TLDR: We all know that a double deck event structure delivers impact. The real decision is whether to rent or own. If your event schedule is flexible or occasional, renting keeps things fast and low-commitment. If you show up often and need consistency, owning delivers long-term value.
At a Glance:
- Renting a double deck structure works for occasional or variable events. Owning makes more sense when you have a consistent, high-volume event calendar.
- Renting offers lower upfront cost, fast setup, and no storage or logistics. It’s ideal for brands that need to stay agile across different event formats.
- Owning offers more control, consistency, and long-term ROI. It’s a higher upfront investment, but delivers stronger brand consistency and cost efficiency over time, especially for frequent use.
- Highmark offers durable, flexible, and eco-friendly structures, whether you rent or buy. You get sustainable modular solutions built for both rental and custom builds, so you can scale your strategy without sacrificing performance or sustainability.
A double deck booth will turn heads. No question about it. It adds height, presence, and a premium feel that’s hard to miss on a crowded show floor or at a packed outdoor brand activation.
But here’s the thing most teams overlook: the real decision isn’t about design. It’s about how often you show up and how you scale that presence over time.
Should you rely on event equipment rental options for flexibility? Or invest in a custom-built structure you can deploy again and again?
The answer depends on your event schedule, your internal resources, and how you think about long-term ROI. Let’s break it down.
Why Double Deck Structures Are Worth It in the First Place
A well-designed multi-deck event structure changes how people experience your brand.
You get more visibility without expanding your footprint. That matters at trade shows where every square foot costs money.
You can also create separation. Use the lower level to handle traffic, demos, and conversations. The upper level can be a VIP lounge, meeting space, or private hospitality area. A double deck supports layering, which improves flow and keeps your team from competing with noise.
Double deck exhibits also signal scale. People assume bigger structure equals bigger brand. Whether that’s fair or not, it works.
And when you pair that structure with modular walls, integrated branding, and smart layouts, you don’t just show up. You control the environment.
Once you decide to go vertical, the next decision becomes a lot more strategic: rent or build?
Renting Double Deck Structures: Built for Speed and Flexibility
If your event calendar shifts often (or you don’t want to lock yourself into one format) event equipment rentals give you room to move. This is where Highmark TechSystems brings a clear advantage.
Highmark’s modular rental systems are built for speed, scale, and real-world performance. The numbers back it up. In 2023 alone, brands deployed 15,000 square feet of rented EventMAX structures. In 2024, that grew to 42,000 square feet of ExpoDeck structures rented or sold.
With rentals, you move fast without sacrificing quality. Pre-engineered structures eliminate long design and fabrication timelines, so when opportunities come up, you’re ready.
Setup stays efficient, even under tight deadlines. At the same time, you’re not locked into a single look. Each structure can adapt to the event: whether that means updating brand activation display aesthetics, adjusting layouts, or reconfiguring walls to fit a new space.
That flexibility extends to scale. The same system can support a smaller industry event one month and expand into a large expo the next. You’re not committing to one format; you’re working with something that evolves with your needs.
And when conditions get unpredictable, the structure holds up. Highmark builds are engineered for real environments, from indoor convention centers to outdoor trade shows and sports events. They meet code requirements and handle weather without compromising the experience.
Renting also removes operational friction. You don’t deal with storage, maintenance, or transportation. Highmark manages it, so your team can stay focused on execution.
From a strategy standpoint, renting gives you:
- Lower upfront investment
- Fast deployment with minimal planning
- Flexibility to adapt each structure per event
- No storage or maintenance requirements
- Highmark-managed logistics
- Configurable layouts and branding
- Reusable systems that support sustainability
- A strong fit for occasional or variable event needs
Flexibility becomes your biggest advantage. A trade show, festival, and mobile experiential marketing tour all require different approaches. With event rental equipment, you adjust without rebuilding from scratch.
Renting works best when:
- You attend a handful of events each year
- Your formats and footprints vary
- Speed matters
- You don’t want to manage physical assets
Bottom line: renting keeps your team agile, your execution fast, and your upfront investment low, while still delivering a high-impact double deck presence.
Custom Double Deck Structures: Built for Consistency and Long-Term Value
If your event calendar stays full, and your brand shows up the same way every time, owning your double deck exhibit starts to make more sense.
Highmark’s modular builds give you a system you can reuse, refine, and scale over time. Compared to permanent construction, these solutions can deliver up to 80% cost savings, while still maintaining a premium, high-performance presence.
At the same time, 100% of materials are reusable and recyclable, which supports long-term sustainability goals without sacrificing design.
With a custom build, you invest more upfront, but that investment turns into a long-term asset. One you can deploy across trade shows, event activations, or even as modular buildings for sporting events.
You gain full control over how and when your structure shows up. No waiting on availability. No adapting to someone else’s system. Your structure runs on your schedule and evolves with your brand.
Execution becomes more predictable. You plan deployments around your internal timelines, ensuring consistency across every event. And because the structure is fully branded, every detail (from layout to finishes) aligns with your identity. No retrofitting. No compromises.
Over time, that consistency builds recognition. Your double deck exhibits start to feel familiar to your audience. They know where to find you, and they remember the experience.
That consistency also extends to performance. Highmark’s modular systems are engineered for repeat use across different environments. Whether you’re indoors or managing a large-scale outdoor activation, the structure holds up and delivers the same level of quality every time.
Ownership does come with added responsibility. You’ll need a plan for storage, transportation, and maintenance between events. Your team or partners will manage those logistics. But for brands with established event programs, that tradeoff often makes sense.
From a strategy standpoint, owning gives you:
- A long-term asset with strong ROI over time
- Full control over usage and scheduling
- A fully branded, consistent presence at every event
- A reusable system that supports sustainability goals
- The ability to integrate into your broader event ecosystem
- A structure designed for frequent use and repeat deployment
Custom works best when:
- You attend events regularly throughout the year
- Your footprint stays relatively consistent
- Brand consistency is a priority
- You have the resources to manage logistics or partners to support it
Bottom line: owning a custom double deck structure gives you control, consistency, and long-term value, especially when your event strategy runs year-round.
The Hybrid Approach (Underrated, but Powerful)
Not everything has to fall into one bucket.
Some brands own a core double deck exhibit structure and supplement with rental options when they need to expand. Others start with event rentals and transition into a custom build once their calendar fills up.
You don’t need to decide once and stick with it forever. Your strategy should evolve as your event program grows.
With Highmark TechSystems, that flexibility comes from systems designed to work together:
- ExpoDeck: indoor double deck for premium trade show environments
- EventMAX: outdoor double deck for large-scale activations and events
- MAX Multi-Wall: for adaptable wall systems and layouts
- SuperMAX: for larger architectural builds
- EventMAX pavilion + single-story options: for flexible ground-level spaces
- Modulbox mobile systems: for roadshows and mobile experiential marketing
Ready to Make the Call?
If you’re planning your next season of events, start with your calendar. Map out how often you show up, where you go, and how consistent your footprint needs to be.
From there, the right path becomes clear.
Need help figuring it out? Whether you’re exploring event equipment rentals or investing in a custom multi-deck event structure, the right partner can help you build a strategy that actually works. Not just for one event, but for all of them.
Talk to an expert at Highmark to build the right strategy.
FAQs
How do I know if I should rent or buy a double deck structure?
Start with your event schedule. If you attend a few events a year or your needs change often, renting makes more sense. If you have a consistent presence across multiple events, owning typically delivers better long-term ROI.
What are the biggest advantages of renting?
Renting gives you speed, flexibility, and simplicity. You avoid upfront costs, storage, and logistics while still getting a high-impact double deck booth that can adapt to each event.
What are the biggest advantages of owning a custom structure?
Owning gives you full control, consistent branding, and a reusable asset you can deploy across events. Over time, it becomes more cost-effective for brands with frequent event schedules.
Are Highmark’s structures sustainable?
Yes. Highmark TechSystems designs eco-friendly, sustainable modular systems where 100% of materials are reusable or recyclable, reducing waste compared to one-off builds.
Can I customize a rented structure?
Absolutely. Rental structures are highly configurable. You can adjust layouts, branding, and modular walls to fit each event without committing to a single design.
What types of structures does Highmark offer?
Highmark offers a full range of modular solutions, including ExpoDeck (indoor double deck), EventMAX (outdoor double deck), MAX Multi-Wall systems, SuperMAX architectural builds, pavilion and single-story options, and Modulbox mobile systems.
Can I combine renting and owning?
Yes, and many brands do. You can own a core double deck structure and use event equipment rentals to expand when needed, or start with rentals and transition to a custom build over time.
What’s the best option for outdoor events or large activations?
Both renting and owning can work. Renting is great for one-off or variable outdoor brand activations, while custom builds are ideal for recurring large-scale events or long-term programs.
Related Links
- Why Leading Brands Choose Highmark TechSystems Event Structures
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- How to Take Your Trade Show to the Next Level, Literally
- Custom Exhibits: Stand Out At Your Next Event
- How Modular Structures are Eco-Friendly and Sustainable
- Top 3 Advantages to Double Deck Exhibits
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