Are you considering a Double Decker exhibit for an upcoming trade show? While double decks are impressive, you are likely wondering if they are a good investment.
Short answer: They can be. Even as these two-story booths appear to have higher costs, they also offer substantial benefits that can make them a good choice for certain exhibitors. And in some instances, the costs can be lower than other alternatives.
A double-decker is available in many prefabricated configurations (from 10×12 to 20×80) and can be branded to reflect your messaging. Other exhibit properties can be designed around it, or in a smaller island space, the double-deck can be your exhibit.
Here’s an overview of the main pros and cons of a double-decker exhibit:
Double Deck Exhibit Pros:
- Host your confidential meeting, product launch, hospitality, and demo space away from other attendees and competitors’ prying eyes.
- Provides more impressive impact, with a monumental exhibit seen from a distance that also can’t be seen through, eliminating distraction from neighboring exhibitor messaging and focusing attendees on your brand.
- Makes upstairs guests feel like true VIPs.
- Overall cost per square foot of useable space may be lower than using a larger, floor-level booth space, if the show’s cost per square foot is high enough.
- If a show doesn’t have a large enough booth space for your needs, it can give you more useable space from a smaller island exhibit.
- Available in prefabricated kits that are easy to design around and/or brand.
Double Deck Exhibit Cons:
- Cost may be higher than the savings of filling a larger booth space with a larger exhibit, depending on the show’s cost per square foot.
- Requires special permits, certifications and insurance.
- Safety requirements: Depending on the show location and the footprint, your double deck may require:
- Certified weight capacity to handle expected load.
- Limited height, depending on the hall ceiling height.
- A second stairway for larger double decks.
- Smoke detectors, sprinklers, fire extinguishers or fire suppression.
- Availability: Must plan further in advance to ensure you can secure and configure a double deck for your exhibit.
How Double Decks Fill Your Entire Exhibit Cubic Space for Greater Impact
The most advantageous benefit to an island exhibit space is that you gain more cubic square feet to showcase your brand. You can build higher, rig from the ceiling, and ultimately, have a larger presence – but only if you take advantage of filling that cubic space. And you very well may want to create that monumental impact, depending on how important the show is to your overall trade show program, the target audience potential, and of course, your budget.
Let’s look at a few exhibits to help you visualize the varied impact possible within an island exhibit.
Check out this example of an “open” island booth layout. Do you see how many other brands are visible when you look at the totality of the exhibit space?
Here is another example, but the exhibit design uses much more cubic square feet of exhibit space.
When you look at these two examples, the second obviously creates more visual impact. What can also create similar monumental visual impact? A double-deck exhibit, of course. Let’s look deeper at a specific example.
Inmar Intelligence used a double deck as the centerpiece of their 20×20 exhibit at GroceryShop 2025.
- Inmar had purchased a double deck pre-COVID, then decided in 2025 to use it again to align with their creative strategy for the show and their desire to create new ways of interacting with their booth visitors.
- The second-story conference room was so noteworthy that in Inmar’s at-show interview with industry media and their own post-show communications, Inmar highlighted their “strategic meetings in their rooftop conference room.”
- The double deck added about 150 square feet of extra usable space on the second story to the 400 square foot 20×20 exhibit, gaining them 37% more total space (150/400=37%).
- Inmar avoided renting offsite meeting space and enjoyed the convenience of having private conversations right on the show floor.
The double deck exhibit creates a can’t-miss impression, with branding and marketing messages wrapped around and above it.
Under and next to their double deck, Inmar continued their recent strategy of creating more friendly vignette environments that welcome attendees and invite them to engage with their brand longer.
The second story of this exhibit provides an elevated conference room for VIP meetings and hospitality. Notice how the inside of the hanging sign is also branded with supporting marketing messages.
Inmar’s double deck exhibit provided a next-level experience for strengthening relationships and closing deals in client, prospect, and partner meetings.
Inmar also created a comfortable, welcoming meeting space under their double deck at GroceryShop 2025.
Do I need a Permit for my Double Deck Exhibit?
Yes, so it’s important to do your research way ahead of your event date so you can plan accordingly.
Similar to when you rig from the ceiling at the venue, when integrating a double-deck you do need to review the rules and regulations of the trade show you are planning on exhibiting at, and submit the necessary structural, fire safety (sprinklers/detectors) and often local building/city permits (engineering stamps, drawings) for a double-decker booth.
Your exhibit partner can help to provide this information and get it submitted in a timely manner. You do need to ensure if there is a minimum footprint (e.g., 20×20 ft) or if the show requires booths over 400 square feet for multi-level structures.
Recently, the LVCC (Las Vegas Convention Center) now requires a Nevada-specific engineering stamp on any double deck structure. This requirement supersedes any allowances issued by any of the general contractors, who may issue other guidance.
Why Rent a Double Deck Exhibit?
Rental exhibits allow more functional flexibility from year to year. Usually, three rentals within one calendar year equal a purchase, so if you plan to use a double-decker for one show, then rental would be the most cost effective. In addition, when you rent, you do not have to store it, depreciate it, or invest to maintain it between shows.
So, are Double Deck Exhibits Worth the Investment?
- If you want to take the most advantage of the cubic exhibit space you have purchased, have a need for a meeting area that perhaps you don’t have room for on the floor, and if you want to elevate your presence and VIP meeting experience, then yes, they are worth it.
- Double deck exhibits help offset costs of a larger booth space (booth space rental, larger footprint exhibit purchase or rental, shipping, installation, and material handling), so they are not necessarily as expensive as they initially seem.
- If you compare the cost of an off-the-show-floor meeting space versus the investment of a double deck, that may also offset the double deck cost. Plus, you may have greater success scheduling to meet with a booth visitor on the show floor versus off.
Whether you are committed to a double deck for your upcoming show, or want to explore other exhibit design options, contact us at Holt Experiential. We’ll help bring your story to life and make your trade show program smoother and more successful.
About the Author
Valerie Muñoz, CTSM
Muñoz, a Diamond-Level Certified Trade Show Marketer, is a Senior Exhibit Consultant at Holt Experiential with 30+ years of experience in the trade show industry. She partners with clients to design and deliver unique exhibits, while managing the details to ensure a seamless experience. Based in Cleveland, OH, Valerie holds a degree in marketing from the University of Phoenix. She believes strong relationships are the key to success and is passionate about giving back to the industry that shaped her career.