Understanding Exhibition Stand Types

Attending an exhibition offers a business the ideal opportunity to showcase their products, network with industry peers, and attract potential customers. 

Choosing the right exhibition stand type and design will ensure success based on the show type, your objectives and budget requirements. The right stand can attract more people on the day and leave a lasting impression on attendees and other exhibitors alike. This can help promote your brand even after the event is finished and convert leads into customers. 

In this guide, we'll explore the various types of exhibition stands, helping you understand their features, benefits, and ideal use cases.

Modular Exhibition Stands

Modular exhibition stands are highly adaptable and versatile structures designed to meet a wide range of exhibition needs. 

These stands are composed of individual modules or components that can be assembled and reconfigured in various ways to create different layouts and designs. This flexibility makes modular stands an excellent choice for businesses that participate in multiple exhibitions with varying space requirements. 

Modular stands combine the benefits of customisation with the practicality of reusability, offering a cost-effective solution that can be tailored to fit different events.

Features:

• Flexibility: Easily adaptable to different spaces and layouts.
• Reusability: Can be used multiple times for different exhibitions.
• Cost-effective: Lower long-term costs due to reusability.
• Easy to transport: Typically lightweight and compact.
  

Ideal For:

Businesses who attend multiple exhibitions throughout the year, especially those with varying booth sizes and configurations. And their use goes beyond exhibitions. A modular stand can be adapted for point of sale or retail displays, or in-office events or promotions. 

At Tecna, we offer the T3 modular system, which is easy to build, lightweight and flexible - an ideal solution for those looking for a modular stand design.

Custom Exhibition Stands

Custom exhibition stands are designed and built from the ground up to meet the specific needs and branding requirements of a business. Unlike modular or portable stands, which may involve pre-fabricated components, bespoke exhibition stands are crafted to offer a unique and impactful presence at exhibitions and trade shows.

This type of stand allows businesses to fully express their creativity, brand identity, and messaging, making a strong impression on visitors and differentiating themselves from competitors.

Features:

• Unique design: Completely customised to reflect your brand identity.
• High impact: Stands out in a crowded exhibition hall.
• Versatility: Designed to incorporate unique features such as interactive displays, meeting areas, and product showcases.
  

Ideal For:

Custom exhibition stands are perfect for large companies or businesses with significant exhibition budgets looking to make a substantial impact. They are particularly beneficial for brands aiming to differentiate themselves from competitors, create a high-profile presence, and deliver a unique and engaging experience to visitors. Custom stands are also ideal for businesses launching new products, celebrating milestones, or seeking to reinforce their market leadership.

Portable Exhibition Stands

Portable exhibition stands are designed with mobility and ease of use in mind, making them an ideal choice for businesses that frequently move between different locations or need a quick and efficient setup. These stands are typically lightweight, compact, and easy to assemble, often without the need for specialised tools or professional installation.

Features:

• Lightweight: Made from materials that are easy to carry.
• Quick setup: Can be assembled and dismantled without specialised tools.
• Cost-effective: Generally more affordable than larger, custom-built stands.
  

Ideal For:

Portable exhibition stands are ideal for businesses that need a flexible, easy-to-transport solution that doesn’t compromise on professional appearance. Portable stands are suitable for exhibitors who require a quick and straightforward setup, allowing them to focus on engaging with attendees and showcasing their products or services. At Tecna, our portable stand solutions combine modular components with portability, offering a flexible solution that can be adapted to different exhibition spaces. These stands can be reconfigured and customised while still maintaining the ease of transport and setup.

Shell Scheme Stands

Shell scheme stands are pre-fabricated exhibition stands typically provided by event organisers as part of a standard package for exhibitors. These stands consist of a basic framework with partition walls, usually made from aluminium or similar materials, creating a defined space for each exhibitor. 

While shell scheme stands offer a uniform and straightforward setup, they can be customised with graphics, furniture, and other accessories to create a unique and branded appearance. 

Features:

• Standardised design: Uniform look across multiple exhibitors.
• Affordable: Often included in the exhibition fee.
• Customisable: Can be dressed up with graphics, banners, and additional fittings.
  

Ideal For:

Shell scheme stands are ideal for first-time exhibitors, small businesses, and companies looking for a straightforward and cost-effective exhibition solution. At Tecna, we help you to elevate your shell scheme space with our T3 shell kit. This allows businesses on a budget to create a unique and enticing stand with flexibility in mind.

Double-Decker Exhibition Stands

Double-decker exhibition stands, also known as two-storey or multi-level stands, are sophisticated and expansive display solutions that incorporate a second level to provide additional space. 

These stands maximise the use of vertical space, effectively doubling the footprint of your exhibition area. They are often custom-built to reflect the specific needs and branding of the business, making them a premium choice for companies looking to make a significant statement at large-scale exhibitions and trade shows.

Features:

• Maximised space: Provides additional room for meetings or product displays.
• Impressive design: Stands out significantly in the exhibition hall.
• Exclusive feel: Creates a premium, VIP experience for visitors.
  

Ideal For:

Large companies with substantial exhibition budgets and a need for extensive display or meeting space.

Pop up Stands

Pop-up exhibition stands are a popular and practical choice for exhibitors seeking a quick and easy solution for creating an attractive display. These stands are designed to "pop up" into shape, offering a hassle-free setup that can be completed in minutes. 

However, pop up stands can offer less “event real estate” than other types of stands and are generally either used at events in smaller spaces or as part of a larger exhibition stand design.

Features:

• Ease of use: Simple and quick to set up.
• Compact: Easy to transport and store.
• Versatile: Can be used as backdrops, banner walls, or even in combination with other stand types.
  

Ideal For:

Businesses needing a quick and easy solution for small-sized exhibitions.

Choosing the Right Exhibition Stand for Your Business

Selecting the right stand type is about more than one exhibition or event. Choosing the right type of stand will help to save on costs, make an impact and should be considered a long term investment. 

Your choice will rely on numerous factors including your budget, how many events you attend, your brand image and the audience you wish to attract. 

Here are some areas to consider before choosing your stand.

Assessing your requirements

Understand Your Objectives:

Determine the primary goals of your exhibition participation. Are you looking to generate leads, launch a new product, increase brand awareness, or network with industry professionals? Understanding your objectives will help you choose a stand that supports these goals.

Event Type and Scale:

Consider the type of events you will be attending. Large-scale trade shows might require more impactful and elaborate stands, while more modest setups could effectively serve smaller, niche events.

Audience and Engagement:

Think about your target audience and how you want to engage with them. If your focus is on high-level networking and private meetings, a stand with dedicated meeting areas is essential. If product demonstrations are key, ensure your stand can accommodate this.

Budgeting for your stand

Initial Investment vs. Long-Term Costs:

While custom stands offer a unique and impactful presence, they come with a higher initial investment. Modular and portable stands, though potentially less striking, can be reused and reconfigured for multiple events, offering better long-term value.

Cost of Customisation:

Factor in the costs of customisation, including graphics, furniture, lighting, and interactive elements. Even with a shell scheme or modular stand, significant customisation can add to the overall expense.

Additional Costs:

Don't forget to include costs related to transportation, storage, setup, and dismantling. Double-decker and custom stands, in particular, may incur higher logistical expenses.

The practical elements

Transport and Storage:

Evaluate how easy it is to transport and store your chosen stand. Portable and pop-up stands are ideal for frequent movers due to their lightweight and compact nature. Larger, custom or double-decker stands will require more planning and resources for transportation and storage.

Setup and Dismantling:

Consider the time and expertise required to set up and dismantle the stand. Portable and pop-up stands offer quick assembly, while custom and double-decker stands may need professional assistance, increasing setup time and costs.

Customisation and Branding:

Brand Alignment:

Ensure the stand type you choose can be customised to reflect your brand identity accurately. Custom stands offer the most flexibility, but modular and shell scheme stands can also be effectively branded with the right graphics and accessories.

Flexibility for Updates:

If your branding or marketing messages change frequently, opt for a stand that allows easy updates. Modular and portable stands with interchangeable graphics can adapt to new campaigns more readily than completely custom-built stands.

On stand elements and requirements

Space Utilisation:

Make sure the stand design allows for efficient use of space, enabling you to display products, conduct meetings, and engage visitors comfortably. Double-decker stands are excellent for maximising space, while pop-up and modular stands can be configured to suit different needs.

Interactive Elements:

Think about how you can incorporate interactive elements such as touch screens, VR experiences, or live demonstrations to attract and engage visitors. Ensure your chosen stand type can effectively accommodate these features.

Furniture:

The choice of furniture can significantly impact the comfort and functionality of your stand. Select furniture that aligns with your brand's aesthetics and provides comfort for both staff and visitors. Options include seating areas, display tables, counters, and storage solutions. Ergonomic and stylish furniture can enhance the overall visitor experience and make your stand more inviting.

Sustainability considerations

Eco-Friendly Options:

Consider the environmental impact of your stand. Modular and portable stands, which can be reused multiple times, are generally more sustainable than single-use custom stands. Look for suppliers that offer eco-friendly materials and solutions. Discover our eco-friendly exhibition stand solutions.

Waste Reduction:

Opt for designs and materials that minimise waste. Reusable graphics, modular components, and stands made from recyclable materials contribute to a more sustainable exhibition strategy.

Whatever type of stand you choose, by making the right choice for your business, you can create an engaging and memorable experience for your visitors, ultimately driving more interest and business opportunities and getting a higher return on your investment when attending exhibitions and events.

Author

Mandy Wooster

Head of Marketing, Tecna UK

Mandy Wooster has worked in the exhibition and events industry for over 20 years running exhibitions in Barcelona, China, Australia, UAE and the US for organisers such as RX Global. She has extensive experience in marketing, content, commercial and VIP buyer roles and is a double winner of the EXHIBITION NEWS ‘Best International Trade Show’ award.