Exhibiting at a trade show or industry expo can be one of the most effective ways to get your brand in front of the right audience, generate real leads, and walk away with new business.
Whether you’re setting up trade show displays in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, the tricky part is often figuring out how much it’s likely to cost. Understanding what actually drives the cost, from build type and size through to floor space fees and freight, allows you to invest with confidence and spend your budget where it will genuinely pay off.
In this helpful guide, we break down real Australian pricing so you know exactly what to expect before you talk to exhibition stand builders in Sydney, Melbourne, or the Gold Coast.
All dollar figures in this guide are industry averages based on research across other Australian exhibition stand providers. Every stand and event is different, so for an accurate cost tailored to your project, contact us for a free quote.
Planning Your Exhibition Stand: What Goes Into the Build
The price for an exhibition stand is more than just the physical elements that make the stand itself. It is a combination of the size, your design choices, venue expenses and other operational costs that may not seem obvious.
A basic pull-up banner might set you back a couple of hundred dollars, while a custom 6×6m island stand with private meeting rooms and full LED lighting can run into the tens of thousands.
In the sections below, we dig deeper into these costs, as well as the major considerations in the total cost of an exhibition stand.
Size and Layout
The larger your footprint, the more materials you will need to build your stand. You will also incur higher exhibition space fees. The configuration of your stand can also alter the cost, with islands or walk-in sections more expensive than a simple linear booth.
Design Complexity
Stands that are specifically built for your brand will have 3D planning and design costs, bespoke construction needs as opposed to standard, reusable modular systems.
Materials and Finishes
A basic aluminium frame can be budget friendly, whereas glass panels, specialised textiles or raised flooring increase the material needs and aesthetic value of your booth, and the costs as well.
Technology and Interactivity
If you have integrated visuals and monitors, LED walls, touch screens and sound systems, these all add up, with electricity costs, installation by a licensed electrician. They can look amazing and draw a crowd, however.
What’s Included in the Price (Structure, Flooring, Graphics, Lighting)
The price you pay includes the entire exhibition stand, the whole package. It can include carpet tiles, walls with shared neighbours, a reception desk, lockable safe if you need, you name it. The team at ProEx Displays will construct the entire kit for you.
1. Structure
This is the physical skeleton on which all the rest is crafted. It includes walls and partitions made from aluminium frames and either hard panel walls or fabric walls. You can have wooden or aluminium pillars and support beams, storage rooms, lockable spaces for clothes and valuables, and you can include doors and counters as part of your structure.
2. Flooring
You need some kind of flooring to cover the raw concrete on many floors of exhibition centres. Standard carpeting, or carpet tiles work well and come in a range of colours. You can add comfort with some underlay foam. To hide wiring and underfloor cords and cables, a raised floor works best.
3. Graphics
Turn the bare, dull walls of your exhibition into something exciting, that draws the eye of passing potential customers. Stand out amongst the other stallholders. You can have vinyl prints posted on your walls or fabric tension graphics. Logo signage is a must, with hanging signs or header boards to catch people’s attention. All of this needs to be professionally set up and not just arranged haphazardly.
4. Lighting
Lighting helps set the mood and atmosphere, and it also helps customers see what you have to offer. You can have arm spotlights that clamp onto the top of walls or the frame and can be directed where you need. Some stands can have roofing, with downlights installed. And all of this needs basic electrical hookup, which needs to be done by a licensed electrician.
Floor Space Fees vs Stand Build Costs
Exhibition stand costs divide primarily into floor space rental (the real estate) and stand design and build (the physical booth).
Floor space rental is literally the space you rent from the event organiser to put your stand on. It is priced per square metre. It is usually around 25% of your set-up budget; however this can rise depending on your location. Prime locations, such as corners or near the front doors, can push the price up. High demand or very popular events can also charge a higher floor space fee.
Exhibition stand build cost is the actual, physical construction of your stand. It includes lighting, furniture, graphics, walls, all the bits and pieces that go together to make your display area. You should be looking to invest at least 50% of your budget into this. You want to make an impact with a great-looking stand, and that can cost sometimes. Custom builds can range from $350 to $2,000+ per square metre. The costs of modular builds vary based on complexity and materials.
Hidden or Often-Forgotten Costs (Freight, Install/Dismantle, Storage)
There are costs involved with events that you might not think of. You’re so focused on the rental costs of space, and the price of your stand, you might forget a few of these.
Freight and Shipping
Moving all the materials for your stand to and from the venue, and each event, is a cost you need to consider. How you transport the materials is also a factor. Do you need customised wooden crates, or other storage containers? How are you protecting the graphics, lights and other fragile elements of your stand?
Often the location will charge a fee for unloading your stand from the dock and moving it to your space. And if you deliver your goods outside of nominated hours, there could even be a late fee.
Installation and Dismantle (I&D)
You would be paying labour costs to put up your stand, and take it down at the end of the event. You can save on these costs by doing it yourself, but some venues, for insurance reasons, will insist on using their people to do the work. This can get complex with the electrician wiring up your stand, hanging signs or lights above your stand, which require specialised licences and safety permits.
If you have staff on your stand, you need to pay them, and depending on the hours of the event, you may have overtime included.
Storage and Logistics
Storing the boxes and crates used to bring your stand to the event will incur a storage fee while you are at the event. And if you’re going to multiple events, you need to store all of the gear between times. At the event, storage is usually charged by square metreage for the area your boxes take up. Between shows, you’re looking at monthly fees for storage.
Buying vs Hiring: Which Is Better Value Long-Term
This is an interesting question to ask yourself. If you’re only going to go to one or two shows ever, then hiring would be a cheaper option for you. If you’re planning on going to three or more shows per year, then purchasing your stand is better long-term value.
When Buying Wins (Long-Term Value)
- High frequency: Exhibiting at 3+ shows per year means the initial purchase cost breaks even within two to three events.
- Consistent branding: Reusing the exact same look, graphics, and dimensions maximises your return on investment over multiple years.
- Total ownership: You have zero rental fees for future events, meaning every show after the break-even point costs significantly less than hiring.
When Hiring Wins (Short-to-Medium Value)
- Infrequent attendance: Participating in just one or two events a year makes hiring cheaper by avoiding storage, transport, and maintenance costs.
- Changing floor spaces: Renting allows you to change your booth size, shape, or layout to fit different venue floor plans.
- Zero logistics overhead: Rental providers handle the heavy lifting, including delivery, assembly, dismantling, and post-show storage.
ProEx Displays: Custom Display Solutions in Australia
As you can see, the cost of an exhibition stand comes down to a lot more than just square metreage. Size, design complexity, materials, floor space fees, and all those easy-to-forget extras like freight and storage all play their part in the final number.
Whether you’re after a simple 3×3m shell scheme or a large custom island build, the smartest move is to plan your budget around the whole picture, not just the headline stand cost.
At ProEx Displays, our dedicated team can design, build, and install every stand in-house, so you get a clear, competitive quote without the guesswork.
With more than 20 years of experience in designing and building exhibition stands, we know what works. ProEx Displays are exhibition stand builders serving Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast. Ready to find out what your stand will actually cost? Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote.