Hiring a Mascot Performer for Your Exhibition Stand in London

When it comes to standing out at a busy exhibition, especially in a bustling city like London, grabbing attention is everything. With hundreds of stands competing for foot traffic at venues like ExCeL London, Olympia, and the Business Design Centre, businesses need to be creative, bold, and memorable. One increasingly popular strategy is hiring a mascot performer—a costumed character who brings personality, fun, and engagement to your exhibition stand.

Whether you’re launching a product, raising brand awareness, or simply trying to attract more people to your booth, a professional mascot performer can make all the difference. In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits, costume options, and tips on using mascots effectively at exhibitions in London.

What Is a Mascot Performer?
A mascot performer is an individual trained to wear and perform in a branded costume—typically representing a company character, logo, or theme. These performers don’t just stand around for photos; they engage with visitors, act out entertaining routines, hand out marketing materials, and generally become a talking point on the exhibition floor.

Mascots are often seen in sports, entertainment, and retail, but they’re now gaining popularity in trade shows, exhibitions, and B2B events for their ability to humanise a brand and spark conversations.

Why Use a Mascot at Your Exhibition Stand?

1. Instant Visual Impact
A colourful, animated mascot stands out in a sea of corporate booths and polished presentations. People are naturally drawn to visual movement and fun characters, especially in high-footfall areas. Whether it’s a giant teddy bear, a tech-themed robot, or a custom brand icon, mascots make your stand impossible to ignore.

2. Increase Foot Traffic
Mascot performers create curiosity. Visitors see the character from across the exhibition hall and feel compelled to check it out. This surge in attention helps funnel more people toward your booth, increasing the likelihood of meaningful engagement.

3. Boost Brand Recognition
Mascots are memorable. Long after the event, attendees may forget a logo or tagline—but they’ll remember a mascot that made them laugh or took a photo with them. Branded costumes reinforce your identity visually and emotionally.

4. Engage a Broader Audience
Mascots appeal to a wide range of people, from families at consumer events to curious professionals at B2B expos. They add a light-hearted touch that helps break the ice and encourages even shy visitors to stop by.

5. Amplify Social Media and PR
Mascots are Instagram gold. Visitors are likely to take selfies or group shots with a fun character, often tagging your business in the process. Encourage this with hashtags, branded props, or social media competitions.

Types of Mascot Costumes for Exhibitions
Mascot costumes can be designed around your brand, industry, or campaign message. Some popular types include:

1. Branded Character Mascots
These are custom-made costumes designed to represent a business’s existing logo, product, or mascot character. For example, a tech brand might use a robot version of their app icon.

2. Themed or Industry-Relevant Mascots
These relate to your sector or event theme. For example:

A honeybee for a food & drink fair

A superhero for a software launch

A walking smartphone at a tech expo

3. Fantasy or Cartoon-Inspired Characters
Designed purely to draw attention and delight the crowd—giant animals, aliens, or mythical creatures. These are perfect for brands that want a playful, informal image.

4. Seasonal or Holiday Mascots
For exhibitions around certain times of year, you might use festive characters like elves, cupids, or even walking Christmas presents to tie in with your seasonal marketing campaign.

What Makes a Good Mascot Performer?
A great costume alone isn’t enough—it’s the performer inside that brings it to life. When hiring a mascot performer in London, look for individuals who are:

Energetic and animated, with strong physical acting skills

Comfortable in costume for long periods

Trained in crowd interaction and improvisation

Aware of how to engage different age groups and demographics

Able to follow your brand guidelines and messaging

Many mascot performers come from an acting or dance background, making them adept at staying in character and creating spontaneous, memorable moments.

How Mascots Help You Stand Out in London Exhibitions

London is home to some of the UK’s largest and busiest trade events. At venues like ExCeL London, where thousands of exhibitors fight for attention, a mascot performer can help your business break through the noise.

Mascots are especially effective when:

Launching a new product or service

Hosting competitions or giveaways

Partnered with leafleting staff, photographers, or promo teams

Paired with signage or interactive screens to extend engagement

Mascots also help build a friendly, approachable brand image, making it easier for your sales team to strike up conversations with leads.

Tips for Using a Mascot Performer at Your Stand
Keep the Area Clear for Interaction
Designate space for the mascot to move, dance, and pose for photos without disrupting your main display.

Provide Breaks and Hydration
Costumes can be hot and tiring. Ensure your performer has a place to rest and rehydrate, especially during long events.

Coordinate Messaging with Staff
Make sure your entire team knows what the mascot represents and how to tie it into conversations with visitors.

Promote the Mascot in Pre-Event Marketing
Tease the mascot on social media and invite people to “meet our mystery guest” at the stand.

Capture the Moment
Hire a photographer or set up a branded selfie station to encourage visitors to share photos online.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring Mascot Performers

Q: How much does it cost to hire a mascot performer in London?
A: Prices vary depending on experience, costume complexity, and event duration. For a standard day at an exhibition, costs typically range from £200 to £500, including costume rental or bespoke design.

Q: Can I supply my own costume for the performer?
A: Yes, many companies design their own branded mascots and hire professional performers to wear them. Make sure the costume is comfortable and allows for movement and visibility.

Q: Are mascot performers suitable for B2B events?
A: Absolutely. While mascots are more common at consumer expos, they can also make a splash at B2B events—especially when promoting a new product, service, or campaign in a light-hearted way.

Q: Do I need permission from the venue?
A: Most venues in London allow mascot performers, but it’s always best to check your exhibitor handbook and confirm any restrictions on roaming activity or performance zones.

Q: Where can I hire a reliable mascot performer in London?
A: Trusted agencies like London Exhibition Staff Agency offer trained mascot performers, custom costumes, and event support tailored to your brand’s needs.

Make Your Brand Unmissable with Mascot Performers

In a crowded exhibition hall, attention is the most valuable currency. A professional mascot performer adds energy, personality, and unforgettable charm to your stand—whether you’re aiming to entertain, inform, or convert.

By combining eye-catching design with skilled performance, mascots help you attract more visitors, generate buzz, and create emotional connections with your audience. If you’re exhibiting in London, consider making a mascot part of your marketing strategy—and turn curious passersby into loyal customers.