Bad lighting is one of the most common — and most avoidable — mistakes exhibitors make. You spend thousands on booth space, graphics, and travel, then show up with the wrong lights, missing cables, or not enough units to cover your display.
This checklist is designed to prevent that. Use it before every show to make sure your booth lighting setup is complete, compliant, and ready to perform.
Before You Pack: Planning Checklist
✅ Confirm your booth size and power allocation
Most venues provide a standard power drop — typically 5A or 10A for a 3×3m booth. Know your total wattage before you pack. Running too many lights on a single circuit will trip the breaker mid-show.
- 3×3m booth: budget for 100–200W total lighting load
- 3×6m booth: budget for 200–400W
- Island booth: confirm power allocation with the venue directly
✅ Count your lights and verify coverage
A common rule of thumb: one focused LED arm light per 1–2 square meters of display area you want to highlight. For a standard 3×3m booth, 2–4 lights is typical. If you want strong focal impact on key products, lean toward 4.
✅ Check venue certification requirements
Many exhibition venues — especially in the US and Europe — require lighting to carry specific safety certifications. Check before you travel:
- US venues: UL or ETL listed
- European venues: CE marked
- UK venues: UKCA marked
Some venues will ask for documentation on setup day. Keep a copy of your product certification on your phone or in your show kit.
✅ Choose the right color temperature for your products
- 3000K — Warm white. Best for food, lifestyle, wood, textiles.
- 4000K — Neutral white. Works for most booth types. Safest default.
- 5000K — Cool white. Best for electronics, tech, modern displays.
Packing Checklist: What to Bring
✅ Lights (with correct quantity)
Always bring one spare. If you're running 4 lights, pack 5. A failed unit on setup morning with no replacement is a stressful situation that's easy to avoid.
✅ Power cables and extension leads
- Main power cable from venue drop to your power strip
- Power strip or multi-socket adapter (check venue rules on surge protectors)
- Individual power cables for each light (or daisy chain cables if using linkable lights)
- Cable ties or velcro straps for cable management
✅ Mounting hardware
- Clamps or mounting brackets for your booth frame type
- Spare clamp screws (these get lost more often than you'd think)
- If your booth uses non-standard frames, bring an adapter or test fit before the show
✅ Tools
- Small flathead and Phillips screwdriver
- Allen key set (many clamp systems use hex bolts)
- Gaffer tape (always useful on a show floor)
✅ Certification documentation
A PDF on your phone is fine. Include the product name, model number, and certification marks (UL, ETL, CE, UKCA).
Setup Day Checklist
✅ Test all lights before the hall opens
Plug in and switch on every light during setup — not five minutes before doors open. This gives you time to swap a faulty unit or adjust positioning.
✅ Set beam angles before finalizing positions
Adjust the head angle on each light while standing at the visitor approach angle — not from behind the booth. What looks right from behind often looks wrong from the aisle.
✅ Check for glare at eye level
Walk to the front of your booth and look directly at your lights. If you're squinting, visitors will be too. Tilt the head slightly downward or reposition to eliminate direct glare.
✅ Manage your cables
Loose cables on the floor are a trip hazard and look unprofessional. Use cable ties, velcro straps, or gaffer tape to route cables along the booth frame and out of sight.
✅ Confirm power draw is within venue limits
If you're using a power meter, check your total draw after all lights are on. Stay at least 20% below your allocated limit to avoid tripping the circuit under load.
During the Show
✅ Check lights at the start of each day
Lights can shift position overnight if clamps loosen. A quick check each morning takes 2 minutes and keeps your display looking its best throughout the show.
✅ Turn off lights when the hall closes
Most venues require this anyway, but it also extends bulb life and reduces heat buildup overnight. Some exhibitors leave lights on accidentally — don't be one of them.
After the Show: Pack-Down Checklist
✅ Let lights cool before packing
Even LED lights retain some heat after extended use. Give them 10–15 minutes before packing into cases to avoid heat damage to cables or cases.
✅ Coil cables properly
Over-under coiling prevents kinks and extends cable life. Kinked cables are one of the most common causes of connection failures at the next show.
✅ Inspect for damage before storing
Check clamps, arm joints, and cable connectors. Note any damage so you can order replacements before your next show — not the week before.
✅ Label everything
If you share equipment with colleagues or run multiple booths, label your lights and cables. It saves significant time at the next setup.
Quick Reference: Booth Lighting Setup by Size
| Booth Size | Recommended Lights | Suggested Wattage | Power Draw |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3×3m | 2–4 lights | 16W–25W each | 32–100W total |
| 3×6m | 4–6 lights | 25W–35W each | 100–210W total |
| 6×6m island | 6–10 lights | 25W–50W each | 150–500W total |
One More Thing
The best trade show lighting setup is one you've tested before the show — not one you're figuring out on setup morning. If you're trying a new configuration, do a dry run at home or in your office first. It takes 30 minutes and saves hours of stress on show day.
Need help choosing the right lights for your booth? Send us your booth size and we'll suggest a simple setup. Or browse our full range of exhibition LED arm lights to find the right fit.