Planning Conventions in Austin: Top Rental Picks

Austin, Texas, dubbed the “Live Music Capital of the World,” is a vibrant hub for conventions, blending cutting-edge tech, eclectic culture, and Southern charm. Whether you’re hosting a tech summit, healthcare expo, or franchise show, the right convention rentals in Austin can transform your event into a memorable success. At Expo Man™, we provide top-tier trade show rentals in Austin, from booths to tech gear, while our sister brand, Non Stop Expo™, delivers innovative, show-stopping solutions. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through planning a convention in Austin and highlight the best rental picks to make your event shine at venues like the Austin Convention Center or Palmer Events Center.

Why Austin for Your Convention?

Austin’s convention scene is booming, with world-class venues and a creative vibe that draws global exhibitors. The Austin Convention Center, with over 881,000 square feet of space, offers five column-free exhibit halls and cutting-edge tech infrastructure, including gigabit Wi-Fi. The Palmer Events Center, with 70,000 square feet of flexible space and stunning downtown views, is perfect for boutique events. Add to that Austin’s 12,000+ downtown hotel rooms, vibrant nightlife, and easy access via Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and you’ve got a recipe for a standout convention. Here’s how to nail your event with the best rentals.

Top Rental Picks for Austin Conventions

To create an engaging and functional convention, you’ll need a mix of booths, tech, furniture, and AV equipment. Below are our top picks for convention rentals in Austin, tailored to the city’s dynamic event landscape.

1. Modular Trade Show Booths

A well-designed booth is the heart of any convention, and modular booths offer flexibility for Austin’s diverse venues. These lightweight, customizable displays can be configured as 10×10 pop-ups or expansive 20×40 setups, perfect for the Austin Convention Center’s 247,000-square-foot exhibit hall.

• Why It Works: Modular booths adapt to your brand’s needs, with options for fabric graphics, LED accents, or interactive screens. They’re ideal for events like the Franchise Expo Austin (May 2025), where 1,500+ attendees scout for bold, branded setups.
• Top Pick: Expo Man™’s modular booths with dye-sublimated fabric graphics, offering seamless visuals and easy assembly. Add Non Stop Expo™’s custom-branded counters for a polished look.
• Pro Tip: Choose a strategic booth location near high-traffic areas, like the Austin Convention Center’s main entrance, to maximize foot traffic.

2. Backlit Convention Displays

For a booth that pops, backlit convention displays are a game-changer. These LED-lit frames illuminate your graphics, ensuring your brand stands out in crowded venues like the Palmer Events Center.

• Why It Works: The glow draws attendees from across the hall, perfect for tech-heavy shows like the API Conference (2025), where energy leaders seek innovative displays. Austin’s venues, with their open, window-filled designs, amplify the effect.
• Top Pick: Non Stop Expo™’s lightbox displays with programmable LEDs, allowing color shifts to match your brand or demo. Pair with Expo Man™’s modular frames for a hybrid setup.
• Pro Tip: Rent from local providers like Exhibit Experience for pre-built booth trials, ensuring flawless setup.

3. LED Video Walls

Interactive tech is a must for Austin’s tech-savvy crowds. LED video walls deliver vibrant visuals for presentations, product demos, or live streams, making them ideal for breakout sessions or main stages.

• Why It Works: Austin’s convention-goers expect innovation, and LED walls engage with dynamic content. They’re a hit at events like the AVMA Convention (2025), where 7,500+ veterinary pros network and learn. The Austin Convention Center’s tech infrastructure supports seamless integration.
• Top Pick: E&E Exhibit Solutions’ LED video wall rentals, offering high-resolution displays and real-time content updates. Expo Man™ provides setup support to ensure pixel-perfect performance.
• Pro Tip: Use Non Stop Expo™’s motion-sensor LED walls to trigger animations as attendees approach, boosting engagement.

4. Event Furniture Rentals

Comfort and style are key for long convention days. From sleek lounge seating to branded counters, furniture rentals create inviting spaces for networking and demos.

• Why It Works: Austin’s creative vibe calls for trendy furniture, like rustic wood tables for outdoor-adjacent venues or LED-lit bars for evening receptions. They’re perfect for the Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo (2025), where professionals mingle in style.
• Top Pick: Panacea Collective’s custom furniture rentals, offering everything from minimalist sofas to bespoke pieces crafted with three months’ lead time. Expo Man™ adds branded ottomans for a cohesive look.
• Pro Tip: Rent locally to avoid shipping costs, and opt for Non Stop Expo™’s modular lounge setups for flexible layouts.

5. AV and Tech Rentals

From iPads for check-ins to microphones for keynotes, audio-visual and tech rentals keep your convention running smoothly. Austin’s venues, with their robust Wi-Fi and AV services, make integration a breeze.

• Why It Works: Tech rentals support interactive elements, like app testing at the Consensus Show (2024) or live streaming for hybrid events. iPhones and iPads are especially popular for Austin’s software developers and event staff.
• Top Pick: Rentacomputer.com’s iPad and iPhone rentals, available in bulk for large events, plus APAV’s audio equipment like line arrays and projectors. Expo Man™ bundles AV with booth rentals for a one-stop solution.
• Pro Tip: Request custom software imaging from Rentacomputer.com to pre-load your apps, saving setup time.

Tips for Planning Your Austin Convention

To make the most of your trade show rentals in Austin, follow these planning tips:

• Book Early: Austin’s venues, like the Austin Convention Center and Palmer Events Center, host major 2025 events, including the American Association of Plastic Surgeons (May 24-27) and NHIA Annual Conference. Secure rentals 3-6 months out to lock in inventory and pricing.
• Leverage Local Providers: Companies like ProExhibits, Exhibit Experience, and Exponents have Austin expertise and Dallas-based facilities for quick delivery.
• Incorporate Austin’s Vibe: Reflect the city’s quirky, tech-forward culture with rentals like LED swings or fabric booths with local-inspired graphics (think bat-themed designs for Austin’s famous Congress Bridge bats).
• Plan for Accessibility: Ensure your booth layout includes ramps and wide pathways, as Austin Convention Center prioritizes inclusivity.
• Maximize Networking: Create lounge areas with Non Stop Expo™’s charging furniture to encourage attendee connections, especially at entrepreneurial events like Franchise Expo Austin.

Why Choose Expo Man™ and Non Stop Expo™?

At Expo Man™, we’re your partner for convention rentals in Austin, offering a vast inventory of booths, furniture, and AV gear tailored to venues like the Austin Convention Center. Our decades of experience ensure seamless delivery, setup, and takedown, letting you focus on engaging your audience. For a creative edge, Non Stop Expo™ delivers innovative rentals, like interactive LED walls or custom-branded fabric displays, designed to make your booth the talk of the show.

Both brands tap into our global network of over 15,000 events, providing real-time insights and connections to Austin’s top conventions. Whether you’re exhibiting at the Austin Build Expo or a niche tech summit, we’ve got the tools to elevate your presence.

Ready to Rock Your Austin Convention?

Planning a convention in Austin is an opportunity to shine in a city that blends innovation and culture. With the right trade show rentals in Austin—from modular booths to LED video walls—you can create an engaging, memorable experience. Contact Expo Man™ today for a custom quote tailored to your event, and explore Non Stop Expo™ for bold, trendsetting rentals. Let’s make your Austin convention a chart-topping hit!

Sources: Austin Convention Center, Palmer Events Center, Rentacomputer.com, Exponents, ExpoMarketing, Panacea Collective, Exhibit Experience, E&E Exhibit Solutions, APAV