latest news

Top 3 Advantages to Double Deck Exhibits

TLDR: Double deck exhibits transform standard trade show booths into multi-level brand experiences that maximize space, boost functionality, and command attention on the show floor. Highmark’s ExpoDeck system makes it easy for businesses across any industry to build or rent a custom double deck structure that’s engineered for safety, sustainability, and impact.

At a Glance:

Double deck exhibits expand your usable square footage vertically, reducing floor space costs while delivering a bigger brand presence.
The upper and lower levels can be configured for different purposes—product demos below, VIP meetings above—creating a smooth, organized visitor flow.
Double deck structures elevate your brand visibility above the standard sightline, making your booth a natural focal point in crowded exhibition halls.
Highmark’s ExpoDeck is available for purchase or rental, comes standard with third-party engineering stamps, and is built from 70% recycled aluminum for a sustainable footprint.

Gone are the days when a trade show booth was a simple ground-level space confined to standard dimensions. Today, exhibitors are embracing a modern strategy that defies convention.

Picture this: A booth that not only occupies the floor but ascends to a second level, transforming the way businesses showcase their products and services. Expanding the small dimensions on the floor and utilizing every square inch. Introducing: the double deck exhibit.

Double decks offer a three-dimensional experience that is sure to optimize space, enhance functionality, and create a standout presence. Here are three of their many benefits!

1. Double Decks Optimize Space and Costs

In the competitive trade show environment, you need to make every square foot count—visually and financially. Double deck exhibits offer an innovative and cost-efficient solution by maximizing your rented space.

A second level provides additional room for meeting areas, product demonstrations, or lounge settings, enhancing the visitor experience and engagement. By leveraging vertical space, exhibitors can reduce their overall booth footprint and still deliver an impactful presence. The elevated deck platform ensures your brand remains visible, even in crowded exhibition halls, drawing attention and creating a commanding presence.

Maximizing space isn’t just about fitting more elements into your booth; it’s about creating an immersive, budget-friendly environment that leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

2. Double Decks Enhance Functionality and Adapt to Any Industry

Double deck exhibits offer more than extra space—they’re customizable solutions for creating adaptable, purposeful booths. Depending on your industry or event goals, the upper level can host private meeting rooms, VIP lounges, or hospitality areas, while the lower level could feature product displays or interactive demonstrations.

This division ensures smooth activity flow, prevents congestion, and creates a polished visitor experience. The double deck’s versatility allows businesses to tailor exhibits to different industries, booth sizes, or themes, perfectly aligning with the purpose of any and every event.

3. Double Deck Structures Capture Attention and Simplify Logistics

To stand out in a crowded event space, your booth needs to be distinctive—and double deck exhibits deliver. Their multi-level design naturally elevates your presence above the standard eye level, drawing attendees in with visual appeal and curiosity.

Customizable with your brand’s logo, color scheme, and accessories, these modular systems create a memorable environment. Beyond aesthetics, double deck structures simplify logistics, offering efficient installation and adaptability for various event types, from trade shows to conferences.

Check out how Sleep Number used our ExpoDeck:

Wouldn’t you want to stop by and see what Sleep Number is all about?

What Should I Expect from Professional Double Deck Exhibit Services?

A qualified provider like Highmark handles collaborative design, structural engineering, permitting documentation, logistics coordination, and on-site setup, so your team stays focused on attendees.

You should also expect full transparency around load ratings, materials, and compliance. Highmark’s ExpoDeck comes standard with third-party engineering stamps and a 125 lbs. per sq. ft. active load rating, giving you confidence in safety and performance before you ever reach the show floor.

Industry-Specific Use Cases for Event Decks

Double deck structures are versatile. That’s why they’re an excellent choice for trade shows, conferences, and everything in between. Here’s how their applications can work in the different event formats.

Trade shows: A double deck trade show booth provides the perfect opportunity to showcase products and services on multiple levels. Use them to create dynamic, visually engaging experiences that capture attention in crowded exhibition halls.

Conferences: At conferences, double deck structures are ideal for meeting hubs or breakout spaces. They facilitate quieter, more focused discussions on one level while hosting presentations or interactive displays on the other.

What Are the Best Double Deck Exhibits for Large Trade Shows?

For large-format events, the best double deck exhibits are systems that span significant distances without interior columns, handle high foot traffic safely, and reconfigure across different show layouts.

Highmark’s ExpoDeck spans up to 20 feet in two directions, supports open independent structures, and scales from compact builds to massive multi-level configurations. Its high strength-to-weight ratio keeps the floor plan flexible while meeting the demands of a busy show.

Beyond trade shows and conferences, double decks work across a wide range of industries:

Sports and Entertainment Venues: Use a double deck exhibition stand to host VIP lounges or interactive fan zones.

Retail/Pop-Up Shops: Maximize product displays on the lower level while creating private meeting spaces on the second deck.

Technology and Software: Create hands-on demo stations below, with the upper level reserved for tech presentations or networking.

Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals: Design double deck stands to host product education sessions on one level while engaging healthcare professionals in meetings above.

Automotive and Manufacturing: Showcase large products or vehicles on the ground level and conduct negotiations and answer consumer questions on the double decker structure above.

Highmark can customize your double deck booth design to fit your industry and showcase your brand. Reach out to us to bring your vision to life.

How to Maximize Double Deck Exhibits

1. Strategic Layout Design

A well-thought-out layout is key to the success of your double deck trade show exhibit. Divide the upper and lower levels for different, complementary uses. For example:

Use the ground level for product displays, interactive demos, or high-traffic activities.
Reserve the second deck for networking, VIP lounges, or exclusive experiences.

These double deck ideas for division ensure an organized flow of visitors and optimize the functionality of your multi-level exhibition booth.

2. Lighting and Branding Placement

Effective lighting and branding can make or break the visibility of your double deck display. Use LED lighting to highlight key areas and ensure your brand’s logo and colors are prominently visible from multiple angles. Incorporate elevated signage on the double level deck to make your booth stand out even when eventgoers are far away.

3. Safety and Compliance

When designing your double deck trade show exhibits, prioritize safety and compliance with event regulations. The easiest way is to work with experienced professionals, like us here at Highmark, to ensure the double deck meets weight-bearing and structural requirements. Add railings, clear staircases, and safety signage to provide a secure experience for visitors.

How Do Popular Double Deck Exhibit Companies Manage Approvals?

Approvals typically involve venue sign-off, local fire marshal review, and event organizer safety standards. The best providers build this into their workflow from day one.

Every Highmark ExpoDeck comes standard with third-party engineering stamps (often required by venues as proof of compliance). Our team coordinates documentation and ensures your design is approved before it reaches the show floor, so there are no surprises at load-in.

Highmark’s ExpoDeck

Our modular double deck system, the ExpoDeck, provides a strategic and functional advantage that will impact your success at trade shows and events.

Highmark’s ExpoDeck features include:

Space Maximizer: ExpoDeck offers instant additional sq/ft in a world that is priced on the ground floor space.
Strength-to-Weight: Extremely high strength-to-weight ratio makes ExpoDeck the strongest, safest, most efficient multi-level product on the planet.
Strong: ExpoDeck carries a 125lbs. per sqft. active load rating, which means safety and efficiency, whether small or massive in size.
Maximum Span: ExpoDeck can span up to 20’ in two directions allowing for open but independently standing structures.
Sustainability: 70% Recycled aluminum and a deep rental inventory make ExpoDeck the most sustainable multi-level product on the market.
Engineering: ExpoDeck comes standard with 3rd party engineering stamps to ensure the safest and best practices for a multi-level system.

The ExpoDeck can be purchased or rented in two ways: custom built or standard kit:

Custom Build: ExpoDeck is lightweight, easy to install, and environmentally responsible. Elegant, modular, multi-level ExpoDeck structures are endlessly expandable and reconfigurable. They are available with a variety of accessories and upgrades such as ceilings, lighting, railing, beam extenders, cross bracing and more. For some situations, purchasing a completely customized ExpoDeck makes sense: an aggressive show schedule, the need to capitalize the cost of an exhibit, or projected heavy use. A custom look can also be achieved through rental ExpoDecks when there is no budget allowance for a capital investment.

Standard Kits: These kits include everything for your ExpoDeck to be show ready and code compliant in short order and for the right price. While standardized, these structures can be easily skinned and accessorized to showcase unique branding and messaging and, ultimately, make a statement.

How to Evaluate a Double Deck Exhibit Provider

When comparing vendors, here’s what matters most:

Engineering credentials: Does the system come with third-party engineering stamps? Most venues require it.
Load rating: Ask for the specific active load rating. Highmark’s ExpoDeck is rated at 125 lbs. per sq. ft.
Span capability: Confirm the system can reach your required dimensions without interior columns limiting your layout.
Modularity: Can the structure be reconfigured for different booth sizes and shows without a full rebuild?
Sustainability: Highmark’s ExpoDeck is 70% recycled aluminum—one of the most sustainable options available.
Purchase vs. rental: Look for a provider that offers both, with standard kits for budget-conscious needs and custom builds for high-frequency schedules.
Full-service support: The right provider handles design, permitting, installation, and teardown—not just the structure.

Get Your ExpoDeck

Prepare for your next event. We offer cost-effective design and construction versatility for any size event or exhibit. We’re known for collaboration, so let’s get started on your double deck booth design. Available for purchase or rent. Contact us!

FAQs

What are the advantages of using a double deck?

Double deck exhibits optimize event space, enhance visibility, and provide a distinct visual appeal that engages attendees.

Are double deck stands customizable?

Yes, double deck booths are highly customizable. You can tailor the layout, lighting, branding, and purpose of the multi-deck event structure to fit your industry, goals, and event requirements.

How do I ensure my double deck exhibit is safe?

Partner with a professional team to design and build your double decker structure. to ensure it complies with all event safety regulations. Regularly inspect the structure during the event to maintain safety.

What industries benefit most from double deck trade show displays?

Industries like technology, retail, automotive, healthcare, and entertainment can use a multi-level exhibition booth to create impactful event experiences.

Can I rent a two-story trade show exhibit?

Yes, Highmark rents our double decker booth, the ExpoDeck, in two ways: pre-built rental kits and custom rental.

As the trade show industry continues to evolve, embracing innovative booth designs like our ExpoDeck can set your brand apart and contribute to a more impactful and successful exhibition experience.

Send us a message to rent or purchase your ExpoDeck today.