If you’re new to exhibiting, there are two terms that will always come up – shell scheme or space only exhibition stand?
Everyone at a trade show has a common goal: to have an exhibition stand what sets them apart from their competitors and captures visitor attention. Understanding your options for stand space and type of stand option is crucial for crafting a well thought-out and optimally designed exhibition stand that aligns with your budget, schedule, and objectives.
So, what is the difference between the two choices?
A shell scheme exhibition stand is a smaller, dedicated marked-out space with a basic stand framework supplied by organisers, while a space only exhibition stand is a ‘blank canvas’ allocated floor space for you to add your own bespoke stand, flooring, lighting and power.
In this blog, we explore in more detail shell scheme and space-only exhibition stands, providing the information you need to make an informed decision for your next event!
What is a Shell Scheme Exhibition Stand?
A shell scheme exhibition stand is a package typically offered by an exhibition organiser. Typically, it is a smaller stand space of approx. 3m x 2m, often located round the edges of the hall.
With this stand type, you’re provided with a basic framework, stand walling, name board, carpeted flooring, a power socket, and sometimes a basic table and stools, all included in the price.
With the footprint and basic stand structure in place, you have a blank canvas to tailor and design your space according to your companies’ vision. Whilst you are restrained by designated space, this type of stand space can still be personalised with your graphic messaging, stand lighting, and any freestanding display stand you may wish to take to dress the space you have.
Clip have found that Modular display stands are a perfect solution for a shell scheme stand space.The right modular display stand is eye-catching, easy to transport and set up yourself in minutes, and at the end of the show you own a product to take away with you to use at future exhibitions, or even to put in place at your office, maximising the investment you have made!
With a modest investment in the right modular display stand, a shell scheme exhibition stand space can be a great compromise between exhibiting on a budget and brand impact.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Choosing a Shell Scheme Exhibition Stand?
A shell scheme stand is an ideal way for businesses dip their toe in the exhibiting water. The shell scheme space provides you with all the basic elements you need in a stand, and you just have to drop your messaging in place!
They are user friendly and offer a good amount of allocated booth space for companies to start growing their visual presence.
With any exhibition stand, there are pros and cons to consider, ensuring that the stand type suits your business goals and budget. So, what are the pros and cons of shell scheme exhibition stands?
Pros
- Great for businesses starting to grow their presence in exhibiting
- Package deal – lighting, electrics, carpet, and sometimes basic furniture are included in the cost
- No external structure necessary
- Easy to apply your brands’ graphic design elements
- Cost effective
Cons
- Shell scheme stands are usually on the outside of the hall space and in long aisles next to other stands, which means you need to have a way to stand out visually from all the other stands that are alongside you
- Limited to the type of exhibition stand you can fit into a shell scheme
- Your exhibition stand will be the same shape and size as other booths, making it more difficult to stand out
What Are Space Only Exhibition Stands?
Space only exhibition stands are exactly what they sound like! With this type of stand space, you are only renting out an allocated floor space without any pre-existing structure in place.
In contrast to shell-scheme exhibition stand spaces, space only allows exhibitors to have the freedom to unleash their creativity and personalise their designated space with a custom build exhibition stand that fits perfectly within the parameters of the rented area.
Despite the additional planning and budgetary requirements, a space only exhibition stand space offers unparalleled potential for a captivating design limited only by your imagination, and event guidelines!
What Are the Pros and Cons of Choosing a Space Only Exhibition Stand?
Stand only exhibition stands empower businesses to go to the next level in exhibition stand design and brand awareness at events. When establishing your exhibition stand plan for your event, it is a good idea to weigh up the pros and cons of utilising a space only exhibition stand; this is to ensure your business goals, vision and ROI match with the cost and time involved.
The pros and cons to consider with space only exhibition stands include:
Pros
- Ideal for mid to large businesses looking to make an impact
- Great for exhibiting larger products or offering demonstrations
- Usually available in more sizes and in more prominent positions in the hall, such as near lecture theatres and coffee areas, so you get more natural visitor flow around your stand
- Able to completely personalise your space for your needs – what exhibition flooring will you choose? Will you go for a modular or bespoke exhibition stand?
- Some exhibition companies will rent you the structure at no fee if you use their team to build the stand – you can make a big splash without breaking the budget
- By using a modular stand structure, you can deliver a consistent stand design at every event for total brand consistency
Cons
- You will need to supply everything from flooring, lighting, power, AV, furniture, and the stand structure itself
- There is a higher cost for the stand build services
- Must consider logistics for custom build stands, such as submitting stand plans, risk assessments, method statements etc. However, if you use an experienced stand build company, they will pick this admin up and take care of it all for you.
Find out how to safeguard your event with our risk assessment checklist blog.
- The bigger the stand, the more equipment you will need to store post show, but again, the right contractor will take care of storage and even manage your event collateral for you
Both shell scheme and space only exhibition stands present distinct advantages and challenges for anyone looking to exhibit. However, if you’re armed with a deep understanding of your company, event budget, stand needs and exhibit objectives, you can make an informed decision regarding the most suitable exhibit type.
With a tighter budget and smaller space requirement, a shell scheme exhibition stand is a great option to go for, but if you’re looking to make an even bigger impact in the exhibition hall, and wish to utilise a stand for multiple events, a space only exhibition stand space is the way forward.
Whichever exhibitions stand path you choose, we wish you the best of luck with your next event!
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If you’re looking to bring your exhibition vision to life, look no further than Clip. As market-leading experts in both modular and bespoke exhibition stands, we can advise you on the most suitable display for your organisation, and help you from design and build, to stand management and staff training.
Speak to a member of our exhibition team to start your event journey today.
