Planning your Holiday World Show stand? Good. It’s a big stage — busy aisles, travel-hungry visitors, media about, and plenty of competitors trying to out-shine you. This guide gives you a practical, event-specific checklist to build a stand that looks the part, runs smoothly, and actually generates leads. And yes — we’ll point you to proven display products along the way (without the jargon).

What is the Holiday World Show — and why it matters for your stand

The Holiday World Show is Ireland’s flagship consumer travel event, staged at the RDS, Simmonscourt, Dublin, with the 2026 edition scheduled there in January. It attracts tens of thousands of holiday-seekers and trade visitors — the 2025 show, for instance, reported more than 25,000 attendees and extensive media coverage.

From a planning angle: it’s indoors, high-footfall, and very visual. Think bold graphics, quick conversations, fast lead capture. You’ll want a compact kit that installs cleanly and stays tidy for three long days.

Key exhibitor rules you should design around (RDS Simmonscourt)

Don’t design blind. The show manual sets out the basics:

Build-up & breakdown: Shell-scheme exhibitors typically move in on the Thursday; space-only builds start earlier. Breakdown begins after show close on Sunday evening. (Dates/times vary by year — check the current manual.
Height limits: Anything above 2.5 m requires organiser approval. Plan your walls and headers accordingly.
Rigging: Overhead suspensions must be arranged through the appointed rigger. Factor this in if you’re considering hanging features.
Deliveries & storage: Brochures/equipment should arrive only within the stated window and may need to go via the on-site storage area; no excess stock behind the stand.
Services: Electrics, internet and catering are venue-managed; external food/drink on stands is restricted without written permission.

Design takeaway? Keep the system modular and self-contained, and treat 2.5 m as your working maximum unless you’ve had an over-height plan approved.

Your Holiday World Show stand, simplified

Here’s the complete, event-ready checklist — sequenced from concept to conversion. Use it as your run-sheet.

1) Brand impact (seen from the aisle in three seconds)

Backdrop that actually stops people. A clean, photo-led wall with a single promise beats a collage of micro-messages.
• Consider a curved fabric display to soften corners and improve sightlines: curved fabric display.
• Prefer straight runs? A linear fabric wall keeps copy super-legible: straight fabric wall.
Illumination that earns its keep. Back-lit graphics are ridiculously noticeable indoors.
• If space allows, use a large lightbox as your signature backdrop: 2 m × 3 m lightbox.
• Pair with an illuminated counter for demos and signups: 1 m lightbox counter.
Consistent surfaces. Dress tables properly to avoid a ‘bits-and-bobs’ look.
• Branded linens: printed tablecloths.
• Fitted look for busy hands-on stands: stretch table cover.
• Layer detail without clutter: printed table runner.

2) Visibility & reach (when every aisle looks the same)

Tall graphics within the limit. If you need height, add a tension fabric display stand — light, tidy, fast to install: portable fabric stand.
Edge-of-aisle signposting.
• High-impact banner with room for a big offer: wide pull-up banner.
• Messaging both ways for corner plots: double-sided roller banner.
• Prefer greener media? Choose eco-friendly pull-up banners.

3) Engagement zones (design for conversations, not clutter)

Front-of-stand hosting. Use a counter to create a natural stop-point and tidy storage.
• Quick demos/sampling: promotional demo counter.
• Tool-free setup: automatic/manual pop-up counter.
• Tougher environments: heavy-duty counter stand.
Photo-ready backdrop. For PR and social posts, a printed step-and-repeat or zipper wall works wonders.
• Space-efficient and modern: eco-friendly double-sided zipper wall.
• Flow a serpentine shape for depth: S-shape zipper wall.
Wearable branding. Staff IDs turn into micro-billboards across the hall: recycled rPET lanyards.

4) Literature & digital touchpoints (without the paper avalanche)

Keep print tidy — and light. The organiser provides a brochure storage area with rules on what you can keep on stand, and a delivery window you must meet. Plan quantities and delivery timing accordingly. (Holiday World Show)
Put key information on a single A4 and drive the rest to a QR page (no one wants a suitcase full of leaflets).
If you need rigid boards for offers or itineraries, plan them around the 2.5 m planning threshold. (Holiday World Show)

5) Compliance & services (the unglamorous bits that save you)

Electrics & internet: Use the appointed venue suppliers; don’t assume household extensions will pass
Catering on stand: The venue caterer has exclusive rights — outside food/drink generally needs written permission.
Rigging & height: Overhead features must go through the appointed rigger; submit drawings if you’re going tall.

6) Logistics timeline (Holiday World Show rhythm)

Design sign-off & print deadlines: Work backwards from move-in. Final artwork should be locked a fortnight out to avoid rush charges; illuminated systems need extra time for fabric finishing. (For a deeper logistics run-through, see our planning guide.)
Move-in: Shell scheme typically Thursday; space-only the day before. Allocate 60–90 minutes for a fabric backdrop plus counter and banners — more if you’re adding lightboxes.
On-stand operations: Assign roles — greeter, demo lead, lead capture owner. Short, sharp demos. Hydration. A rota. (It’s a marathon, not a sprint.)
Breakdown: Pack in labelled cases; remove valuables before you leave Sunday night as security is limited during dismantle.

7) Product kit list for Holiday World Show (pick & mix to suit your plot)

Core structure: exhibition display stands for a cohesive, modular base.
Backdrops & walls:
• portable exhibition fabric walls when you need reconfigurable panels across events.
• custom stage-style fabric backdrop if you’re hosting talks.
Lighting & counters: 2 m × 3 m lightbox + 1 m lightbox counter.
Banner support:
• wide pull-up, double-sided pull-up, eco pull-up.
• For softer lines, tension fabric banner stands.
Work surfaces & finishing: demo counter, pop-up counter, heavy-duty counter, tablecloths, stretch covers, table runner.
Eco signage swap-ins: If you still need large banners, choose PVC-free banners.
Wearables: rPET lanyards.

8) On-stand messaging & conversion

Lead with a single promise (headline), support with three proof points, then a clear next step.
Make actions obvious: “Scan to get our sample itinerary” / “Book a 15-minute trip consult”.
Use a lightbox counter or demo table as your lead desk and pin a QR code at elbow height.
For detailed signage tactics and table presentation standards, borrow from our show guides (the principles travel well across sectors).

FAQ

How high can I build at the RDS for this show?

Design to 2.5 m unless you’ve submitted drawings and received approval to go higher.

Can I rig a hanging sign above my stand?

Yes — but it must go through the appointed rigger listed in the manual; factor time/cost into your plan.

When can I move in and out?

Space-only builds start earlier; shell scheme moves in the day before opening. Breakdown begins after Sunday close. Always confirm the current year’s schedule in the official manual.

Can I serve food or drink on the stand?

The venue caterer has exclusive rights; outside food/drink generally requires written permission.

How many visitors should I expect?

The 2025 edition reported 25,000+ attendees; the event consistently draws large consumer and trade audiences at the RDS. Plan staffing accordingly.

Smart prep (so the week runs smoothly)

Artwork & print: Lock creative early; illuminated and tension-fabric systems need precision finishing. Our production notes on trade-show logistics explain how to avoid last-minute scrambles.
Messaging discipline: One big idea per panel. Your stand isn’t a brochure.
Team roles & rota: Greeter, demo lead, lead capture — and breaks. You’ll thank yourself on Saturday afternoon.
Deliveries: Respect the window and label everything with stand number and contact — it speeds intake and keeps the fire routes clear. (Holiday World Show)

Planning more shows? These venue-smart guides will sharpen your plan

If your calendar also includes sector-specific events at the RDS and beyond, these focused playbooks carry the same practical approach — layouts, product picks, and on-the-day tactics tailored to each crowd:

Learn how to draw attendees at the IPAV Conference & Trade Exhibition with messaging and sightlines that actually stop passers-by.
Tick off every requirement with a concise IPAV Valuation Conference exhibitor checklist.
For tech-curious audiences and hands-on demos, see how to maximise engagement at the Nevo Electric Vehicle Show.
Prefer a straight, do-this-then-that format? Use the Nevo EV Show exhibitor checklist.
Selling design-led products? This exhibitors’ guide to Gifted Contemporary Craft & Design Fair covers what works for premium, tactile brands.
And if you’d rather work from a punchy list, here’s the Gifted Craft & Design Fair stand checklist.

Ready to build a stand that converts?

Talk to us about tailoring a modular kit for your plot, artwork support and print deadlines — all aligned to the Holiday World Show manual. Next-day delivery and a design service are available, and we’re on the phone if you prefer to chat: 01 201 8700. Get in touch.

Planning for Holiday World Show starts now. The beauty of a well-built kit? It repays you at every event after the RDS too.

Holiday World Show Dublin Display Stand Checklist