A space-only exhibition stand is exactly what it sounds like: an empty area of floor, with nothing else provided by the venue or organiser. No walls, no fascia, no lighting — everything you see on a space-only stand was designed, built and installed by your stand company from scratch. That's what gives space-only its design freedom, but it also means more of the responsibility for what happens on that floor sits with you and your contractor, not the venue.
What's Actually Included in a Space-Only Booking
Your show organiser typically provides the floor space itself, sometimes basic aisle carpet, and access to shared services like power and WiFi points — usually at an extra cost, ordered separately through the venue's official contractor. Everything else — structure, flooring inside your space, walls, lighting, furniture, graphics — is down to your stand company. This is the single biggest thing first-time space-only exhibitors underestimate: almost nothing is included beyond the floor itself.
Designing From an Empty Floor
Because there's no existing structure to work within, your stand company designs your space from a genuine blank canvas — usually starting with a floor plan showing your space's exact dimensions, entry points, and any restrictions (neighbouring stand sightlines, height limits, fire escape routes). Most space-only stands today are built on modular systems like T3 or Aluvision rather than fully bespoke structures — see our modular stand guide for how that works in practice.
Compliance and Paperwork You'll Need
Space-only builds almost always require a risk assessment and method statement submitted to the venue before build day, and your stand needs to meet fire safety, structural and working-at-height rules that a shell scheme stand mostly avoids by using the venue's pre-approved frame. See our guide to contractor rules and organiser requirements for the full detail.
Build Day on a Space-Only Stand
Expect a longer, more involved build-up window than a shell scheme stand — your contractor is constructing an entire structure, not dressing an existing frame. Confirm your build-up and breakdown times as soon as they're published, and make sure your contractor has everything they need — structural approvals, electrics booked, floor plan confirmed — well before the day itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a space-only exhibition stand include?
Usually just the floor space itself, sometimes basic aisle carpet, and access to services like power and WiFi — ordered separately at extra cost. Everything else is provided by your stand company.
Do I need a risk assessment for a space-only stand?
Almost always, yes — space-only builds typically require a risk assessment and method statement submitted to the venue before build day.
Is a space-only stand always custom-built?
No — most space-only stands today use modular systems like T3 or Aluvision rather than a fully bespoke structure, combining design freedom with faster, more cost-effective build.
How much floor space needs to be space-only rather than shell scheme?
There's no fixed rule, but space-only typically becomes the standard choice above roughly 9m², where design flexibility starts to outweigh shell scheme's lower cost and simplicity.
Planning a space-only stand? Talk to us — free 3D design with every enquiry.
