Trade Show Displays

There are four main types of trade show booths used across the U.S. and internationally:
-Inline booths (10×10, 10×20, 10×30) are the most common and cost-effective option. Open on one side, they work well for first-time exhibitors, tighter budgets, or brands that don’t need high traffic from multiple directions.
Perimeter booths are essentially inline booths located against an exterior venue wall. That placement often allows for a taller back wall, which helps with visibility and signage impact.
Peninsula booths (typically 20×20 or larger) are open on three sides. The additional exposure makes them well-suited for product demos, integrated LED video walls, and experiential setups that need to draw attendees from multiple aisles.
Island booths (20×20 and larger, open on all four sides) offer the most design flexibility and visibility. These are the go-to configuration for immersive brand experiences, double-deck structures, hanging signs, and large-scale LED displays.
The right choice depends on your goals, assigned space, and budget. A good starting question: how much of your booth experience depends on people walking into it versus seeing it from a distance? That usually points you in the right direction.

Renting and purchasing a trade show booth solve different problems, and the right answer depends on how frequently you exhibit and how stable your setup needs to be.
Renting makes sense if you exhibit at 1–3 shows per year, are trying out different configurations, have overlapping show dates that require two booths at once, or are anticipating a rebrand. Rental also eliminates storage, insurance, and ongoing repair costs — which typically add 20–30% annually to the true cost of ownership for a purchased booth.
Purchasing makes more sense if you exhibit at four or more shows per year with a consistent layout and locked brand identity, and already have logistics and storage infrastructure in place.
A common middle ground is a hybrid approach: owning the main structure and renting elements like LED video walls, furniture, or flooring that change from show to show. This gives you consistency where it matters and flexibility where it doesn’t.
We offer both full rental solutions and purchase options, so if you’re not sure which direction makes sense for your program, we’re happy to walk through the numbers with you.

Booth height limits vary by booth type, venue, and show organizer — and getting this wrong can result in costly on-site modifications or disallowed display elements. Here are the typical U.S. industry standards as a baseline:
Inline booths: Maximum 8 ft at the back wall. Side walls must drop to 4 ft within 5 ft of the front aisle. Hanging signs generally not permitted.
Perimeter booths: Back wall typically up to 12 ft. Same 4 ft side-aisle rule applies.
Peninsula booths: Heights vary by position — generally 16–20 ft in the center, stepping down near shared boundaries with neighboring exhibitors. The exterior back wall must be finished with no branding if it faces other booths.
Island booths: Full use of vertical space up to 16–20 ft depending on the venue. Hanging signs are permitted with prior approval.
These are general guidelines. Every show can override them. The authoritative source is always the Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM) — the official document issued after you book your space.
Can’t find your show’s ESM, or not sure how to interpret it? We track regulations for major shows across the U.S. and internationally, and we’re happy to help you locate what you need.

The Exhibitor Services Manual — sometimes called the Exhibitor Kit — is the official operational guide for your specific show. It’s published by the General Services Contractor (GSC) assigned to that event, typically Freeman, GES/Fern, or Shepard Expositions.
Most exhibitors don’t realize how detailed the ESM gets until they’re already deep into planning. It governs virtually everything that affects your booth on-site:
–Booth height, design, and materials restrictions
–Fire safety and flame-retardant certification requirements
–Electrical, internet, and AV ordering (with early-bird deadlines)
-Freight, drayage, and advance warehouse shipping windows
–Union labor rules by city and venue
-Move-in and move-out schedules
–Flooring requirements (many venues mandate floor coverings)
-ADA accessibility compliance
Ordering services before the ESM’s early deadlines typically saves 10–25% on show services. Missing those windows often means overtime surcharges, limited labor availability, or elements of your booth being flagged on-site.
We review the ESM for every show we work on — it’s one of the first things we do after a project kicks off.

A full-service rental is designed so you’re not coordinating multiple vendors. Depending on your configuration, it can include:
–Exhibit design and 3D rendering for approval before anything is produced
–Booth structure — modular or custom, from 10×10 to 20×20 and larger
-Branded graphics (tension fabric, SEG panels, or large-format prints)
–LED video wall setup and content management
–Furniture — counters, seating, reception desks
–Flooring — raised, carpet, rollable vinyl, or interlocking tiles
–Touchscreen kiosks and interactive displays
-3D logo signs
-Freight coordination, delivery, and pickup
–Labor — non-union where applicable, or full union coordination where required
–On-site technical support and supervision throughout the show
Not every exhibitor needs all of these, but having them coordinated under one roof tends to eliminate the friction and surprise costs that come from managing multiple vendors.

Beyond height limits, exhibitors are subject to a range of conduct and space-use rules that vary by show. The most common ones catch people off guard:
–You can’t market outside your assigned space. Handing out materials, demoing products, or engaging attendees in the aisle is generally prohibited without explicit show permission.
–Suitcasing and outboarding are banned. Working the floor without a booth (suitcasing) or hosting unauthorized off-site meetings to avoid exhibiting (outboarding) are grounds for expulsion at most shows.
–ADA compliance is mandatory. Layouts, raised flooring, and internal circulation must accommodate attendees with disabilities. Non-compliance can result in fines.
–Electrical must go through the venue. You can’t plug directly into house power — all electrical must be ordered through the show’s official services. Wiring must meet venue and fire code standards.
–Materials must be fire-rated. Flame-retardant certification is required for structures and graphics. Smoke, heat, or open-flame effects need written approval from the Fire Marshal before move-in.
–Hanging signs need advance approval. At most major venues, overhead structures require written sign-off and must meet structural and safety standards.
The exact rules for your event are always in the ESM — which is also why we review it before every build.

Most trade show problems are predictable, which means most of them are also preventable.
–Ignoring the Exhibitor Services Manual. The ESM contains deadlines, restrictions, and requirements that directly affect your budget and on-site experience. Missing early-bird ordering windows alone can add thousands in rush fees.
–Underestimating total costs. The booth structure is just one line item. Drayage, electrical, labor, furniture, and show services often add 30–50% on top of what you expect to spend.
–Starting too late. Custom and modular exhibits typically need 6–10 weeks for design, production, and logistics — without rush fees. If your show is sooner than that, it doesn’t mean it can’t be done; it just means some elements may carry expedited charges. The earlier you reach out, the more options you have and the more costs we can help you avoid.
–Choosing the wrong booth type for the space. A tall back wall in an inline booth, display elements that block neighboring exhibitors, or materials that don’t meet venue fire codes are all fixable problems — but only if you catch them before move-in.
–Not accounting for union labor rules. In cities like Las Vegas, Chicago, and New York, certain installation tasks must be performed by union crews regardless of who you bring. Missing the labor call windows results in overtime charges that can be significant.
–Designing for looks instead of flow. An impressive booth that makes it hard for attendees to enter, move around, or have a conversation is working against itself. The best booth designs balance visual impact with practical usability.

Union labor requirements depend on the city, venue, and the type of work being performed — and they’re one of the most frequently misunderstood parts of exhibiting.
In major convention cities like Las Vegas, Chicago, and New York, certain tasks — including installation, dismantling, electrical work, and rigging — must be performed by union crews, regardless of who you bring from your own team. There are often strict limits on what your staff is allowed to handle themselves.
For exhibitors, this mainly affects scheduling, budgeting, and coordination. Labor calls must be booked in advance, and working outside approved time windows typically results in overtime charges.
We coordinate with required union crews on behalf of our clients, handle the paperwork, and supervise on-site installation and teardown — so this doesn’t become your problem to manage.

Drayage — also called material handling — is the fee charged by the show’s official contractor to move your freight from the loading dock to your booth space. It covers labor, equipment, and handling from the moment your shipment arrives at the venue.
It’s one of the most common surprise costs for first-time exhibitors because it’s not intuitive: you pay for your freight to arrive and you pay again to move it the last few hundred feet to your space.
Drayage is typically charged by the hundred pounds (CWT) and varies by venue, city, and timing. Shipments that arrive during overtime windows or after advance warehouse deadlines cost significantly more. Heavy or oversized items — like LED video wall components or large crates — are charged accordingly.
The best ways to manage drayage costs:
–Ship to the advance warehouse before the deadline (usually cheaper than direct-to-show delivery)
–Minimize crate size and weight where possible
–Work with an exhibit partner who factors drayage into the overall logistics plan — not as an afterthought
We include freight coordination and drayage planning in our full-service rental process

The more detail you can share upfront, the faster and more accurate the quote. Helpful information includes:

• Show name, venue, and dates

• Booth size and type (inline, island, etc.)

• Whether you’re considering rental, purchase, or a hybrid

• Key elements you want to include — LED walls, meeting areas, product displays, kiosks

• Existing branding assets or design guidelines (or whether you need design support)

You don’t need everything finalized to start the conversation. If you haven’t received your ESM yet or haven’t confirmed your booth assignment, that’s fine — we can begin the process and fill in details as they become available.

Call 800.821.2241, email info@airbornevisuals.com, or use the live chat on this page to speak with a trade show exhibit specialist.