Looking for some design tips to share with your exhibitors? Try these:

1. Make your exhibit space easy to identify and enter. The space in which an attendee crosses into your exhibit space is critical. It must be inviting, logical and — most of all — form a clear line separating the outside world from your inside world. Transitional areas, which allow attendees to progress from outside your footprint to inside it, accomplish several key things: They set the tone, push people deeper inside the space and serve as the catalyst for first impressions.

2. Add drama. Changes in lighting, flooring, texture, finishes or spatial volume in the transition area can help make entry into the actual footprint more dramatic. An example: the thresholds between the public space and the galleries at the Museum of American History in Washington DC, where the ceiling heights are dropped to eight feet. Another option? Try adding an arch, header or vestibule. As attendees emerge, the exhibit space will feel even larger.

3. Set the tone. Transitional space can also be used to establish a mood or theme. Try using the transition area to display things that epitomize your company’s brand, history or technology.

4. Speak to the audience. Attendees will want to learn more if your content is targeted directly to their needs.

5. Light it up. Make the lighting softer in the center — and integrate back lighting, edge lighting, ceiling elements and other techniques. Creating a soft daylight effect on an exhibit space’s perimeter also gives it a warm and friendly feeling.

6. Set the pace. Exhibitors can use interaction with people’s senses to slow, or accelerate, the pace of attendees. Beyond sight and touch, try leveraging sounds and smells to engage attendees. This can be accomplished through the selection of music, for example.

7. Facilitate interaction with the products. Apple stores are a great example of how this works. Everything is out on display so customers can hold it and see how it all works together.

8. Be selective. Focus on one item or message — like a single monitor or a key product highlighted in a jewel case. The result is that desired “cleansed palette.”

9. Give ‘em space. Make the circulation route as easy to follow and expansive as the space will allow.

10. Accommodate the attendee’s companion. This could be as simple as creating a comfortable seating lounge. An example is in Macy’s stores where lounges are placed near the women’s dressing rooms so husbands and companions can watch football.