Registration counter rental sets the first impression of any conference, and at a large New Orleans show it also sets the pace of the first morning. A check-in area that is too short, poorly lit or hard to find turns into a line out the door. This guide explains how to size, lay out and brand registration counters for conferences and conventions of 500 to several thousand attendees.
Work backward from your staff, not your attendance. Each person checking in attendees needs room for a laptop or tablet, a badge printer and space to hand over materials. As a rule of thumb, allow about two feet of counter per staff member:
For peak arrival, plan separate positions for pre-registered attendees, onsite registration, exhibitors and speakers, plus one help desk for problems. Splitting lines this way usually does more for wait times than adding counter length to a single line.
Straight run. The simplest layout: counters side by side along a lobby wall or foyer. Easy to sign and easy to staff.
L or U shape. Add a Blanc corner unit to wrap counters around a column or create two service sides. A U shape works well in an open convention center lobby because lines can approach from three directions.
Island desk. Four counters around a central work area, with storage behind, suit large badge check-in halls where attendees arrive from every side.
Keep at least a few feet of working space behind the counters for boxes of badges and swag, and confirm with the venue where power drops are available before you fix the layout.
Badge printers, scanners and laptops add up to a lot of cords. The 6ft Blanc Registration Counter with cable grommets routes cables through the top so the front stays clean. Illuminated counters such as the Lemonade Registration Counter (Illuminated) may run on a rechargeable battery or need an outlet, depending on the unit. Your quote confirms which, so you can add any that plug in to the show’s electrical order.
Registration is the most photographed space at many conferences, which makes it valuable sponsor real estate. Blanc counters, the Altitude Registration Counter and the Lemonade counters are brandable with logos or vinyl graphics. The Altitude front can illuminate in any color, and the illuminated Lemonade counter uses multi-color LED that can match a sponsor palette. Add frame sign holders for wayfinding and retractable stanchions to shape lines.
At the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, registration usually goes in before exhibit hall move-in finishes, so counters often arrive on a different schedule than booth furniture. We coordinate with general service contractors such as Freeman and GES, follow advance warehouse and marshalling yard procedures, and provide certificates of insurance naming the venue or general contractor. Overnight installs are available when registration must open early the next morning.
When attendees stay across several hotels, a satellite registration desk in each host hotel lobby keeps the convention center line shorter on day one. One point of contact can schedule counters for every hotel and the convention center on a single delivery plan.
Start from the number of staff working the busiest arrival hour and allow about two feet of counter per person. Separate lines for onsite registration, exhibitors, speakers and help usually shorten waits more than one long counter.
Yes. Blanc, Altitude and Lemonade counters can carry logos or vinyl graphics. The Altitude front can illuminate in any color, and the illuminated Lemonade counter uses multi-color LED.
It depends on the counter. Some illuminated pieces run on a rechargeable battery and some plug in, and your quote confirms which, so you can add outlets to the show or venue electrical order. Badge printers and laptops also need power at each position.
Every counter is delivered, set and removed by our crew. Browse all registration counters, check our event rental FAQs, or request a quote for your conference.
