals over narration
End with a clear call-to-action (e.g., “Ask us for a demo”)

How to Use Your Trade Show Video to Capture More Leads

A great trade show video doesn’t just attract attention—it supports your lead generation strategy. When paired with the right booth setup, your animated video can significantly increase the number of meaningful conversations your team has during the event.

Use Your Video as a Conversation Starter
Your trade show video should answer the “What do you do?” question before someone even speaks to your team. This allows booth staff to focus on qualifying leads rather than repeating the same explanation all day.

Add Clear Calls-to-Action On Screen
Effective trade show videos guide attendees toward the next step. This might include:

“Scan the QR code to learn more”
“Ask us for a live demo”
“Sign up for a free trial”
“Enter our giveaway”

Integrate With Lead Capture Tools
Trade show videos work especially well when paired with tablets, kiosks, or QR codes that link to landing pages. These pages can collect contact information, schedule demos, or deliver downloadable resources.

How to Repurpose a Trade Show Video After the Event

One of the biggest advantages of an animated trade show video is its long-term value. Unlike booth displays or printed materials, your video can continue generating ROI long after the event ends.

A single trade show video can be repurposed into:

Website homepage or landing page content
Email marketing campaigns
Sales presentations
Social media ads
LinkedIn posts
YouTube videos
Paid trade show follow-up campaigns

By designing your trade show video with repurposing in mind, you get significantly more value from your production budget.

Common Trade Show Video Mistakes to Avoid

Even well-intentioned companies sometimes miss the mark with their trade show videos. Avoiding these common mistakes can dramatically improve results.

Overloading the Video With Information
Trade shows are not the place for deep explanations. Focus on one message, one audience, and one goal.

Relying Too Heavily on Audio
Most trade show floors are loud. If your message depends on narration, many viewers will miss it entirely.

Small Text or Busy Visuals
Trade show videos should be readable from several feet away. Clean layouts and bold typography perform best.

No Clear Next Step
If viewers don’t know what to do after watching your video, you’re missing a major opportunity.

Why Animated Trade Show Videos Outperform Live-Action Booth Videos

While live-action videos can work in some contexts, animation often outperforms live video at trade shows for several reasons.

Animated trade show videos:

Are easier to update for future events
Maintain a consistent brand look
Simplify complex ideas
Avoid issues with lighting, sound, and filming
Are more cost-effective long term

This flexibility makes animation a smart investment for companies that attend multiple trade shows each year.

Why Work With a Professional Trade Show Video Company

Creating a high-performing trade show video requires more than animation skills—it requires an understanding of trade show environments, attendee behavior, and marketing goals.

A professional trade show video company helps you:

Clarify your message
Choose the right animation style
Design for silent playback
Optimize for looping displays
Repurpose content across channels

At Video Igniter, we specialize in animated trade show videos designed to attract attention, communicate clearly, and generate leads—both on the show floor and beyond.

Conclusion

Animated videos are a powerful tool for enhancing your trade show booth and generating new leads and sales for your business. By following the steps outlined in this post and incorporating these tips, you can create a memorable, effective trade show video that helps your booth stand out from the crowd.

Still have questions about animated trade show videos?

Do you have a question about making or using an animated trade show video that wasn’t addressed in this FAQ? Use this form to send us your question and we’ll follow up with an answer. We’ll also post the question and answer to this page so other people can benefit from the knowledge.

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What is Video Igniter Animation?

Video Igniter Animation is an online animated video production service. By working with our team online, you can get your custom animated video produced faster and for less than hiring a brick and mortar animation studio.

We can help you create any kind of 2D animated video or 3D animation you can imagine. Check out our animated video portfolio.

If you’re looking for an explainer video company to make an explainer video, we make those too!

Need help syndicating your animated video? Ask us about video promotion.

Watch our explainer video on our home page to learn more about how we can help you create an animated video. For examples of the kinds of animation our team can produce, check out the demo reel below:

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Success Stories & Testimonials

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