Stand options
Baby Expo offers two practical exhibiting formats: shell scheme stands and open space stands. The right choice depends on how much structure you need, what you plan to bring, and how your team wants visitors to move through the stand.
What the two stand types mean
Our stand options are set up to suit both first-time exhibitors and teams that already have their own event fit-out. A shell scheme stand gives you a defined built space with walling and a clear footprint, which helps if you want a straightforward setup and a tidy presentation. Open space gives you a marked floor area only, so you can bring your own custom structure, display furniture and branding elements within the event rules.
Both options place you under one roof with parents shopping for baby and toddler products and services. If your team wants a simple footprint with less planning shell scheme is normally the easier route. If you need a more customised layout, product zones or a larger visual presence, open space may suit you better.
- Shell scheme: built stand footprint with standard walling and fascia style identification where applicable.
- Open space: floor area only, intended for custom stands and freestanding displays.
- Best for: product launches, hands-on demos, cataloguing ranges, service sign-ups and face-to-face parent enquiries.
Shell scheme stand sizes and limits
Shell scheme works well for exhibitors who want to arrive with stock, samples, banners and a small team, without arranging a full custom build. These stands are usually chosen by businesses showing compact products, nursery accessories, feeding items, information services or a focused product range. You get a clear boundary, making it easier to plan wall graphics, shelving and one small consultation area.
Working limits matter. Shell scheme stands are not ideal for heavy structures, full room mock-ups, oversized hanging items or large walk-in displays. If your product needs a lot of floor testing room, wide demo aisles or extra storage, you may find the footprint restrictive. It is also not the best fit for elaborate lighting rigs or any build that depends on suspended components.
- Common footprints include compact and medium stand sizes, depending on the event layout.
- Best used with lightweight displays, pull-up banners, shelving units and sample tables.
- Wall fixing methods may be limited, so tell us early if you need mounted panels or special hooks.
- Power points, lighting and furniture should be confirmed at enquiry stage if required for your setup.
For many baby and toddler exhibitors, shell scheme is enough. It keeps the stand neat, manageable and easier to staff through a full show day, which helps when your team is speaking to parents nonstop.
Open space sizes and where it suits best
Open space is better suited to exhibitors who need freedom in how the stand is built and how visitors move through it. If you want a larger walk-on display, a consultation zone, pram-friendly access, product testing area or stronger visual impact from multiple sides, open space gives you that flexibility. It also suits teams bringing their own build contractor or reusable exhibition kit.
This option does need more planning. You will need to think about flooring, walling, storage, lighting, traffic flow and how the stand will look from every open side. Keep in mind that parents at the show often move with babies, toddlers and prams, so layouts need to stay easy to enter and easy to leave. Crowded corners and narrow choke points usually do not work well.
- Suitable for island, peninsula or larger perimeter concepts, subject to venue plan and event rules.
- Useful for product interaction zones and broader display ranges.
- Better for exhibitors with their own custom counters, racks, towers or branded structures.
- Not ideal if you only need a very simple setup, because the added planning can be more than you need.
If your stand concept includes moving parts, amplified sound or anything that can affect nearby exhibitors, tell us upfront. We can then advise on practical limits before you finalise your plans.
Site needs, access and installation planning
Whether you choose shell scheme or open space, the smoothest setup starts with good information. Access times, loading arrangements and build windows are issued closer to each expo stop, and these can differ between Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban. Coastal humidity in Durban can affect certain printed finishes and adhesive products, so if you use delicate materials rather check your production method early.
Tell us if you need power for screens, charging units, warmers used for display only, or lighting. Any item that draws power should be declared in advance. If you are bringing large stock volumes, bulky stand furniture or a custom floor, mention this on your enquiry so we can point you to the right planning page and requirements. Last-minute changes can slow your move-in a bit.
- Confirm your preferred stand type and approximate footprint.
- Advise if you need electricity, extra furniture or storage space.
- Note any tall structures, heavy items or custom flooring.
- Flag live demos, queueing risk or product testing areas.
- Share whether your team is self-installing or using a stand contractor.
What works well at a baby and toddler expo
Parents usually respond best to stands that are clear, welcoming and easy to understand within a few seconds. Keep one main message visible from the aisle and avoid trying to show every product variation at once. If you have wheeled products or carry items, leave enough turning room so visitors can stop without blocking the passage. A stand can look full without feeling cramped if the layout is planned properly.
For shell scheme, a back wall hero graphic and a simple front product line-up often works well. For open space, use open corners and wide entry points. Seating can help for longer chats, but too much furniture can close the stand off. General product guidance is fine, but if your team speaks about feeding, sleep or post-birth concerns, keep it general and direct parents to a clinic or midwife for personal advice.
Also think about staffing. A compact stand with too many operators can feel cluttered, while a larger open stand with too few staff can miss enquiries. Match the team to the footprint and to the kind of visitor interaction you expect.
What to send when you enquire
When you contact us through the enquiry form, give us enough detail to point you to the right option first time. We do not need a polished plan on day one, but we do need a practical summary of what you want to show and how you want to trade from the stand. That helps us advise on whether shell scheme or open space is the better fit.
- Your product or service category.
- Your preferred tour city or cities: Johannesburg, Pretoria or Durban.
- The stand type you are considering.
- The approximate floor area you need in square metres.
- Whether you need power, furniture, storage or a custom build.
- Any demos, large display items or special access needs.
If you are unsure, say that too. We can guide you based on your display style, staffing and practical requirements, and we will let you know where a simpler setup may save time. For full build planning after that, see our planning your stand page.
What our Baby Expo customers say
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Questions we get asked
How do I choose between shell scheme and open space?
Choose shell scheme if you want a simpler stand with built structure included. Choose open space if you need a custom layout, larger display area or a stand that is open from more than one side.
Can I bring my own furniture and display units?
Yes, in most cases, but the size, weight and layout must suit your allocated stand and event rules. Tell us what you plan to bring when you enquire so we can advise early.
Do I need to tell you about power or demo equipment in advance?
Yes. Any power requirement, screen, lighting item or demo equipment should be declared ahead of time so the setup can be checked against site requirements and neighbouring stands.
Also worth a look
Exhibit or visit
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