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Posts Tagged ‘island exhibits’

Island Booth Solutions for 360° Trade Show Impact

September 12th, 2025 COMMENTS
Island Booth

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.

what is an island booth

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.

island booths

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.

island trade show booth

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.

trade show island booth

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.

island trade show booth rental

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.

affordable island booth

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.

island display

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.

Is Imitation the Sincerest Form of Flattery? Nope!

December 30th, 2016 COMMENTS

blogheaderintellectualproperty

In the past month, our designs have been copied three times. Three clear examples, all very different in scope. Question:  When do you throw up your hands vs. taking legal action to protect your intellectual property? Thought you might like to read what we decided to do in each situation.

Base Plate.

To be honest, we expected this to happen at some point. About seven years ago, we created an identifiable base plate for our Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Display line. The design made the base plates lighter, distinctive, and easier to carry. We expected other display manufacturers to create their own unique designs. What we didn’t anticipate was that a budget manufacturer/importer would simply tweak our existing design. See the minor difference.

baseplates

What was surprising was seeing it at an exhibit association event, where members take an oath to honor one another’s intellectual property. I asked the owner about the base plate design and basically got a shrug. In other words, it is what it is. Will we pursue this legally? No but it’s an annoyance. This manufacturer has purchased parts and pieces from us in the past. We won’t sell to them again.

Charging Table.

Over the past year, we’ve designed and engineered a line of charging tables in various sizes and heights. The tables are clearly identifiable as Classic Exhibits designs, including the LED lights around the perimeter. Other charging solutions fit into one of two categories:  sofas, tables, and chairs with plugs or charging towers, similar to what you would see at an airport. Ours look nothing like those.

mod-1432gLast week,  I noticed a photo showing our MOD-1432 in LinkedIn… yet, it wasn’t. The shape was the same, along with the LED lights, USB charging ports, post, and base. Only the proportions were different. Honestly, we were surprised that someone would copy a design so clearly identifiable with Classic Exhibits. Yes, a round bistro table is a round bistro table, but the copy appeared to have the same LED light pattern and number of USB ports. Frankly, that’s being intellectually lazy.

I won’t share the photo because it would implicate the customer, rather than the manufacturer. So, what did we do? We sent the owner an email, who was kind enough to give me a call. While he felt their design didn’t infringe on the MOD-1432, he did agree to revisit the design and see if some changes were possible. We’ll see what happens.

Island Exhibit.

eco-4073_1_webThis one will blow your mind. Late last summer, our sister company Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits quoted a modified eSmart ECO-4073 island to a Distributor which included several Classic Exhibits counters and iPad stands. Several months later, we were contacted by a graphic designer asking for templates on the island they purchased in September. Except, we never built the island. The graphic designer sent us their invoice, which listed Classic kit numbers.

What the client purchased was a copy of the modified ECO-4073. Some small variations but 98% the same. The Distributor chose to build part of it and purchase other components, but it was an ECO-4073. And the distributor even included our part numbers on the invoice. For legal reasons, I can’t go into details; however, we are pursuing this aggressively with an IP attorney and expect a lawsuit to be filed within the next two weeks.

Like you, we are in a very creative business, so we’re always surprised when someone takes a design shortcut by copying. It’s one thing to improve, refine, expand on a design. It’s another thing to blatantly copy. And like you, we have to decide on the best recourse each time. We always address it. Sometimes tactfully, Sometimes bluntly. And sometimes legally. If you don’t, then the lazy will do what they do best. Steal your designs.

We would enjoy hearing your experiences and thoughts on this topic.

–Mel White
mel@classicexhibits.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
https://twitter.com/melmwhite

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Hot Hot Hot!: Word on the Street — August 4th thru August 8th

August 9th, 2014 COMMENTS

Kevin Carty, VP Classic Exhibits

Kevin Carty, VP Classic Exhibits

Summer Business

There is a heat wave in the Pacific NW. I mean HOT . . . at least for us. Mid-80’s to mid-90’s kinda HOT. Which if you have ever lived or visited here, you know we don’t get that very often.

Now for the cheesy segue. All this HOT weather has me thinking we are living in the Islands, and wouldn’t you know it, we are building and quoting A LOT of islands right now.

We usually have a nice mix of inline vs island orders, but the increase in island builds and quotes this summer has been noticeable. Exhibitors, namely your clients, are stepping back into island footprints after some trepidation during the recession. With the advent of more islands, there comes a clear sense that tradeshow programs have taken a step forward in many marketing plans.

I mention programs because with all the island work and quoting, it’s not like 10 x 10, 10 x 20, and 10 x 30 displays have slipped. Quite the opposite actually. They too are on the increase this summer. So it appears that clients, while still a little cautious, are planning more program additions to their tradeshow marketing this fall. A great sign!

It's Bigger This Summer

It’s Bigger This Summer

One clear indication is the workload. This is the first summer in 6-7 years that our entire shop crew worked full-time in June and July. And that really says something, considering we have two shifts. It’s a great feeling and nice indicator of where we are headed as an industry.

In past years, I have written in early August blogs about how it’s hard to get back into the full swing after the slow summer months. This year, there are no cobwebs, since we haven’t had the traditional summer lull. As a matter of fact, July was our second largest booked sales month this year. That is a sentence I NEVER EVER expected to write.

How has the summer been for you? I can predict many of the answers based on our conversations, but I am curious nonetheless. PLEASE SHARE what your summer business has been like and your outlook on business this fall.

Hope you had a great summer weekend with your family.

Be well.

–Kevin
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a

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Thanks and Hang on Tight: Word on the Street — August 12th thru August 16th

August 17th, 2013 1 COMMENT

Thanks and Hang on Tight: Word on the Street -- August 12th thru August 16th

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

As write this, it’s the halfway point of August. It’s 81 degrees, partly cloudy and a tad humid. Good day all in all. Not great. But good. Sort of like the exhibit industry in mid-August.

Your Growing Trust in Classic

The first two weeks of August are always the “ramp up” for the nutty late summer and fall show season. And this year is following the same trend. But with one twist, a twist that we’ve seen growing over the past 12 months: island exhibits continue to expand as a percentage of our business. As does our appreciation of your growing trust in Classic to help you on these island projects.

That trust is something we have long worked towards with our distributors, many of whom are traditional custom builders. And for a while there (2-5 years ago), there were times when we heard questions like, “Well, what happens when Classic decides to go full blown custom and just sell direct?”

Your orders and design requests over the past year, and the design and build work slotted for this fall, have in large part stamped out those concerns. We are your builder not your competitor. It just so happens that we can build your table tops, your inlines, and your double deck islands. As our skills have evolved, in exhibits, retail, and environments, so do your choices. It’s as simple as that.

The idea behind this blog was to thank you for your continued trust and support in Classic Exhibits, Classic Rentals, and ClassicMODUL Aluminum Extrusions. We appreciate it and probably don’t say it enough!

But Thank You! Sincerely . . .  Thank You!

Now, like every year, strap on your helmets because it’s the time of year when things get crazy!

Be well and have a wonderful weekend.

Kevin
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a

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“Island I See You in All My Dreams”: Word on the Street — Feb. 4th thru Feb. 8th

February 10th, 2013 COMMENTS

"Island I See You in All My Dreams": Word on the Street -- Feb. 4th thru Feb. 8th

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Take Me to the Islands

For all the Parrotheads out there, you will recognize the blog title as a lyric from the Jimmy Buffett song, Island. But islands are something we have been seeing both awake and in our dreams over the past six weeks.

With each New Year, there comes a rush of business for the upcoming spring shows, and this year has been no different. Except, for the number of Island Exhibits we are quoting and ultimately building. So far this year, we have had several islands ship every single week. About half are total “ground-up design” and half are existing island kits with modifications.

Great news and a lot of fun.

So what does this mean? What is this an indicator of? Well while I am not Carnac or Kreskin or any sort of Chief Economist, but  I do know what it feels like. It feels like another positive economic step in the right direction in this slow turn of the economy.

Your clients are speaking with their pocket books, and they are saying “It’s time to get back to a fully functioning marketing program.” That includes more aggressive and expansive trade show marketing.

Many of the islands are for Fortune 500 and larger companies. Companies that pre-recession were doing much larger island presentations. So this would be a good indicator of the “paced” approach companies are taking. Jumping in with both feet, but jumping in somewhere between the deep and the shallow end while trying to grow responsibly.

Although this can be a frustrating pace for some, I applaud it actually. It’s nice to see companies of all sizes taking the same approach many of us are taking with our businesses. Call it “wait and see”, call it “careful optimism,” call it whatever you want. I view it as responsible.

We all have our thoughts on the “politics” of our nation. But someone said to me back in November something that stuck in my head. “We all need to quit looking to the government, the Dow, the media, or anything else about how we manage our businesses. We need to manage our business based on what happens with our customers and what needs to happen inside the four walls of our buildings. Focus on our our own P&L’s and market our companies in diverse ways regardless of what is happening.

And I really think in large part a lot of businesses are doing just that. Just look at our customers. They are participating in more shows and doing it with new properties. Maybe not as big as before, but still with big impact.

I want to thank you for the positive start to 2013. We had an amazing January, and we have you to thank for that. So thank you for sending your orders our direction.

We look forward to serving you and your clients in 2013. It’s been an EPIC start.

Hope you had a restful and fun weekend with your loved ones. Be well.

Kevin Carty
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a

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