If you’re looking to break into the UK market, exhibiting at a trade show is a smart move.
The UK is home to some of the largest and busiest trade shows in Europe, attracting thousands of international visitors each year. London’s ExCeL and Olympia, Birmingham’s NEC and ICC, Manchester Central, and the SEC in Glasgow are just a few of the well-known venues that host global events across a wide range of sectors.
But if you’re coming from outside the UK, there are a few key differences to be aware of. This guide covers what to expect when exhibiting in the UK, and how to prepare for a smooth and successful show.
Booth or stand?
Let’s clear this one up first. In the UK, what you might call a booth is referred to as an exhibition stand. The terminology might vary, but the process of exhibiting is much the same.
You’ll usually have two options: shell scheme or space-only.
Shell scheme booth
A shell scheme stand includes the basics. You get pre-built walls, flooring, lighting and power. Most also come with a fascia board displaying your company name. You can attach custom graphic panels to the walls and add hired furniture or displays. Shell schemes tend to be located around the perimeter of the exhibition hall and along the aisles. They’re a popular choice for exhibitors who want a straightforward setup without the need for custom construction.
Space-only booth
Space-only is just that: a bare patch of floor. This option gives you total design freedom. You’ll need to arrange everything, from walls and flooring to lighting and furniture. But the benefit is that you can create a completely bespoke booth that showcases your brand exactly how you want. Larger space-only stands can even include upper floors, presentation areas, demo zones or hospitality spaces if the venue allows it.
As Motive’s Creative Director, Dave Hennessy, explains:
“Exhibiting in the UK is a great way to get your brand out there. But if you’re coming from overseas, be warned. It’s not as simple as turning up with a booth and a smile. There’s the terminology, the paperwork, and the power sockets that don’t work with anything you’ve packed. The good news? We’ve helped plenty of international clients make it work without the stress.
We can sort your stand, your graphics, the RAMS forms, and yes, even the dreaded adaptors. If you’re not sure where to start or just want someone who gets stuff done without the faff, give us a shout. We’ll handle the boring bits so you can focus on making it count.”
Planning to exhibit in the UK? Here’s what to budget for
Costs vary depending on the venue, the event, and the size of your stand. Here are some general figures to help you plan:
- Stand space can range from £250 to £1,200 per square metre
- A basic custom-built stand will usually start from around £4,000
Unlike in the US, there are no union labour rules or drayage charges in the UK. That means you can build the stand yourself or hire a contractor to take care of it for you. Just be aware that accommodation and transport can be expensive near the venue, so it’s worth weighing up the time and cost of doing the setup yourself.
If you need brochures, giveaways, or product displays arranged, many UK-based contractors can organise these and have them delivered to your stand in advance.
Power, lighting and equipment
Power and water must be booked in advance with the show organiser. You’ll need to calculate how much power your booth will require for screens, lighting, AV or catering equipment. Work with us and we can help with this during the design stage.
UK power sockets are different to those in many other countries. You’ll need a three-pin adaptor, and if you’re bringing equipment from the US, Europe or Middle East, a transformer may also be necessary. The UK runs on 220V/50Hz power, compared to 110V/60Hz in the US.
If you’re driving or hiring vehicles, parking will incur an additional cost. Larger venues like the NEC or ExCeL can be busy with multiple shows running at the same time, so it’s worth checking ahead to make sure you park in the right place. Some venues, like Manchester Central, have limited parking on-site.
If you’re delivering and building your own stand, you’ll need to book an unloading slot with the venue. Venues won’t offer porters or pump trucks, so factor that into your logistics planning to get your booth from vehicle to booth space.
Staying in the UK
Accommodation around major venues is usually plentiful, but it does get booked up quickly for big events. Booking early can save you time and stress. For venues like ExCeL London or NEC Birmingham, which are a little way from the city centre, it’s often more convenient to stay onsite rather than commuting.
AMEX isn’t widely accepted in the UK, so make sure you’ve got a Visa or Mastercard as a backup.
Trade shows often include formal networking sessions, but a lot of the real connections happen in the evenings, in venue bars or nearby restaurants. Staying nearby will give you the best chance to take part in these informal opportunities.
Health and safety requirements
Health and safety compliance is taken seriously at UK exhibitions. Every exhibitor is required to complete a Risk Assessment Method Statement (RAMS), even for shell scheme booth. You’ll also need to have your booth plans approved by the organiser and register any vehicles involved in the setup.
If you work with us, we can handle this paperwork for you. If you’re managing your own build, make sure you’re familiar with what’s required. Venues will carry out inspections and may halt your build if anything doesn’t meet the safety standards.
Planning to hang lighting rigs or large structures? These will be inspected more closely, and may require additional approval or documentation.
What to wear
Exhibitions in the UK are generally business casual. There’s no need for formal dress, but you’ll want to look professional. The weather can be unpredictable, even in summer, and halls can be chilly during setup, so layers are a good idea. Comfortable shoes are a must, especially if you’ll be standing all day.
If you’re onsite before the show opens or after it closes, you’ll be required to wear a high-vis vest. These can usually be bought onsite, but we will provide them free of charge if you ask in advance.
Exhibition terms decoded
Non-UK Term
|
Tradeshow |
|
Booth |
|
Pipe and drape |
|
Back-loader truck |
|
Decorator/installer |
|
Rental booth |
UK Equivalent
|
Exhibition |
|
Stand |
|
Shell scheme |
|
Low-loader lorry |
|
Exhibition stand contractor |
|
Stand hire |
Danfoss – engineering sustainable energy solutions
When Danfoss exhibited with us, their challenge was how to present complex systems to a broad audience without overwhelming them. We designed a stand that broke down their technology into easy to understand visuals and interactive displays. The result? Visitors were drawn in, conversations flowed naturally, and the stand became a hub for meaningful engagement.
“The team at Motive creates fantastic stands for us and raises the bar every time. We took 20 colleagues to Data Centre World where Motive’s amazing stand really helped us engage with our current audience and attract future customers too. “
Gareth Ash, Danfoss
Exhibiting in the UK: Venue guides
Exhibiting in the UK is a brilliant way to boost your international profile and connect with the right people. Get the prep right, understand how UK shows tick, and you’ll be in a great position to make a real impact and open doors for your business.
If you’re not sure where to start, or you want to avoid the stress of managing logistics from overseas, partnering with a UK-based exhibition contractor can help everything run more smoothly.
For more information, check out our exhibition venue guides for London, Birmingham and Manchester. If you’d like a free design visual for your exhibition booth, contact our design team.
EIVA – offshore and shallow water construction and surveying
Eiva needed an exhibition stand that blended open space for presentations with tools to showcase their technology. We crafted a layout that encouraged interaction and discussion, allowing their sales team to focus on connecting with visitors while the stand worked to communicate the technical details. Their stand wasn’t just a display; it became a space for conversation and collaboration.
Eiva needed an exhibition stand that blended open space for presentations with tools to showcase their technology. We crafted a layout that encouraged interaction and discussion, allowing their sales team to focus on connecting with visitors while the stand worked to communicate the technical details. Their stand wasn’t just a display; it became a space for conversation and collaboration.
“Motive created a fantastic stand for us at Ocean Business, creating an open space that we could host specific presentations and talks from. Our stand was packed and our sales team were able to have constructive and meaningful conversations with prospects on the day. We were so impressed with the thought that had gone into the stand. It really paid off for us.”
Marketing Manager, Eiva
Let’s make your UK exhibition booth unforgettable
Ready to transform your exhibition experience?
- Book a consultation and tell us your ideas.
- Explore our case studies and get inspired by what’s possible.
- Visit our exhibition stand hire page to learn more about our services.
David Hennessy
Dave Hennessy is Motive’s MD and co-founder, a straight-talking problem solver with years of experience, a head full of ideas, and a knack for making exhibition stand projects fun, focused and stress-free.
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Motive Exhibitions, 3 Orion Court, Ambuscade Road, Colmworth Business Park, Eaton Socon, St. Neots, PE19 8YX
