Marketers often assume an island trade show booth will be expensive. And to be fair, it’s not unusual for a 20×20 to a 30×40 to cost from $150,000 to $350,000. Custom Island Booths are not widgets flowing from an assembly line. They are designed to showcase the services and products of a specific company. An exhibit is an investment with the cost often spread over multiple shows and in many cases, multiple years.
However, what if you need an affordable island booth solution? Options like island booth rentals can give you the same “Wow!” factor while attracting attendees, with designs starting at under $50,000. Not convinced? Two examples: the 20 x 20 RE-9168 rental includes multiple counters, double-sided graphic frames, monitor mounts, a presentation area, and even a square hanging sign. The VK-5210 purchase island booth includes (3) double-sided kiosks with monitors, a 12ft. high double-side lightbox, and (2) bar counters for less than $40K.
At most trade shows, island booths are the rock stars, attracting more foot traffic than inlines. Thankfully, it’s possible to mingle with the “stars” without blowing your marketing budget. In this article, we’ll review the basics of an island booth, the advantages, island design trends, and showcase affordable examples of island booths, both for purchase and to rent.
What is an Island Booth?
For North American trade shows, an island booth is defined as any exhibit 20′ x 20′ or larger and is surrounded by aisles on four sides.
Regulations vary by exhibit hall but the following are typical examples from a specific convention center: Maximum height of 30′ in all areas of your booth allowed in North Hall and Central Halls 3-5. Maximum height of 20′ in all areas of your booth is allowed in Central Halls 1-2. Maximum height of 22′ in all areas of your booth allowed in South Halls. No limitations on the number of solid walls for your Island booth. Be sure to check the hall regulations. Note: Hanging signs are permitted above island booths.
In addition, ceiling-supported theatrical truss and lighting are permitted in all standard Island Booths to a maximum height of twenty feet (20 ft.)(6.1m) where ceiling permits. Unlike a 10 x 20, which typically faces an aisle on one aisle (two if on a corner), an island booth, just an actual island, has access on all four sides (depending on the specific design).
Benefits of an Island Trade Show Booth
Size matters… but Island booths offer more advantages than just a larger footprint.
5 Key Benefits of a Trade Show Island Exhibit
#1. Maximum Visibility and Exposure: The 360-degree visibility increases sightlines, meaning attendees can see your booth from any direction, resulting in higher foot traffic to your booth.
#2. Design and Layout Versatility: Exhibit designers love island booths. It provides them with the freedom to design a layout that includes multiple entry points, different “zones” for various activities (e.g., product demonstrations, private meeting areas, reception desks, interactive kiosks, and lounges), and unique architectural elements.
#3. Greater Height: Unlike inline booths, which often have strict height limits (e.g., 8 feet), island booths are generally subject to much less restrictive rules. This allows for taller structures, large towers, and overhead hanging signs, making your booth visible from a distance.
#4. Enhanced Brand Perception: Securing a prominent island booth space shows that your company has a significant presence and is a major player in the market, which can build trust and attract high-value leads.
#5. Flexible Marketing Objectives: Whether your goal is to launch a new product, generate sales leads, or build brand awareness, an island booth can be customized to meet your specific objectives. The ample space allows for dedicated areas for sales conversations, product displays, and hospitality for existing customers.
For companies aiming to maximize their return on investment and create a lasting impression, an island booth is a powerful strategic tool that can redefine their trade show success.
Island Booth Design Features to Maximize Impact
Island booth designs offer a blank canvas for creativity and an opportunity to create an impactful brand experience. To maximize this potential, exhibit designers focus on creating a dynamic, engaging, and memorable space that goes beyond a simple product display.
Layout
A key to a successful island exhibit is a design that is open and accessible from all four sides. Avoid creating visual “walls” or barriers. Instead, use an open layout with multiple entry points to encourage fluid traffic flow and make attendees feel welcome to step inside.
- Dedicated Zones: Utilize the ample space to create distinct areas for different purposes. This can include:
- Reception/Greeting Area: A welcoming counter near the main aisle to greet visitors and direct them to the appropriate zone.
- Product Demonstration Area: A space with clear sightlines for live demos, showcasing your products in action.
- Private Meeting Rooms: Semi-enclosed or fully private spaces for in-depth conversations with key clients or prospects, providing a quiet retreat from the show floor.
- Lounge or Hospitality Area: A comfortable seating area with charging stations and refreshments, encouraging attendees to relax, which can lead to longer, more meaningful conversations.
Interactive Elements
- Interactive Kiosks: Incorporate digital kiosks with touchscreens that allow attendees to explore your products, services, or case studies at their own pace.
- Virtual and Augmented Reality: Offer immersive experiences that allow visitors to “interact” with your products in a virtual environment, especially useful for showcasing large equipment, complex systems, or virtual tours.
- Demonstrations and Presentations: Use a stage or designated area for scheduled presentations, product unveilings, or Q&A sessions. This creates a focal point and draws a crowd.
- Gamification: Use games, contests, or leaderboards to engage attendees and gather contact information in a fun and memorable way.
Lighting
- Dynamic Backlit Graphics: Use vibrant, high-resolution graphics, and consider incorporating LED lighting and backlit fabric to make your brand messaging pop. Lighting can be used to highlight key areas, products, or architectural features.
- Video Walls: Large video walls or strategically placed LED screens can showcase dynamic content, such as brand videos, customer testimonials, and live social media feeds, capturing attention from a distance and providing a modern, high-tech feel.
- Custom Flooring: Don’t forget the floor! Branded flooring or custom graphics can help define spaces, guide traffic flow, and create a fully cohesive brand environment.
Comfort
- Lounge Seating: Provide comfortable seating options that encourage attendees to stay longer.
- Wireless Charging Stations: Offer phone and device charging stations as a service to visitors, which increases the likelihood they will spend time in your booth.
- Refreshments: A small cafe or hospitality bar can be a powerful draw, creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere for networking.
By combining these popular design features, a company can transform a simple island exhibit into a dynamic and highly effective marketing tool that leaves a lasting impression on attendees.
Affordable Trade Show Island Booth Solutions
An Island exhibit will almost always cost more than an inline exhibit, However, you don’t need to blow the marketing budget to have an attractive and successful trade show island booth. In fact, start by focusing on your total trade show budget. Many exhibitors make poor financial decisions, either because of poor planning or (frankly) a lack of knowledge. For example, they don’t complete show forms by the early bird deadlines or schedule labor in advance with an exhibitor-appointed contractor, or arrange for shipping in advance.
Now, with your trade show marketing strategy in mind, start exploring island designs that match your requirements. Don’t worry about finding the perfect solution. Most island booth designs are customized to match your needs. Here are a few ideas to jumpstart the process.
VK-5212 | Island Exhibit. This modular island booth features an open floorplan with casual seating, backlit fabric graphics, monitor mounts, and backlit reception counters. Consider adding a hanging sign for visibility in the show hall.
GK-5124 | Gravitee Modular Island. This upscale island booth offers a powerful visual punch for the budget. It’s built with Gravitee Modular Panels, which assemble with tools, making assembly fast (and less expensive). It features two separate seating zones, monitor mounts, and large format fabric graphics.
ECO-4022 | ecoSmart Sustainable Island. A sustainable island booth doesn’t have to cost more. This design has private and semi-private meeting spaces, a double-sided backlit header, and counters with locking storage.
Explore all the purchase island designs, starting with 20 x 20 booths, in the Island Exhibit Designs and ecoSmart Sustainable Island galleries. Choose from over 175 configurations.
Island Trade Show Booth Rental Options
For many exhibitors, an island booth rental has two advantages: it’s less expensive upfront and offers greater long-term design flexibility. That’s a win-win! Modern island rentals have the same features as purchase exhibits with slightly less custom options. Can island rental booths be customized? Absolutely! In fact, most island rentals start with ideas from multiple rental kits, which are then redesigned and personalized for each exhibitor. As a bonus, when you rent, there are no storage costs and the graphics can be reused at your next show, saving even more money. Here are three affordable rental designs. Note that rental prices are in two categories since the structure is a rental but the graphics are a purchase.
RE-9151 | Rental Island Booth. This island design maximizes the booth space by combining rental furniture with (3) 12 ft. double-sided LED lightboxes. Each lightbox includes monitor mounts and there’s a custom reception counter with locking storage and RGB adjustable perimeter lights.
RE-9093 | Rental Island Booth. Curves don’t cost more in this beautiful rental island booth. The modular structures are tall and visually dominant, while keeping the overall space open and inviting. There’s enough room for casual seating and a bistro table and chairs. It even includes a full-size door with closet storage.
RE-9193 | Rental Island Booth. You (U) will love this rental island booth. The backlit graphics act like a beacon drawing attendees into the booth space. There are four monitor mounts for presentations and demos. On one side is a custom reception counter with LED accent lights. On the other side is enough space for multiple sofas or chairs for clients to relax and share.
Comparing Island Booths vs. Inline & Peninsula Booths
At some shows, in addition to island and inline booths, there are a limited number of peninsula spaces. Peninsula booths have many of the same advantages as an island, which can be appealing to the right exhibitor.
There are two types of peninsula booths: (a) one that backs up to Linear Booths, and (b) one that backs up to another Peninsula Booth and is referred to as a “Split Island Booth.”
For all peninsula booths, the exterior of the back wall must be plainly finished and may not contain booth identification, logos or advertisements.
If backed by a row of standard/linear booths, the back wall may be no higher than 4′ for a distance of 5′ from either side aisle and 20′ high in the center of the back wall. These height restrictions must be maintained for a distance of 10′ from the back wall.
Where two (2) peninsula booths share a common back wall (“split Island”), the maximum height may be 20′ in all areas of the booth, including the back wall (same as Island Booth rules, below). Note: Hanging signs are permitted over peninsula booths that are 20′ x 20′ or larger.
Since peninsula booths are less common than islands or inlines, they present unique challenges to exhibit designers. However, it’s that uniqueness that’s its secret weapon. Designers and exhibitors are forced to create exhibits that take into account the multiple aisles, the added height opportunities, and how to position a hanging sign. Peninsula booths have a reputation for unusual shapes and creative branding which makes them intriguing to trade show attendees. See RE-9176 for an example of a rental peninsula booth.
Budget-Friendly Island Booth Solutions from Classic Exhibits
You have choices. More than you might think when shopping for an affordable island booth. Modular wall systems have expanded, which has led to modern island designs with features like backlit fabric graphics, 12-16 ft. towers, curves, and an array of contemporary counters, pedestals, and kiosks. Your biggest decision may be whether to rent or to purchase… OR consider a hybrid approach where you purchase components you’ll reuse over several years and then rent the accessories, like workstations, monitor stands, and charging tables. That way you have much more flexibility from show to show and as your marketing priorities change.
Who We Are
For over 30 years, Classic Exhibits has been designing and building creative custom solutions for our Distributor Partners and their clients. As North America’s largest private-label exhibit manufacturer, we have the unmatched capability, capacity, and creativity to create 3D projects ranging from 10 x 10 inline displays to 60 x 80 double-deck islands. Find success on the trade show floor with an exhibit that reflects your marketing message. For more information, see www.classicexhibits.com and explore Exhibit Design Search or request a meeting with a Classic Distributor Partner.