How do I estimate my booth’s electrical power needs?

Start with 1,000 watts = 10 amps. List every electrical item, note its location and voltage, total the wattage per area, and round up. Plan for at least 5 amps per device and order separate outlets for each.

What voltages are commonly used at trade shows?

Most devices use 110/120 volts. Some machinery may require 208 or 480 volts—check each product label and order the appropriate service.

What should an electrical floor plan include?

Include booth orientation and scale, the Main Drop Location (where power enters your booth), and all distribution points with exact measurements. You can request additional drops to avoid cords crossing the space—these add cost and should be confirmed with the venue.

Who performs electrical work at the show?

Review union guidelines for what exhibitors can do versus what the official contractor must handle. Electrical work may be floor work (under flooring), booth work (during/after setup), or ceiling work (rigged lighting/overhead). Electricians should handle final connections.

What accessories should I bring to speed setup?

Pack power strips/surge protectors, extension cords, extra copies of your electrical diagram, spare light bulbs, and batteries.

What should I check on site before opening?

Compare the installed electrical against your floor plan. If something doesn’t match, contact the show electrician immediately to correct it before the show opens.

How do I qualify for discounted electrical rates at GES shows?

Submit everything before the deadline: Payment & Credit Card Authorization, your electrical outlet order, scheduled electrical labor (if needed), and the Booth Layout Form (PDF or CAD preferred). Missing items—like unreadable plans or missing Main Drop Location—will default to standard rates.

Exhibit Electrical Strategies for Powering Your Booth

written by

Christy Ricketts

Exhibit electrical planning might not be the flashiest part of your trade show strategy—but it’s one of the most critical. A single oversight in your electrical planning can lead to unexpected costs, delays, or even a booth that doesn’t function as intended.

To help you avoid those headaches, we’ve put together a practical guide to ensure your exhibit booth electrical setup runs smoothly, efficiently, and without surprises.

How to Power Your Exhibit Booth Like a Pro

1. Understanding Your Power Needs
Start with this simple equation:
1,000 watts = 10 amps

Most trade shows sell power in these units, so knowing your wattage needs is essential. Not sure how much power your devices require? Check the product label or search online. For example, a laptop typically uses around 65 watts.

Three-step checklist:

List all electrical items: lighting, monitors, laptops, AV gear, lead retrieval devices, etc.
Note their location and voltage: Most use 110/120 volts, but some machinery may need 208 or 480 volts.
Calculate total wattage per area: Order outlets that can handle the load, and always round up to avoid outages. Plan for at least 5 amps per device and order separate outlets for each.

2. Crafting an Electrical Floor Plan
Your floor plan is your blueprint for success. It should include:

Booth orientation and scale
Main Drop Location (MDL) – where power enters your booth
Power distribution points with exact measurements

Want to avoid cords running across your booth? Request additional drops—just keep in mind they come with extra costs. Always confirm your plan with the venue before the show.

3. Ordering Trade Show Booth Electrical Labor
Before placing your order, review the show’s union guidelines to understand what your team can do and what must be handled by the official contractor.

Types of electrical work:

Floor Work – power under flooring
Booth Work – connections during/after setup
Ceiling Work – rigged lighting or overhead installations

For safety and efficiency, let electricians handle final connections. As a rule of thumb, expect about three extension cords per hour of labor.

Packing for the Show: Electrical Accessories
Bringing your own accessories can save time and money. Here’s what to pack:

Power strips & surge protectors – More outlets + protection from voltage spikes
Extension cords – Various lengths for flexible setup
Extra copies of your electrical diagram – Just in case something gets lost
Spare light bulbs – Especially for custom lighting setups
Batteries – For wireless devices and backup power

On-Site Check-In
Once you arrive, compare your booth’s electrical setup to your floor plan. If anything’s off, contact the show electrician immediately to resolve issues before the show opens.

Are You Exhibiting a GES Show? Don't Miss Out on Discounts!
To qualify for discounted rates, make sure to submit the following before the deadline:

Completed Payment & Credit Card Authorization
Electrical outlet order
Scheduled electrical labor (if needed)
Booth Layout Form (PDF or CAD preferred)

Missing or incomplete items—like unreadable floor plans or missing MDL info—will result in standard rates, so double-check everything before submitting.

Focused on Exhibitor Success
Helping exhibitors succeed is our top priority. Download our Exhibitor Budget Worksheet and continue exploring the Exhibitor Roadmap for more planning tools and expert tips.

If you're exhibiting at a GES show, click here to find your show and explore:

GES Exhibit Flooring+ – Discount flooring packages
GES Exhibit Furnishings+ – Discount furniture packages
Exhibit Systems+ – Turnkey booth rentals with custom fabric graphics

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christy Ricketts

Christy Ricketts is the Vice President of Marketing for North American Exhibitions at GES and an experienced exhibitor. She currently serves on the IAEE DFW Chapter Board.

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