Double Deck Booths

A double-deck trade show booth is a two-story exhibit that adds an upper level above the main floor to create more usable space within the same booth footprint. The lower level is typically used for product demos and interactive displays, while the upper deck serves as a private meeting area, lounge or hospitality space to elevate the visitor experience.

You should choose a double deck booth when you need more usable space and a stronger visual impact than a single-level or standard island booth can provide within the same footprint. A double deck booth uses vertical space, so you can add more demo, meeting or hospitality areas without increasing your booth size. The second story also creates extra visibility and a more dramatic presence on the show floor, helping your brand stand out and convey a premium image.

The minimum booth footprint for most double deck exhibits is 20’ x 20’ to allow enough room for structural supports, at least one full staircase with required landings, and code-compliant guardrails and egress paths. These larger footprints are recommended if you want defined demo zones on the lower level with a comfortable meeting or hospitality space on the upper level. Always review the show manual for the required minimums and placement restrictions.

The main benefits of a double deck booth are more usable space within the same footprint, better separation of public and private areas, and dramatically increased visibility for your brand on the show floor. Exhibitors often use the ground level for product demos and interactive engagements, while reserving the upper deck for VIP meetings or hospitality, helping reduce crowding and create higher-value conversations.

The main challenges of a double deck booth are added complexity, stricter regulations, and longer lead times than for a single-level exhibit. Double deck structures typically involve more engineering, safety reviews and formal approvals from show management. They can also increase labor and logistics needs on site, as installation and dismantling take more time and require more coordination.

It’s better to rent a double deck exhibit if you only do a few major shows each year, want to avoid a large capital investment and don’t want the cost of storing and maintaining a large structure. Buying usually makes more sense if you exhibit frequently at bigger shows, expect to use a similar booth size and layout over several years and want a double deck booth you can reuse over time.

Double deck booths improve the visitor experience by separating high-traffic, high-energy demo areas from more focused conversation spaces. The main level typically showcases product displays, live demos and interactive engagement zones. The upper deck is often used for scheduled meetings, hosted lounges or VIP hospitality that feel more removed from the bustle of the show floor. This two-story approach creates a more dramatic environment, with elevated sightlines and a more memorable visitor experience, leading to longer dwell times.