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September 11, 2024

5 Types of Trade Show Booths

Different trade show booth types in CabSat 2022

In a trade show filled with dozens, if not hundreds, of exhibitors, only some booths will catch your eye immediately. What makes these booths stand out? Often, it's the type of booth and how it's used. 

While eye-catching graphics and engaging displays also play a crucial role in how attendees perceive and interact with your brand, the layout and design of the booth itself are equally significant. The right booth type can help you attract attendees and effectively showcase your brand, products, or services.

How do you know which one is right for your brand? Check out the different types of trade show booths, their unique features, and how to make the most of each design.

1. In-Line Booth

A line of empty in line booths with white partitions and a gray carpeted floor

Image Source: Canva

In-line booths or linear booths are the most common sight at any type of trade show. These booth types are typically arranged in a straight line, allowing one side to face the aisle of the exhibition hall. 

They create the familiar grid pattern you see when you walk into a show. They’re ideal for first-time exhibitors or companies with smaller budgets, as they’re the most affordable. The best part? These types of trade show booths can be combined to create larger, more flexible displays, giving exhibitors the freedom to expand their presence as needed.

Key features:

  • Typically 10' x 10' or 10' x 20' in size
  • Open to the aisle on one side
  • Neighbors on both sides
  • Height restrictions usually apply

Best practices:

  • Use bold graphics to attract attention from the aisle.
  • Ensure your branding is clear and visible from a distance.

Pros Cons
  • ✔ Most cost-effective option
  • ✔ Simple setup and design
  • ✔ Scalable
  • ✖ Limited exposure
  • ✖ Can feel cramped
  • ✖ Doesn’t stand out against larger competitor displays

→ Learn more: Trade Show Marketing Tips

2. Corner Booth

A mock-up of a corner booth for a trade show 

Image Source: Canva

Corner booths are prime real estate in trade shows, being exposed on two sides rather than just one. Because they’re positioned at the intersection of two aisles, these types of booths enjoy greater visibility and foot traffic. 

A corner booth design serves twice as many visitors as an inline booth. It creates an open and welcoming space that still feels more intimate than other types of trade show booths, perfect for brands looking for a bit more exposure while maintaining a smaller footprint.

Key features:

  • Open on two sides, facing two aisles
  • Typically 10' x 10' or 10' x 20'
  • Neighbors on one side
  • Height restrictions may apply, but less common

Best practices:

  • Use both open sides to maximize product display and engagement areas.
  • Design the booth layout to guide attendees smoothly from one side to the other to reduce congestion.

Pros Cons
  • ✔ Increased visibility
  • ✔ Higher foot traffic
  • ✔ Flexible layout
  • ✖ May cost more than inline booths
  • ✖ Less privacy with two open sides
  • ✖ Limited scalability for larger setups

3. Peninsula Booth

A mock-up of a peninsula booth for trade shows

Image Source: Canva

A peninsula booth design is open on three sides, which means two things: extensive traffic flow and easy access. These types of booths are usually larger than other booth styles, offering plenty of space for creative displays and product showcases. Most of the time, you can find peninsula booths placed at the end of a row or between two separate aisles, providing high exposure.

These types of trade show booths are perfect for brands looking to make a big impact, showcase multiple products, or create interactive experiences that attract visitors from multiple directions. If you have a larger marketing budget or want to focus on visibility and engagement, this could be the perfect trade show booth for you.

Key features:

  • Open on three sides, surrounded by aisles
  • Typically 20' x 20' or larger
  • Only one neighbor at the back
  • More flexible height restrictions

Best practices:

  • Use the open space to create distinct areas for product displays, demos, and customer interaction.
  • Make your booth design approachable from all three open sides.

Pros Cons
  • ✔ High visibility
  • ✔ Large, open space for displays
  • ✔ Flexible layout
  • ✖ More expensive than smaller booths
  • ✖ Requires more staff to cover all sides
  • ✖ Higher design and setup costs

4. Perimeter Booth

A mock-up of a perimeter booth for a trade show

Image Source: Canva

Perimeter booths are located along the outer edges of the exhibition floor. This allows for larger displays and fewer neighboring booths. 

Brands often use these booths to show off their products or put up large graphics since they don't have height restrictions. With a perimeter booth design, you can use the solid back wall to make elaborate displays or taller structures that make your booth stand out.

Key features:

  • Typically 10' x 10' or 10' x 20' in size
  • Open to the aisle on one side, often facing a high-traffic area
  • Backed by a wall instead of another exhibitor
  • Fewer height restrictions

Best practices:

  • Use taller signage and vertical displays.
  • Place key messaging and branding in a way that captures attendees’ attention as they approach from a distance.

Pros Cons
  • ✔ Fewer height restrictions
  • ✔ Often located in high-traffic areas
  • ✔ Larger space for displays
  • ✖ Limited interaction on one side
  • ✖ May feel isolated from central activity
  • ✖ Slightly more expensive than in-line booths

5. Island Booth

A 3D-rendered mock-up of an island booth for a trade show

Image Source: Canva

Island booths are the pinnacle of trade show designs, offering four open sides for maximum visibility. You can often find these types of booths at the center of the event floor. They provide ample space for product displays, interactive experiences, and engagement from all angles. Brands looking to make a strong impression can use the island booth design to create immersive experiences for attendees. 

Key features:

  • Open on all four sides
  • Typically 20' x 20' or larger
  • No neighboring booths
  • Minimal height restrictions

Best practices:

  • Create a 360-degree experience.
  • Use large banners, hanging signs, or digital displays to grab attention from far across the show floor.

Pros Cons
  • ✔ Maximum visibility on all sides
  • ✔ Flexible space for large displays
  • ✔ Customizable layout
  • ✖ High rental and design costs
  • ✖ Requires a larger team to manage
  • ✖ More complex setup and logistics

Maximize Your Trade Show Impact With Concierge Club

Choosing the right types of trade show booths is just the beginning of creating a successful and memorable event. At Concierge Club, we don’t just design booths. We craft elevated, immersive experiences that captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression. Our team is committed to building strong brand-consumer relationships through intentional, innovative trade show marketing.

Let us turn your trade show presence into a show-stopper that drives real results and forges lasting connections. Contact us today.