Exhibits · Practical guide
Clear height, obstructions and screen placement in your booth
A screen may fit the booth width and still conflict with a column, entrance or view from the aisle. A plan and elevation with clear references help compare locations before committing to an AV configuration.
Record three heights that answer different questions
Room height describes the venue. Local clear height accounts for what sits below the ceiling at the booth location: beams, lights, sprinklers, ducts and temporary elements. Permitted height comes from the show's rules and the conditions applicable to the project. Keep each value with its reference level, document and date.
In elevation, show venue floor, finished level if there is a raised floor, bottom and top of the assembly, and known obstructions. Ceiling height alone does not establish the space you may occupy. Ask the venue and organizer for applicable clearances; do not fill in a sprinkler or lighting clearance with a generic number.
If the documentation is incomplete, a preliminary option can change location or use a smaller envelope. Review those alternatives with the installation team; a floor-supported system also needs an appropriate support design and a review of site conditions.
| Reference | What to record | Who can provide it |
|---|---|---|
| Room | Height and reference level | Current venue drawing |
| Booth location | Lowest element and position | Venue and documented survey |
| Show | Height limits and zones | Organizer for that edition |
| Assembly | Proposed envelope and support | System supplier and designer |
Locate every obstruction from the same origin
Choose an identifiable origin in the booth and show two locating dimensions from that origin to locate each column or obstruction. Include its envelope rather than a center point alone. Record its drawing ID, available dimensions and whether they come from a document, survey or estimate.
For a service panel, cabinet or door, distinguish its physical footprint from the room needed to open, use or service it. Ask the responsible person to confirm that space and mark it as a clear area on the plan. This keeps equipment and storage out of the access zone.
If an obstruction is unconfirmed, show it on an identified layer and compare the layout with and without that interference. Record which equipment position or envelope would change so the missing information leads to a useful decision.
Compare occupied space and views from the aisles
On the plan, identify open sides, proposed entrances, the route into the booth and areas that must stay clear under the applicable plan. Sketch several views from the aisles to spot where a wall, screen or counter blocks another area. This is a concept placement review; circulation and accessibility requirements are reviewed for the actual jurisdiction and show.
Read that edition's regulations before choosing a side wall height. SEMA Show 2026 and the online IAAPA Expo guide illustrate show-specific rules by configuration. IAEE references do not automatically apply at every exhibition. Retain the link and section applicable to your space, together with organizer responses.
If a side screen closes off too much of an entrance or conflicts with a required sightline, compare a back location, a different orientation or a smaller image area. Keep the image objective consistent so the comparison shows each option's benefits and open questions.
Back or side screen: compare the intended viewpoints
A back screen can face visitors entering the booth. A side screen can face a selected aisle or demonstration area. Mark where visitors approach and what content they need to see from each position to compare the options.
Draw the visible face together with total depth, support footprint and the selected solution’s service access. Allow room for viewers inside the booth while keeping the aisle clear. The video team can then review the model, pixel pitch, content legibility and viewing distances.
Compare two versions of the same plan using identical boundaries and obstructions. Label orientation, assembly envelope, available area and open questions on each one. That way, moving a screen does not conceal a difference in size or support between options.
| Concept option | What to compare | Information that may change it |
|---|---|---|
| Back | View into the booth and space in front | Obstructions and access behind the assembly |
| Side | View from the selected aisle and booth entry | Neighbor sightlines and support envelope |
| Corner | Two image faces and the transition | Exact integration geometry and system |
Dimension the complete corner or fascia integration
For a corner LED display, identify the proposed angle, each face's length and height, the transition between faces and the support envelope. State whether dimensions refer to the visible face, outside edge or system centerline. Corner compatibility depends on the actual solution; two rectangles touching in a rendering do not establish it.
For a video fascia, record length, height, depth, visible faces, bottom and top elevations above the reference floor, and position in the booth. Fascia describes a visual arrangement; it does not specify support or establish that ceiling suspension is permitted. The venue and responsible professionals review that scope using the assembly documentation.
The related case shows a vertical LED totem and a horizontal video fascia installed by Eventos Globales. Use it as a visual reference for the format. Adapting it to your booth requires dimensions, a support system and event-specific conditions; those details cannot be established from the photos.
Frequently asked questions
What if I only know the room's overall height?
Keep it with its source and request local clear height at the actual booth and the organizer's limit. We can compare preliminary locations while those details are confirmed.
Can I use a column as a support?
A column's presence does not authorize an attachment. Record its position for layout planning and consult the venue and system team about applicable conditions without modifying it.
Is a higher screen always easier to see?
That depends on viewpoints, content, obstructions and show rules. Sketch the views and compare alternatives; the video team will review the solution with your intended content.
Can the published fascia example be repeated at my show?
We can review a configuration using that format. The next steps are to define dimensions and support, then check compatibility, show rules and required approvals. Send a sketch or visual reference to start.