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If traditional island trade show displays just don’t pack enough punch or you need more room than your convention space allows, a multi-level trade show exhibit may be just the solution you’re looking for.

Featuring upstairs space ideal for a small conference room or lounge for entertaining clients, multi-level trade show displays offer a level of prestige and privacy rarely seen on the trade show floor. And while these one-of-a-kind displays are more expensive than a standard portable trade show exhibit, they also offer several advantages. Read on to learn more about this type of trade show displays.

Who should consider double-decker trade show displays?

Multi-level displays represent a significant investment-and significant rewards for the right company. If the following advantages would benefit your organization, a double-decker display may be right for you:

• Increased square footage provides additional space.
• High-impact look adds prestige and builds your brand image.
• Controlled access to second-level rooms creates privacy, allowing for exclusive, preferential treatment of clients or VIPs.
• Added visibility and sheer size put your brand and marketing message in center stage, creating a memorable, buzz-worthy view from the aisles.
• Custom double-deck booths are scalable and can be modified into 10×10 custom portable displays or 10×20 portable trade show exhibits for versatility.

In short, if you want to attract attention and make a statement in your industry-and need additional space and privacy as well – a multi-level trade show display may be right for you.

What should I consider before buying a multi-level booth?

Before investing in a double-decker display, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your trade show exhibit company to talk about your needs and goals and determine whether a multi-level booth can help you meet them. Some considerations to keep in mind include:

• Overall cost, including not just the purchase price, but fees for transportation, material handling, installation fees, maintenance and storage.
• The time necessary to install a double-decker booth, as well as additional requirements at shows, such as fire codes.
• More management time for on-site fire checks, in addition to costs for fire extinguishers and detectors.
• Additional electrical to power second-floor equipment. Care must also be taken in designing the electrical plan in order to run (and hide) wires through posts and ceiling.

To help minimize these time-intensive and costly considerations, we recommend you use standard shapes and styles in your multi-level booth, as opposed to a completely custom booth without standard dimensions. This will help avoid difficulties and delays.

What do I need to know about double-decker trade show exhibits?

Featuring stairs, beams, flooring, lighting and more, multi-level trade show exhibits require additional safety and space considerations. Before you purchase a double-decker booth, keep the following items in mind:

• Check show guidelines and local fire codes to ensure they allow for “multi-level structures.”
• Ask whether the ceiling height of the convention hall will fit a standard double deck, which is usually 16 to 18 feet high.
• Be aware of city-mandated fire regulations, which may require smoke detectors, sprinklers, fire extinguishers, and/or 24-hour fire protection agents.
• Before the show, be aware that a fire marshal must approve your engineered drawings.
• Check on occupancy limits mandated by city or fire regulations. For example, the second level on a 20×20 island trade show display usually has a maximum capacity of nine to 12.

Multi-level trade show exhibits are a great option for companies looking to make a big splash at industry events. At E&E Exhibits Solutions, we can help you decide whether they’re right for you-and design your custom portable display from the ground up.

Daniel Chaddock is President and CEO of E&E Exhibit Solutions, a one-stop trade show display company founded in 1995. With expertise in portable and modular displays, E&E Exhibit Solutions’ team members are professionals, consultants and experts in everything trade show, providing complete solutions for trade show exhibits, events and environments.