Table of Contents
- 1.Exhibition hall vs. event tent: the key differences
- 2.Climate technology for the exhibition stand (up to 150 m²)
- 3.Hall-wide air conditioning (from 500 m²)
- 4.Planning lead time and logistics
- 5.Heating at autumn and winter trade fairs
- 6.Checklist for exhibitors
1. Exhibition Hall vs. Event Tent: The Key Differences
Exhibition halls and event tents present thermally very different requirements for temporary air conditioning solutions:
| Feature | Exhibition hall | Event tent |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Steel/concrete, good insulation | Tent canvas, minimal insulation |
| Solar load | Low (insulated roof) | High (translucent fabric) |
| Ceiling height | 8 to 20 m (stratification!) | 3 to 6 m |
| Power connection | Often available | Usually via generator |
| Climate tech type | Chiller + fancoils preferred | Monoblock or chiller |
| Setup time | 2 to 5 days (large halls) | 4 to 24 hours |
The key difference: exhibition halls have a stratification problem due to their great ceiling height. Warm air rises and collects at the top; cold air must be actively directed into the occupied zone. In tents with 4 to 6 m ceiling height this problem is less pronounced.
2. Climate Technology for the Exhibition Stand (up to 150 m²)
For individual exhibition stands or partitioned exhibition areas up to 150 m², mobile split air conditioners are the most economical solution. Typical units in this range:
- 5 to 9 kW: For smaller stands up to 70 m² with moderate heat load (brochure stand, info point). One unit usually sufficient.
- 9 to 14 kW: For medium stands 70 to 120 m² with lighting and screens. One to two units.
- 14 to 25 kW (double monoblock): For stands 100 to 150 m² with high visitor frequency, large video walls or own catering.
Important for exhibitors:
Many exhibition halls have their own air conditioning, but it is often designed for baseline supply, not the peak load of a fully occupied stand with strong lighting. Especially for premium presentations, a dedicated temporary climate unit running independently of the hall system is worth considering.
Temporary air conditioning in an industrial hall — chiller outside, fancoils inside
3. Hall-Wide Air Conditioning (from 500 m²)
When an organiser wishes to temporarily air condition an entire exhibition hall or several interconnected halls — for instance because the hall system is defective or additional capacity is needed for a special event — chiller systems with fancoil networks are used.
This system works as follows:
- 1Externally mounted chiller produces chilled water (7 to 12 °C) by evaporating refrigerant (F-gas certified process).
- 2Chilled water is routed via flexible, thermally insulated plastic pipes (clamped connections, no welding) into the hall.
- 3Fancoil units (fan-convector) distribute the cooling inside. Operating noise approx. 35 to 45 dB(A).
- 4Return water (12 to 16 °C) is routed back to the chiller and cooled again.
For a 1,000 m² exhibition hall with medium load, typically 100 to 180 kW of chiller capacity is required. ATOWIK deploys chillers with 40, 80 or 130 kW that can be combined modularly.
4. Planning Lead Time and Logistics
Trade fair projects require different lead times than spontaneous individual events:
| Project type | Recommended lead time | Minimum lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Single stand up to 30 kW | 2 to 3 weeks | 1 week |
| Stand 30 to 80 kW | 3 to 5 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Hall section 80 to 300 kW | 4 to 8 weeks | 3 weeks |
| Entire hall 300 kW+ | 6 to 12 weeks | 4 weeks |
5. Heating at Autumn and Winter Trade Fairs
Autumn and winter trade fairs present different requirements. While hall heating is often available, there are situations where temporary supplementary heating is useful:
- Outdoor areas and connecting passages: Unheated transitions between halls or outdoor areas of the exhibition stand.
- Energy efficiency: Targeted heating of only your own stand area instead of the entire hall.
- Backup reliability: If the hall heating fails or is insufficient, a heater can be delivered at short notice. Best to enquire directly by phone.
- Product demonstration: Machinery or products requiring an exact room temperature.