Indoor show... pipe and drape??? Can I hang mesh walls?

Replies

Robert Wallis November 2, 2016 at 10:12am

The pipe and drape aren't usable to hang a mesh panel or framed pieces from as it's strictly for visual blocking of adjacent and rear booth spaces. The pipes are not balanced well and it doesn't take much to make them lean.

I see people using tent frames to support their display panels all the time. Check to make sure that tent frames are permissible as some shows don't allow that. When I do indoor shows I use my Propanels with the cross bars to support them. The only difference is that I bought an extra bar to go across the front of the booth for bracing as those are always strapped to the tent legs for outdoor shows.

Your Graphic Display panels may be your best choice if the tent frame is not allowable. Something else to consider is that many of the pipe and drape set-ups only utilize a 30-36 inch side wall and the mesh panels may show too much of the adjacent booths. Don't forget lighting as most indoor venues have atrocious lighting for viewing artwork.
- Diane Wright > Robert Wallis November 7, 2016 at 5:34pm
  
  I've done shows with pipe and drape and I don't remember a front pipe to hang lights from. I bring my panels with cross bars to hang lights or set up my tent frame. And yes those pipe and drapes can come down easily. They are not sturdy as I found out at one show - twice.
  - Carol Bloomgarden > Diane Wright November 8, 2016 at 2:52pm
    
    Thanks! Yeah, I'm glad I just brought the panels instead of the canopy frame... it would've been way too tight I think. There was NO clearance anywhere.
- Carol Bloomgarden > Robert Wallis November 2, 2016 at 11:47am
  
  Thanks, Robert. I didn't know what the "pipe and drape" system really meant, but I guess visual blocking makes sense. I hope that at least the front bar is stable enough for a few lights. I'll bring a couple of different options if I don't hear back from the event folks.
  - Robert Wallis > Carol Bloomgarden November 2, 2016 at 1:21pm
    
    Chances are the front bar will only be table or counter height. If your Graphic Display panels are open mesh, consider buying some muslin to attach behind them. More than likely you'll be able to use your tent frame and mesh walls.
    - Luke Block > Robert Wallis November 3, 2016 at 5:46pm
      
      Using your Trimline frame w/o the roof works great. You can use the ridgepole for an above wall height light bar.
  - Judy Christian > Carol Bloomgarden November 2, 2016 at 12:20pm
    
    I have done indoor shows where pipe and drape were offered, but I didn't use them, I brought my own display and walls.
    
    Could you do that if you would like?
Tina Pietsch November 1, 2016 at 10:32pm

If they are providing pipe and drape, that means they have at least provided back walls of typically hanging black drape. to be sure you could ask the event organizer. Ditto if they would allow you to hang your mesh walls on top of them, though you may have to get creative on how to clamp your mesh walls to the pipe, thinking the pipe is at least 1.5" in diameter.......has been a while since I used any.
- Carol Bloomgarden > Tina Pietsch November 2, 2016 at 10:08am
  
  Thanks, Tina. I wonder how painters and photographers display their work indoors in a pipe and drape setting if they don't have propanels and such...