Day -90 | Define the “Why”

Write three sentences: who the core audience is, what the promise is, and which outcome you want (leads, appointments, samples, media). Put these into the master plan owned by exhibit program management so every later milestone—materials, staffing, scripts, budget, schedule—follows the same compass.

Day -75 | Information Architecture & Spatial Skeleton

Split information into three readable layers: a silhouette you grasp from afar, reasons you understand up close, and a clear next step for those who dwell. Translate that into layout: teaser at entry, proof in the center, conversion at the edge. Lock dimensions, openings, and zones and move into custom exhibit design services for concept sketches.

Day -60 | Concept Freeze & Material Choices

Treat sustainability, reusability, and deliverability as one problem:

• Favor reusable structure with quick-swap graphics and shelves.

• Choose materials by flame rating, load, and transport friendliness.

• One strong visual anchor is enough; avoid competing heroes.

  Turn concept into build drawings and align design with fabrication BOM.

  
  

Day -45 | Turn Interactivity into a Script

Interactivity should follow the story: teaser → reveal → hands-on → conversion. Package touch, sensors, and AR/projection into 90-second tasks, each tied to a next step (quote, sample, appointment). Centralize all tech under interactive booth technology to ensure compatibility, stability, and a clean ops manual.

Day -30 | Prototyping & Stress Tests

• Full warehouse pre-build for color, seams, and lighting levels.

• End-to-end tech test: network, devices, content, data return.

• Peak-traffic rehearsal: a 90-second short loop and a 3-minute long loop to prevent bottlenecks.

  Fix issues here—don’t carry risk on site.

  
  

Day -21 | “Show Program” & Talk Tracks

Run a 40-second micro-show every 15 minutes that lands the core message in one line. Prepare talk-track cards for handling Explorers, Comparers, and Deciders. Pre-mark press keywords, hero images, and camera spots.

Day -7 | Logistics & On-Site Checklist

Confirm mode and window (air/ocean/road), rigging/loads, fire ratings, night-work permits, spares, and tools—check them off in the master plan. Write contingency paths for device swaps, content fallbacks, and staff coverage.

Day -1 | Pre-Build & Dress Rehearsal

Assemble in order: skeleton → skin → lighting → content → interactivity. Walk the booth after each layer. In rehearsal, run the 5-second entry promise, the 90-second core demo, and the exit next-step QR to ensure rhythm.

Day 0 | Three Moments at Opening

• Distance: silhouette lit, 5-second promise live.

• Up close: tasks completable within 90 seconds at each station.

• Exit: quotes/samples/appointments visible as a “return path.”

  Log issues hourly with fixes for a clean post-show review.

+24 Hours | First Data Pack

Four numbers are enough: median dwell, interaction completion rate, quote/sample pickup rate, and 48-hour revisit rate. Use them to decide what to brighten, trim, or staff.

+48 Hours | Review & Reuse

Scan modules back into inventory with lifespan and “next stop.” Mark differences in design files, show program, and talk tracks for the next city’s fast iteration. Keep the master plan annotated with time spent, outputs, and ROI.

Why This Timeline Works

When exhibit program management keeps the cadence, custom exhibit design services make the space legible, and interactive booth technology turns engagement into evidence, your booth moves from “good-looking” to “high-performing” to “repeatable.”

Ready to map this timeline to your next show? Visit www.circleexhibit.com for end-to-end support across design, fabrication, logistics, and installation.