Exhibition Stand
Cost & Pricing
A transparent breakdown of exhibition stand costs by region, stand type, and complexity — so you can plan your budget with confidence.
Built for brands you may already know.
Porland
Ambiente Frankfurt 2025 · 365 m²
Pioli
EquipHotel Paris
Youth House
COP29 Baku · 1200 m²
Baykar
Marrakech Air Show · 250 m²
Design: Istanbul Studio · Manufacture: Kağıthane HQ · Single senior project manager
Since 2014 · Operating in 31 countries · 5 global offices
No gate, no form
The numbers are on this page
Rates by region, totals by stand size, and a line-by-line breakdown of what sits inside the €/m² — all below, nothing behind a form. If you want the same figures applied to your actual fair, hall and square metres, tell us and we will send an indicative band within one working day.
Price my standWhat Determines Exhibition Stand Cost?
Exhibition stand pricing is not one-size-fits-all. The cost of your stand depends on a combination of factors — some within your control, others determined by the market conditions of the show location. Understanding what drives price allows you to make smarter decisions before you brief a contractor.
The headline cost metric in Europe and the Middle East is price per square metre (sqm) for the stand build element. In the USA, quotes are typically given per square foot. Neither figure includes the floor space rental fee charged by the exhibition organiser — that is a separate cost paid directly to the show.
Key Cost Factors
What a Stand Actually Costs, by Size
A €/m² rate is useful for comparing quotes but useless for setting a budget, because the rate falls as the stand grows. Below are total build ranges at European rates, excluding the organiser's floor space rental. They are indicative bands, not quotes — the same 36 m² can sit at either end depending on materials and how much of it is enclosed.
| Stand size | Modular | Custom build | What changes at this size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 m² (3×3) | €1,600 – €2,900 | €2,700 – €4,500 | In-line, one open side. Below this size a custom build rarely pays for itself. |
| 18 m² (6×3) | €3,000 – €5,400 | €5,000 – €8,500 | The first size where a meeting corner and storage both fit. |
| 36 m² (6×6) | €5,800 – €10,500 | €9,500 – €16,000 | Corner or peninsula. Most common size for a serious first international stand. |
| 100 m² | €15,000 – €28,000 | €26,000 – €44,000 | Island. Rigging, raised floor and a closed meeting room become realistic. |
| 200 m²+ | — | €50,000 – €90,000+ | Pavilion scale. Structural drawings and a dedicated project manager are not optional. |
US shows work differently: budget in square feet, then add union labour, drayage and electrical on top — that stack routinely adds 30–50% to a build that would cost less in Frankfurt.
What Sits Inside the €/m²
Most contractors quote a single number and leave you to guess what it covers. Here is the split on a typical turnkey custom build. Shares move between projects — a stand that is mostly open floor with two graphic walls sits at the low end of materials and the high end of freight, because you are shipping air.
Two lines are missing from that list on purpose, because they are not ours to charge: the organiser's floor space rental, and show services such as power connection, water, waste and daily cleaning. Those are paid to the venue and they are the most common reason a first-time exhibitor's budget breaks. On a 36 m² stand at a major German fair, space rental alone can match or exceed the build cost.
Double-Deck Stands
A second level is priced on the upper deck's footprint, not the total floor area, and it does not behave like ordinary square metres. Expect the upper level to carry a significant premium over the ground floor rate, because it brings structural calculations, engineer sign-off, a staircase that eats usable floor, and in most venues a separate approval fee charged per square metre of upper deck.
The decision is rarely about money. It is about whether you need a private meeting room without giving up display frontage. Below roughly 50 m² of ground footprint a second level usually costs more than it returns; above 100 m² it often pays for itself in meetings held. Structural drawings must be submitted well before the organiser's deadline — this is the single most common reason a double-deck plan collapses back to a single level.
Exhibition Stand Prices by Region
The following price ranges are for the stand build only (design, materials, fabrication, graphics, installation, dismantling). Organiser floor space rental is excluded. Prices are per sqm unless stated.
Germany / Central Europe
Messe Frankfurt, Messe München, Messe Berlin. Union labour not applicable — pricing is more predictable. Organiser space rental is separate.
France / Southern Europe
Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Fiera Milano. Local labour costs slightly higher than Germany. French trade shows often require French-speaking on-site crew.
United Kingdom
ExCeL London, NEC Birmingham. Post-Brexit import documentation required for EU-produced stands. Add 10–15% for cross-channel logistics.
USA
Las Vegas (LVCC), Orlando (OCCC), Chicago (McCormick Place). Add union labour (mandatory at most US venues), drayage (material handling), and electrical connection — these can add 30–50% to the basic build cost.
Middle East / UAE
Dubai World Trade Centre (GITEX, Arab Health, etc.). No union labour. Year-round exhibition calendar. Premium AV and hospitality fit-out expectations drive costs up.
Turkey
Istanbul Expo Center, CNR Expo, Tüyap. Production in Turkey is significantly cheaper than Western Europe. Evreka Stand's Istanbul workshop provides the best cost-to-quality ratio for regional and international projects.
What's Included in a Turnkey Price?
A genuine turnkey exhibition stand price from Evreka Stand covers every element from design to post-show logistics. Here is exactly what is and is not included:
✓ Included in turnkey price
✗ Not included (quoted separately)
Budget Planning & Cost-Saving Tips
For most companies, the exhibition stand is the single largest line item in their trade show budget — yet it is also the area with the most optimisation potential. These strategies consistently deliver the best cost-to-impact ratio.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 9 m², 18 m² or 36 m² exhibition stand cost?
At European rates, excluding the organiser's floor space rental: a 9 m² (3×3) stand runs roughly €1,600–€2,900 modular or €2,700–€4,500 custom; 18 m² (6×3) is about €3,000–€5,400 modular or €5,000–€8,500 custom; 36 m² (6×6) is about €5,800–€10,500 modular or €9,500–€16,000 custom. The rate per square metre falls as the stand grows, which is why a €/m² figure alone is a poor way to set a budget. Materials and how much of the stand is enclosed move the same size between either end of its band.
What is actually inside the price per square metre?
On a typical turnkey custom build the split is roughly: design and 3D visualisation 5–10%, materials 25–35%, fabrication labour 20–25%, graphics and print 5–10%, freight 8–15%, installation and dismantling 12–18%, project management 5–8%. Two costs are deliberately not in that figure because they are paid to the venue rather than the contractor: the organiser's floor space rental, and show services such as power, water, waste and daily cleaning. On a 36 m² stand at a major German fair, space rental alone can match or exceed the build cost.
How much more does a double-deck stand cost?
A second level is priced on the upper deck's footprint rather than total floor area, and it carries a significant premium over the ground floor rate — it brings structural calculations, engineer sign-off, a staircase that consumes usable floor, and in most venues a separate approval fee charged per square metre of upper deck. Below roughly 50 m² of ground footprint a second level usually costs more than it returns; above 100 m² it often pays for itself in meetings held. Structural drawings must reach the organiser well before their published deadline — missing it is the most common reason a double-deck plan reverts to a single level.
How much does an exhibition stand cost in Europe?
A custom-built exhibition stand in Europe typically costs between €150 and €400 per square metre for the design and build element, excluding floor space rental from the organiser. A 30 sqm stand at a German trade show (Messe Frankfurt, Messe München) would typically cost €5,000–€12,000 for the stand build, on top of the space rental fee. Larger or more complex stands with double-deck structures, AV walls, or premium materials can exceed €400/sqm.
How much does an exhibition stand cost in the USA?
US trade show booth costs range from $140 to $400 per square foot for a custom build, but note that US exhibition space is measured in square feet, not metres. A typical 10×20 ft booth (approximately 18 sqm) costs $3,000–$8,000 for the booth build. Large island booths (20×20 ft or larger) with hanging signs and immersive environments commonly reach $20,000–$60,000+. US shows also carry additional costs for union labour, material handling (drayage), and electrical connections that are often not present in European budgets.
What is included in a turnkey exhibition stand price?
A turnkey price from Evreka Stand includes 3D design and visualisation, all materials and fabrication, graphics printing, freight to the venue, on-site installation, dismantling after the show, and return logistics or disposal. It does not include the floor space rental fee from the organiser, show electricity connection, furniture rental (unless specified), or AV equipment rental — these are quoted separately or can be added to scope.
How can I reduce my exhibition stand cost without sacrificing quality?
The most effective cost-saving strategies are: (1) Choose a modular aluminium system instead of a fully bespoke build — modular stands can be reused at 3–4 events, spreading the cost. (2) Consolidate production — if you exhibit in multiple regions, use a supplier with local production capability to avoid expensive intercontinental freight. (3) Plan early — last-minute stands cost 20–40% more due to rush fabrication and express shipping. (4) Standardise your graphic system so panels can be reprinted without replacing the structural frame.
Why do exhibition stand prices vary so much between contractors?
Stand prices vary based on design complexity, materials used, the contractor's production location (local vs. shipped from abroad), labour costs in the destination country, project management overhead, and whether the price includes installation or just materials. A very low price often indicates offshore production with hidden freight and installation costs added later. Always compare quotes on a like-for-like turnkey basis.
TESTIMONIALS
Client Testimonials
Evreka delivered our 200sqm stand at Ambiente in Frankfurt in just 6 weeks. From design to dismantling, everything was handled. We'll work with them again at our next European fair.
Marketing Director
Porland Ceramics
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