December is the perfect time to pause and plan. Before the year ends, review what worked and what didn’t – then turn those lessons into a winning strategy for 2026.
If you’ve kept a list of lessons learned from this year, now’s the time to use it. These insights will shape smarter decisions for your next exhibitions.
With May and June shaping up to be peak exhibition months again, planning now means avoiding last-minute stress and securing the best options.
🎥 Watch our Exhibition Timeline Series: Your six-month countdown to success
1.START WITH REFLECTION
Before diving into planning, take a moment to review this year’s exhibitions.
- Did your stands deliver the impact you wanted?
- Were budgets realistic?
- Did your objectives align with outcomes?
If you’ve kept a list of lessons learned, now’s the time to use it. These insights will shape smarter decisions for 2026.
2.BUDGET EXPECTATIONS: KNOW WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
We’ve all seen cost increases in stand builds and onsite services. December is the time to break down your budget:
Expense Category |
Typical & Budget |
Notes |
| Space Rental | 30-40% | Varies by event size |
| Stand Design & Build | 25–35% | Where creativity counts |
| Graphics & Branding | 10–15% | Refresh for 2026 goals |
| Logistics & Storage | 10–15% | Plan early to avoid rush fees |
| Onsite Services | 5–10% | Power, Wi-Fi, furniture |
3.CLEAR OBJECTIVES AND DIRECTION
Ask yourself:
- ✅ What do we want to achieve?
- ✅ How do we want to showcase our brand?
- ✅ Do we need demo zones, meeting spaces, storage?
4.TIMELINE: WHEN SHOULD YOU START PLANNING YOUR EXHIBITION?
One of the most common questions we hear at BE Exhibitions is: “When do we start planning – and what should we be doing at each stage?”
To make this simple, we’ve created a 6-month planning timeline that breaks down the key actions from first ideas to final checks.
Not only have we produced an easy-to-follow video series to guide you through each step, but here’s a handy print-ready PDF you can keep on hand for quick reference.
Ready to make December count? Let’s plan your 2026 exhibitions now – before the rush begins.
📩 Get in touch with BE Exhibitions today and let’s start shaping your exhibition strategy.