It is the first question every exhibitor asks, and the hardest one: how much does an exhibition stand cost? (In the US you would say a trade show booth.) The answer depends on the size, the level of finish, the technology on board, the lead time and your industry. Here are the price ranges we see on our projects in France, from 6 to more than 500 m², and the levers that keep your budget under control.
The four cost items of a trade show
Before talking about the stand itself, separate the main costs of exhibiting:
- Floor space, charged per m² by the organiser. It varies widely from one show to another and with the location on the floor plan (corner, main aisle, near the entrances).
- The stand: design, build, transport, installation, dismantling and storage, handled by your stand builder. This is the part we take care of.
- The organiser’s technical services: electricity, rigging, internet, water, cleaning, badges.
- Other costs: travel and hotels for your team, hospitality, giveaways, invitation campaigns.
As a rule of thumb, the stand accounts for 40 to 60% of the total cost of exhibiting.
Stand prices per m² in France
The prices below exclude VAT and floor space, and include design, build, transport, installation and dismantling.
| Level | Indicative price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Premium modular | €400 to €560 per m² | Reusable structure, backlit fabrics, large format graphics, rented furniture. |
| Custom build | €850 to €1,250 per m² | Architecture designed for your brand, joinery made in our workshop, designed lighting, dedicated furniture. |
| Flagship | €1,350 to €2,100 per m² | Premium materials, complex structures, LED screens and content, immersive features. |
On top of these amounts comes a fixed base (design, drawings, coordination, logistics) that weighs more on small stands. That is why the price per m² of a 9 m² stand is proportionally higher than that of a 200 m² stand. Our projects start at €5k excl. VAT for a 6 m² stand.
Typical budgets by stand size
| Stand size | Indicative budget excl. VAT | Typical layout |
|---|---|---|
| 6 m² | €5k to €10k | Counter, brand wall, product shelf. |
| 9 m² | €6k to €14k | Reception, display, high table. |
| 12 m² | €7k to €18k | Reception, product area, meeting corner. |
| 18 m² | €10k to €25k | Inline or corner stand, one strong message, a meeting space. |
| 36 m² | €17k to €48k | Reception, demo area, meeting lounge, storage. |
| 54 m² | €24k to €70k | Closed meeting room, bar, separate zones. |
| 100 m² | €45k to €130k | Brand architecture, several rooms, a stage if needed. |
| 200 m² | €80k to €240k | Stage, press room, hospitality, private lounges. |
| 300 m² | €110k to €340k | Monumental architecture, VIP lounges, press areas. |
| 500 m² and more | From €190k | The stand as an event: reveals, VIP areas, large visitor flows. |
For reference, 9 m² is roughly a 10 × 10 ft booth, and 18 m² a 10 × 20 ft booth.
What makes the price vary
- Height and volume: a 5 metre high stand or hanging structures need more material and engineering.
- Materials: oak veneer, high gloss lacquer or glass cost more than a printed panel.
- Technology: LED screens, projection mapping, sound and show control can represent 10 to 25% of the budget.
- Closed spaces: meeting rooms, storage and kitchens add walls, doors and equipment.
- Lead time: a project launched late means overtime and night work.
- Your industry: luxury finishes, automotive lighting, confidential meeting rooms for defence, kitchens for food and beverage. Each sector has its own requirements.
How to save without losing impact
- Plan ahead. Three to four months of lead time let you compare several stand builders and avoid rush costs. Our trade show planning timeline gives the key dates.
- Think reuse. A stand designed in modules can be rebuilt at several shows, which divides its cost. We store it between shows and adapt it to each floor plan.
- Focus the effort. One spectacular focal point and simple surrounding areas work better than a stand that is busy everywhere.
- Share across shows. The same stand can be reconfigured from 54 to 36 m² for a smaller regional show.
- Write a precise brief. Clear goals (meetings, demos, leads) stop you paying for spaces you will not use.
The right budget is not the lowest one: it is the one that brings the most qualified meetings per euro spent.
Exhibiting in France from abroad?
If your company is based outside France, building your stand locally avoids shipping structures across borders and oceans, and a local team knows the venue rules. Read our guide for international exhibitors, browse the trade show calendar and discover our exhibition stand design and build service.
Estimate your budget in a minute
Our online estimator gives a first range based on your stand size, type, industry and options. For a precise quote, tell us about your project: an English-speaking project manager will call you back within two working days.
