What are the 4 Different Types of Exhibition Stand Layouts?

If you have ever been to an exhibition, you may have noticed that the stands follow a specific template. This template, known as the stand type, serves as the foundation for the exhibition stand designs.

Exhibition stands play a crucial role in showcasing a company’s brand and products at trade shows and events. Each type of stand offers unique advantages, such as visibility, product display space, and accessibility. (Luckily, with Quadrant2Design’s reconfigurable system, you never have to commit to just one type.) 

In this guide, we explain the four different stand types: linear booth, corner stand, peninsula stand and island stands.

The names of exhibition stand types vary, especially across the UK and the US. However, they correspond with the number of open sides on a stand, ranging from 1 to 4!

Inline booths are one of the most common types of exhibition stands. They’re called “inline” as they’re located in a line, side by side with neighbouring stands in a shell scheme.

Inline booths are usually situated in smaller stands, ideal for new businesses and SME’s looking for a cost-effective stand space.

Since inline booths are closed on three sides, they can sometimes struggle with “footfall”. Visitors often treat these stands like a reception point/market stall, and so can be hesitant to step into the stand space, or are unsure if it is even permitted to do so.

Because of this, staff working the stands must make the most of high-traffic walkways and must be proactive in initiating conversations with guests. We always recommend that businesses using an inline booth make the most of bookable meeting areas to prevent the space from overcrowding.

Benefits:

• Budget friendly 
• Good space to wall mount products & screens
• Maximum aisle-side square footage
• Widely available across different shows for easy reuse

Drawbacks:

• Typically smaller spaces 
• Less structural design freedom 
• Less efficient for foot traffic 
• Often too small to add a meeting space

Corner stands, also known as two-sided stands, are located at the end of a row of booths, situated at the intersection of two aisles. Like linear booths, corner stands are a more affordable, low-cost option for exhibitors, but because of their prime positioning, they typically garner greater traffic.

While corner stands are often a similar size to their neighbouring inline booths, they typically feel much bigger, as they can be accessed from two sides. This also makes them more approachable to passing guests. Not to mention, with two walls available, there is plenty of space for product display.

Benefits:

• Budget friendly 
• Good space to wall mount products & screens
• Maximum aisle-side square footage
• Widely available across different shows for easy reuse
• Can sometimes host a meeting space

Drawbacks:

• Typically smaller spaces 
• Less structural design freedom

Peninsula stands, also referred to as open-three side stands, are an open and accessible option, featuring multiple points for engagement. 

Peninsula exhibition stands are well-positioned for high footfall, usually positioned in high-traffic walkways at the end of an aisle or back-to-back with another stand. 

The openness of Peninsula spaces makes them very popular, as they are more welcoming and approachable to visitors, however, this is also one of the reasons why these stands require more strategy, as the openness can lean towards thoroughfare if not well-managed. 

If you opt for this stand type, we always recommend thinking strategically about how you will position reception points, add depth with the structure, work the flow of traffic and man the exhibition stand. 

While they can have just the primary back wall, peninsula stands can be elevated with additional structural elements, so it’s worth exploring design options before going ahead!

Benefits:

• Open and welcoming space 
• Facilitates good footfall
• Offers more design freedom in terms of structure
• Can easily facilitate meeting areas
• Only one wall structure required – reducing costs

Drawbacks:

• Requires strategy to avoid becoming a thoroughfare
• Usually more expensive per square metre

Island stands are usually found in the centre of the hall, and they’re popular among industry leaders, looking to stand out from competitors. Because of their central position, these stands are ideal for businesses hoping to generate brand awareness and high footfall. Island spaces are usually the largest in the hall, offering ample space for large-scale displays, interactive setups, product demonstrations, meetings and discussions. 

The stands are accessible from all sides, offering the most opportunities to engage with passersby in the hall. However, because they have more access points, businesses need to put more thought and strategy into the stand structure, layout and staff positioning to ensure no visitors are overlooked.

Benefits:

• Open and welcoming space 
• Best hall location for footfall, visibility & traffic
• Offers the most design freedom
• Can easily facilitate meeting areas

Drawbacks:

• Requires strategy to avoid becoming a thoroughfare / missing opportunities
• Requires a larger team to work the stand
• Expensive

The type of exhibition stand that you choose plays a vital role in your impact in the hall, product showcasing, brand presentation, and the perception of your business.

When choosing your exhibition stand type, consider how it aligns with your budget, brand goals and future exhibition plans.

If you are not sure which stand type to select, consider a modular exhibition stand option. Modular exhibition stands are a flexible exhibiting option which can be reconfigured to suit different stand sizes and layouts, meaning you never have to commit to just one.

You can add panels for larger events or remove panels for smaller ones, allowing you to align your stand with your show budgets and targets!

Understanding the characteristics of each stand type can help you make an informed choice that aligns with your exhibiting goals. For more examples of exhibition stands, renders, images and stand ideas, have a look at our exhibition ideas page! 

If you need flexible exhibition stand options, we are the leading supplier of modular, reconfigurable exhibition stands. We only work with one exhibition stand solution, the Prestige Events System, and we’re experts in using this solution to create high-impact, reusable stands. For a free, no-obligation design proposal, email design@quadrant2design.com or call 01202 723 500.