It’s 2022, and more and more companies are opening to the public and want to generate interest and increase sales. Tradeshows are a great way to reconnect with the potential customers and other vendors while displaying your products and services. Are you and your company ready for your upcoming trade show? Do you have your custom booth ordered including your signs?  Hopefully you considered your visitors and where they will sit, stand, and move around your booth. Equally important is making sure that the items you purchased are not prohibited by the trade show convention center. For example, a booth over 12’ tall likely won’t be allowed to enter the building. Or there may be a rule about where you can deliver your well thought out sales pitch. Your exhibitor manual will list specific rules and details about the venue, but here is a general list of the most common trade show booth regulations and rules so you can make sure that your exhibit is compliant before the day of your trade show. Booth Types:

• Standard - The most common style of trade show booth, the linear booth, is 10’ x 10’ and has other booths connected to its back and sides
• Perimeter - Same makeup as a standard booth, also 10’ x 10’ - but shares two side walls with other booths and its back is up against a wall
• Peninsula - Any booth sized 20’ x 20’or larger with aisles on three sides
• Island - Any booth sized 20’ x 20’ or larger and is surrounded by aisles on all sides

Here are the six most common show booth design rules:

1. Height Restrictions

• Standard Booth - For your standard 10' x 10' booth, the height of the display is restricted to 8' height on the back and sides of the booth. From the front of the booth to 5' back, the walls can be no higher than 4'.
• Perimeter - For a perimeter booth, height is restricted to 12' height on the back and sides of the booth. From the front of the booth to 5' back, the walls can be no higher than 4'.
• Peninsula Booth - For a peninsula booth, the height requirements vary depending on the location and what types of exhibits are around you. It's best to check with the venue for exact measurements.
• Island Booth – Since island booths are typically the biggest, it's best to check with the venue on exact measurements.

2. ADA Requirements

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires all exhibits to be equally accessible to attendees with disabilities.

• Trade show booths must be equally accessible to all persons, providing the exact same experience/access to all.
• Booths must provide ramps if the booth features a raised floor.
• Exhibitors can be fined for non-compliance.

3. Stay Within 10' x 10'

• Cannot place displays outside of the 10' x 10' area of the exhibit booth — this includes hanging signs.
• Cannot engage in marketing activities outside of the booth area
  • No "guerilla" style marketing — which is an innovative, unconventional technique aimed at obtaining maximum exposure for a product usually at a low cost to the company.

4. Don't Obstruct Sight Lines

• Displays taller than 4' are not permitted in the front half of the booth.
• Cannot obstruct sight lines to any other booth. This includes signage, hanging posters, and lighting.

5. Lights & Electrical

• Check your exhibitor manual for exact specifications of what is/is not allowed.
• Secure electrical cords to the floor with tape.
• Lights cannot extend out of boundaries of the booth space.
• Spotlights must be directed towards the inside of the booth.
• Lighting cannot be obnoxious or distracting from other exhibits or the general atmosphere of the event venue.

Whether or not you intend to do it yourself, you can always count on our dedicated team to attend to all your modular trade show displays, booths, table covers, banners and exhibits needs. From captivating displays to tables and accessories, we have them all. For your company's trade show needs in the Sacramento region, call us at 4Directions Signs and Graphics for a quote.