The Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center (WECC), located in Bao'an District, Shenzhen, China, is one of the largest and most advanced exhibition venues in China and Asia, with a total building area of 400,000 square meters, offering 18 exhibition halls and over 50,000 square meters of outdoor exhibition space. Its official Exhibitor Manual embodies the high standards and institutionalized management of modern Chinese exhibitions, focusing on safety, environmental protection, construction supervision, and personnel management.
The following key points summarize the essential rules from the official Exhibitor Manual for domestic and international exhibitors, covering booth design, structural requirements, electrical standards, fire safety, construction management, and China-specific policies including real-name registration and green construction standards.
1. Booth Design and Approval Process
Important Regulation: All custom booth designs must be submitted in advance, including floor plans, elevation drawings, electrical layouts, structural calculations, and material specifications. Approval from the Shenzhen WECC Technical Department is required before construction begins.
Design Submission Requirements
- Booth designs must indicate material types (e.g., aluminum, wood, panels) and fire rating (B1 or better)
- Double-deck structures, hanging elements, ceilings, and heavy equipment require separate load-bearing documentation
- Electrical circuits must be designed by qualified electricians and include load calculation tables
- Booths must not obstruct or occupy fire exits, emergency exits, fire hydrants, or public electrical panels
2. Booth Height and Structural Requirements
| Booth Type | Maximum Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Booth (9 sqm or smaller) | ≤ 2.5 m | Including lighting, banners, and hanging elements |
| Custom Booth (under 36 sqm) | ≤ 4 m | Requires application and approval |
| Custom Booth (over 36 sqm) | ≤ 6 m | Requires structural calculations and certification |
| Extra-height Booth (over 6 m) | Special Application | Requires venue safety evaluation and organizer approval |
Structural Safety Requirements
- Booth structures must be stable and secure, with all columns, supports, and beams firmly connected
- Double-deck booths and elevated structures require load-bearing documentation, with floor capacity not less than 300 kg/㎡
- Second-level platforms must have guardrails (height ≥1.1 m) and fixed staircases; temporary ladders are prohibited
- Hanging elements (e.g., lights, LED screens, banners) require installation point documentation and safety factor certification (≥5:1)
3. Electrical and Power Safety Regulations
Strict Regulation: Exhibitors are prohibited from running unauthorized wiring. All electrical installations must be performed by official Shenzhen WECC electricians. Violators will face forced power disconnection and fines.
Electrical Safety Requirements
- Booth power must be applied for in advance through the official service provider, specifying equipment wattage and quantity
- Cables must be national-standard double-insulated wires; substandard or makeshift wiring is strictly prohibited
- All power lines must be protected with conduit, and electrical boxes must be covered and equipped with leakage protection devices
- Booth lighting must not use halogen or incandescent lamps; LED lights are recommended
- Use of electric stoves, induction cookers, electric kettles, and other high-power appliances is prohibited
- Total booth power consumption must stay within the applied quota; overloads may cause circuit breakers to trip
4. Fire Safety and Prevention
Fire Safety Requirements
- Smoking, open flames, and use of gas equipment are strictly prohibited inside the hall
- All booth materials must be fire-retardant, with fire rating not lower than B1 (flame-retardant)
- Booth fabrics, carpets, and decorative textiles must provide fire safety test reports
- Each booth must have at least one ABC dry powder fire extinguisher (1 per 30 sqm)
- Fire aisles must be at least 3 meters wide; stacking materials, goods, or exhibits is strictly prohibited
- Fire hydrants, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and emergency lighting must not be obstructed or blocked
Special Reminder: Venue security personnel have the right to inspect booths at any time. Fire hazards must be corrected immediately upon discovery.
5. Construction and Personnel Management
Construction Permit and Real-Name Registration
- All construction personnel must be registered in advance through the exhibition system with real-name verification and enter with construction permits
- Electricians, welders, and high-altitude workers must hold nationally issued special operations certificates
- Construction personnel must wear safety helmets, non-slip shoes, and reflective vests
- High-altitude work requires safety harnesses and dedicated supervisors
- Drinking alcohol, horseplay, or activities unrelated to construction are prohibited inside the venue
Strict Regulation: Personnel without real-name registration are not permitted to enter. Violators will be expelled and may delay the exhibitor's booth construction schedule.
6. Environmental Protection and Cleaning Requirements
Shenzhen WECC actively promotes the "Green Exhibition" concept, encouraging the use of environmentally friendly materials and modular construction to reduce on-site pollution and resource waste.
Environmental and Cleaning Regulations
- Painting, grinding, cutting, and other operations that generate dust or odors are prohibited inside the hall
- Use of recyclable materials or standardized display systems (e.g., aluminum profiles, light steel structures) is recommended
- Exhibitors must promptly clean up construction waste and must not pile refuse in aisles or public areas
- After the exhibition, booths must be restored to their original condition; thorough cleaning is required before dismantling procedures can be completed
- If the venue discovers excessive waste or damaged flooring after dismantling, cleaning fees and compensation will be deducted from the deposit
7. Rigging and Large Exhibit Management
Important Regulation: All rigging operations must be reported to the venue in advance. After approval, operations must be performed by professional rigging teams. Exhibitors and contractors are prohibited from operating cranes or rigging equipment independently.
Rigging and Heavy Equipment Management
- Exhibits or structural components requiring rigging (e.g., LED screens, trusses, machinery) must provide weight, dimensions, and rigging point locations
- Rigging services must be booked through the official service provider and comply with venue-designated time slots
- Large exhibits must coordinate with logistics providers in advance to confirm entry routes and unloading times
- Exhibits weighing over 500 kg must be separately declared with placement locations specified
- Forklifts and other mechanical equipment may only be operated by qualified personnel; exhibitors are prohibited from driving them
8. Exhibition Period Conduct and Operations
Exhibition Period Management Requirements
- Booths must remain clean and orderly during the exhibition; displayed items must comply with exhibition themes and industry standards
- High-volume music or videos are prohibited at booths; noise should be kept within reasonable limits (≤70 decibels)
- Distributing flyers, soliciting customers, or engaging in promotional activities that interfere with other exhibitors outside booth boundaries is prohibited
- Exhibitors must comply with exhibition operating hours; early dismantling or disassembly during non-business hours is prohibited
- Booths must not store flammable or explosive materials, hazardous chemicals, or prohibited items
9. Distinctive Features of Chinese Exhibition Management
Shenzhen WECC Management Characteristics
- Real-Name Construction System: All construction personnel must register in advance and enter with permits—a standard requirement for Chinese exhibitions
- Official Electrician System: All electrical connections are completed by official electricians, ensuring safety and accountability traceability
- Deposit Management: Exhibitors or contractors must pay a construction deposit, refundable after venue inspection upon dismantling
- Green Environmental Policy: Encourages use of modular, recyclable materials and restricts high-pollution on-site construction
- Multi-Level Approval System: Custom booths require multi-level review by venue, organizer, and fire departments
Starrise Insight｜The Advantages and Challenges of China's Institutionalized Exhibition Management
Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center represents the modern management model of China's large-scale exhibition venues: high-standard fire safety, strict construction personnel management, and environmentally oriented green construction policies. For international exhibitors, understanding these regulations not only facilitates smooth participation but also demonstrates professionalism, winning trust and cooperation opportunities in the Chinese market.
- Real-Name Registration and Deposit Systems create a traceable accountability management loop;
- Official Service System ensures safety in critical aspects such as power and rigging;
- Green Environmental Policies drive the exhibition industry toward sustainable transformation.
International exhibitors are advised to plan ahead, communicate fully, and select construction partners with Chinese exhibition experience to ensure smooth execution of exhibition projects at Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center.
Source
This article is based on the official Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center Exhibitor Manual, compiled and edited by the Starrise Expo Design Team.
Copyright Notice
This article is compiled from official materials of Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center, intended solely for exhibition information dissemination and industry learning reference. Please cite: "Starrise Expo · Global Exhibition Rules Insight" when republishing. Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center and related logos are the property of their respective owners.