When you book your exhibition slot, the organiser will usually offer you shell scheme or space only options. Shell schemes can seem like a baffling concept to the uninitiated, so this week we’ll take you through the basics so that you can decide whether a shell scheme is right for you.
What? With a shell scheme, the stand itself is already erected, so you just need to decorate the area provided. With space only, you are simply allocated a portion of floor, meaning that you must provide everything (dividers, stands, tables, etc) yourself.
Why? The shell scheme option tends to be the cheapest of the two. The benefit of opting for a shell scheme is that things like your stand walls, flooring and lighting are already in place, so you don’t need to worry about transporting or setting up these aspects. The negative side is that your stand starts off looking exactly like everyone else’s – but with a little customisation, that needn’t be the case for long!
How? Although a shell scheme stand starts off looking generic, there are many ways in which you can customise the space, without having to spend a fortune. Generally your stand walls will be plain panels, so these can be customised with posters, banners, etc., meaning that you can effectively ‘brand’ the space, making it your own. Pop up stands are also great for brightening up the space and communicating your message, without taking up too much floor space, and in addition they are very easy to set up.
Whether you go for a shell scheme or space only slot, you should always check with the show organisers with regards to aspects such as the power sockets that will be accessible from your stand, the wi-fi / broadband availability, and so on. This way there won’t be any nasty surprises on the day!
