OPTI 2027 Stand Construction: Key Planning Steps for Exhibitors

Introduction

OPTI 2027 runs January 29 to 31, 2027, at Messe München. The show lasts 3 days, and your exhibition stand must be ready from the first hour of opening day. There is no time to fix major problems once visitors arrive.

Most stand problems start before construction. Exhibitors often commission designs without checking technical rules or deciding how visitors will use the space. This guide covers the planning process for OPTI 2027, from choosing your stand space to dismantling after the show.

Key Takeaways

• Choose your stand type and exhibition area before finalizing the layout and budget.
• Read the OPTI technical guidelines before briefing your stand builder. Height limits, approval rules, and wall requirements affect what you can build.
• Plan the layout around visitor movement, product displays, demonstrations, and meetings.
• Work backward from January 29. Design approval, shipping, and service orders have separate deadlines.
• Large stands and structures with additional levels may require plan approval. Confirm the exact requirements in your OPTI exhibitor documents.

How OPTI Visitors Use Stands

Start with how visitors interact with products in your category. OPTI organizes exhibitors into areas such as opti VISIONARY for ophthalmic innovations, opti NEW SELECTION for new eyewear brands, opti SPHEARE for hearing care, opti SMART TECH for smart eyewear and wearables, and opti FINE EYEWEAR for premium eyewear. Each category has different display and meeting requirements.

• Eyewear brands: Allow enough wall space for frame displays. Use focused lighting to show frame details, with tables nearby for buyer meetings.
• Lens and ophthalmic technology: Reserve space for product demonstrations. Visitors must be able to watch without blocking the aisle.
• Hearing care and smart technology: Provide a quieter area for product trials and consultations. Place power outlets where the equipment will operate.
• Premium and new eyewear brands: Pay close attention to finishes, lighting, and display details. Visitors should see the quality of the products reflected in the stand.

Before discussing colors or materials, write down the 2 or 3 actions visitors must be able to complete on your stand. Use those priorities to guide every layout decision.

Step 1: Choose Your Stand Space

By the end of this step, you should know your stand type, approximate floor area, and position within the exhibition hall.

The number of open sides affects visibility and visitor movement. An inline stand has 1 open front and usually provides more wall space. A corner stand has 2 open sides, giving visitors another approach. Peninsula stands have 3 open sides, while island stands are accessible from all 4 sides.

For eyewear brands with extensive frame collections, wall displays often matter more than having extra open sides. Exhibitors running live demonstrations may benefit more from an open layout. Choose your space based on how visitors will view and handle your products, not just how the stand looks in a rendering.

Before moving forward, confirm your stand type, exhibition area, floor dimensions, and the sides facing visitor aisles.

Step 2: Check Technical Guidelines

Before briefing your designer, obtain the OPTI exhibitor technical guidelines. Review the construction limits, approval requirements, and submission deadlines that apply to your stand.

OPTI's construction and dismantling dates, hall plans, and technical guidelines are available through the exhibitor portal. Obtain these documents before design work begins. If you are hiring a stand builder, share the same documents with them at the start of the project.

Messe München has published construction rules for other events at its venue. One such event specifies a maximum construction height of 4 meters inside exhibition halls and 2.5 meters near hall entrances. Its rules also require plan approval for stands larger than 100 square meters, horizontal covers of 30 square meters or more, galleries, stairs, and certain other structures. The rear of a taller wall facing a neighboring stand must have a neutral white finish without promotional graphics.

These figures come from another event and do not establish the rules for OPTI 2027. Check the official OPTI documents before applying any height limits or approval requirements to your design.

Record the following details before approving the initial layout:

1. Maximum construction height, including any lower limits near entrances or aisles.
2. Structures that require plan approval and the relevant submission deadlines.
3. Requirements for walls facing neighboring exhibitors.
4. Fire safety, electrical connections, and structural load limits.
5. Construction and dismantling dates for your exhibition hall.
6. Rules for hiring an external stand builder.

Keep these details in a single reference document. Your designer and stand builder should use it throughout the project.

Step 3: Plan Visitor Movement

At this stage, you need a rough layout showing how visitors will move through the stand. You do not need a finished design.

Divide the available floor area into 4 zones: product display, conversations, demonstrations, and storage. Decide what visitors should see first and where each activity should take place. Position product displays toward the front so people can understand your offering before approaching a meeting table.

Follow these practical layout rules:

• Keep the entrance open. A reception desk placed directly across the front can discourage visitors from entering.
• Put brochures, packaging, spare products, and personal belongings inside enclosed storage.
• Leave enough room behind meeting tables for visitors to pull out chairs without obstructing the aisle.
• Allow space around product trials and consultations for 2 or 3 people to stand comfortably.
• Position demonstration equipment where visitors can see it without blocking access to other areas.

Your final layout must reflect the stand dimensions, open sides, planned activities, and OPTI's technical requirements. Check the available floor area before adding furniture or display units.

Step 4: Select Your Build Type

Choose between a modular system and a custom stand based on your exhibition schedule, design requirements, and budget. Decide whether you need a second level before the design progresses.

Modular stands suit exhibitors who attend several shows each year. Their components can be reused, making transport and future planning easier. They work well when you need a practical display that can adapt to different floor sizes.

Custom stands offer greater control over proportions, finishes, lighting, and display structures. They suit brands that want a distinctive physical presentation, particularly premium eyewear companies where product appearance matters.

A double deck adds meeting or hospitality space without increasing the ground floor area. However, it also requires additional structural planning, stairs, construction time, and potentially formal approval. The exact requirements depend on the OPTI technical guidelines.

Only add a second level when the extra space serves a clear purpose. If you need private buyer meetings, compare the cost and complexity of a double deck with a ground floor meeting room before committing.

Confirm that your chosen build type fits your exhibition schedule, budget, and approval timeline.

Step 5: Build Your Timeline

Work backward from January 29, 2027, the first day of OPTI. Once you have the exhibitor documents, assign actual dates and responsible team members to each stage.

Follow this order:

1. Brief and technical review: Collect the exhibitor documents and confirm the construction limits before design begins.
2. Design development: Finalize the layout first. Approve materials, finishes, and graphics after the floor plan is settled.
3. Plan approval: Submit drawings as soon as they are ready if your stand requires approval. Do not delay structural submissions while waiting for final graphics.
4. Production and shipping: Confirm manufacturing dates and transport arrangements. Allow additional time for customs paperwork if your shipment originates outside the European Union.
5. Stand construction: Confirm when contractors can enter the hall. Agree on who will supervise installation and check the completed stand.
6. Show and dismantling: Arrange dismantling, freight collection, and storage for reusable components before the exhibition opens.

Do not rely on the opening date alone to manage the project. Approval deadlines, production schedules, and venue access determine when each task must be completed.

Step 6: Arrange Services and Logistics

By this stage, you should know which venue services your stand requires. Confirm electrical connections, lighting, internet access, and any rigging well before the show.

Services at German exhibition venues are generally ordered through the organizer's or venue's exhibitor portal. Late orders may cost more, and some services have limited availability. Check the OPTI portal for the actual services, prices, and deadlines that apply to your stand.

Review these requirements with your stand builder:

• Electrical supply: Calculate the power required for lighting, screens, computers, and demonstration equipment.
• Water and compressed air: Order these services if your equipment or demonstrations require them.
• Rigging: Arrange approved hanging points for overhead signs or lighting structures.
• Internet: Confirm connectivity for payment systems, lead capture tools, and live product demonstrations.
• Cleaning and waste: Check the available services and any requirements for waste removal.
• Freight and storage: Arrange material handling and storage for empty shipping crates.

Assign one person to manage service orders and track confirmations. A missing power connection can disrupt a product demonstration on opening morning, regardless of how well the stand is designed.

Common Stand Planning Mistakes

Designing before checking technical rules

A design that exceeds the permitted height may need major revisions. Check the OPTI guidelines first and give your designer the relevant limits before approving the concept.

Missing the approval deadline

Additional levels, large overhead covers, and stairs may trigger plan approval. Ask your stand builder to identify approval requirements during the initial design review.

Ignoring the rear wall

Your neighboring exhibitor may see the back of your stand throughout the show. Check the rules for exposed wall surfaces and include the rear finish in your design and budget.

Allowing too little storage

Spare eyewear frames, brochures, packaging, and staff belongings need dedicated space. Include enclosed storage in the initial layout rather than trying to fit it in after the main design is complete.

Prioritizing appearance over usability

A stand may look impressive in photographs but still make conversations difficult. Review the floor plan with actual furniture dimensions and check whether 2 or 3 people can gather around a product without blocking visitor movement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a single level stand under 100 square meters need approval?

The construction rules published for another event at Messe München indicate that certain single level stands inside the halls may not require drawing submission when they meet the applicable technical guidelines. This does not confirm the requirements for OPTI 2027. Check the OPTI exhibitor documents before deciding whether approval is necessary.

Can I hire my own stand builder?

You may be able to hire an external stand builder, subject to the organizer's registration, insurance, and technical requirements. Check the OPTI exhibitor manual to confirm whether your chosen contractor is eligible and which documents they must submit.

When should I start planning my stand?

Start as soon as your exhibition space is confirmed. Early planning gives you time to settle the layout, obtain approvals, arrange production, and book venue services before their deadlines.

Plan Your OPTI 2027 Stand

Once you have the OPTI technical guidelines, your stand builder can turn the requirements into a practical layout and construction plan. The earlier you settle the stand size, visitor flow, and technical requirements, the less likely you are to face expensive changes close to the show.

Contact the 10x10 Booths team to review your brief and plan an exhibition stand that fits your products, floor space, and schedule.