When planning a trade show, the preferred floor covering in your trade show exhibit changes from country to country. Exhibitors who choose to go to a trade show or fair outside their home country are often surprised by the choices available to them for flooring.
In Japan, the usual floor covering is needle punch carpet. To clarify what we mean when we say “needle punch carpet,” we are talking about a mat-like carpet that results when a matted layer of short staple fibers are punched with barbed needles into a spun, synthetic scrim and intertwined, forming a mat of surface fiber. The mat is usually approximately 3/8” thick and looks like a very thick felt.
Away from Japan, however, needle punch carpet is not the standard.
In many European countries, the floor of the exhibit is a wooden platform, often used to cover cables and wiring. This type of floor requires the attendee to step up into the space, which causes a problem when European exhibitors try to do a similar structure in the U.S. where there are rules about accessibility. The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) is generally enforced by the fire marshals at U.S. venues, so savvy exhibitors usually choose to go in a different direction for flooring.
In the U.S., the carpet is a thick loop and pile textile. Generally speaking, before the carpet is installed, a layer of padding goes over the concrete floor of the venue, in effect cushioning the carpet. Premium padding often comes with a higher price tag, but exhibitors will pay for this enhancement to keep exhibit staff happy.
But carpet isn’t the only option in the U.S. Everything from vinyl to recycled rubber is used for the floor of the exhibit. Carpet tiles are another option, one which is also quite popular for exhibitors in Australia. 1 m. x 1 m. carpet tiles can be rented (or “hired”) from suppliers. Needle punch carpet is also available but tends to be more expensive than the tiles. Exhibitors in Australia also can use an expensive raised floor, which can be covered with carpet tiles.
In China, exhibits often have a raised, European-type floor and carpet similar in quality to that used in the U.S. And in Korea, the carpet is actually installed after the exhibit is set up.
Specifying flooring takes global knowledge and expertise. Work with a partner who knows the most economical solution for your particular venue so that there are no cultural or budget surprises.
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