Types of Exhibition Stands and Their Key Differences

06 January 2025

Are you planning to participate in an exhibition, and you want your stand to catch everyone’s eye? The first thing to think about is the type of exhibition stand you should choose. An exhibition stand is like a lively showcase for your brand, product, or service! It’s a great spot to connect with potential customers, partners, and clients, making lasting impressions and building relationships. But, with so many different types of exhibition stands available, it can be confusing to figure out which one is the right fit for your business and goals.

No need to worry! Let’s break down the different types of stands you’ll come across and explore their benefits. Whether you're working with a tight budget or need flexibility, there’s a stand that works best for you. Think of your exhibition stand as your brand’s stage. You want it to be inviting, eye-catching, and easy for visitors to navigate. The right stand will help you attract more people, engage them better, and, ultimately, get more leads.

Each type of exhibition stand serves a different purpose and has unique advantages. Understanding these differences will help you make the best choice for your exhibition space. Ready to discover the stand that fits your brand? Let us do it for you.

What are the different Types of Exhibition Stands?

1. Modular Exhibition Stands

Modular exhibition stands are like building blocks. They’re made of individual, reusable parts that can be assembled in various ways. This gives you flexibility in exhibition stand design, meaning you can adjust the stand to fit your space and needs.

Why choose modular stands?

  • Flexible design
  • Reusable, saving you money
  • Easy to assemble and disassemble

Key differentiation:

  • Customization: Highly customizable with the ability to add or remove parts.
  • Flexibility: Can be adjusted and reused for multiple expos.
  • Space: Suitable for medium to large spaces, depending on the configuration.
  • Cost: Cost-effective in the long run due to their reusability.

2. Custom Exhibition Stands

Custom exhibition stands are made specifically for your brand. They’re designed from scratch to meet your exact needs and to fit your style. With a custom stand, you have full control over the design, colors, materials, and layout.

Why choose custom stands?

  • 100% unique to your brand
  • Creative and eye-catching
  • Perfect for making a big impact

Key differentiation:

  • Customization: Fully customizable, designed from scratch to match your brand’s identity.
  • Impact: These stands make a big impression because they reflect your brand’s uniqueness.
  • Space: Can be used in any space, but typically larger ones due to the high level of customization.
  • Cost: One of the most expensive options, but they offer the most significant visual impact and brand representation.

3. Portable Exhibition Stands

As the name suggests, portable exhibition stands are easy to transport and set up. These are lightweight, compact displays, often made of fabric or lightweight metal. They are designed for businesses that need a quick, simple solution for smaller exhibitions.

Why choose portable stands?

  • Lightweight and compact
  • Quick to set up
  • Budget-friendly

Key differentiation:

  • Customization: Limited customization, often pre-designed or simple modular exhibition stand design.
  • Ease of setup: Quick to set up and pack down, ideal for short exhibitions or small spaces.
  • Space: Best suited for smaller booths or limited spaces.
  • Cost: These stands are affordable, making them a great option for businesses on a budget.

4. Shell Scheme Stands

Shell scheme stands are pre-built structures provided by the exhibition organizers. They come with basic walls and furniture, which you can customize with your branding.

Why choose shell scheme stands?

  • Affordable
  • Quick setup
  • Great for smaller booths

Key differentiation:

  • Customization: Minimal customization, as the structure is set by the organizers.
  • Ease of setup: Quick to set up since the basic structure is already provided.
  • Space: Typically used for smaller booths and are often placed along aisles.
  • Cost: Budget-friendly and affordable, perfect for businesses looking for simplicity.

5. Double-Decker Exhibition Stands

Double-decker exhibition stands offer two levels of space. The bottom level is used for product displays, while the upper level can be used for meetings or private discussions. These stands are perfect if you need a lot of space and want to stand out in a crowded exhibition hall.

Why choose double-decker stands?

  • Maximizes available space
  • Eye-catching and impressive
  • Perfect for large expos

Key differentiation:

  • Customization: Highly customizable, allowing for creative use of both levels.
  • Space: These stands take up a lot of space and are ideal for large expos.
  • Impact: Makes a big impression due to its multi-level design.
  • Cost: One of the more expensive options, but great for maximizing space and attracting attention.

6. Pop-Up Stands

Pop-up stands are the most compact and quick-to-set-up displays. They are designed to be set up and taken down within minutes, which is perfect for companies on a tight schedule or budget.

Why choose pop-up stands?

  • Quick setup
  • Compact and portable
  • Affordable

Key Differentiation:

  • Customization: Limited to the graphics and design you choose for the fabric or frame.
  • Ease of Setup: Extremely quick and simple to set up.
  • Space: Perfect for small spaces and short-term use.
  • Cost: Very affordable and ideal for businesses on a tight budget.

7. Row Stands

Row stands are located along the edge of an aisle with only one side open to visitors. These stands are simple and cost-effective, making them ideal for smaller exhibitions or businesses with a limited budget. They’re easy to manage and usually don’t require a lot of space.

Why choose row stands?

  • Simple and budget-friendly
  • Easy to manage
  • Ideal for smaller exhibitions

Key differentiation:

  • Customization: Limited, as you only have one side exposed.
  • Space: Suitable for smaller spaces or budget-friendly options.
  • Exposure: Only one side is open, which limits visibility and foot traffic.
  • Cost: One of the least expensive options.

8. Corner Stands

Corner stands offers two open sides. This gives you better visibility and more exposure compared to row stands.

Why choose corner stands?

  • Two open sides for better visibility
  • More space for product displays
  • Increased foot traffic

Key differentiation:

  • Customization: More exposed space allows for better customization and product displays.
  • Space: Offers more space than row stands.
  • Exposure: Increased visibility and better foot traffic compared to row stands.
  • Cost: Slightly more expensive than row stands but offers better value in terms of exposure.

9. Peninsula Stands

Peninsula stands have three open sides, which makes them even more visible than corner stands. These stands allow you to showcase your products from multiple angles and give visitors more opportunities to engage with your brand.

Why choose peninsula stands?

  • Three open sides for maximum visibility
  • More space to interact with visitors
  • Great for larger displays

Key differentiation:

  • Customization: Three sides offer a lot of space for custom displays.
  • Space: Ideal for larger displays or businesses that need a lot of space to showcase products.
  • Exposure: High visibility and increased visitor interaction due to three open sides.
  • Cost: More expensive than corner or row stands but offers better exposure.

10. Island Booths

Island booths are the ultimate when it comes to space and exposure. With four open sides, they allow visitors to approach your stand from any direction. These stands are perfect for large-scale exhibitions where you want maximum visibility and want to attract a lot of foot traffic.

Why choose island booths?

  • Open from all four sides
  • Maximum exposure and visibility
  • Ideal for large, bold displays

Key differentiation:

  • Customization: Provides the most flexibility in terms of layout and design due to four open sides.
  • Space: Offers the largest space, ideal for large product displays or interactive booths.
  • Exposure: Maximum visibility and foot traffic.
  • Cost: The most expensive option, but it’s the best choice for major exhibitions or larger brands.

11. Experiential Stands

Experiential stands are designed to immerse visitors in a hands-on experience. These stands go beyond just showcasing products, they engage the senses, create memorable experiences, and allow visitors to interact directly with your brand.

Why choose experiential booths?

  • Immersive experience for visitors
  • Great for building strong brand connections
  • Perfect for creating memorable moments

Key Differentiation:

  • Customization: Tailored to create a unique and immersive experience that aligns with your brand’s message.
  • Space: Typically requires more space due to interactive elements or experiences.
  • Impact: Creates a strong emotional connection with your audience.
  • Cost: Can be more expensive due to the need for specialized equipment.

How to find a trusted Exhibition Stand Builder in Europe?

Now that you have got a good idea about the exhibition stand types, you must be thinking where could you find a trusted exhibition partner. Well if you are looking for a perfect exhibition stand builder for your next expo, then you’ve come to the right place! At Connect Displays, we’re experts in creating exhibition stand designs that make your brand stand out and truly connect with your audience. Here’s why Connect Displays is the best exhibition booth builder in Europe:

Designs made for you

Your brand is unique, so your stand should be too! We create the perfect fit for your vision and budget.

No stress, just success

Skip the headaches. We handle all the details, so you can focus on what matters most: your business.

Experience you can trust

With a decade in the game, we know exactly how to make your stand shine.

Best in Europe

We combine top-tier quality with local expertise in Europe market for perfect results.

Always on-time

Your time is precious, and we respect that. With our timely delivery, you can rest easy knowing your booth will be ready and set up on schedule, every time.

Smart designs, smart budget

Stunning stands that don’t break the bank. We make sure your budget works for you.

Let’s create the perfect stand for your business. Connect with us today!

CONTACT FOR STAND DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

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Showcasing at an exhibition is made interesting by stand displays. With the right exhibition stand contractors on your team, you can have a display that everyone will notice. Check out our work to see how Connect Displays can create amazing exhibition stand displays for you.