How to Choose the Right Exhibition Games for Your Stand
Choosing the right exhibition games can make a measurable difference to how successful your stand is. The right games attract attention, encourage visitors to stop, and create natural opportunities for conversation. The wrong choice can take up space without delivering real value.
At Expo Play, we work with exhibitors across a wide range of sectors, including Exhibition Games for Tech Companies, Exhibition Games for Construction & Industry, Exhibition Games for Educational & Training Expos, and Exhibition Games for Public Sector & Local Authority Events. While the audiences differ, the decision-making process for choosing games follows the same core principles.
Start With Your Exhibition Goals
Before choosing any game, it’s important to be clear about what you want your stand to achieve. Exhibition games are most effective when they support a specific outcome rather than being added as decoration.
Common objectives include:
- Increasing footfall in busy halls
- Encouraging longer dwell time
- Supporting lead generation
- Creating a relaxed environment for conversation
- Reinforcing brand messaging
For example, if lead capture is a priority, options from our Lead Generation Games range are often the most suitable. If your goal is awareness and visibility, high-impact options from Competitive Games or Electronic Games may be more appropriate.
Consider Your Stand Size and Layout
Stand size plays a major role in game selection. Large, open stands allow for multiple engagement zones, while smaller footprints require more careful planning.
For compact spaces, games from the Small Exhibition Stand Games and Compact Games ranges are designed to deliver engagement without obstructing walkways or meeting areas. Games such as Pixel Play or Strike a Light work particularly well at the edge of a stand, drawing visitors in from the aisle.
Larger stands can support a mix of quick-play and social games, helping manage visitor flow throughout the day.
Match the Game to Your Audience
Different audiences respond to different types of interaction. A fast-paced competitive game may suit one event but feel out of place at another.
For example:
Understanding how your audience prefers to engage helps ensure the game feels relevant rather than distracting.
Decide Between Solo, Competitive or Social Play
Games can broadly be grouped by how visitors interact with them.
Solo play games from the Solo Play Games range suit quick interactions and are ideal for busy events where visitors are short on time.
Competitive games from Competitive Games encourage repeat engagement, friendly rivalry, and visibility across the hall.
Social games work well when the goal is conversation and relationship-building rather than speed.
The best choice depends on whether you want visitors to play quickly and move on, or stay longer and talk.
Think About Staffing and Supervision
How your stand is staffed should influence your game choice. Simple, intuitive games are ideal for self-run stands, while more structured or prize-based activities benefit from dedicated supervision.
If you’re considering managed support, options from Fully Managed Events can ensure consistent engagement throughout the day. This is particularly useful at high-footfall shows or public-facing events.
For guidance on this decision, see Staffing Exhibition Stands - Self-Run or Managed?.
Use Branding to Reinforce Your Message
A game that isn’t branded risks becoming a standalone attraction rather than a brand experience. Our Custom Branded Games allow games to be aligned with your stand design, campaign messaging, and visual identity.
Strong branding helps visitors immediately understand who they are engaging with, even during short interactions. This is especially important at crowded exhibitions where attention is limited.
Plan for Safety, Power and Practicalities
Every exhibition venue has rules around safety, power, and access. Choosing the right game means ensuring it fits within those constraints.
Key considerations include:
- Power availability and cable routing
- Queue management and visitor flow
- Accessibility around the stand
- Compliance with organiser requirements
Our guide Exhibition Game Safety, Compliance & Risk Assessments covers these points in more detail.
Timing and Availability
Some games are in high demand during peak exhibition seasons. Booking early gives access to a wider choice of options and allows time for branding and layout planning.
For more detail on timing, see How Early Should I Book Exhibition Games?.
Choosing With Confidence
The right exhibition game should support your objectives, fit your space, and feel natural for your audience. When those elements align, games become powerful tools for engagement rather than distractions.
At Expo Play, we help exhibitors choose games that work in real exhibition environments. By understanding your stand, sector, and goals, we can recommend options that deliver meaningful results rather than just visual impact.
If you’d like advice on selecting exhibition games for an upcoming event, we’re always happy to help.