When you book a space at an exhibition you can book Space only or Shell Scheme – it is an important decision to make from the outset as it will determine the type of exhibition stand you have.
Let’s look at each option and what advantages and disadvantages they offer depending on your goals, budget, and the image you want to project.
What is a shell scheme exhibition space?
A Shell Scheme exhibition space is a pre-built booth provided by the event organiser. It typically includes walls, carpeting, basic lighting, and sometimes furniture.
What are the advantages of a shell scheme stand?
Many exhibitors choose the option of a shell scheme stand for their events due to the many benefits they offer. This could include:
- Ease of setup: Since the structure is pre-built, exhibitors don’t need to worry about construction or assembly. You simply show up and are ready to go!
- Cost-effective: Shell scheme spaces are often cheaper than space-only because they include basic necessities, reducing additional costs.
- Timesaving: With most elements provided, setup and dismantle time are minimised, leaving you more time to network, sell, demo and enjoy!
- Standardised look: A shell scheme stand provides a uniform appearance, which can be beneficial if you prefer a clean, organised look without too much effort.
What are the disadvantages of a shell scheme stand?
As much as anything comes with its positives, there is always a negative or two that you need to factor in as well. With shell scheme stands, there are a couple that you should be aware of. These include:
- Limited customisation: You’re restricted to the provided design, which may limit branding opportunities. You may end up looking just like everyone else!
- Less impactful: Shell Scheme stands can appear generic, potentially blending into the background if many exhibitors use similar setups. How will visitors know who to return to if they want to shop around before committing to a deal?
- Space constraints: The layout and size are fixed, which can be limiting for larger displays or unique configurations. This could mean you inadvertently bring too much or not enough stuff to kit out your space.
Shell scheme stands are a good option for first-time exhibitors or those with limited resources, but it is important to remember success at an exhibition is often down to being memorable, so it’s important to think about how you will stand out from other shell scheme exhibitors. At Starlight Exhibitions we have display options that fit into a shell scheme so ask our team to send you some ideas.
What is space only at an exhibition?
A Space Only exhibition space means you are provided with just the floor space, allowing you to build your own custom display stand from scratch. These are often favoured by businesses looking for extra impact but as we will show, they can bring advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages of space only at an exhibition
- Complete customisation: You have full creative control over the design, layout, and branding, allowing for a unique and impactful stand that won’t get lost among all the similar looking shell spaces being used.
- Brand identity: A custom-built stand makes a strong statement, helping you stand out and align with your brand’s identity.
- Flexible layout: You can design the space to fit your needs. Whether highlighting products, providing a demo area, or creating an interactive experience, you get free reign over how people use and interact with the space you have.
- Professional image: A well-designed custom stand can convey professionalism and a strong market presence. Free from resembling a generic look, you demonstrate your individuality and your willingness to make the event your own!
The disadvantages of space only at an exhibition
Whilst space only at an exhibition allows you to fully customise your space, and make an impact that shell spaces may not, they do also come with a few disadvantages.
- Higher cost: Space only exhibition areas often are larger and therefore more expensive to book which could be a concern. If you are building a custom stand, it is sometimes more expensive too. Costs include design, construction, transportation, and installation. So, you would need to factor all this into your event budget. However modular reusable stands can be a great option for space only and can keep the costs down as they can be used at multiple events, providing a long-term saving.
- More planning required: You’ll need to invest time in designing and coordinating with contractors, which requires more planning and management. This could eat into event planning time, or even the day-to-day aspects of your business. You could speak to our team though as we offer a free exhibition stand design service.
- Complex logistics: Transporting, assembling, and disassembling the stand can be more complicated and time-consuming than if you were renting a shell space. Like the design though, we can help. Our team can offer a full exhibition stand installation and remove it at the end of the event too. Saving you time and allowing you to focus on what matters!
Space only at an exhibition gives you the freedom to make your brand memorable and differentiate yourself from the competition. You can add interactive elements and create special areas for product demos and meetings.
At Starlight we are experts at helping you create an impressive environment to welcome your visitors while keeping your costs down. The variety of stands we offer helps deliver a custom feel, whilst bespoke elements really make you stand out. From factoring in lightbox displays to hanging exhibition displays and all that’s in between, we like to think we help make you the star of the show.
We offer both event stand hire and purchase options so can work to your budget and decide the best option for you depending on your exhibiting calendar. All our products can be repurposed and reconfigured to any space size and can be rebranded for different events.
Shall I choose a space only or a shell scheme for the exhibition?
Much will come down to budget and personal preference and each has a host of advantages. However, both have disadvantages too.
- Shell scheme is ideal if you need a straightforward, cost-effective solution, especially if you’re new to exhibitions or have a limited budget.
- Space only is the better choice if you want to make a big impact, have the budget to support a custom design, and need a stand that fully represents your brand’s identity.
When you make your choice you should align your exhibition goals, target audience, and the message you want to convey. If your aim is simply to have a presence and network, a Shell Scheme might be sufficient. However, if you want to create a memorable experience and stand out from the crowd, investing in a Space Only option will most likely offer better returns. Why not talk to our experienced team to see what option works best for you?
