Booth Configurations 101

Welcome to Booth Configurations 101.  Let’s start by defining the three most common booth configurations. If you’ve been in the trade show industry for more than 3 to 6 months, you can probably skip this blog and move on to one of our other helpful blogs.

If you are still reading, great. Let’s get started.

Booth spaces come in three basic types: INLINE, PENINSULA, and ISLAND.

INLINE:
An inline booth is also called a linear or standard booth. Inline booths are typically 10’x10’, 10’x20’, or any other increment of 10’. The booth space itself usually has an 8’ drape at the back and 4’ drapes on two sides. Your exhibit must fit within this area without blocking the view of the neighboring exhibits.

Occasionally, inline booth spaces are 8’x10.’ If you purchase an 8’x10’ space, be sure to ask if it is 8’ deep or 8’ wide. That will determine what size display and accessories you can fit in your space.

PENINSULA:
A peninsula booth is accessible to visitors on three sides. Peninsula booths are generally 20’x20’ and larger.  A peninsula exhibit has greater exposure because people can walk in from the front aisle or either of the side aisles. The disadvantage of a peninsula booth is that you share a back wall with a neighbor.

You will need a back wall between you and the exhibitor behind you. Likewise, the exhibitor behind you needs a back wall as well. Ideally, both walls are the same height, so visitors cannot see the unfinished back of either wall.  Be sure to give EXHIBIT NETWORK a call before you purchase a peninsula booth space for your next show and let us guide you through your options.

A variation of a peninsula booth is an endcap, which is typically a 10’x20’ booth space that spans two aisles at the end of a row of exhibits. An endcap booth has its own complexities, so be sure to know your options before purchasing an endcap booth space.

ISLAND:
An island booth is open on all four sides, meaning it is open on the front aisle, the back aisle, and two side aisles. Most island booths are 20’x20’ and larger, although you may see an occasional 10’x20’ island.

An island booth allows you to capture visitors’ attention from all the surrounding aisles and offers the most branding opportunities in all directions. However, the exhibit properties in an island booth must be pleasing on all sides. You do not want anyone on the show floor to see an unfinished section of your exhibit.

If you have read this far, thanks for hanging with us for Booth Configurations 101. There’s just a little bit more.

Be sure to check with the professionals at EXHIBIT NETWORK before purchasing your new exhibit properties for your inline, peninsula, or island booth space. If you anticipate exhibiting in two or more of these spaces in the next year or two, it is especially important to be strategic about your exhibit purchase. You may want to consider EXHIBIT NETWORK’S FlexMod Exhibits, which are purposefully interchangeable, adaptable, and easy to size up and size down to any configuration. Contact EXHIBIT NETWORK  today to find out more.

P.S.  There is a fourth configuration known as a Perimeter Booth.  Can you guess what a Perimeter Booth is?