What a Peninsula Booth Is
A peninsula booth sits at the end of a block of booths with aisles on three sides. Its back edge touches other booths: either a row of inline booths, or another peninsula, in which case the pair is often called a split island. Peninsulas are usually 20x20 or larger, though some shows sell 10x20 or 20x30 peninsulas. For the four-sided version, see the island booth guide.
| Type | Open sides | Typical size | Back wall | Typical price position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inline | 1 | 10x10, 10x20 | Full back wall at the inline limit | Base rate |
| Corner | 2 | 10x10, 10x20 | Full back wall at the inline limit | Base rate plus a corner premium |
| Peninsula | 3 | 20x20 and larger | Limited near each aisle when it backs onto inline booths | Above corner, a little below island |
| Split island | 3 | 20x20 and larger, in pairs | Shared wall often allowed at full height | Close to peninsula |
| Island | 4 | 20x20 and larger | No back wall | Highest per square foot |
Peninsula Booth Rules: Back Wall and Line of Sight
The peninsula's back edge is the rule that matters. A tall solid wall there would hide the inline booths behind it from both side aisles. Many shows base their rules on IAEE display guidelines, which commonly limit the back wall of a peninsula backing onto inline booths to 4 ft high within 5 ft of each aisle, with the full height allowed only toward the middle. Treat that as a reference point; your exhibitor manual sets the rule for your show.
| Rule area | Common approach | Who decides |
|---|---|---|
| Back wall near the aisles | Low wall within a set distance of each aisle, such as 4 ft high within 5 ft | Organizer |
| Center of the back wall | Higher, up to the peninsula's height limit | Organizer, within venue limits |
| Overall height | Often close to the island limit | Organizer, venue and fire authority |
| Hanging signs | Allowed at some shows, sometimes only above the center of the booth | Organizer and venue |
| Back of the back wall | Finished surface with no graphics facing neighbors | Organizer |
| Split island | Shared back wall may go to full height | Organizer |
| Drawings | Plans for structures and signs due by a set date | Organizer |
The booth height restrictions guide covers how to set inline, corner, peninsula and island limits together so the ladder makes sense.
Pricing Peninsula Booths
Price the peninsula between corner and island. It gets almost the island's visibility but has neighbors behind it and a restricted back wall. The figures below are planning examples, not market data.
| Space | How it is priced | Example total |
|---|---|---|
| Four 10x10 inline booths | 400 sq ft at $30 | $12,000 |
| 20x20 peninsula | 400 sq ft at $30 plus a $1,500 premium | $13,500 |
| 20x20 split island | 400 sq ft at $30 plus a $1,800 premium | $13,800 |
| 20x20 island | 400 sq ft at $30 plus a $2,500 premium | $14,500 |
Check the ladder on your booth rate card template and run the totals through the booth revenue calculator. If peninsulas sell before islands every year, the gap between them is probably too wide.
Where to Place Peninsulas on the Floor Plan
- 1
Cap Blocks Facing Main Aisles
Peninsulas go at the end of booth blocks, facing a main or cross aisle. Put them where the aisle in front carries the most traffic.
- 2
Mind the Neighbors
Know which inline booths sit behind each peninsula. Those exhibitors care about the back wall rule, so tell them it exists when they buy.
- 3
Pair Them as Split Islands
Two peninsulas back to back become a split island with a full-height shared wall, which suits larger exhibits without touching inline booths.
- 4
Keep the Block Flexible
Draw the peninsula as four 10x10s that can merge, or as one block, and decide by a set date which form to sell.
- 5
Check the Venue
Confirm columns, floor boxes and ceiling height with the venue before you promise a hanging sign or overhead power.
An interactive floor plan lets peninsula buyers see which aisles they face and who is behind them, and event floor plan software makes it quick to redraw a block when a peninsula becomes four inline booths. The trade show booth layout guide covers aisle patterns.