Who submits the stand project to the organiser?

Usually the stand builder; the project, declaration and electrical project are uploaded through the decorator portal. As the exhibitor, follow the submission date and the approval reply yourself; an unapproved stand cannot start building.

Can we not have a timber stand on a 24 square metre plot?

At Tüyap, from 1 March 2026, no; plots of 24 m² and under may only use modular systems. Brand differentiation comes from graphics, lightboxes and facade cladding. Other venues' rules are checked in the exhibitor manual.

What if the neighbouring stand is taller than ours?

The taller side is obliged to clad the surface facing you in white, flat, matt material. You apply the same rule to your own neighbour; the back cladding should appear as a separate item in the technical drawing.

Can we build the stand with our own staff?

Yes, but the same rules apply: staff register on the safety portal, upload the legal documents and wear protective equipment; the electrical connection is still made by an MYK-certified electrician.

Venue rules and stand approval

Every venue has technical regulations, and a stand that does not comply does not enter the hall. Tüyap's stand rules in force since 1 March 2026, height and deck approvals, power and fire requirements, and how German venues differ.

Short answer

Which rules apply to a stand in the hall?

A venue applies technical regulations to protect the safety of the stand and the rights of neighbouring stands; the stand project passes the organiser's approval against those regulations. At Tüyap, from 1 March 2026, stands of 24 square metres and under are built only with modular systems and on one level; 40 percent of every aisle-facing side must be open; stands above 4 metres and double-deck stands are approved with a wet-signed declaration by a licensed civil engineer; no painting, plastering, welding or cutting is allowed in the hall; drilling into floors and walls is banned; one 6-kilogram fire extinguisher per 50 square metres, flame-retardant textiles and LED lighting are mandatory; only electricians with a professional qualification certificate may connect the power. German venues apply similar rules with B1 fire class certificates, contracted rigging suppliers and an official forwarder requirement.

The rules below are taken from the stand project preparation rules Tüyap Fuarcılık Grubu published for MAKTEK 2026, in force since 1 March 2026; the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce circulated the same document to its members. Rules may differ slightly between fairs; rely on the exhibitor manual of your own fair. CNR Expo and other venues write their rules with the same logic and different numbers.

Hall sizes, ramp layout and location of venues are collected on the venue pages.

Tüyap 2026: stand structure rules

Stands of 24 m² and under are built only with modular systems; a modular system is one whose structural and complementary elements can be dismantled and rebuilt without damage, with an aluminium profile or steel structure. No second deck on these stands; chipboard and similar material that loses its integrity at dismantling may not be used.
On stands above 24 m², regardless of size, no cutting of raw timber or steel, plastering, rendering, painting or welding is allowed inside the hall. Floor covering arrives ready and is chosen from recyclable or reusable material.
40 percent of every aisle-facing side must be open. Lamps, logos, showcases and similar may not project beyond the stand boundary into the aisle.
Tall surfaces facing a neighbour are clad in white, flat, matt, clean, opaque material, not net.
On double-deck stands the structure is steel or iron, no structural connection with modular material; the upper deck may be at most 50 percent of the rented plot; no spiral staircase, only a straight one.
Drilling, nailing or screwing into floors and walls is banned; each hole is penalised at five times the stand's square-metre sale price.
Floor load capacity is at most 5 tonnes/m² in halls 1–10 and 3 tonnes/m² in halls 11–12 and 11A–12A; heavy machinery is positioned accordingly.
Stages and podiums above 60 cm (up to 100 cm) need a licensed civil engineer's approval.

Stand approval: who signs, when it is submitted

All stand projects are uploaded within the stated dates through Tüyap's Exhibitor Portal or Decorator Portal; a stand whose project has not been seen is not allowed to build. The project includes the stand's width, depth and height, the materials used, floor and cable details, total kW demand, fuse board location and any water, compressed air, telephone or internet requests. Before build-up a wet-signed "Stand Project Liability Declaration" is handed to the technical office in person.

Single-storey stands up to 4 metres with anti-tipping measures may be approved by an architect or interior architect.
Single-storey stands above 4 metres, all double-deck stands, all outdoor structures and complex stands identified as a risk are approved by a civil engineer holding the SİM licence; the structural report of a double-deck stand is submitted as a separate file.
The signatory assumes technical responsibility under Labour Law No. 4857 and Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331 as the responsible technical practitioner.

The approval logic at German venues is similar: Messe Düsseldorf, Koelnmesse, Messe Frankfurt and Messe München require separate approval for structures above the standard height limit, for double decks and for rigging; the stand approval drawing, electrical load declaration and fire certificates are submitted weeks ahead through the organiser's online service portal.

4 m
single-storey stands above this height and all double-deck stands need a licensed civil engineer's approval (Tüyap): 1 per 50 m²
mandatory 6 kg fire extinguishers on the stand during build-up and the fair: 5 t/m²
maximum floor load in Tüyap halls 1–10; 3 t/m² in halls 11–12

We read the technical manual so you do not have to

We submit the stand project to the organiser together with the engineer's approval, the electrical load declaration and the fire certificates. The crew entering the hall on build day is registered, certified and has worked in that venue before.

Request a quote Production and build service

Power, fire and occupational safety

Power. The line is supplied by the venue on the exhibitor's online order; a connection below 10 kW cannot be split into separate lines. Only electricians certified by the Vocational Qualifications Authority (MYK) may connect the stand and sign the compliance form that switches the power on; uncertified persons have not been allowed to work in the hall since 1 January 2020. Distribution boards are protected by a residual current device; all cables are earthed; lighting circuits are at least 3×1.5 mm², socket circuits at least 3×2.5 mm². LED lighting is mandatory in place of inefficient mercury vapour, sodium vapour or metal halide fittings. Only the venue's electrical unit may open the service duct covers.

Fire. At least one 6 kg extinguisher per 50 m² of stand area, including the build-up period; if missing, the venue supplies one and invoices it. All textiles on the stand must be flame retardant (FR). Flammable and explosive materials may not enter the hall; fire cabinets, alarm buttons, ventilation openings and emergency exit routes may never be blocked.

Occupational safety. Everyone working on build-up and dismantling, including the exhibitor's own staff, registers on Tüyap's decorator and stand contractor information portal and uploads the legal documents. Persons under 18 may not enter during build-up and dismantling; personal protective equipment (helmet, gloves, footwear) is mandatory; smoking indoors, being under the influence of alcohol and drones are banned. Safety guards on grinders, drills and similar tools must be fitted.

Waste. Zero waste rule: no stand waste may be left in the hall; dust-producing plaster work is banned; waste that arises must leave the hall within two hours or a penalty per cubic metre applies.

What differs at German venues

The technical rules of Messe Düsseldorf, Koelnmesse, Deutsche Messe Hannover, Messe Frankfurt and Messe München resemble Türkiye's but are stricter on some points. German B1 flame-retardant certificates for carpet, fabric and timber are submitted before build-up; uncertified material is not admitted. Rigging is done only through the organiser's contracted supplier with a structural calculation. The power line comes from the contracted supplier and the load is declared weeks ahead. Keeping empties (packaging, crates) in the hall is banned; storage is only through the fair's official forwarder. On build day vehicle entry runs on plate registration and time slots. These differences are also covered on our Germany page and the pages of the individual German fairs.

Frequently asked questions

Who submits the stand project to the organiser?: Usually the stand builder; the project, declaration and electrical project are uploaded through the decorator portal. As the exhibitor, follow the submission date and the approval reply yourself; an unapproved stand cannot start building.
Can we not have a timber stand on a 24 square metre plot?: At Tüyap, from 1 March 2026, no; plots of 24 m² and under may only use modular systems. Brand differentiation comes from graphics, lightboxes and facade cladding. Other venues' rules are checked in the exhibitor manual.
What if the neighbouring stand is taller than ours?: The taller side is obliged to clad the surface facing you in white, flat, matt material. You apply the same rule to your own neighbour; the back cladding should appear as a separate item in the technical drawing.
Can we build the stand with our own staff?: Yes, but the same rules apply: staff register on the safety portal, upload the legal documents and wear protective equipment; the electrical connection is still made by an MYK-certified electrician.

Sources

Tüyap stand technical rules, plan notes and the 1 March 2026 rules (MAKTEK 2026) — Tüyap / ITO
Tüyap Fair and Congress Center — Tüyap
CNR Expo Istanbul Expo Center — CNR Holding
Messe Düsseldorf technical guidelines and exhibitor services — Messe Düsseldorf
Koelnmesse exhibitor information — Koelnmesse
Messe Frankfurt exhibitor information — Messe Frankfurt

Still have a question?

Whatever stage you are at, we can point you in the right direction in ten minutes by phone or WhatsApp. You do not have to ask for a quote; answering a first-time exhibitor's question is part of our job too.