Branded Trade Show Staff Apparel: Custom Shirts & Polos For Conference & Event Booth Teams

Your booth setup and sharp banners catch attention from across the trade show floor. Your tablecloth displays your logo perfectly. But it’s what your team wears that really shapes first impressions. Professional staff apparel establishes instant credibility the moment an attendee walks into view.

We’ve helped thousands of companies outfit their trade show teams over the years, and the patterns are clear: teams in coordinated, branded apparel generate more booth traffic, have better conversations with prospects, and feel more confident representing their organization. This guide covers what works, what to avoid, and how to order apparel that performs as well as your team does.

In This Article

• Why Staff Apparel Matters at Trade Shows
• Choosing the Right Apparel Style
• Custom Polo Shirts for Trade Shows
• Performance and Moisture-Wicking Options
• Button-Downs and Dress Shirts
• Design Tips for Trade Show Apparel
• How to Order Staff Apparel
• Frequently Asked Questions

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Why Staff Apparel Matters at Trade Shows

Trade shows are competitive environments. Attendees walk past hundreds of booths in a single day, and they make split-second decisions about which ones to approach. Your team’s appearance is part of that calculation. Matching, branded apparel signals that your company is organized, professional, and worth a conversation.

Beyond first impressions, coordinated apparel serves practical purposes.

• It makes your staff easy to identify when attendees return to your booth after walking the floor.
• It distinguishes your team from the crowds passing through.
• And it gives your people a sense of shared identity that often translates into better energy and teamwork throughout the event.

From our experience helping companies prepare for major conferences, the teams that invest in quality staff apparel consistently report better results. They feel more confident approaching prospects, they look cohesive in booth photos, and they project the kind of professionalism that opens doors.

Customer Story

“PMI has ordered shirts for our subject matter experts for the last three years and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future! Experts are available at our largest conference of the year, PMI Global Conference, to meet with attendees and provide project or career advice. The shirts help to distinguish our group and the process is always easy. Thank you!”

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Choosing the Right Apparel Style

The best apparel for your trade show team depends on your industry, your brand image, and the event itself. A tech startup at a developer conference will dress differently than a financial services firm at an industry expo. Here’s how to think through your options:

Polo shirts are the most popular choice for trade show staff. They strike the right balance between professional and approachable. They’re comfortable for long days on your feet. They work well with embroidered logos. And they come in enough colors and styles to match almost any brand palette.

Performance shirts make sense when your team will be active throughout the event, whether that means product demos, setup and teardown, or outdoor components. Moisture-wicking fabrics keep staff comfortable and looking fresh even in warm convention halls. Choose from t-shirts or polos.

Button-down shirts elevate the professional appearance for industries where that matters, like financial services, healthcare, or enterprise sales. They pair well with embroidered logos and can be dressed up or down depending on the event context.

T-shirts work well for casual events, especially in creative industries, tech, and startup environments. They’re also the most budget-friendly option if you’re outfitting a large team or planning to give extras away as promotional items.

Custom Polo Shirts for Trade Shows

Polo shirts remain the go-to choice for trade show staff because they work in almost every context. They look sharp enough for professional events but feel relaxed enough to keep your team comfortable during long booth shifts. They photograph well. They embroider beautifully. And they’re available in virtually every color to match your brand.

When selecting polos for trade show duty, prioritize wrinkle resistance and comfort. Your team will be wearing these shirts all day, often without access to an iron. Look for fabrics that maintain their shape and appearance even after hours of wear. Performance polos with moisture-wicking properties are especially useful in convention centers with uneven climate control.

For a cohesive look across your team, we recommend choosing a style that’s available in both men’s and women’s cuts. This ensures everyone gets a proper fit while maintaining a unified appearance. Many of our polo styles have matching options designed for different body types.

Featured Polo Shirts We Offer

Port Authority Silk Touch Polo – Embroidered

• Wrinkle and shrink resistant fabric
• Available in 32 colors
• Matching women’s style available

Port Authority Silk Touch Performance Polo – Embroidered

• Rapid dry technology keeps you cool
• Available in tall sizes
• Professional appearance with athletic comfort

Nike Dri-FIT Micro Pique Performance Polo 2.0 – Embroidered

• Premium Nike Dri-FIT moisture management
• Soft, stretchable micro pique fabric
• Modern design lines for a polished look

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Customer Story

“Every year, our company hosts an event called ‘Camp’ where our managers attend this 3 day conference and spend the whole time in training sessions to become better leaders for our company. Each year, we take a group photo and each year, we rely on Custom Ink for our matching shirts!”

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Performance and Moisture-Wicking Shirts

Trade shows are marathons, not sprints. Your staff might spend 8 to 10 hours on their feet, moving between booth duties, handing out hundreds of giveaways, manning demo stations, and networking conversations. Convention halls can run warm, especially with crowds and booth lighting. Performance apparel designed for active wear keeps your team comfortable and looking fresh throughout long event days.

Moisture-wicking fabrics pull sweat away from the skin and allow it to evaporate quickly, which helps regulate body temperature and prevents that rumpled, tired look that comes from cotton shirts in warm environments. Many performance fabrics also resist wrinkles and odors, which matters when your team is packing light for travel.

Performance options aren’t just for athletic brands. The technology has evolved to the point where many performance polos and t-shirts look indistinguishable from traditional cotton, while offering significantly better comfort for active trade show duty.

Performance Apparel We Offer

Hanes Sport Cool Dri Performance Shirt

• Cool DRI moisture-wicking technology
• UV protection for outdoor events
• Budget-friendly option for large teams

Under Armour Team Tech Recycled Performance Shirt

• Moisture-wicking and anti-microbial properties
• Made from recycled fabric
• Premium Under Armour quality

Sport-Tek Competitor Lightweight Performance Polo – Embroidered

• PosiCharge technology locks in color
• Lightweight and breathable construction
• Professional polo style with athletic performance

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Button-Downs and Dress Shirts

Some industries and events call for a more formal appearance. Financial services firms, enterprise software companies, healthcare organizations, and others often prefer button-down shirts for their trade show teams. The elevated look signals credibility and aligns with client expectations in professional sectors.

When choosing dress shirts for trade show duty, look for styles with easy-care finishes that resist wrinkles. Your team won’t have time to iron between sessions, and a crisp appearance matters throughout the event. Stretch fabrics offer better comfort for active booth work without sacrificing the professional aesthetic.

Embroidered logos on button-down shirts typically work best in smaller sizes, placed on the left chest or cuff. The goal is subtle branding that complements the professional appearance rather than overwhelming it.

Button-Down Shirts We Offer

OGIO Commuter Dress Shirt – Embroidered

• Moisture-wicking and wrinkle-resistant
• Four-way stretch for comfort
• Tailored fit for a modern, polished look

Dress Shirts

• Professional appearance for formal events
• Multiple fabric weights and styles
• Men’s and women’s cuts available

Casual Button-Down Shirts

• Relaxed professional style
• Easy-care fabrics for travel
• Perfect for creative industries

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Design Tips for Trade Show Apparel

The right design approach makes your team visible without overwhelming the apparel. Here’s what we’ve learned works best:

Logo placement matters. Left chest placement is the standard for professional settings. It’s subtle, recognizable, and works well for conversations where attendees are close to your staff. If you need visibility from across the show floor, consider a larger logo on the back or choose a bold shirt color that stands out.

Match your booth branding. Your staff apparel should complement your banners, tablecloths, giveaways, and other booth materials. This doesn’t mean everything has to be identical, but the color palette and logo treatment should feel cohesive. When attendees see the same brand identity across all touchpoints, it reinforces professionalism.

Consider embroidery for professional events. Embroidered logos look polished on polos and button-downs. They hold up well through repeated washing and travel. Screen printing works great for t-shirts and offers more design flexibility, but embroidery tends to read as more professional for corporate settings.

Think about layering. Convention centers can have unpredictable temperatures. Consider ordering lightweight jackets, vests, or quarter-zips that your team can add or remove throughout the day while maintaining a branded appearance.

Customer Story

“We attended the Atlanta Apartment Association Trade Show on Wednesday, April 26 to visit with our vendors and others in our industry. We had a blast representing GoldOller in our CustomInk T-shirts!”

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How to Order Staff Apparel

Ordering custom apparel for your trade show team is straightforward with Custom Ink. Here’s the process:

1. Collect sizes early. Use our group order feature to let each team member select their own size. This eliminates the back-and-forth of collecting sizing information and ensures everyone gets a proper fit.
2. Choose your products. Browse our business apparel and polo shirt categories. Filter by features like moisture-wicking, embroidery-ready, or specific brands.
3. Upload your logo. Our Design Lab accepts most file formats. Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF) work best for embroidery. If you need help with your artwork, our design experts can assist at no extra cost.
4. Review your proof. We send a digital proof showing exactly how your finished products will look. Check logo placement, colors, and spelling before approving.
5. Place your order. Standard delivery is 14 days with free shipping. If your event is coming up quickly, rush options can get your order to you faster. Check delivery options for current timelines.

We recommend ordering 3 to 4 weeks before your event to allow time for size collection, proofing, and production. If you’re coordinating with a large team or need multiple styles, build in extra time for approvals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many shirts should I order for each team member working the trade show?

We recommend at least two shirts per person for multi-day events. This allows for rotation if shirts get wrinkled or soiled. Some teams order three shirts for events lasting three or more days, especially in warm climates or when expecting heavy booth traffic.

Q: Is embroidery or screen printing better for trade show staff apparel?

Embroidery is typically preferred for professional settings. It looks polished on polos and button-downs, holds up through repeated washing, and conveys quality. Screen printing works well for t-shirts and casual events, and it offers more design flexibility for complex graphics or large prints.

Q: How far in advance should I order trade show staff apparel?

We recommend 3 to 4 weeks before your event. This allows time to collect sizes from your team, review proofs, and handle any adjustments. Standard delivery is 14 days with free shipping. Rush options are available if you’re working with a tighter timeline. Check our delivery options for current timelines.

Q: Can each team member choose their own size when ordering staff apparel?

Yes. Our group order feature lets each person select their own size and even pay separately if needed. You can also have everyone ship to one address or let individuals ship to their home before the event.

Q: What’s the minimum order for custom trade show apparel?

Many of our products have no minimum order requirement. You can order as few as you need for your team. Bulk orders do receive volume discounts, so per-item pricing decreases as your order size increases.

Q: Can I add individual names to trade show staff apparel?

Absolutely. Our names and numbers feature lets you add individual names to each garment in your order. This works well for team identification and creates a personalized touch that staff appreciate.

Q: Should I order extra staff apparel beyond what my team needs?

It’s a good idea to order a few extras in common sizes. Last-minute additions to the booth team, sizing issues, or unexpected spills are common at trade shows. Having backup shirts available can save stress during an already hectic event.

Q: Can I get help deciding what style of apparel is right for my trade show?

Yes. Our team is available 7 days a week to help you choose products that match your event, industry, and brand. We can also help with logo placement decisions and design recommendations. Contact us to talk through your options.

Ready to Outfit Your Trade Show Team?

The right staff apparel helps your team look cohesive, feel comfortable, and project the professionalism that attracts booth visitors. Whether you choose classic polos, performance fabrics, or polished button-downs, we’re here to help you get it right.

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