Debunking 7 Common Rental Myths

Rental exhibits have become the go-to choice for many modern exhibitors, but plenty of misconceptions still float around about what they deliver. The truth is that rental options provide serious flexibility and customization without the hefty price tag of ownership. If you're still thinking about rentals the way they were ten years ago, you're missing out on some game-changing opportunities.

Let's cut through the noise and look at what rental exhibits can do for your trade show strategy—and why they might be exactly what your business needs right now.


Myth 1: Rentals Lack Customization 
Here's the thing that so many people get wrong: people still think you're stuck with some generic, cookie-cutter setup that screams "rental." That's just not how it works anymore.

Custom rentals wrap around your brand like they were custom-made from scratch. Your colors, your messaging, your unique style—it all gets woven into the design so naturally that attendees would never guess you didn't own every piece of it. With a wide range of modular components, digital activations, and custom graphics available, rental exhibits allow you to create a booth that looks and feels uniquely yours. You can tailor everything—from layout and size to interactive features and bold visuals—to ensure your booth stands out on the trade show floor. Whether you want a sleek, minimalist design or a bold, immersive experience, rentals offer endless possibilities to meet your branding needs.


For example, many exhibitors use rentals to pilot different design ideas and layouts, and even test new shows.Suppose you're experimenting with a fresh aesthetic or launching a new product line. In that case, renting provides a low-commitment way to test your vision in real time and refine your messaging based on attendee engagement. 

Myth 2: Rentals Are Lower Quality Than Purchased Booths 
Those cheap, wobbly rental booths that were common in the '90s? They're  history. The rental game has completely transformed. We're talking about exhibits built with the same premium materials and attention to detail you'd expect from a high-end custom build. Those flimsy rental booths from years past? You may find them rented from third-rate companies, but many exhibit fabricators—like Skyline—rent the same exact structures that they sell.

We rent and sell the same exhibit structures – and they are built tough. They must be—imagine dealing with crowds at ConExpo or NRA, where the hall is full of attendees and your booth needs to look perfect from day one through teardown. These structures handle that kind of abuse without breaking a sweat.

Step into a custom rental booth now and you might see a wall of seamless LED displays, edge lighting, and framework that looks more like high-end architecture than trade show equipment. Everything clicks together with precision—no gaps, no wobbles, nothing that screams "we threw this together yesterday." 

Myth 3: Rentals Are Not Cost-Effective in the Long Run 
Another common misconception is that rentals end up costing more than owning an exhibit. The reality is that rentals are often one of the most budget-friendly strategies for trade shows, especially for businesses attending multiple events with varying requirements.

Here's how rentals save money: 

• Lower Upfront Costs –You avoid the significant investment involved in designing and constructing a custom booth from scratch.
• No Storage Fees –Renters eliminate the need for warehouse space to store large structures between events.
• Reduced Maintenance Costs –The rental provider handles repairs, updates, and upkeep expenses.
• Scaled Investments –Size and design can be adjusted for each event, ensuring you only pay for what you need.

For businesses with busy trade show schedules, rentals also cut down on logistical expenses like transportation and setup. This frees up your budget to focus on other impactful areas, such as staff training or attendee engagement strategies. 

Myth 4: Rentals Are a Logistical Nightmare 
Beyond affordability, the logistical ease of rental exhibits is one of their most significant selling points. Unlike purchased booths, they don't require long-term storage, costly shipping, or intricate maintenance schedules.

Rental providers typically handle logistics such as:

• Shipping to and from the venue
• Installation and dismantling
• Maintenance and repairs 

This "plug-and-play" approach simplifies the entire process, letting you concentrate on maximizing your on-site impact. Plus, with no need to worry about post-event teardown, you can leave the event stress-free while professionals handle the heavy lifting. 

Myth 5: Rentals Are Unsustainable 
Sustainability is top of mind for businesses today, and some mistakenly believe that rentals are wasteful or less eco-friendly than owned exhibits. The truth is quite the opposite.

Rental programs prioritize reusability. Many providers use components and materials that can be repurposed for multiple events, drastically reducing waste. By opting for a rental, exhibitors also minimize their carbon footprint by cutting down on unnecessary manufacturing and shipping. Additionally, since renters typically only purchase graphics while returning the booth structure to inventory, there is significantly less waste after each trade show. 

Myth 6: Rentals Are Best for Small Exhibits Only 
People think rentals mean you're stuck with a 10x10 pop-up display and a folding table. Not even close. Rental companies handle everything from those small inline spaces all the way up to massive island exhibits that take up half a show floor. Need a 40x60 footprint? We've got you covered. Want a double-decker? Yep, that too.

Here's what's really smart—a lot of big companies use rentals strategically. They might own their core booth components but rent additional pieces when they need to expand for a major show. So, if they're doing a huge presence at their industry's biggest event, they can triple their footprint without buying a warehouse full of extra components they'll only use once or twice a year. The rental pieces blend seamlessly with what they own, and nobody walking through can tell the difference. 

Myth 7: Rentals Are Just About Booth Structures 
When most people think "rental exhibit," they picture walls, counters, and maybe some basic lighting. But that's only scratching the surface of what's available through modern rental programs.

This is huge for companies that want to incorporate cutting-edge technology without the massive upfront investment. Think about it—that 16-foot LED wall you want might cost $80,000 to buy, but you can rent it for a fraction of that cost. Plus, you're getting the latest technology instead of being stuck with whatever you purchased three years ago.

The rental approach also lets you test different tech solutions to see what engages your audience. Maybe those VR headsets don't generate the buzz you expected, or perhaps that interactive floor projection becomes the star of your booth. With rentals, you can experiment without being married to expensive technology. 

Why Renting Is the Smarter Choice 
Rentals are no longer "second-rate" alternatives; they are smarter, adaptable, and increasingly popular solutions for modern exhibitors. Whether you want to test new layouts, avoid high upfront costs, or simplify logistics, a rental program offers the versatility to meet your trade show goals with minimal hassle.   

Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Cost, Flexibility, and Real Results
Let's talk numbers, because that's what your CFO cares about. With budgets getting squeezed everywhere you look in 2025, rental exhibits hit that sweet spot between looking professional and not breaking the bank. You're looking at roughly 30-50% less upfront compared to buying the same quality components outright. The real savings kick in after that first show—no storage fees, no maintenance costs, no wondering where you're going to put all those booth pieces for the next 11 months.
Rentals give you room to maneuver when your marketing team decides to go in a completely different direction. Maybe this year's theme doesn't work anymore, or you need double the space for a product launch, or you want to try a totally different booth flow. With rentals, those changes don't require a board meeting and a capital expenditure request.

You also dodge all the behind-the-scenes hassles that come with ownership. No hunting for warehouse space, no coordinating repairs when something gets dinged up, no keeping track of which components are where. The rental company deals with all of that, so your team can spend time on the stuff that moves the needle—building relationships and closing deals.

This flexibility is ideal for companies that like to stay nimble or want to try before they buy on major design changes. With no long-term storage fees or maintenance headaches, rental programs enable companies to adapt easily and control their budgets, all while maintaining a dynamic and professional trade show presence. 

Contact us today for a free consultation!

About the Author
Dana Baldwin
Senior Business Account Executive,  Skyline Exhibits

Dana Baldwin is a Senior Business Account Executive at Skyline Exhibits with over ten years of experience working with mid to large-scale enterprises in the events marketing, sports, and tourism industries. She specializes in managing major account portfolios and is valued for her ability to foster strong relationships and secure long-term partnerships. Her experience and approach make her a key contributor to the success of her clients and projects.