Construction Guidelines
Below are general guidelines for the AHR Expo. Be advised that certain convention centers may have their own regulations that affect the specific details outlined below, especially in the case of multi-level exhibits. Height limits, hanging sign rules, and booth approval procedures will not change. A more specific version of these guidelines will be provided for each show.
Booth Types & Height Limits
Please pay careful attention to the descriptions below to be sure you follow the correct guidelines for your booth space and note the following:
Height restrictions are strictly enforced but do not apply to an exhibitor’s equipment displayed “as sold”.
Bulky equipment should be placed in the booth in such a way that does not cause visual obstruction to neighboring displays.
Any product that exceeds the maximum height for the space may not display a company name or logo above the stated height limit.
Inline: Any space that is back-to-back with another space, regardless of size or location.
Constructed display = 8’ height limit and any display or side walls over 42” must be kept in the back half of the space.
Hanging signs (from the ceiling) = not permitted.
Perimeter: Any space that is along the outer edges of the exhibit floor, with no exhibits behind them. Shaded yellow on the original sales plan.
Constructed display = 20’ height limit and any display or side walls over 42” must be kept in the back half of the space.
Hanging signs (from the ceiling) = permitted with the top of the sign at a maximum height of 24’.
Island: Any one single space with aisles on all four sides. Shaded blue on the original sales plan.
Constructed display = 16’ height limit.
Hanging signs (from the ceiling) = permitted with the top of the sign at a maximum height of 20’.
Peninsula: Any space that is created by the purchase of two back-to-back corner inline booths and is a minimum of 400 square feet.
The following are NOT considered peninsula booths and must follow the guidelines for standard inline booths: the combination of two 10’x10’ spaces; an island that has been split into two or more separate spaces or displays; an inline space (or combination of spaces) that runs a span between cross aisles.
See examples of peninsula spaces on a floorplan
Constructed display = 12’ height limit with unique setback rules. In the 10’ of the booth closest to the neighboring exhibits, any part of the exhibit over 42” tall must be in the back half of the original inline space as it is shown on the original sales floor plan. In the remainder of the space, display over 42” must be at least 5’ off the main aisles.
Hanging signs (from the ceiling) = permitted with the top of the sign at a maximum height of 12’.
Multi-Level & Covered Exhibits
Note: Special approval required.
Multi-level exhibit: a booth that has two levels, where the second level is designed to hold people. In addition to Show Management approval, all multi-level exhibits must also be approved by the convention center and the fire marshal. Construction plans stamped by a currently licensed engineer, along with a rendering of the booth itself, must be provided to Show Management in PDF format as early as possible. An online link and specific safety regulations from the convention center will be provided once the current show has passed.
Covered exhibit: any booth with a portion of exhibit space 300 square feet or greater that is covered by a material that prevents the building’s fire sprinkler system from discharging water unobstructed to the floor. These booths are not required to have stamped plans but do need special approval from the convention center and the Fire Marshal. An online link and specific safety regulations from the convention center will be provided once the current show has passed.
Hanging Signs/Display
Hanging signs: signs or equipment displays that are suspended from the ceiling. All aerial rigging requests must be pre-approved by Show Management to ensure they are within the appropriate height limit as described above. Each year, Show Management will coordinate with Freeman to create a list of exhibitors approved to order aerial rigging. To be added to the list, email the company name, booth number, intended height of the top of the sign, and whether or not the sign will require electricity to boothreview@ahrexpo.com with the subject “hanging sign request”. You will be notified if there are any concerns, otherwise the company will be added to the approved list.
An exhibitor’s product may be hung from the ceiling if it is sold to be installed overhead, e.g. a ceiling fan. Email a special request with details to boothreview@ahrexpo.com, subject “suspended equipment”. Product displays must adhere to the hanging sign height limits unless otherwise approved by Show Management for safety reasons.
Booth Layout Approval
All exhibits, regardless of size or location, must be submitted to Show Management for review prior to the show. If you choose not to submit information in advance and your display is not within the construction guidelines for the AHR Expo, you may be required to make time consuming and potentially expensive changes on site.
Questions about these guidelines?
Contact Ben Stevens at boothreview@ahrexpo.com.