Trade Show Setup: How to Display A Branded Game on Your Stand

Posted by Alistair on 26.04.2024

Setup Options for Digital Games at Events Header

Digital games for trade shows, exhibitions, and events

Trade shows are noisy, competitive, and expensive, and even the best-looking stands don’t guarantee people will stop.

Interactive branded games give delegates a reason to pause, play, and engage with your exhibition stand. Quick to set up and genuinely fun to play, branded games help you cut through the noise, boost stand traffic, spark conversations, and capture GDPR-compliant data along the way.

If you want to create a buzz with attendees (and a little stand envy 👀), games are a proven way to make your trade show investment work harder.

How to display a branded game on your stand

Once you’ve chosen the right game for your event, the next step is deciding on the best setup for your space, audience, and exhibition goals.

Accessed via a unique URL, our browser-based games work seamlessly across a range of physical setups, including:

iPads 📱– perfect for quick interactions and easy handovers
Laptop + controller 🎮 – great for more hands-on gameplay
Large touchscreen device 👉 – ideal for drawing a crowd and boosting visibility
Branded arcade machines 🕹️ – a guaranteed attention-grabber on busy show floors

Scroll down to explore each setup option in more detail and find the best fit for your next trade show or event.

Game setup: iPads

Exhibiting at a smaller event, conference, or roadshow? If you have limited stand space, or don’t want the hassle of transporting extra equipment, running your game on an iPad device is a smart, flexible option.

It saves space and, if you have multiple devices available, makes it easy to engage several people at once.

In this setup, the game is played on an iPad. There are three main ways to make this work:

Option 1 – iPad only
Option 2 – Mirror mode, paired with a larger screen
Option 3 – Tournament/leaderboard mode, paired with a larger screen

View setup guide >

Nurishment Trade Show Game Setup Using iPads

Yellow Spider Trade Show Game Setup Using iPads

Yellow Spider Trade Show Team with iPad Game

Dominos Trade Show Game Setup Using iPads and Monitors

34SP.com Trade Show Game Setup with iPad

DFDS Event Game Setup with iPads on Powered Plinths

4C Insights Trade Show Game Setup Using iPad and Monitor

Game setup: laptop and controller

Ideal for larger exhibition stands, trade show booths, and high-footfall events, this setup creates a more engaging, arcade-style experience that naturally draws people in.

In this setup, the game runs on a laptop or computer (typically hidden out of sight, for example beneath a table or within your stand build). Game controllers and an external screen are then connected, giving players the impression they’re playing directly on the large display.

This format works particularly well for:

Large trade shows
Exhibition halls with high visitor traffic
Branded stand builds where you want a central interactive feature
Two player games that benefit from physical controls

For busier stands, you can even run multiple setups side by side, allowing several visitors to play at once and increasing dwell time across your space.

View setup guide >

Agribriefing Farmers Guardian Trade Show Game with Controllers and Monitor

Employee Playing M247 Tech-Themed Game at Internal Company Event

Hyro Trade Show Game with Controllers and Monitors

Example of Exhibition Game with Controllers and Monitor

Visitors to Hyro Trade Show Stand Playing Branded Game

Hyro Trade Show Team Playing Game at Stand

Hyro Trade Show Game Dual Monitors Close-Up

Game setup: large touchscreen

Perfect for larger exhibition stands and open booth designs, a large touchscreen creates a bold, interactive focal point that draws visitors in from across the show floor.

In this setup, the game is played directly on a large touchscreen device. Whether that’s a freestanding totem or large interactive touchscreen integrated into your stand build. It’s a highly tactile, interactive format that invites people to step up, tap, and play.

This setup works well when:

Your stand is open and you need to attract attention from the aisle
You want a strong visual feature
You need something visible from a distance to pull in foot traffic
You’re creating a central ‘hero’ moment within a larger stand

As well as being interactive, the screen doubles as a live advert for your game, showcasing gameplay, branding, and player reactions to everyone walking past.

Get in touch if you’re interested in hiring a touchscreen device and game from Peek & Poke, or view the setup guide

Delegates Playing An Interactive Touchscreen Game

Rent An Interactive Touchscreen And Branded Game

Interactive Touchscreen Game Score Submission

People Playing Game on Touchscreen at Trade Show

Attract Delegates With Interactive Touchscreen Games

Person Playing Match-3 Game on Large Touchscreen at Event

Branded Quiz Game on Large Touchscreen at Event

Branded Matching Pairs Game on Large Touchscreen at Event

People Playing Digital Game on Large Touchscreen at Exhibition

Person Playing Endless Flyer Game on Touchscreen Close-Up

Game setup: arcade machine

If you really want to make an impact on the show floor, this is the setup to go for.

Arcade machines instantly grab attention, combining nostalgia, gameplay, and a bold physical presence into one unforgettable experience. And the best part? You don’t need a huge stand to make it work.

In this setup, your branded game is loaded onto a retro-style arcade machine, which can be fully customised to match your campaign, from the cabinet artwork to the game itself.

This setup is ideal when you want to:

Create a standout attraction that pulls people in
Deliver a premium, memorable brand moment
Maximise branding beyond the screen
Encourage longer dwell time

There’s something uniquely compelling about stepping up to a full-size arcade machine, it invites people to play, compete, and stick around.

It’s also the setup we often use at events when we want to drive engagement and capture leads.

Get in touch if you’re interested in hiring an arcade machine from Peek & Poke.

34SP.com Branded Arcade Machine for Exhibition Game

Close-Up of Player on 34SP.com Arcade Machine

Peek & Poke Branded Arcade Machine for Exhibition Game

Player Pointing at Game Leaderboard on Arcade Machine

Footpatrol Branded Game and Arcade Machine

Branded Arcade Machines on Peek & Poke Expo Stand

Close-Up of Player on Peek & Poke Arcade Machine

Branding Locations on Arcade Machine at Trade Show

View of Player on 34SP.com Arcade Machine

Your partner for branded trade show games

At Peek & Poke, we design and deliver white-label branded games that help marketers make a real impact at trade shows and events. From attracting attention on a busy show floor to sparking meaningful conversations and capturing leads, our games are built to support your event goals.

We’ve invested thousands of hours into refining our game mechanics, UX, and performance, using familiar game formats people instantly understand and genuinely enjoy playing. That means less explaining, more playing, and faster engagement on your stand.

By working from a library of proven game mechanics and tailoring a game to your brand, messaging, and audience, you get the impact of a custom-built activation, without long development timelines or unnecessary risk.

The result? A high-quality branded game that feels like it was made for your event, helping your team to attract people to your stand, keep them engaged, and help you turn stand traffic into measurable marketing outcomes.

Not sure which setup is right for your stand? Book a discovery call and we’ll guide you through the options, from device choice to layout, and help you create an experience that fits your space, audience, and event goals.

Draw a crowd with a game worth playing

If you’re looking to stand out on a busy show floor, attract the right people to your stand, and make it easier for your team to start meaningful conversations, branded games are a powerful way to do it.

👉 Try a demo to see how one of our games looks and plays in action.

Play demo

“I’ve loved it. It’s been great, it’s been fun, and the reception from everyone – internal and the players too – was great. I can only recommend.”

“The game was a brilliant icebreaker. It got people onto the stand, started conversations, and created a fun atmosphere, which is much better than handing out stress balls or pens.”

“It exceeded our expectations because we didn’t realise how popular it was actually going to be, and how different it was to other stands!”

“Our stand looked fantastic – it was in a prime position, visually striking, and easily the most interactive on the floor. It definitely made us stand out.”

“We’ve been to this event many times, but this was the busiest our stand has ever been. The game really got people curious and kept them engaged.”

FAQs about branded trade show games

How do branded trade show games work?

Branded trade show games are interactive digital experiences designed to attract visitors to your exhibition stand, engage them quickly, and capture leads.

With Peek & Poke, we help you choose the right game, level of customisation, and setup for your event. You can start with one of our proven game formats and either:

use a ready-to-go version for speed and simplicity, or
tailor the game to your brand, messaging, and stand experience

Our games are quick to deploy, easy to play, and designed specifically for busy exhibition environments.

Why use games on an exhibition stand?

Exhibition games give people a reason to stop, play, and interact with your brand, instead of walking past.

They’re proven to:

increase stand traffic
boost dwell time and engagement
make it easier for your team to start conversations
capture GDPR-compliant lead data

In short, they turn passive stands into interactive experiences that people remember.

Can I try a demo before choosing a game?

Yes, you can play demos (for free) of all our branded games to see how they look and feel in action.

Demos are available directly on each game’s product page — simply navigate to a game and click “Play demo” to try it for yourself.

Trying a demo is the best way to understand how the gameplay works and how it might perform on your stand. If you’re unsure which game is right for your exhibition or event, we can recommend options based on your audience and objectives.

Do I need internet access to run a game at my exhibition stand?

Yes, an internet connection is required to load the game and submit scores to the leaderboard.

The connection doesn’t need to be fast. Once the game is loaded, only a small amount of data is used, so standard WiFi or a basic 4G/5G connection is usually enough.

Can multiple people play at the same time?

Yes, games can run across multiple devices simultaneously while sharing the same leaderboard.

This creates a sense of competition, encourages repeat play, and helps build energy and buzz around your stand.

Can you provide devices for trade show game setups?

Yes, we can supply physical setups such as arcade machines and large touchscreen devices for exhibitions and events in the UK.

If you’re unsure what setup will work best for your stand, we’ll advise on the right option based on your space, footfall, and engagement goals, whether that’s a compact setup or a large interactive feature.

How do trade show games help with lead generation?

Games make lead capture feel like part of the experience, rather than a separate form-fill.

Players enter their details as part of gameplay, with GDPR-compliant opt-ins included. This helps you collect higher-quality, permission-based leads while keeping the interaction fun and low-pressure.

How long does it take to create a branded game for an event?

We offer both fast-turnaround and fully customised options.

If you need a quick solution for an upcoming trade show, our ready-to-go games can be deployed rapidly. For more tailored exhibition games, timelines depend on the level of branding and creative, but we’ll always work to meet your event deadline.

Can I reuse the game for multiple events?

Yes, all of our games can be reused across multiple trade shows, exhibitions, and campaigns, depending on the license you choose.

This makes them a cost-effective way to build a consistent, high-performing engagement tool you can use again and again.

Ready to chat?

Book your discovery call