How to Set Up Your First Tradeshow Booth: Lessons from MNSTR Games

Setting up your first tradeshow booth can be an overwhelming experience, especially if you're showcasing your board game or RPG at a convention. At MNSTR Games, we recently had our first 10x10 booth at a gaming convention in Iowa called GAMICON and we learned a lot—some of it the hard way! Whether you’re preparing for Gen Con, PAX Unplugged, Essen Spiel, or a smaller local convention, these convention booth setup tips will help you avoid mistakes, save time and make the most of your event.

What my sales booth looked like after many different layouts.

1. Arrive Early & Connect with the Convention Staff

One of the best things you can do on setup day is arrive early before the rush starts. This gives you time to:

✔️ Meet the event staff – Introduce yourself and ask any last-minute setup or teardown questions.

✔️ Clarify setup & teardown rules – Find out when you can unload, how to access the venue, and where to park.

✔️ Resolve potential issues before it's too late – Need a power outlet? Extra chairs? It's much easier to handle these things before everyone else arrives.

✔️ Walk the exhibit hall – Get a feel for the space and your booth’s placement before setting up.

At my first event, I waited until later in the day to ask questions, and by then, the staff was too busy to help. If I had spoken to them early, I could have avoided a lot of confusion!

2. Protect Your Tablecloth from Rough Convention Tables

Most convention-provided tables are scratched, rough, or even torn, which can damage your nice tablecloth. Instead of placing your premium tablecloth directly on the table, use this layering method:

✔️ Step 1: Bring a light, inexpensive tablecloth to place on the table first.

✔️ Step 2: Then, lay your main tablecloth over it for a polished look.

✔️ Step 3: Use clips to secure everything, so your table stays professional-looking.

This small step prevents snags, rips, and uneven draping—something I wish I knew before my first booth!

3. Convention Booth Setup Takes Longer Than You Think

My convention took between 3-4 hours and I was expecting less than 2 hours for full setup. Oh boy was I wrong! I thought I’d be done in half the time, but between:

✔️ Arranging displays

✔️ Organizing products

✔️ Making sure the booth looked inviting

…I quickly realized setup takes longer than expected. If possible, do a practice setup at home to troubleshoot any issues in advance.

4. Organize Your Paper Products Beforehand

If you’re selling paper products (player screens, rulebooks, character sheets, etc.), ensure they are:

✔️ Pre-collated

✔️ Pre-sorted

✔️ Ready to display

At my first convention, I made the mistake of bringing stacks of unorganized player screens. Instead of focusing on customers, I spent valuable time sorting them manually at the booth—a huge waste of time.

5. Don’t Say “Email List” – Say This Instead

In 2025, people are drowning in emails. If you say “Would you like to join our email list?” expect a hard no. Instead, invite them with a more engaging, less spammy approach:

🚀 "Want to follow our journey? We send a once-a-month update with behind-the-scenes exclusives, new game releases and giveaways!" This simple shift in wording can increase your sign-up rates dramatically.

Obviously, this isn't always true and you can do it your own way, but this is what I found from my direct experience, so I shifted tone throughout. It was much better after I shifted to the new tone.

6. Cover Your Booth Overnight for Security

At smaller gaming conventions, exhibitor booths are often in the same space as open gaming areas. This means people are around your booth after hours and you don’t want your products tampered with or stolen.

Simple security fix:

✔️ Bring an overthrow tablecloth to cover your booth overnight.

✔️ ALWAYS bring any lockboxes, Square readers, etc. back home with you.

✔️ Bonus: Use a few lightweight bungee cords to hold it down for extra security.

7. Is This Convention Worth It? Evaluate the Audience!

After the con, take some time to analyze the crowd and ask:

✔️ Did people actually buy games, or were they just there to play?

✔️ Were attendees interested in my game genre?

✔️ Did my sales justify the booth cost?

At this event, most people were into D&D-style games and co-op board games, rather than competitive or strategy-focused games. Understanding your target audience is crucial before committing to a con again.

8. Take Care of Yourself – Your Body Will Thank You

Tradeshows are physically demanding, and I learned the hard way that comfort matters. Bring these essentials to survive long days on the con floor:

💧 Water – Staying hydrated is key.

🥨 Snacks – Crackers or protein bars keep your energy up.

👟 Comfortable shoes – You’ll be on your feet all day.

🧩 Foam mats – Standing on hard concrete floors for hours is brutal. If you can, invest in interlocking foam mats for your booth space. Your feet, knees, and back will thank you.

Final Thoughts: What I Learned from My First Tradeshow Booth

Setting up a booth for a board game convention is a huge learning experience, but I hope my mistakes help you avoid common pitfalls. Here’s a quick recap of what you should do:

✔️ Layer your tablecloths to protect your main one.

✔️ Plan for 2 hours more than expected of setup time.

✔️ Pre-organize all paper products before arriving.

✔️ Reframe your email list pitch to encourage sign-ups.

✔️ Cover your booth overnight to prevent theft.

✔️ Evaluate the con’s audience to decide if it's worth returning.

✔️ Bring water, snacks, comfy shoes, and floor mats to stay comfortable.

Are You Prepping for Your First Convention Booth?

I’d love to hear from fellow game designers, artists, and creators! What’s your biggest question about setting up a booth at a convention? Drop a comment below or follow us on Facebook to stay connected!