Booth Types and Height Rules: Inline, Corner, Peninsula, Island

Inline (linear) booths

An inline booth sits in a row, with neighbors on both sides and an aisle in front. Most 10×10 and 10×20 booths are inline.

• Back wall: 8 ft. The IAEE guidelines (2023 update): "A maximum back wall height limitation of 8ft (2.44m) is specified."
• Line of sight: 8 ft is allowed only in the rear half of the booth; the front half, toward the aisle, is limited to 4 ft. On a 10 ft deep booth: 8 ft in the back 5 ft, 4 ft in the front 5 ft.
• Side rails: the standard booth package usually has an 8 ft back drape and 3 ft side rails (for example HD Expo 2025).
• Some shows relax this. HD Expo 2025 allows inline booths "up to the maximum allowable height of 10'."

Corner booths

A corner booth is an inline booth at the end of a row, with aisles on two sides. The IAEE guidelines treat it as a linear booth: "All other guidelines for Linear Booths apply." The extra open side means more visitors see you, which is why corner spaces often cost more (SHOT Show 2027 charges $1,000 per corner).

Peninsula and end-cap booths

• End-cap: usually 10 ft deep and 20 ft wide at the end of a row, open on three sides. The 8 ft back wall is allowed only in the center 10 ft; within 5 ft of the side aisles the limit is 4 ft. End-caps may not hang signs.
• Peninsula: open on three sides, at least four booths in size. Height is usually 16–20 ft, with a 4 ft limit within 5 ft of each aisle where the back faces inline booths.
• Split island: two peninsulas back to back; no back-wall line-of-sight limit.

Island booths

An island booth is "any size booth exposed to aisles on all four sides" (IAEE). The whole space can be used, usually to 16–20 ft. Island booths need more planning: power is run under the carpet with paid labor, and multi-level or covered structures need permits and smoke detectors.

Hanging signs

Under the IAEE guidelines hanging signs are allowed in peninsula and island booths, usually at 16–20 ft, set back 10 ft from neighbors and approved about 60 days ahead. End-caps, inline and corner booths do not qualify. Shows tighten this:

• NAMM Show 2027 (Anaheim): 16 ft maximum for peninsula, split island and island booths; inline, perimeter and end-cap booths may not hang signs.
• RE+ 2026 (LVCC): signs between 18 ft and 24 ft, only for peninsula, split island or island booths of at least 400 sq ft.
• HD Expo 2025 (Mandalay Bay): up to 25 ft.

Hanging is always done by the venue or show contractor: exhibitors may not install hanging signs or truss (NAB Show 2025).

Rules every booth follows

• Aisles stay clear. CES 2026: "All aisles must be 100% clear of product or any other items."
• Flame-retardant materials, with a certificate available.
• No storage behind the back drape.
• ADA: exhibits are not exempt; ramps no steeper than 1:12.
• Covered or multi-level areas need permits and battery smoke detectors (RE+ 2026: covered areas over 300 sq ft; NAMM 2027: one per 900 sq ft).

BoothJet's ready-made booths are built to the standard 8 ft back-wall height, within the usual limit for inline, corner and peninsula spaces. See the booths.

Questions

Related guides

• What Fits in a 10×10 Trade Show Booth
• Union Labor at Trade Shows in Las Vegas and California
• Booth Rental vs the Show's Pipe-and-Drape Booth