March 2026 - David G. Flatt Furniture, LTD

NYC Trade Shows We Are Excited to Support This Summer

A yellow couch and chair in front of a black wall.

What We Are Building For Right Now

As we move into the summer trade show season, our shop in Long Island City is ramping up for a busy run of events at the Javits Center. Each show brings a different set of requirements, timelines, and design challenges, which is exactly what keeps things interesting on our end.

From specialty food and hospitality to furniture and lifestyle brands, we are currently working on a range of builds that balance clean design, durability, and efficient install.

Here are the key shows we are excited to support this summer and how we are approaching each one.

Summer Fancy Food Show

The Summer Fancy Food Show is one of the largest specialty food events in North America and a major focus for us this season. With thousands of exhibitors and consistently high foot traffic, this show requires booths that are both functional and visually strong.

Exhibitors are sampling products, storing inventory, and engaging with buyers throughout the day. That means layouts need to be efficient, surfaces need to be durable, and branding needs to be clear from every angle. From our side, this becomes a logistics driven show where timing, access, and prep all matter just as much as the build itself.

ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair)

ICFF is always a standout show for us and one that aligns closely with our millwork background. The brands exhibiting here care deeply about materials, craftsmanship, and presentation, and that shows in the level of detail expected on the floor.

This is not about quick builds. It is about creating something that feels intentional and refined. We see a strong demand for clean architectural forms, high end finishes, and integrated details that elevate the overall presentation without feeling overbuilt.

NY NOW

NY NOW brings together a wide mix of home, lifestyle, and gift brands, which makes it one of the more dynamic shows we support. You can walk the floor and see everything from simple shelving setups to more built out branded environments.

Most exhibitors here are looking for a balance between cost and presentation. They want something that feels polished but still practical, especially if they are doing multiple shows throughout the year. This is where modular builds and rental solutions tend to make the most sense.

BDNY (Boutique Design New York)

BDNY leans heavily into hospitality and interior design, and the booths reflect that. Instead of traditional trade show setups, many brands are creating small environments that showcase how their products live within a space.

That means more layered builds, more attention to finishes, and a greater focus on how everything comes together as a whole. These projects tend to be more involved from both a fabrication and installation standpoint, but the end result is always worth it.

The New York Restaurant Show

The New York Restaurant Show shares some overlap with the Fancy Food Show but leans more toward equipment and operational solutions. Booths here need to perform. They are often supporting live demos, equipment displays, and constant interaction with attendees.

Because of that, the focus shifts toward durability, usability, and smart layouts that can handle consistent traffic without breaking down over the course of the show.

Why Summer Shows Require a Different Approach

Summer shows in New York move fast. Install windows are tight, the floor is crowded, and there is very little room for error once things get underway.

Being based in Long Island City gives us a major advantage here. With fabrication and storage in the same location, we are able to prep, stage, and deliver booths efficiently without relying on long distance freight or last minute adjustments on site.

Planning Ahead for Your Summer Show

If you are exhibiting at any of these upcoming shows, starting early gives you more flexibility across the board. Design decisions are easier, material choices open up, and overall costs are easier to control.

We work with brands across custom builds, rentals, graphics, storage, and full install logistics, tailoring each project to fit both the show requirements and the long term goals of the brand.

Exhibiting at a Summer Show in NYC?

Let’s talk about how we can design, build, and manage your booth from start to finish.

Hard Wall vs SEG Trade Show Booths: Which Booth System Is Right for Your Exhibit?

When planning a custom trade show booth, one of the biggest decisions exhibitors face is whether to build a hard wall trade show booth or use a SEG fabric booth system. Both exhibit types are common at major events like Coterie, ICFF, BDNY, and other shows at the Javits Center in New York.

Each system has advantages depending on your brand presentation, logistics needs, and how often you exhibit. At David G. Flatt Exhibits, we design and fabricate both hard wall exhibits and SEG trade show booths from our Long Island City millwork shop. Understanding the differences can help you select the best booth structure for your next show.

What Is a Hard Wall Trade Show Booth?

A hard wall trade show booth is constructed from rigid materials such as wood, laminate panels, painted MDF, acrylic, or other millwork components. These booths are fabricated in a workshop and installed on the show floor using professional labor.

Hard wall booths are often used by brands that want their exhibit to feel like a retail store, showroom, or architectural environment rather than a temporary structure.

Advantages of Hard Wall Booths

Premium architectural presence

Hard wall exhibits create a strong visual impact and provide depth, texture, and materials that elevate the overall presentation of your brand.

Fully custom fabrication

Because the booth is built using millwork, it can include integrated shelving, garment racks, product displays, lighting features, storage areas, and counters designed specifically for your products.

Long term exhibit use

Many brands reuse their custom hard wall trade show booth across multiple shows for several years when properly stored and maintained.

Integrated display solutions

Hard wall construction allows shelving, display cases, and signage to be built directly into the booth structure.

Considerations With Hard Wall Booths

Higher upfront fabrication cost

Custom millwork construction requires more materials and fabrication time than modular exhibit systems.

Increased freight and drayage costs

Hard wall booths are heavier and require shipping crates, which increases freight and material handling expenses.

More installation labor

Because of the structural components, installation typically requires additional labor hours on the trade show floor.

Hard wall booths are typically the best solution for brands that want a fully custom trade show booth design with strong architectural presence.

What Is an SEG Fabric Trade Show Booth?

A SEG trade show booth uses lightweight aluminum frames with tension fabric graphics. The graphics contain a silicone edge that inserts into the frame channel, creating a smooth and seamless wall surface.

SEG stands for Silicone Edge Graphics, and these systems have become extremely popular for exhibitors who want a modern and efficient booth structure.

Advantages of SEG Booth Systems

Lower freight and shipping costs

Fabric graphics and aluminum frames are significantly lighter than traditional millwork construction.

Fast installation

SEG booth systems assemble quickly, reducing labor costs during installation and dismantle.

Large seamless graphics

Fabric printing allows brands to display large scale graphics without visible panel seams.

Easy graphic updates

Exhibitors can replace graphics for different product launches, seasonal campaigns, or new branding without rebuilding the entire booth.

Considerations With SEG Booths

Less structural capability

SEG frames are designed primarily for graphics and cannot support heavy shelving or large structural elements without additional support.

Limited product display integration

Brands that need extensive shelving or product display systems often require additional structures.

Less dimensional depth

While visually clean, fabric walls typically do not have the same architectural depth as a custom millwork booth.

SEG booths work well for brands that want a clean branded environment with lower shipping and installation costs.

Hybrid Booth Designs Are Increasingly Common

Many exhibitors today choose a hybrid booth design that combines the strengths of both systems.

For example, a booth may include:

– SEG graphic walls for large scale branding
– Hard wall shelving or product displays
– Integrated lighting and signage
– Custom display fixtures or garment racks

This hybrid approach provides strong visual branding while maintaining flexibility and controlling freight and labor costs.

Custom Trade Show Booth Fabrication in New York

David G. Flatt Exhibits designs and fabricates custom trade show booths in New York City from our Long Island City workshop. We support brands exhibiting at major trade shows at the Javits Center and other venues across the country.

Our services include:

– Custom trade show booth design
– Hard wall exhibit fabrication
– SEG fabric booth systems
– Turnkey rental booths (both hard wall & SEG)
– Graphic production and installation
– Storage and logistics between shows

Whether you need a fully custom hard wall exhibit or a lightweight SEG booth system, our team can design a booth that fits your brand and trade show schedule.