What Is a Shell Scheme Upgrade?
Many international exhibitors at Dubai trade shows are allocated a standard shell scheme stand by the organiser or country pavilions — a basic metal-framed booth with plain white panels, a fascia board, and a standard carpet. It’s functional, but it looks identical to every other shell scheme stand on the floor. When you’ve flown from Europe, Asia, or the US to exhibit at Gulfood, GITEX, or Arab Health, your brand deserves better.
Exhibition stand contractor Maple Expo’s shell scheme upgrade service transforms your organiser-supplied stand into a premium branded environment — without changing the footprint, without violating organiser rules, and without the cost of a full custom exhibition stand. We work within your allocated space and within DWTC, ADNEC, and all UAE organiser guidelines to produce a stand that looks completely custom from every angle.
Shell scheme upgrades are one of our most popular services — particularly for first-time Dubai exhibitors and international companies on a tighter budget who want maximum visual impact. With 2,500+ stands built across 30+ countries, Maple Expo exhibition stand fabrication knows exactly what works in a shell scheme environment and what organisers will and won’t approve.
What We Add to Your Shell Scheme Stand
• Printed Wall Graphics
Full-height fabric or foam board graphics printing fitted to your shell scheme panels — transforming plain white walls into branded, high-impact visuals. Colour accurate, fast turnaround, produced in our Dubai print lab.
• CNC-Cut Logo & Brand Elements
3D acrylic or MDF cut letters, logos, and brand elements mounted to your stand walls or positioned as freestanding displays. Creates depth and premium feel within your shell scheme footprint.
• LED & Accent Lighting
LED spotlights, strip lighting, and ambient lighting to lift your stand out of the flat shell scheme environment. Properly wired through your shell scheme electrical allocation.
• Freestanding Display Units
Branded display stands, product pedestals, and showcase units positioned within your footprint. Used to create depth and visual interest that shell scheme panels alone cannot achieve.
• Furniture on Rental
Lounge seating, branded stools, display tables, and meeting furniture available on rental. Delivered, set up, and collected as part of your upgrade package.
Perfect For International Exhibitors on a Shell Scheme Allocation
- First-time Dubai exhibitors who have been allocated a shell scheme by the organiser and want to make an impact without the cost of a full custom build
- International companies from Europe, Asia, or the US exhibiting at DWTC or ADNEC who need their stand to reflect their global brand standards
- Returning exhibitors who exhibited with a basic shell scheme last year and want to upgrade their presence for the same organiser allocation or
- Companies at Beautyworld, The Big 5, Arab Health, INDEX, ArabLab or any UAE show where shell scheme is the standard allocation format
- Exhibitors with a limited budget who want maximum visual impact within the constraint of their assigned stand space
How We Upgrade Your Shell Scheme — Managed Remotely
Send us your shell scheme details
Email us your organiser’s shell scheme specification (panel size, height, fascia dimensions, electrical allocation) plus your show dates, venue, and brand guidelines. We’ll review what’s achievable within your organiser rules and send a concept and quote within 24 hours.
Design approval
We produce a visual mockup of your upgraded shell scheme stand for approval. You review and approve remotely — no travel needed. Once approved, we go into production.
Production in Dubai
All graphics, displays, and branded elements are produced in our in-house Dubai facility. We handle organiser submissions for any non-standard elements that require approval.
On-site installation
Our team installs everything at the venue within the organiser’s build-up hours. You arrive to a completed, upgraded stand — no assembly required on your side.
Faq's
Yes — all Maple Expo shell scheme upgrades are designed to comply with DWTC, ADNEC, and UAE organiser regulations. We only add elements that are permitted within your shell scheme allocation: printed graphics on existing panels, freestanding displays within your footprint, and standard electrical fittings. We submit any required approval forms on your behalf.
Shell scheme upgrade costs typically range from AED 3,000–20,000 depending on the size of your stand, the elements selected, and whether furniture rental is included. Maple Expo provides a fixed-price quote covering all elements — graphics, displays, lighting, installation, and dismantling. No hidden charges.
No. Most of our shell scheme upgrade clients manage everything remotely. Send us your organiser's shell scheme specification and your brand files, approve the design online, and arrive at the show to a completed upgraded stand. We handle everything on the ground.
Ideally 4–6 weeks before your show date. For peak shows — Gulfood (February), Arab Health (January), GITEX (October) — book 8 weeks ahead. Rush services are available for urgent requirements.
Shell scheme allocations are standard at most UAE trade shows including Beautyworld Middle East, The Big 5, ArabLab, INDEX, AEEDC, Intersec, and many pavilion-format exhibitions at DWTC and ADNEC. GITEX and Gulfood offer both shell scheme and space-only options depending on your package.