Every great show starts with a modest stand. For first-time exhibitors, that stand is usually a shell scheme booth.
It doesn’t sound glamorous. The name itself is a bit apologetic - “shell” suggests emptiness, “scheme” suggests bureaucracy. Yet shell scheme is the scaffolding on which entire industries grow. It is the gateway that lets ambitious start-ups step onto the show floor without bankrupting themselves.
Handled well, it’s not a compromise. It’s a launchpad.
The first rung on the ladder
Every market needs a way in, and an exhibiting booth made from a shell scheme is that way. It lowers the barrier, letting exhibitors test a show without gambling the marketing budget for the year.
For organisers, this matters. A healthy shell scheme offering means more exhibitors, more content, more diversity - and ultimately, a livelier event.
Pro tip: Don’t relegate shell scheme exhibitors to the back corners. Position them where footfall flows. Their success becomes your success – GES can help you plan this.
➡️ Did you know? We build modular, professional shell scheme booths that give even the smallest exhibitor a polished presence.
From generic to premium
Booths made from shell scheme system, or kit, used to be one-size-fits-all: white walls, grey carpet, one lonely socket. It worked, technically. But in a world of Instagram stories and sponsor selfies, “technically” isn’t enough.
Modern shell schemes can be flexible, branded, and even upgraded into premium packages, like our AMP offering. Exhibitors don’t just want a box; they want a stage that makes them look credible.
Pro tip: Offer tiered packages. A baseline option for the cautious, premium upgrades for the ambitious. The upsell pays for itself.
➡️ Did you know? Our AMP shell scheme booths give organisers an avenue to pursue greater exhibitor spend. Exhibitors get a more marketable stand with less complexity, you get a show floor that looks great and generates more revenue.
Consistency breeds confidence
Visitors don’t consciously analyse shell scheme booths. But they do notice when the hall looks coherent versus chaotic. A consistent design language makes the event feel curated. It reassures them this isn’t a jumble sale, it’s an industry showcase.
Consistency is not restrictive. It’s the frame that makes diversity shine.
Pro tip: Use a consistent palette of graphics, carpet, and fittings. It ties the hall together and makes sponsors feel they’re part of something bigger.
➡️ Did you know? GES’ shell scheme packages can be deployed at scale across an entire show, keeping consistency en masse while giving exhibitors choice.
Sustainability is now table stakes
Disposable stand builds are on borrowed time. Exhibitors, visitors, and regulators expect better. Reusable panels, recyclable flooring, modular lighting - these aren’t nice-to-haves anymore.
Shell scheme booths are a chance to lead. When hundreds of exhibitors use the same sustainable system, the impact is multiplied.
Pro tip: Promote the sustainability credentials of your shell scheme booths in exhibitor marketing. It helps them justify the spend internally.
➡️ Did you know? Our shell scheme booths use reusable, recyclable materials, designed for multiple lifecycles after a long service life at events.
Shell scheme booths may not headline your press release. But it’s the quiet foundation of every thriving show.
It welcomes new exhibitors, drives organiser revenue, ensures consistency, and sets the tone for sustainability.
👉 If you want shell scheme exhibitor booths that act as launchpads, not compromises, talk to us.