Benefits of Exhibiting

Tokyo International Gift Show Spring LIFE×DESIGN is a B2B trade show where retail buyers, interior shops, lifestyle stores, design stores, architects, renovation companies, developers, hotel and facility operators, wholesalers, trading companies, product planners and overseas buyers gather to discover design products, craft, interiors, renovation materials and lifestyle proposals.
For exhibitors, the main advantage is the ability to approach both retail distribution and contract business in one venue. Products can be proposed not only as items for stores, but also as materials and solutions for homes, hotels, offices, commercial spaces, public facilities, renovation projects and hospitality environments.
Because LIFE×DESIGN emphasizes design, craft, lifestyle scenes and spatial proposals, it is especially suitable for companies that need to communicate product background, material quality, production technique, brand story and usage scenes. A well-designed booth and exhibition video can help visitors understand not only what the product is, but also how it can be used in actual spaces.

Preparation Points for Exhibitors

Many visitors to LIFE×DESIGN are buyers, designers, architects, interior professionals, developers, store planners and project owners. Exhibitors therefore need to present both product appeal and business applicability.
Instead of simply displaying products, exhibitors should explain what type of space, store, customer segment or project the product fits. It is also important to show retail conditions, contract order possibilities, customization options, lead time, materials, production background and installation requirements.

• Clarify whether the product is suited for retail, contract, hospitality, renovation, interior design or lifestyle stores
• Prepare product samples, material samples, usage scenes, installation examples and brand story materials
• Show how the product can be used in stores, homes, hotels, offices, commercial facilities or public spaces
• Organize wholesale conditions, minimum order quantity, customization options, delivery time and project response capacity
• Use a two- to three-minute exhibition video to explain the brand concept, production process and spatial applications

Design, craft and interior products often require visual and emotional explanation. Exhibition videos are useful for showing production scenes, craft techniques, lifestyle settings, renovation examples, product styling, store displays and completed project images. They can help visitors understand the value of products that cannot be fully communicated through static displays alone.

Estimated Exhibiting Costs

Booth Space Fees

The official LIFE×DESIGN exhibitor information lists a standard plan of JPY 430,000 excluding tax per booth and a creative plan of JPY 410,000 excluding tax per booth for exhibitors using four or more booths. A separate option deposit is required depending on the number of booths.
A one-booth exhibit can be suitable for presenting a focused design brand, craft product, material, lifestyle product or local manufacturing concept. Companies that need to present multiple product lines, spatial proposals, furniture, interior materials, renovation solutions or contract business may require two or more booths.
For LIFE×DESIGN, booth planning should consider not only product display space, but also staging, lighting, material samples, meeting tables, storage, video presentation, visitor flow and brand storytelling.

Booth Design and Construction Costs

Booth construction costs vary depending on whether the exhibitor uses the basic system booth, a simple modular booth, a custom-built booth or a space-focused design booth. Costs may increase when the booth includes original fixtures, lighting design, large monitors, LED screens, furniture styling, wall finishes, flooring, sample displays or private meeting areas.

• Basic standard booth: based on the organizer’s standard booth equipment
• Modular booth with additional fixtures: suitable for product display and small business meetings
• Custom-built booth: suitable for brands emphasizing spatial presentation, design identity and contract proposals
• Additional lighting, display fixtures, wall finishes, monitors, video equipment and styling items may require extra costs

At LIFE×DESIGN, booth design strongly influences how products are perceived. The same product can appear more attractive when displayed with appropriate lighting, fixtures, background materials, color balance and lifestyle scenes. Large monitors and exhibition videos can help communicate production background, usage scenes and brand worldview.

Staffing Costs

A one-booth exhibit typically requires around two to four staff members, while larger booths may require sales staff, product specialists, designers, project coordinators, interpreters and meeting staff. Since visitors may come from both retail and contract fields, booth staff should be prepared to answer different types of questions.
Retail buyers may ask about wholesale price, minimum order quantity, delivery time, packaging and repeat order conditions. Architects, developers and renovation professionals may ask about materials, dimensions, installation methods, durability, customization, project delivery and maintenance. Assigning staff roles in advance helps improve response quality.

Transportation and Logistics Costs

Exhibits may include furniture, interior goods, lighting, materials, craft products, fragile items, catalogs, displays, samples, monitors and booth fixtures. These items may require careful packing, transportation, storage and installation planning.
For ceramics, glass, wood products, furniture, lighting, metal goods, textiles and large materials, exhibitors should plan protective packaging, delivery schedules, booth setup workflow and storage space. If the booth includes furniture styling, renovation samples or large product displays, transportation volume may be larger than expected. Backup samples, repair tools, cleaning supplies and replacement parts should also be prepared.

Booth Examples by Size

One-Booth Exhibit

A one-booth exhibit is suitable for presenting a focused brand, craft product line, design product, local manufacturing concept or material sample. In a limited space, exhibitors should avoid displaying too many items and instead communicate a clear brand concept.
A strong product display, wall graphic, material sample, small monitor and short video can help visitors quickly understand the product story. This format is suitable for first-time exhibitors, craft makers, small design brands, local manufacturers and niche material suppliers.

Two-Booth Exhibit

A two-booth exhibit allows exhibitors to separate product presentation from business discussions. It is suitable for companies that need to show product series, interior scenes, material variations or small spatial proposals.
For example, one side can be used for lifestyle staging and product display, while the other side can be used for meetings with retail buyers, architects and project owners. Combining a styled display with an explanatory video can help communicate both visual appeal and business value.

Four or More Booths

A booth with four or more spaces is suitable for companies presenting furniture, interior materials, multiple product lines, contract proposals, renovation solutions, spatial design concepts or several brands. Larger booths can include room-like settings, staged lifestyle scenes, private meeting areas, large video displays, material libraries and product zones.
This format is effective for exhibitors that need to attract visitors from a distance, present complete lifestyle or interior proposals, handle multiple business meetings at the same time, or communicate both retail and contract business possibilities.

Key Elements of a Successful Exhibition Booth

Visitor Flow

Visitors at LIFE×DESIGN often evaluate products visually before entering the booth. The booth should clearly communicate the brand category, product concept and target space from the aisle. A successful layout guides visitors from first impression to product discovery, hands-on experience, story explanation and business discussion.
For interior, renovation and furniture-related displays, it is important to create a natural path that allows visitors to view the product from multiple angles. Meeting areas should be placed where conversations can happen without blocking the product display or aisle traffic.

Visibility

• Large signage showing the brand concept and product category
• Clear visual keywords such as design, craft, renovation, Japanese brand, local factory, sustainability or hospitality
• Styled product displays that suggest actual spaces and usage scenes
• Large monitors or LED screens for videos, production scenes and project examples
• Material samples, texture displays and lighting that highlight product quality

Even in a design-oriented exhibition, visitors need to understand the booth concept within a few seconds. Clear visual communication is especially important when the product story, material value or production technique is part of the selling point.

Demonstrations and Hands-On Experiences

Hands-on experiences are highly effective at LIFE×DESIGN because visitors often evaluate products through texture, weight, finish, material quality, usability and spatial compatibility. Exhibitors should prepare opportunities for visitors to touch materials, compare finishes, sit on furniture, examine details or see how products are arranged in a room or retail setting.
When full demonstrations are difficult, exhibitors can use production videos, craft process images, material samples, cross-section displays, installation photos, project case studies and comparison panels. The goal is to help visitors understand not only the product itself but also its context, story and application.

Using Exhibition Videos

Exhibition videos are useful for explaining design products, craft techniques, materials and spatial proposals in a short time. A two- to three-minute video can summarize the brand concept, production process, material characteristics, usage scenes, retail display examples, renovation applications and customer case studies.
Videos are particularly effective for products that are difficult to explain through static displays alone, such as craft processes, local manufacturing stories, furniture production, renovation examples, hotel installations, interior styling, sustainable circulation systems and material development.
When shown on a large monitor or LED screen, video content can attract visitors from the aisle and communicate the brand story even when staff members are already engaged in discussions. For overseas buyers, English subtitles or multilingual versions can improve communication and create smoother business opportunities.
Videos recorded during the exhibition can also be used after the event in sales presentations, email follow-ups, social media, exhibition landing pages, online catalogs and Internet Exhibition.tv. This turns a short exhibition period into a longer-term marketing asset.

Visitor Acquisition Strategies for Better Exhibition Results

Email Marketing

Before the event, exhibitors should send invitation emails to existing customers, prospective buyers, interior shops, department stores, architects, designers, developers, hotel operators, trading companies, distributors and past exhibition leads. The email should clearly include the booth number, featured products, new collections, meeting topics, appointment booking method and downloadable materials.
In design and interior markets, visitors often plan their schedule around brands, product categories and project needs. Early outreach can increase the number of qualified appointments and improve booth traffic.

Social Media

Instagram, LinkedIn, X, YouTube and design-related media channels can be used to share product stories, production scenes, booth setup progress, styling images, designer interviews and short exhibition videos. LIFE×DESIGN products are highly compatible with visual content, so social media can help attract buyers who respond to brand worldview and product aesthetics.
Social media posts should connect the exhibition theme with specific buyer interests, such as Japanese craft, modern design, renovation, hospitality spaces, sustainable materials, local manufacturing, interior styling and contract business.

Invitations and Direct Mail

Printed invitations, direct mail, lookbooks, catalogs and sample-based mailings can be effective for priority buyers and project-based clients. For design, craft and interior products, physical materials such as paper samples, material swatches, mini catalogs, postcards and product story cards can make the invitation more memorable.
The invitation should clearly explain what visitors can see, touch, compare or discuss at the booth. It should also include the booth number, contact person, meeting reservation method and any scheduled demonstrations or presentations.

Exhibition Landing Pages

A dedicated exhibition landing page can support lead generation before and after the event. The page should include the exhibition overview, booth location, featured products, product stories, project examples, exhibition videos, downloadable catalogs, appointment form and inquiry form.
By directing visitors from email, social media, advertisements and direct mail to the landing page, exhibitors can help prospects understand the brand before visiting the booth. After the event, the landing page can continue to function as a sales resource for buyers, architects, designers and project owners who attended the show or could not visit in person.