Planning

• Pick a message that can be easily demonstrated or illustrated, and outline the most important points.
• If you can choose a location for your exhibit, pick a place likely to attract your intended audience.
• Find out how much space will be available for your exhibit and what the room set-up will be. Will tables, chairs, signage or table skirts be provided? Will there be electrical outlets?
• Decide if you will need lighting, slide projectors, computers, tape players or other electrical devices to effectively convey your message.
• Sketch your exhibit ideas before you start to build. This will give you a rough idea of size, materials and layout.

Design

• Set up your exhibit to read from top to bottom, left to right like the pages of a book.
• Make sure background material isnít distracting, illustrations are big and bold, and lettering is easy to read. Follow this guide for lettering sizes:
• Lettering Viewing Distance
• ¼ inch - 8 feet
• ½ inch - 16 feet
• 1 inch - 32 feet
• 2 inches - 64 feet
• Use horizontal lettering, not vertical.
• Use real objects, demonstrations or models to add life to your exhibit (but be prepared for potential breakage or theft).
• Keep your message brief and to the point so viewers can digest it in just a few seconds. To convey more detailed information, pass out brochures.

Exhibitor Tips

• Be neat, polite and helpful.
• Wear a name tag.
• Make sure the exhibit is functioning correctly.
• Stay to the side, out of the way.
• Stay with the exhibit.
• Be prepared to answer questions, or tell people where they can get more information.
• Keep the area clean.

Adapted with permission from: "The Communications Toolkit," Michigan 4-H Youth Development, Michigan State University Extension, East Lansing, MI, 2000.