As an exhibitor, you may have had to consider how you will use your exhibition stand for your tradeshow. One of the first things you will want to think about is whether you want to go with a shell scheme or space only stand. Knowing which one is best is largely dependent on your budget and goals.
So, what’s the difference?
Shell scheme
A shell scheme stand is an enclosed space built with panels to help divide the floor as well as the space within it. The stand framework is often supplied by organisers, including walls, flooring, lighting, and power, packaged up in one cost. This is then ready to be dressed in graphics. This type of stand is usually the most common type of stand assigned to exhibitors when an exhibition space is booked.
Since the structure is pre-built, exhibitors don’t need to worry about build or assembly. Sometimes, furniture is also included which tends to reduce additional costs, but this will depend on the exhibition.
So, it is important to weigh this up when considering other stands.
When it comes to design flexibility, you are limited to the type of exhibition stand you can fit into a shell scheme. However, you will have complete freedom to brand the stand to however you see fit. The best way to make your exhibition stand look unique is by making the most of the graphics. You can either attach graphics directly to the walls or create a more eye-catching stand using a portable led display stand such as Whitebox to add creativity to the space.
This type of stand is mainly recommended to those that have smaller budget, as a shell scheme can offer a box-style stand design, to fit in limited spaces.
Space-only stands
When exploring space-only stands, you may want to review island spaces vs non-island spaces. An island space has no stand adjacent to your stand, whereas a non-island space consists of a back wall (usually with a 1, 2 or 3 side open).
Space-only stands consist of an empty space, on the floor. The area of your stand is usually marked out with tape or chalk. There is no pre-existing structure in place, unlike with a shell scheme stand. It is then up to you to create and execute the structure as you will need to build/supply your own flooring, lighting and power to the stand. This will need to be considered as part of the exhibition stand design and build.
Space-only stands are usually the most impactful choice, as you can build and design the stand yourself, completely tailored to your needs. If you do opt for a bespoke stand, these are usually more expensive due to their customisation and premium materials. If your goal is to change your brand positioning or launch a new brand, this stand is a good option to demonstrate your creativity and why you are different to the rest of the market. The space-only stand is a great option to showcase anything new or unique as you can bring it to life with the stand.
It’s no surprise that the space-only stands offers the most creative freedom. With the space to create any shape or design, you are able to create a stand that is truly bespoke and unique.
We’ve collated the pros and cons for each option to help you make your decision
| Shell scheme stand | Space only stands |
| Pros | Less time and planning involved due to not designing the stand | Design and creative freedom to create your own shapes |
| Simple and very time-effective display system. Since the structure is pre-built, exhibitors don’t need to worry about construction or assembly | Offers great storage capabilities in between events |
| Cheap and cheerful solution | You can use a modular system |
| Replacement for whitebox – perfect for portable whitebox display | Can be a sustainable option that can be recycled and reused, thus reducing exhibition stand transportation costs |
| Cons | Difficult to stand out against competition | More expensive compared to shell scheme |
| You are limited to the type of stand you can fit into the space | |
| Unless you have a good position in the exhibition hall, it’s difficult to attract visitors | |
Ultimately, whatever stand design you choose, it’s always good to consider your goals as this will help you to decide what type of stand is best suited to your business. You can then make an informed decision based on your budget and resource.
At Skyline Whitespace, our creative team can help bring your vision to life with space only options to ensure you stand out against exhibitors. Whether you are focussing on sustainability, reusability, or prefer a flexible option, we provide a stress-free experience by collaborating with you to help realise your exhibition goals. We do this in-house, at our London office.