BITEC — Exhibitor and Contractor Reference Guide
Rules, specifications and build-up schedules change between event editions and must be confirmed against the current exhibitor manual for your specific show. Last reviewed: 18 August 2026.
Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) is a purpose-built exhibition campus on Bang Na-Trat Road at km 1, approximately 20 km from central Bangkok and 15 km from Suvarnabhumi Airport. The complex contains four interconnected main exhibition halls — EH101 through EH104 — plus outdoor event space and a convention wing. The show calendar focuses on industrial and process technology, pharmaceutical and personal care ingredients, laboratory science and medical devices. Most events at BITEC have their own organiser-issued exhibitor technical manual, which layers additional requirements on top of the venue's base regulations. The hall allocation for your stand — which of EH101–EH104 you are in — determines the applicable ceiling height, contractor entry point and service connection routing.
Event index
Shows at BITEC, Bang Na
METALEX
Metalworking Machinery · Biennial — November
Southeast Asia's largest metalworking and manufacturing machinery show. Heavy-equipment display, high floor loads, precision demonstration spaces and CNC machine integration are the defining build challenges.
Medical Fair Thailand
Medical Devices · Biennial — September
Medical device, diagnostics and hospital equipment event. Regulated product display environments, clinical aesthetics, consultation zones and careful separation of device categories govern stand design.
Thailand LAB INTERNATIONAL
Laboratory & Science · Annual — September
Analytical instruments, laboratory equipment and scientific services event. Live demonstration zones, precision counter layouts and instrument support requirements shape stand structure.
in-cosmetics Asia
Personal Care Ingredients · Annual — October/November
International personal care ingredient event. Ingredient sampling, textural experience stations and a demanding finish quality standard — visitors compare directly across adjacent stands.
COSMEX
Cosmetics OEM/ODM · Annual — October
Cosmetics OEM/ODM, finished goods and packaging event. Stand design frequently integrates product display shelving, sampling counters and formula-focused presentation zones.
Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair
Jewellery & Gems · Biannual — February and September
International gems, precious metals and finished jewellery trade event. Security requirements, high-value product display, lockable showcases and lighting precision are the stand-design priorities.
Technical data
Hall Specifications
| Hall / Area | Gross Area | Clear Height | Floor Loading | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EH101 – EH104 (combined) | ~60,000 sqm across four interconnected halls | Varies by hall — confirm with organiser before designing | Confirm with organiser for your specific position | Halls can be used independently or combined. Ceiling height in the main halls is suited to single-level custom stands and, in specific halls, double-deck structures — verify which hall you are in before finalising elevations. |
| Convention Wing | Conference rooms and ballroom — not primary exhibition space | Lower than exhibition halls | Convention floor loading; not suited to heavy machinery | Used for congresses, product launches and side events coinciding with main shows. |
All figures are for orientation only. Confirm all specifications against the current official technical guide for your show.
Access windows
Build-up and Dismantling
Schedules are set by the organiser, not the venue
Build-up and dismantling windows at BITEC are allocated by each show organiser in the exhibitor technical manual — not by BITEC as a standing rule. Custom stand contractors typically receive earlier access than shell scheme exhibitors to accommodate longer build times. Overrunning the build-up window risks not opening on show day. Obtain the confirmed access schedule before finalising fabrication timelines.
Loading dock access and vehicle coordination
BITEC has designated cargo access gates for each hall, separate from visitor entrances. Large or heavy deliveries — machinery, structural steel, multiple crate loads — require advance coordination with the venue operations team. Standard 6-wheel trucks access without restriction; oversized vehicles require pre-approval. Plan delivery slots around the confirmed build-up schedule, not around assumptions about dock availability.
What commonly goes wrong
Materials delivered to the wrong cargo gate and re-routed. Structural drawings for double-deck approval submitted during build-up rather than before, adding review delays. Fire retardant certificates missing on arrival, causing materials to be held at the gate. Power ordered incorrectly or after the service deadline, resulting in supply that does not match the stand's load.
On-site access
Contractor Requirements
Exhibitor Contractor Badge (ECB)
All personnel entering the hall during build-up and dismantling must hold a valid ECB. Your appointed stand contractor registers all workers with the organiser, coordinating the submission of names and ID documents. Workers arriving without a valid ECB are denied hall entry. Submit worker lists to your contractor as early as the organiser asks — late submissions compress the available build window.
Insurance
Your appointed contractor must carry third-party liability insurance covering build-up, show days and dismantling. The minimum insured amount is set by each show organiser and stated in the exhibitor manual. The policy must name the correct parties as specified by the organiser. Confirm the requirement — and provide insurance documentation to your contractor — early.
Contractor deposit
Some BITEC shows require a refundable contractor deposit held against damage or failure to complete dismantling within the allocated window. The amount varies by show and is refunded upon satisfactory sign-off at the end of dismantling. Confirm whether your show requires a deposit and the release conditions before build-up begins.
What you can build
Stand Construction Rules
Stand height limits
Maximum stand height is set by the show organiser for each event — it is not a single blanket BITEC venue rule. The most common limit at BITEC shows is 4.5 m for freestanding structures, but individual shows in specific halls can permit higher structures with prior written approval and structural drawings. Confirm the applicable height limit for your show and your specific hall before finalising stand elevations.
Double-deck and raised structures
Raised floors, mezzanines and double-deck structures require structural engineering drawings, load calculations and a method statement submitted to the organiser before build-up begins. BITEC and/or the organiser must formally approve the structure before construction starts. Allow at least two to three weeks for the approval cycle — structural documentation submitted during build-up is too late.
Rigging from the ceiling
Hanging elements from the hall ceiling — fascias, suspended signs, lighting rigs — must be executed by BITEC's appointed rigging contractor. Self-rigging is not permitted. Submit a rigging plot (plan, section, suspension point weights and equipment list) to the organiser during stand design approval, not on arrival. Rigging is ordered through the official service form; lead times vary by show.
Fire retardant materials
All structural materials used in stand construction must be fire-retardant (FR) certified to the grade specified in the organiser's technical guide. Physical FR certificates — not digital copies — must be on site during BITEC's build-up inspection. Materials presented without FR documentation may be removed from the hall by the venue's safety team.
Finishing restrictions
Spray-painting and spray-finishing are not permitted inside BITEC's exhibition halls at any stage of build-up. All stand elements must arrive pre-finished from the fabrication workshop. Bring spare pre-finished panels for any repairs — on-site re-finishing is not an option. Exposed unfaced MDF, raw chipboard and unfinished edges are not acceptable at most BITEC shows.
Utilities and connectivity
Services and Ordering
Power ordering
Electrical supply is ordered through the organiser's official service form, with closing deadlines that vary by show. Standard supplies are 220 V / 50 Hz single-phase and 380 V / 50 Hz three-phase. Provide your contractor with a complete load schedule — covering all lighting, AV and powered equipment — before the order deadline. Late orders may not be fulfilled, or may incur a surcharge.
Water and drainage
Water supply and drainage connections are available in designated positions in some halls. Confirm whether a connection is available at your stand position before including a sink, tasting station or water feature in the design. Orders are placed through the official service form; connection positions are fixed and not negotiable on site.
Internet and AV
Dedicated bandwidth for exhibitor stands is available through the organiser's service order. Shared venue WiFi is unsuitable for in-stand demonstrations or video streaming. Order dedicated bandwidth early and specify the bandwidth allocation required for your AV setup. A cellular-based backup is worth adding for business-critical digital elements.
Freight and access
Logistics
Loading dock access
BITEC has multiple cargo access gates serving the exhibition halls, separate from visitor entrances. The specific gate and route depends on the hall you are in and the organiser's logistics plan. Using the wrong gate adds time; confirm your contractor's access route before build-up begins.
Forklift and lifting equipment
Forklift hire is available on site through BITEC's or the organiser's official service contractor. Bring-your-own forklifts require prior approval. For heavy items — machinery, large structural components — plan lifting equipment as part of the initial logistics plan, confirmed before the component is manufactured.
On-site storage during the show
All stand materials, packing crates and excess packaging must be cleared from the hall before the show opens. The organiser designates a storage area for contractor packing materials; space is limited. Plan your packaging strategy at the design stage — not on the morning of move-in.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but all ceiling rigging must be carried out by BITEC's appointed rigging contractor — self-rigging is not permitted. Submit a rigging plot (plan, section, suspension point weights and equipment specification) to the organiser during the stand approval process, not on arrival. Rigging has order lead times and costs; budget for it before the stand design is final.
The height limit is set per show by the organiser, not by BITEC as a blanket venue rule. The most common limit is 4.5 m for freestanding structures, but specific shows in specific halls can permit taller structures with prior written approval and structural drawings. Confirm the limit in the organiser's exhibitor manual for your show and hall before finalising the design.
Structural engineering drawings, load calculations and a method statement must be submitted to the organiser for approval before build-up begins. Allow a minimum of two to three weeks for the review cycle. Beginning construction without formal approval risks the structure being rejected during build-up inspection.
Yes. Fire retardant certification is required for all structural materials, and physical documents — not digital copies — must be on site during build-up inspection. Verify that your overseas supplier's FR certification matches the grade required by BITEC's technical standard for your show, and obtain the physical certificates before goods ship.
No. All spray-finishing and wet paint application are prohibited inside BITEC's exhibition halls at every stage of build-up. All stand elements must arrive pre-finished from the workshop. If a surface is damaged in transit, bring pre-finished replacement panels — on-site re-finishing is not possible.
Power order deadlines are set by the organiser's service contractor and vary by show. A working assumption is two to three weeks before the show opens; late orders may incur a surcharge or go unfulfilled. Collect the full power load schedule from your stand contractor — covering all lighting, AV and equipment — before the service manual deadline.
BITEC is a well-regulated venue with consistent baseline requirements and show-specific layers applied by each organiser. The most common source of on-site difficulty is decisions deferred past the service manual deadline — FR documentation, power orders, rigging plots and structural drawings all need to be in place before build-up begins. The organiser's exhibitor manual for your specific show is the starting point. These specifications are reviewed periodically; always confirm current rules against the official exhibitor technical guide for your show and edition.
Planning a Stand at BITEC, Bang Na?
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