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There are four types of exhibition stands. Well, technically six, but two of these are not very common.

These types are:

1. Row exhibition stand
2. Corner exhibition stand
3. 3-sides open exhibition stand
4. island exhibition stand
5. Walk-through exhibition stand
6. Multi storey exhibition stand

Which kind of exhibition stand you should or can rent most often depends on the size and location of the area you are renting at your trade show. Row type exhibition stands almost always have the smallest footprint whilst Island stands are the biggest. Corner and head stands are in between.

For example, if you want to rent a 24 sqm (8x3 metres or 6x4 metres) you can forget Island stands as these are usually bigger than 60 sqm. However, a Head or Corner stand of 24 sqm is definitely possible.

Row exhibition stands

Stands of the type Row are the standard at many trade shows. They are only open at the front, and visitors can pass the stand at only one side. This means that exhibitors have neighbouring stands on both the right and left side.

The advantages and disadvantages of Row type stands

++ great availability

++ lots of (wall)space for graphics and brand communication

++ relatively cheap

-- less customer exposure

-- step-up threshold (less accessibility)

-- harder to create a unique and memorable design for this type

3-sides open exhibition stand

A head stand is open on 3 sides. Only the back of the stand is closed. Visitors can view and access the stand from the front, right and left.

The advantages and disadvantages of a 3-sides open exhibition stand

++ lots of customer exposure

++ accessible

+/- somewhat less space to display graphics (in comparison to Corner stands)

++Lots of opportunities for creative stand design

Goto Norder to know more.

-- You have to rent more area at the trade show as head stands are almost always quite large

There are also two other types of stands I will mention here for completeness’ sake:

Walk-through exhibition stand

This type of stand is rare. Here the path the visitors take at the trade fair goes through the exhibition stand. Your exhibition stand will be split across either side.

Multi level exhibition stand

As the name says, this stand has an extra storey which is accessible via stairs. These stands therefore have a lot more space for showcasing your brand and products. However, multi storey stands are usually rather expensive to construct.

When renting a small exhibition area at your trade show, say something below 20 sqm, you will notice that most of these stands are Row type stands.

I.e. the stands which are lined up next to one another. While this is not a problem, as it is very possible to create an outstanding and memorable stand through good stand and graphic design, I would recommend trying to rent a Corner stand rather than a Row stand. This is because the second open side, and therefore overall better accessibility and customer exposure, makes your stand much more noticeable and attractive to visitors. And tradeshow attendees will be more easily able to reach your stand.

However, there are almost always a lot fewer Corner than Row stands, which makes it harder to get a Corner plot. Therefore, it is important to sign up as early as possible and ask the trade show organiser for a floor plan of the exhibition centre. As the best areas are obviously rented out first. Sometimes you can also get a corner stand by renting a slightly larger area at the trade show, if these cases I would consider that option and spend a little bit more for a much better location.

Is an Island type stand always the best option when renting a large area?

Out of the different exhibition stand types, Island exhibition stands have the most visibility. Visitors can see and access it from all sides, giving you maximum customer exposure. But, is an Island stand always the best choice? No, I don’t think so. While I think that a Corner stand is always better than a Row stand, an Island stand is not necessarily the superior option to a Head stand. When renting an Island stand there are a range of special considerations to be made.

Being open to visitors on all sides also means that the stand is much harder to oversee at all times. Therefore, I would advise placing one of your exhibition team members on each side of the stand.

Furthermore, the open sides also mean that there is less space for displaying graphics and other brand communication media than with the other stand types. The design of an Island stand takes place mostly at the centre of the stand, as you want to keep all sides accessible. Therefore, you have less opportunity to display graphics, texts, logos, etc.

Peninsula Booth and Its Pros and Cons

If you have attended a trade show before, you have likely seen different types of trade show booth structures designed to maximize space and exposure. One popular option is the peninsula booth. These booths are sometimes also called an endcap or kickback booth.

A peninsula booth stands out from common inline or perimeter booths due to its unique shape and placement on the show floor. Exhibition stand builders often recommend this format for greater visibility. Let us enlighten you about what exactly a peninsula booth is. Also, how it is configured. And weigh the potential pros and cons of a peninsula booth. Here are the details:

What is a Peninsula Booth? -

A peninsula booth gets its name from resembling a geographical peninsula, with exposure on three visible sides instead of just two, like a standard inline booth. Specifically, a peninsula booth: Occupies space at the intersection where two inline aisles meet, typically forming an L, T, or crossed shape, has exposure on three sides by facing the intersecting aisles on two sides and the back wall of another exhibitor behind it. Provides open space on the backside portion, with no neighboring exhibitors directly behind that area, and size usually ranges from 10x20 feet up to larger 20x30 feet or 20x40 feet configurations.

Moreover, the Peninsula stand goes as far as a 40x40 exhibit booth. Often includes branding or visuals on the angled back walls and sidewalls to attract attendees' attention from multiple vantage points. In terms of the booth structure, peninsula booths can have hard wall panels, mesh counters, display cases, lighting, and other amenities like standard inline booths. The main difference lies in the extra exposure gained through their strategic corner placement.

Pros of a Peninsula Booth -

Some key advantages exhibitors potentially gain from a peninsula booth include:

• Greater visibility from three directions rather than two with inline spaces. This allows more chances to engage passersby.
• Enhanced ability to attract attendees into the booth rather than having them just walk past a linear inline space. The open corner encourages exploration.
• Opportunity for distinct branding and messaging on three visible booth walls rather than one or two surfaces. Considered more convenient as a custom exhibition stand. Use angled surfaces to stand out.
• Front and side areas can highlight different products, demos, or info zones to suit varied attendee interests, depending on the approach angle.
• Functioning as a traffic intersection or pathway can boost booth traffic simply due to location versus hidden inline spaces.
• Expanded total space accommodates elaborate displays, interactive elements, and seating that attracts attention depending on the budget.
• A sense of prestige from occupying a spatially prominent position on the show floor. 

Cons of a Peninsula Booth -

Some challenges to consider with peninsula booths compared to standard inline spaces include:

• Higher overall costs due to needing more square footage and complex wall configurations versus linear inline setups. Budget accordingly.
• Greater risk of distracting or overstimulating attendees with too many focal points versus linear product flow. 
• Trickier logistics for shipping/receiving and assembling onsite due to the irregular shape and supporting structures at multiple angles.
• Potential crowding or blockages may occur if exhibit booth neighbors also reserve endcap spaces, reducing intended exposures. Strategize placement carefully.
• Require staffing all three exposure areas efficiently throughout the day, not just a single aisle-facing space. Budget labor needs.
• Potential distractions from noise carried through the interim aisle between booth margins, depending on the materials used. Consider soundproofing.
• Restricted access for setup/breakdown since it is surrounded on three sides rather than open ends of inline spaces. 
• Lower ceiling heights or obstructions on the angled back walls may hamper visibility and the messaging goal, depending on the venue layout.
• Beyond these tradeoffs, determining if a peninsula booth aligns with exhibiting objectives relies on evaluating specific show parameters, floor plans, budget, messaging priorities, and staffing plans for the event. Careful planning can help maximize this versatile option.

Optimizing a Peninsula Booth Layout -

To fully leverage a peninsula booth is strategic corner positioning and exposure potential, careful layout, and theming grant a competitive edge. Some best practices include:

• Maintain a clear flow that guides visitors logically by aisle into and around the booth. Clearly labeled zones support easy navigation.
• Place attention-grabbing features like displays, branding, or interactives at front corners and entry points for high visibility.
• Apply equal effort in theming and engaging all three walls to inspire 360-degree exploration instead of focusing on one spot.
• Group similar or coordinated products, demos, and graphics to create a unified presentation rather than abrupt transitions.
• Use materials, lighting, and color schemes to visually link divergent areas in the open-concept layout cohesively.
• Centrally stage seating, activities, or rest zones to encourage lingering rather than hurrying through aisle-facing displays.
• Strategically place reps, hosts, or mobile staff at intervals to connect with traffic from every direction.
• Leave at least 3 to 4 feet of path width to prevent congestion during peak times as crowds gather.
• With pre-planning, peninsula booths can act as high-visibility magnets, drawing attendees into a memorable brand experience. Continual optimization keeps this impactful format refined.

Conclusion -

Reserving a peninsula booth carries both opportunities and potential complexities versus simpler inline spaces. Weighing metrics like budget, objectives, amenities, venue dynamics, and coordination helps determine if this high-exposure option aligns with an organization's specific trade show participation goals.

With strategic theming and layout, peninsula booths provide a multiplier effect that maximizes return on investment. All you need is an expert trade show booth design company to make your Peninsula Booth possible.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit 4 open side exhibition booth design USA.

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