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How to Take Your Trade Show to the Next Level, Literally

In a sea of flat, forgettable exhibits, how do you stand out? We believe the answer is simple: go up.

Leveling up your exhibit game doesn’t have to involve risky investments. With the right structural upgrades, you can make a bold visual statement, boost engagement, and drive serious ROI.

Here are Highmark’s top strategies for exhibit booth design that turn heads and keep people talking. Let’s get elevated.

Take Your Trade Show to the Next Level—With the Next Level

All great things come in twos: bookends, ice cream scoops, and your next trade show exhibit.

If you’re not using a double deck trade show booth, you’re leaving space (and impact) on the table. Double deck exhibits are a game-changer when it comes to maximizing square footage and making a lasting impression.

What are the benefits of a double deck exhibit?

Enhanced Visibility: A two-story trade show booth gives you serious floor presence. The elevated structure grabs attention across the show floor, pulling people in.
More Space: A second-story trade show structure lets you expand without upsizing your booth space. Add private meeting rooms upstairs or double your product display area.
Stronger Engagement: A trade show booth with stairs invites exploration. With two levels, attendees spend more time immersed in your space, making stronger brand connections.

Our Favorite Multi-Level Solution: ExpoDeck

ExpoDeck is Highmark’s leading solution for a multi-level trade show exhibit. It’s modular, scalable, and engineered for speed and efficiency.

Whether you need a full-size upper deck or a compact second-story lounge, ExpoDeck’s modular two-story structures adapt to your goals. It’s lightweight, strong, and installs fast. Perfect for tight timelines and quick tear-downs.

Available for rent or purchase, ExpoDeck brings versatility, style, and serious wow-factor to any show.

Have an outdoor event? No problem. Our EventMAX event structure can be built with two stories.

Add Strategic Walls that Speak Your Brand’s Language

Not all upgrades need to reach new heights. Some work best as a backdrop.

Wall systems can be one of the most effective and overlooked features in modular double deck and single-story exhibits.

MAXwall gives your brand the flexibility to stand out with bold visuals, embedded lighting, and custom configurations. Straight or curved. Fabric, acrylic, or traditional panels. It’s all up to you.

Plus, thanks to its clean, neutral framing, MAXwall plays a supporting role without stealing the spotlight. It’s the secret for next-level storytelling and a polished, professional presence.

Bring Your Booth to Life with Event Activations

Participation trophies are great—for little league. At trade shows, just showing up doesn’t cut it. You need to stand out and engage. One of the fastest ways to do that? Interactive, unforgettable event activations.

Today’s attendees don’t want to be sold to; they want to be immersed. They crave experiences that feel personalized, engaging, and worth sharing. That’s why custom event structures with activations shine.

Here’s how event activations elevate your presence:

They draw a crowd: Whether it’s a product demo, VR tour, social media wall, or gamified challenge, interactive elements stop people in their tracks and encourage them to step inside.
They boost engagement: Attendees are more likely to stick around and engage when they can touch, see, or try something. That time spent translates into stronger brand recall and connection.
They tell your story: Great activations are brand storytelling tools. They help attendees feel what your company is all about.
They collect valuable data: Many activations can double as lead capture points. Want email signups, survey responses, or social engagement? Build it into the experience.

Want to really turn heads? Integrate an activation into one of our modular two-story structures. Use the top floor as a VIP lounge, meeting area, or exclusive experience space while the lower level pulses with activity.

Smart brands are using event structures as stages for immersive, memorable brand theater. Don’t just show what you do. Make attendees feel it.

See It In Action

We’re not all talk. Scroll through the images below to get a snapshot of how we’ve helped countless brands “up” their trade show game. Double deck modular exhibits, branded walls, engaging activations—it’s all there.

Why Rent Your Trade Show Exhibit?

Not every brand needs to buy. Highmark offers the flexibility to rent modular double deck exhibits, custom wall systems like MAXwall, and single-story and mobile builds. Renting is a smart, strategic choice for many companies. Here’s why:

Lower Upfront Investment: Need a high-impact booth but don’t want to commit to the full cost of ownership? Renting gives you access to high-end design and engineering without the long-term price tag.
No Storage Headaches: Owning a booth means storing it, maintaining it, shipping it, and insuring it. Not all brands are ready for this commitment.
Access to the Latest Features: Rental inventory is constantly evolving and getting better.
Try Before You Buy: Have too many large event booth ideas? Renting lets you test drive high-impact structures like ExpoDeck before committing to a long-term solution.

Curious if renting makes sense for your next show? Our team can help you weigh the options.

Ready to Level Up with Highmark?

A successful exhibit isn’t about just one feature. Combine the impact of a multi-story exhibit, the flexibility of custom walls, and the energy of brand activations, and you’ve got a recipe for a show-stopping booth.

Highmark creates smart, modular event structures that push boundaries and deliver results. Whether you need a fully custom build for purchase or a flexible rental solution, our team is ready to collaborate.

Let’s talk today about designing a standout exhibit that takes your brand up a level—literally.

FAQs

What is a double deck exhibit?

A double deck exhibit is a multi-level trade show exhibit that features two stories, typically with stairs. It increases visibility and engagement while optimizing show floor space.

How much space does a two-story booth add?

A two-story trade show booth can double your usable space without increasing your footprint on the show floor. It lets you add meeting rooms, private lounges, event activations, extra product displays—all vertically.

What are the benefits of a multi-level trade show exhibit?

Benefits include improved visibility and more space for interaction, private meeting areas, brand touchpoints, and more. It creates an impressive brand presence to help you stand out from competitors on the floor.

Can modular double deck booths be reused?

Absolutely. Modular double deck booths are designed for reusability and flexibility. They can be configured differently for future shows and are engineered for easy assembly and dismantling.

How does Highmark build and install multi-level booths?

Highmark uses pre-engineered systems to design, build, deliver, and install multi-level trade show booths efficiently. Our team can facilitate everything from structural engineering to on-site assembly.

Can I get a custom modular double deck?

Yes. We specialize in building custom double deck modular exhibits tailored to your brand, goals, and show requirements, whether you need rental or purchase options.

How long do double deck exhibits take to set up?

Most modular two-story structures like ExpoDeck can be set up in a day or two, depending on the size and configuration. They’re designed for efficient, safe, and fast installation.

What are the biggest event marketing trends for 2025?

The top event marketing trends 2025 include expanded use of AI, data-driven storytelling, cross-department collaboration, and measurable creative output tied to analytics and technology.

What types of experiences are most in demand?

Consumer activations, influencer events, and live conferences are leading growth areas.