[UPDATED] Best Columbus Trade Show Entertainment Ideas & Games For 2025

Written By Guest User

Author: William Griggs
Founder @ Trade Show Labs

Published: September 3, 2025
Last Updated: September 3, 2025

When you’re setting up in Ohio’s capital, your booth has to match the city’s energy—bold, creative, and unforgettable. You need Columbus trade show ideas that break through the noise and give attendees a reason to stop, engage, and remember your brand.

Trade Show Labs Brings the Spark

Want a partner who knows how to turn an exhibit into an experience? That’s what we do best. Trade Show Labs delivers innovative tech, interactive activations, and hands-on entertainment that transform your Columbus trade show presence into the one people talk about long after the doors close. We design moments that spark curiosity, fuel conversations, and keep attendees engaged.

At every trade show, the mission is the same: be remembered. The smartest way to do that? Make it fun, make it interactive, make it yours. With Trade Show Labs, you’ll:

  • Draw consistent crowds

  • Create authentic engagement

  • Capture more leads

  • Elevate brand awareness

Don’t settle for average. Let Trade Show Labs handle the design, strategy, and flawless execution while you focus on building connections. Not sure what activation best fits your brand? Check out our proven Columbus trade show entertainment and game ideas below.


 
 

1. AI Photo Booth

Looking to create a buzz at your next Columbus event? The AI Photo Booth blends creativity and technology to turn every snapshot into a custom-branded digital masterpiece. Attendees pose once and seconds later receive an AI-generated image—anything from a stylized portrait to a playful avatar—ready to post and share. With its magnetic visuals and full branding flexibility, this activation draws steady crowds, fuels conversation, and keeps your brand circulating both on-site and online.

2. Walk the Plank VR

Want to give your Columbus attendees an experience they’ll never forget? Walk the Plank VR delivers skyscraper-high thrills without ever leaving the venue. Guests slip on a headset, step onto a narrow plank suspended 80 stories up, and test their nerves in a challenge that’s as safe as it is unforgettable. This adrenaline-charged activation grabs attention instantly, sparks conversation, and makes your brand the center of the excitement.

3. Batak Pro Competition

The Batak Pro is a fast-paced reflex game built to capture attention and keep the energy high. Players race the clock, smacking flashing targets as quickly as possible while the crowd cheers them on—turning your Columbus activation into a hub of competition and excitement. Compact, easy to run, and impossible to ignore, it’s a proven way to draw attendees, spark engagement, and keep your brand front and center.

4. F1 VR Race Simulator

The F1 VR Race Simulator puts Columbus attendees behind the wheel of a pulse-pounding Formula 1 adventure. With a real racing wheel, pedals, and VR headset, guests feel every twist, turn, and burst of speed as they chase the fastest lap time. The action draws a crowd, fuels friendly rivalries, and keeps spectators cheering just as hard as the drivers. Immersive, customizable, and built for impact, this activation turns your booth into the ultimate racing arena.

5. Beat Saber Competition

Beat Saber transforms your Columbus showcase into a high-energy rhythm arena that grabs attention instantly. Guests wield virtual lightsabers and slice glowing blocks in sync with the music, creating a fast-paced challenge that’s as exciting to watch as it is to play. Visually striking and endlessly engaging, it draws steady crowds from curious onlookers and competitive participants alike. With simple setup and big impact, Beat Saber is the perfect way to energize your space and keep your brand in rhythm with the crowd.

6. Are You Smarter Than An AI Bot?

Are You Smarter Than an AI Bot? adds an innovative twist to your Columbus event by challenging attendees to outsmart artificial intelligence in a trivia showdown. Guests and AI face off with customized questions, fueling surprising results and nonstop energy from the crowd. Simple to run, fully brandable, and designed for impact, this activation turns your booth into a lively hub of competition, curiosity, and conversation.

7. TopGolf Trade Show Simulator

The TopGolf Simulator brings a virtual fairway to your Columbus experience, giving guests a tech-powered twist on classic golf. Attendees grab a club, line up their shots, and swing for digital targets in a high-energy game that’s easy to join and tough to walk past. Perfect for sparking friendly competition, boosting engagement, and capturing leads, it keeps your space lively and your brand in full swing.

8. Trade show Jeopardy Game Show

The TopGolf Simulator brings the excitement of the fairway to your Columbus activation, giving guests a tech-powered way to test their swing. Attendees grab a club, aim for digital targets, and compete for leaderboard glory in an experience that’s easy to join and impossible to resist. Perfect for sparking friendly rivalries, boosting engagement, and keeping energy high, this activation ensures your brand stays right at the center of the action.

9. Mini-Drone Racing Challenge

Mini-Drone Racing injects high-speed energy into your Columbus activation with a fast, futuristic competition. Guests take the controls of nimble drones, guiding them through glowing gates and obstacle courses inside a safe, netted track—no experience needed, just pure fun. This action-packed setup draws steady attention, sparks lively conversations, and positions your brand as the one pushing boundaries. Compact yet unforgettable, it’s the kind of attraction that keeps attendees buzzing long after the event ends.

10. Social Media Vending Machine

The Social Media Vending Machine is a modern, interactive prize dispenser that turns digital engagement into real-world rewards at your Columbus event. Attendees “pay” for swag, snacks, or samples by posting, tagging, or sharing—transforming clicks into brand visibility and valuable data. With bold branding options and customizable interaction methods, this high-impact feature keeps traffic steady while fueling social shares and lead generation. Compact, crowd-pleasing, and built for maximum exposure, it ensures your brand stands out both on-site and online.

11. Branded Claw Machine

The Social Media Vending Machine brings a digital-meets-physical twist to your Columbus activation, rewarding online engagement with real-world prizes. Guests unlock swag, snacks, or samples by posting, tagging, or sharing—turning clicks into visibility and valuable data for your brand. With bold branding and customizable interactions, this activation keeps attendees coming back, fuels social buzz, and ensures your presence is seen both in the hall and across feeds.

12. VR Meditation Heart Rate Challenge

The VR Meditation Heart Rate Challenge offers a calming retreat from the energy of a Columbus event. Attendees put on a headset and explore serene virtual worlds—like tranquil forests, flowing waterfalls, or cosmic skies—while guided mindfulness helps them reset and refocus. Heart rate feedback and team-building prompts add a unique layer of connection, making the experience both restorative and memorable. Compact, customizable, and easy to manage, this activation leaves participants refreshed and ready to engage with your brand.

13. SwagBot Print - 3D Printed Swag

SwagBot Print brings live 3D printing to your Columbus trade show booth, transforming giveaways into real-time experiences. Guests watch branded items—like coasters, mini planters, or desk toys—take shape layer by layer, and can even personalize creations with 3D pens. Compact, tech-forward, and universally appealing, this hands-on activation draws consistent attention, fuels conversations, and ensures your brand stays memorable long after the event ends.

14. Top Gun VR Flight Simulator

Let your Columbus attendees feel the thrill of flight without leaving the ground. The Top Gun VR Flight Simulator places guests in a realistic cockpit with full controls and immersive 360° visuals, making every takeoff, turn, and landing feel real. Packed with adrenaline and easy to run, this activation draws steady attention, sparks excitement, and keeps your brand soaring long after the headset comes off.

15. MLB Home Run Derby VR

Turn your Columbus booth into a virtual ballpark where attendees can swing for the fences—no cleats required. With the VR Baseball Simulator, guests step into the batter’s box, grab a bat, and take pitch after pitch as they chase the perfect home run. The immersive gameplay sparks friendly rivalries, pulls in steady crowds, and creates prime opportunities for connection. Easy to manage, fully customizable, and packed with energy, this activation is a guaranteed home run for your brand.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Why Columbus?

The Heart of Ohio Is Ready for Your Next Big Stage

With nearly a million residents and one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the Midwest, Columbus blends big-city ambition with a welcoming, innovative spirit. Known for The Ohio State University, a booming tech and startup scene, and a thriving arts community, it’s a city that thrives on creativity and connection. When you’re exhibiting here, your booth needs to match that energy.

Let Columbus’s momentum inspire your presence. Think bold design, interactive technology, and experiences that keep people talking. The best Columbus trade show booths capture authenticity, excitement, and surprise—delivering moments that spark conversations and build lasting connections. With Trade Show Labs, you’ll harness the city’s energy to create an experience that stands out as much as Columbus itself.

Chamber of Commerce:

Columbus Chamber of Commerce

Additional Resources:

Conclusion:

Shine Brighter Than the Rest

Thanks to Trade Show Labs, your booth will stand out just as much as the attractions in Columbus. We bring the best Columbus trade show ideas to life—from experiential activations to immersive VR and interactive games. Connect with our team to explore design, execution, and entertainment options tailored to your event.

 

We Can’t Wait To Hear From You

If your company is ready to make a serious impact at Columbus trade shows and maximize ROI, we’re here to help. Fill out the form below, and our team will follow up to explore the fit. Even if we don’t move forward together, we’ll share insights and questions that help sharpen your trade show strategy. Let’s connect and create an experience that leaves your competition behind.


 
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