The perfect trade fair counter - the most important features

When designing an exhibition counter, I look at what my customer needs. What size is required and what does my customer want to do with this counter? Is it a reception counter at the trade fair or a communication counter with a terminal station? There is a basic principle for counters at trade fairs: “Function dictates form”. We have often found that the most beautiful designs are not exactly long-lasting, as they are usually too large, too heavy and too unwieldy.

The perfect size for a trade fair counter

It makes sense to plan counters in pallet sizes. A counter with a width of 1m therefore has an optimum size = 1 pallet (pallet dimension = 1200 x 800 x 120mm) and if you need a larger counter, you can use a long pallet here
(pallet dimensions = 2400 x 800 x 120mm). However, it should be noted that a 2m exhibition counter will again be too heavy to maneuver. I can plan one-meter counters on a modular basis so that several elements of the same design make a large counter.

Practical storage tip:
As we store our customers' exhibition counters in our service hub, it also makes sense not to plan beyond the pallet dimensions, as we do not want to take up unnecessary storage space in the interests of the customer.

Height of the trade fair counter:
From an ergonomic point of view, a counter height of 1100mm in the hospitality and bar area on the visitor side is the ideal height. The working height of a trade fair counter, also known as the kitchen working height, is ideally between 890mm and 930mm on the exhibitor side for consultants, caterers and/or the reception area. These overall specifications therefore determine the shape of the counter.

The logistical challenges of a trade fair counter

As the counters have high investment costs, they should be planned so that they can be used several times at trade fairs. It makes economic sense to plan a packaging crate on a pallet for each individual element. We have often found that trade fair counters without packaging boxes have half the service life of those that are transported in packaging boxes. A collection of counters is therefore also easier to maneuver and with the same packaging units for the exhibition counters, the logistics in the truck are more efficient.

Tip: The height of a truck must always be taken into account here.

Transporting oversized trade fair counters

I once planned an 8m long modular trade fair counter with uniform packaging boxes. All elements could be shipped in one transport, as the packaging boxes for the counters were designed to be stackable.

Recessed handles for an exhibition counter

Ideally, trade fair counters are planned directly with recessed grips, which look good and make it much easier to carry and maneuver the counter. We have often seen that the counters quickly get corners and dents and thus become unusable, which is annoying considering the high investment costs. We like to call the trade fair counter the business card of the trade fair exhibitor, especially in the case of a reception counter.

Trade fair counter - important storage space behind doors

When it comes to width/depth, we also pay attention to function. The question here is: What does the customer need? Does he need the counter for brochures, printers, PCs, etc.? This determines the internal dimensions. It makes sense to plan the counters with doors. There are several door variants here.

Trade fair counter with hinged doors

The advantage is that the inner body or cabinet of a counter can be opened completely and each door can be locked individually.

The disadvantage is that the doors of the trade fair counter swing open in front of the body. The customer can get caught on them. The doors can then tear out quickly. The maximum door width must therefore be observed here, which makes access to the stored material much more difficult. A planning disadvantage is that the doors turn out over the feet, so the plinth must be planned higher.

Exhibition counters with sliding doors

The advantage is that larger doors can be planned and there is no need to pay attention to the aspect ratio.

The disadvantage is that only two elements can be locked with a push lock. The interior carcass loses at least 50 mm due to the sliding doors and the center sides and shelves must be planned to be recessed.

The plinth height of an exhibition counter

If I am planning a counter with hinged doors, the plinth height must be at least 80 mm so that the customer can turn and open the doors beyond their feet. This raises the question of whether only feet or plinth adjusters are planned.

Plinth adjusters for exhibition counters:

For large exhibition counters or counters that are combined with each other so that I get a larger area, I need plinth adjusters to align the entire counter element in the balance. It is important to ensure that the base adjusters are extremely stable. When moving the counter, it can easily happen that the high plinth adjusters quickly break off.

Die Füße einer Theke auf der MesseThe feet of a counter at the trade fair

These can basically be simple squared timbers or individual small plates (runners). These are perfectly adequate for 1m counters, because the smaller the base area, the less the height of the trade fair counter needs to be balanced.

The base of an exhibition counter - basic considerations

Height-adjustable plinth feet are perfect for leveling the counter. However, space is lost in the height due to their use. My experience has shown me that it makes more sense to use less plinth height and to use the plinth adjusters, which usually have an installation depth of 5 cm.

Counter carcass - the inner values of an exhibition counter

The base of the inner carcase requires a cable aperture in each compartment. The power points are planned and laid in the exhibition floor. Before the counter can be installed, the end of a safety plug cable (Schuko cable for short) must be fed through the cable aperture and then the counter can be finally positioned. A 3, 4 or 6-socket outlet can then be installed in the counter body.

The shelves must be provided with a cut-out and the counter top must again be planned with a cable aperture. This allows the cabling to be laid right up to the counter top. Electronic devices such as a PC, printer, charging cable etc. can be connected without any problems. The power supply is clean and accurate at the top of the counter. Cell phone, laptop, terminal, tablet or coffee machine can be connected easily and conveniently.

Striking trade fair counters as eye-catchers

Based on these specifications, I can play with the shapes and creatively plan an eye-catching trade fair counter. With an eye-catcher, I can play with the materiality of the counter. Plexiglas, wood, wood decor, PVC or metal: each material has a different effect.

A logo with LED backlighting, a Plexiglas surface or even a trade fair counter with a glass front are also possible. Self-printed and backlit textiles can have an enormous impact on the entire stand. There are no limits to creativity when planning trade fair counters.