14 fun trade show game ideas
1. Quizzes and trivia
Quizzes are a familiar and flexible format that work well in a trade show environment. You can go big with a gameshow-style setup, or keep things simple with a digital quiz on an iPad or touchscreen.
Digital quizzes are particularly effective for encouraging quick participation, giving visitors a reason to stop, play, and start a conversation with your team.
2. Arcade-style games
Arcade games are a reliable way to attract attention and inject some fun into your trade show booth. From pinball and air hockey to retro video games and claw machines, these formats are instantly recognisable and easy to engage with.
A popular option is a branded retro arcade machine featuring a custom game, a format that consistently draws crowds and encourages friendly competition.
34SP.com used a retro arcade cab and a white-label branded game as the centerpiece of their 80s-themed stand.
3. Fairground-style games
For all the talk of high-tech digital trade show games , sometimes it’s fun to wind back the clock and indulge in good ol’ games from times gone by.
We’re talking fairground classics like hoopla, spin the wheel, guess the amount, hook-a-duck, or a bean bag toss. They’re ideal for instant-win prizes and giveaways , helping to keep visitors moving through your stand while still creating a light, playful interaction.
4. Jumbo games
Jumbo or giant games put a larger-than-life spin on familiar favourites. Think giant Connect 4, Jenga, Plinko, or buzz wire games.
These oversized formats are visually striking, making them effective for catching the eye of passersby and encouraging group participation.
VIDEO 5. Digital matching pairs
The matching pairs format offers simple gameplay that visitors can pick up instantly, making it well suited to busy trade show floors. Interactive digital games allow for branding and custom imagery while also supporting quick turnover and high participation rates when paired with small prizes or spot rewards.
This is exactly what Crystal Ski Holidays (part of the TUI Group) did at the 2021 National Snow Show with their Mega Mountain Match branded game. In a bid to drive engagement and generate leads at their stand, they created a custom matching pairs game complete with images of powdery slopes, cable cars, huskies, bobsleighs, and snow-covered villages!
6. Rooftop runner game
Endless runner games are fast-paced and competitive, encouraging repeat plays as visitors try to beat their own score or climb the leaderboard. This format works particularly well on tablets and touchscreens , with short play sessions that fit neatly into the flow of a busy exhibition stand .
Domino’s took this format and customised it for their Delivery Dash branded game, which they used to drive footfall and give away prizes at an event. Given that the big prize on offer was free Domino’s pizza for a year, it’s safe to say their iPads were kept busy throughout the show!
Discover more ways to use an iPad at an event .
7. Physical challenges
People love to compete, and physical challenges will have them testing their abilities to see how they measure up against others on a leaderboard.
Keep it light with something like a hula hoop challenge, or test players’ strength with games such as a boxing arcade machine or high striker. For a really interactive option, why not try a Batak light wall to test the reaction time of players?
VIDEO 8. Retro arcade games
Maze games inspired by classic arcade titles offer instant nostalgia and intuitive gameplay. Players guide a character through a maze while avoiding obstacles or enemies, competing for high scores.
Yellow Spider and 4C Insights have used similar white-label branded games to engage and entertain delegates at their own trade show stands.
9. Digital conga line
Inspired by the classic Snake game, the digital conga line format challenges players to grow their line while avoiding obstacles as the pace increases.
It’s a high-energy option that encourages repeat plays and works well for competitions, leaderboards, and prize draws at trade shows and events.
10. Match-3 game
The Match-3 format challenges players to match three or more items in a row, testing their brain power and reaction times as they try and bust through increasingly challenging levels against the clock.
Sleeping Giant Media used this very format to create their App-Attack game . With a campaign centred around ‘finding the joy’ of gameplay, they drew inspiration from the Netflix series Squid Game to anonymously hand out business cards with a QR code to encourage people to play at events and exhibitions ! 🦑
11. Sport simulators
Sport-themed simulators are always good for drawing in a crowd and tend to work best with simulations of ball sports. Ideas include golf, football, cricket, baseball, and tennis.
VIDEO 12. VR trade show games
Virtual reality technology lends itself to a wide range of interactive trade show booth ideas . Whether it’s to entertain, educate, inspire, or sell, you can deliver your content through a set of VR goggles to provide an immersive experience for delegates.
While a tailored, branded approach to VR experiences might cost you a pretty penny, there’s always the option to use established formats if branding isn’t important for your exhibition stand game. Think Beat Saber, racing simulators, shoot ‘em ups, or a fear of heights simulator!
VIDEO 13. Augmented reality games
Unlike fully immersive virtual reality, augmented reality (AR) uses technology to enhance or augment the real-world environment. Pokémon GO is a well-known example of AR in action, with players exploring real-world locations to try and find virtual Pokémon creatures on their smartphone.
In terms of its application in a trade show setting, there are endless options available to exhibitors (if you’ve got the budget). You could develop a virtual treasure hunt in the event space, set up an AR photo booth or mirror, or follow Lufthansa’s example to have an object ‘fly’ around the exhibition hall. 👀
VIDEO 14. Virtual exhibitions
Virtual trade shows and online exhibitions provide an alternative format for engaging remote audiences.
While they offer broader reach, keeping attention online can be more challenging, making interactive games a useful tool for encouraging participation and repeat visits.
