Expo and Trade Show Tables: Sizes, Skirting and Cart Storage

Load-in starts at 6 a.m. Exhibitors want their booths set, and your crew is carrying 45-pound tables across a convention hall. Every pound counts by the hundredth table.

Choosing the right expo table sizes fixes two problems at once. It gives exhibitors more room to stand in the booth, and it gives your crew less to carry. The trick is a narrower top.

The stainless prep table in the photo is a 48 x 30 kitchen table, 36 inches high, and it suits food demos. The expo tables below are for display booths.

What size expo table does a trade show booth need?

As a planning rule of thumb, most exhibitors need a 6-foot table. Small displays fit on a 4-footer, and a 10-foot-wide booth can take an 8-foot table across the front. Check the show kit before you decide, because organizers set their own rules.

Our catalog lists three expo sizes, each in a 24-inch width:

• 48" x 24" (4 Foot) Rectangle Plywood Expo Table: 20 lbs, 660 lb capacity.
• 72" x 24" (6 Foot) Rectangle Plywood Expo Table: 30 lbs, 770 lb capacity.
• 96" x 24" (8 Foot) Rectangle Plywood Expo Table: 50 lbs, 770 lb capacity.

All three are adjustable from 30 to 42 inches and ship fully assembled. Browse the full Expo Tables collection.

How do you work out booth-count math?

Multiply tables by weight. A 100-booth show with one 6-foot table each means 100 tables. At 30 lbs apiece, your crew moves 3,000 lbs. The 72" x 30" plywood banquet table lists at 45 lbs, so the same show means 4,500 lbs.

That 1,500 lb difference is about labor, not only freight. The photo shows a cart rolling folding tables across an event floor. It is an add-on, not an expo table product. The banquet cart listings cover 72" x 30" and 96" x 30" tables, not 24-inch expo tops, so ask us before you buy one for an expo fleet. Browse Table Carts for the options.

Why choose 24-inch-wide tables?

A 24-inch top gives back 6 inches of floor over a 30-inch banquet. It also lets a staffer reach across without leaning.

The 48 by 24 table in the photo shows the adjustable legs. A single table works at seated height for a demo and at 42 inches for a standing pitch. That saves you from stocking two heights.

Now the cost side. A hundred 6-foot expo tables at $149.98 come to $14,998. A hundred plastic 72 by 30 tables at $94.09 come to $9,409. You pay more up front, so the case rests on labor saved, heights you no longer stock separately, and a cleaner booth line.

When is it not the right choice? If exhibitors serve food or sit three across a table, you need a 30-inch top. The 72" x 30" (6 Foot) Rectangle Heavy Duty Plastic Folding Table weighs 36 lbs and lists at $94.09, against $149.98 for the 6-foot expo. Expo tables cost more upfront.

How do you store and move expo tables?

Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sun. The 6-foot listing recommends a protective case or cover. Carry them rather than dragging them, because a dragged edge is the first thing to chip.

As a rule of thumb, a 20 lb table is a one-person carry and a 50 lb, 8-foot table is a two-person job. Plan crew size by the longest table in the order, since that sets your load-in pace.

Count tables by length before you load the truck. Sorting 4, 6 and 8-footers into separate stacks lets a crew grab the right size without re-handling the pile. That saves minutes per exhibitor, and minutes add up when a hall holds hundreds of booths.

What skirting and linen finish a booth?

Skirting hides storage and makes a booth look finished. Skirts are listed by table size, so confirm fit on a 24-inch top before you order for a show.

The photo shows a pleated skirt on a table with a raised top riser. Browse Table Skirts and Tablecloths & Covers for other options.

What to add to the order

Registration lines need a barrier. The Polished Silver Chrome Stanchion stands 37.4 inches tall on a weighted round base and is listed as compatible with standard ropes. See more in Crowd Control.

For presentations, add the Black Vinyl Black Steel Frame Trapezoid Back 34" Banquet Chair. It stacks up to 12 high and lists a 500 lb capacity. For larger booths, the 72" x 30" (6 Foot) Rectangle Plywood Folding Table gives you a deeper top.

A booth is a small stage, and the table is its floor. Give exhibitors more room and your crew fewer pounds. Browse the Expo Tables collection or call for a quote on a full show.

Frequently asked questions

How tall are the expo tables?

They adjust from 30 to 42 inches. That covers seated demos and standing displays.

How much does a 6-foot expo table weigh?

The 72" x 24" expo table weighs 30 lbs. It ships fully assembled.

Can I use a 72 by 30 skirt on a 24-inch table?

The skirt is sized for 72 by 30 inch tables. Confirm fit on a 24-inch top before you buy.