Exhibition Stands
Shell scheme and custom-build exhibition stands for COP31, designed and fabricated in Antalya.
COP31 Planning Guide · Published 26 September 2026
Exhibiting at COP31 Antalya: What Every First-Time Exhibitor Needs to Know
COP31 opens at the Antalya EXPO Center on 9 November 2026 and runs for 12 days. If you are exhibiting for the first time, this guide covers the critical decisions: Blue Zone vs Green Zone, stand production timelines, what a local Antalya contractor provides, and what to confirm right now. With 6 weeks to go, some items — accommodation, airport transfers, custom stand fabrication — need to be locked in immediately.
COP31 Quick Facts for Exhibitors
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | COP31 — 2026 UN Climate Change Conference |
| Dates | 9–20 November 2026 |
| Venue | Antalya EXPO Center, Antalya, Türkiye |
| Expected attendance | 25,000–40,000 registered participants (parties, observers, media) |
| Blue Zone access | UNFCCC accreditation required; party delegations, observer organisations |
| Green Zone access | Host country Turkey managed; broader civil society and business access |
| Venue airport distance | ~20–30 min from Antalya Airport (AYT) |
| Nearest city centre | ~25–35 min from Antalya city centre |
| Build-up period | Typically 3–5 days before opening (4–8 November) |
| Breakdown period | Typically 1–2 days after closing (21–22 November) |
Blue Zone vs Green Zone — Which Is Right for Your Organisation?
The most important first decision for a COP exhibitor is zone selection. The two zones have different accreditation requirements, audiences, and physical locations.
| Factor | Blue Zone | Green Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Managed by | UNFCCC Secretariat | Host country (Turkey) |
| Accreditation | UNFCCC party or observer status required | Lower barrier; managed through Turkish host |
| Primary audience | Negotiators, party delegations, IGOs, registered NGOs | Civil society, businesses, media, general public |
| National pavilions | Yes — all country pavilions are here | No national pavilions |
| Side events | Official UNFCCC-scheduled side events | Parallel programming run by host |
| Stand location | Inside the secure EXPO perimeter | Adjacent but separate area |
| Best for | IGOs, government agencies, established NGOs with UNFCCC observer status, multilateral organisations | Corporates, advocacy groups, startups, businesses without UNFCCC accreditation |
| Lead time for accreditation | Register early — UNFCCC observer registration closes months before the event | Shorter lead time possible through Turkish host process |
Exhibition Stand Decision Timeline — September to November 2026
With the event on 9 November 2026, the effective production window is now very short. This timeline shows what should have been done and what is still actionable.
| Stage | Deadline | Status (as of 26 Sep 2026) | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirm zone (Blue / Green) | Sep 2026 | Now | Confirm with your UNFCCC registration status immediately |
| Confirm stand contractor | Early Oct 2026 | Urgent | Contact local Antalya contractor; confirm stand size, design brief, build type |
| Confirm accommodation | Early Oct 2026 | Urgent | Block rooms now — most Antalya hotels will be full by mid-October |
| Submit stand design | Mid Oct 2026 | 3 weeks | Provide brand guidelines, stand dimensions, required elements to contractor |
| Confirm AV and technical | Mid Oct 2026 | 3 weeks | Screens, sound, lighting, power requirements confirmed with contractor |
| Order printing and collateral | Mid–late Oct 2026 | 3–4 weeks | Brochures, banners, roll-ups, branded tablecloths — allow 2 weeks for print |
| Confirm event staff | Late Oct 2026 | 4–5 weeks | Hostesses, multilingual staff, interpreters if needed |
| Confirm private transfers | Late Oct 2026 | 4–5 weeks | Airport transfers for your team throughout the 12-day event |
| Stand fabrication and shipping | Late Oct–1 Nov 2026 | 5–6 weeks | Custom builds must ship by 1 November; shell scheme by 4 November |
| Build-up at venue | 4–8 Nov 2026 | 5–6 weeks | On-site installation; contractor manages with venue |
| COP31 opens | 9 Nov 2026 | 6 weeks | Event live |
| COP31 closes + breakdown | 20–22 Nov 2026 | 8 weeks | Stand dismantling and removal; contractor manages |
What a Local Antalya Contractor Provides — vs What You Must Bring
| Item | Local Contractor Provides | You Provide / Bring |
|---|---|---|
| Stand structure | Shell scheme or custom-built stand including walls, flooring, ceiling (if applicable) | Your brand guidelines, required dimensions |
| Graphics and signage | Large-format print: fascia boards, wall panels, floor graphics, hanging banners | Print-ready artwork files (PDF/AI) |
| Furniture | Tables, chairs, sofas, counters, storage cabinets, shelving | Preferred not required — contractor catalogue available |
| AV equipment | Screens (LED/LCD), projectors, PA sound, lighting rigs, power distribution | Content files (video, presentations); your own laptop if preferred |
| Hospitality setup | Coffee machine rental, water coolers, branded cups, snack display counters | Your own branded merchandise or snacks if branded |
| Installation crew | Build-up and breakdown, electrical connection, cleaning before opening | Your own team on-site for walk-through approval |
| Printed materials | Brochures, flyers, business card holders (print to order) | Artwork and content; translated copy if multilingual |
| Event staff | Hostesses, multilingual staff (Turkish, English, Arabic, French, German), interpreters | Your own brand experts for technical conversations; accreditation badges |
| Transfers | Daily private transport hotel ↔ EXPO Center for your team | Hotel-to-airport transfers for arrival/departure |
| UNFCCC accreditation | Not applicable — contractor cannot supply | Register directly with UNFCCC or through host country process |
| Branded merchandise | Some standard items available; custom items need longer lead time | Pre-produced branded gifts, lanyards, tote bags |
Accommodation During COP31 — What You Need to Know Now
COP31 will bring 25,000–40,000 participants to Antalya over 12 days. Hotel availability across Antalya and Belek will be under severe pressure. Delegation-grade accommodation (block bookings for 5+ rooms with guaranteed allocation) must be confirmed now.
| Hotel Area | Distance from EXPO Center | Representative Hotels | Typical Tier | Availability Status (Sep 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antalya Lara Beach | ~25–30 min | Delphin Imperial, Titanic Lara | 5-star resort | Limited — confirm immediately |
| Antalya City Centre | ~25–35 min | Rixos Downtown, Sheraton Antalya | 5-star city | Limited |
| Antalya Konyaaltı | ~30–40 min | Akra Hotel, Marriott | 4–5 star | Available with block |
| Belek | ~35–45 min | Rixos Premium, Cornelia Diamond | 5-star resort | Available with block |
| Kemer / Side | ~50–70 min | Various resorts | 4–5 star | Available but remote |
COP31 Local Services Overview
DMC Turkey Partner provides integrated local services for COP31 exhibitors operating in both the Blue Zone and Green Zone. All services are coordinated from a single local contact in Antalya.
National Pavilions
Full pavilion project management for government delegations and national organisations.
AV & Equipment Rental
Screens, PA systems, lighting, power distribution — installed and supported on-site.
Event Staff & Hostesses
Multilingual event staff for your stand: English, Turkish, Arabic, French and German.
Interpreters
Conference interpreters and consecutive interpreters for meetings and side events.
Private Transfers
Daily hotel ↔ EXPO Center transfers and airport transfers for your delegation.
Printing & Collateral
On-demand large-format printing, brochures, banners and signage in Antalya.
Last-Minute Services
Urgent stand repairs, replacement equipment, emergency staff — confirmed within hours.
Frequently Asked Questions — COP31 Exhibitors
What is the difference between the Blue Zone and Green Zone at COP31?
The Blue Zone at COP31 is the official UNFCCC-managed area at the Antalya EXPO Center, accessible only to accredited party negotiators, UN observers, and registered organisations. The Green Zone is a parallel public-facing area managed by the host country Turkey, open to NGOs, businesses, and civil society with a lower accreditation barrier. National pavilions and formal country delegations are always in the Blue Zone. Corporate side events and advocacy exhibitions can operate in either zone depending on accreditation status.
How far in advance should I book an exhibition stand for COP31?
For COP31 Antalya, exhibitors should aim to confirm their stand contractor and floor plan by October 2026 at the latest — 4–6 weeks before the event opens on 9 November 2026. At this stage (late September 2026), stand bookings are still possible but lead times for custom fabrication are running short. Shell scheme options are faster to produce than custom builds. Key items to book immediately: stand contractor, accommodation, and private airport transfers. AV, furniture, printing and staffing can follow within 2–3 weeks.
What does a local Antalya exhibition stand contractor provide for COP31?
A local Antalya contractor for COP31 can supply: stand design and fabrication (shell scheme or custom build), branded signage and graphics, AV equipment (screens, sound, lighting), furniture and flooring, coffee machine and hospitality setup, and on-site installation and dismantling crew. DMC Turkey Partner coordinates all these as an integrated package. What the contractor cannot provide: your own promotional materials (printed in advance of shipping), branded merchandise, and official UNFCCC accreditation.
What accommodation is available near the COP31 Antalya EXPO Center?
The Antalya EXPO Center is located in the Döşemealtı district, approximately 25–35 minutes from Antalya city centre and 20–30 minutes from Antalya Airport (AYT). Nearest 5-star hotels include Titanic Mardan Palace (Antalya Beach, ~35 min), Rixos Downtown Antalya (~20 min), and Delphin hotels in Lara Beach (~30 min). During COP31, Antalya hotel availability will be extremely tight across all tiers; block bookings confirmed by October 2026 will be at significantly better rates than spot bookings during the event.
Do I need a local event manager for COP31 or can I manage the stand remotely?
A local on-the-ground event manager is strongly recommended for COP31 first-timers. At large UN conferences, on-site decisions happen in real time: last-minute location changes, accreditation delays, equipment faults, and supplier coordination all require someone physically present with local contacts and Turkish-language capability. DMC Turkey Partner provides dedicated on-site event support for COP31 exhibitors, covering stand management, staff coordination, transfers, and emergency logistics throughout the 12-day conference.
Ready to Confirm Your COP31 Setup?
DMC Turkey Partner is based in Antalya and manages COP31 stand production, staffing, transfers and local logistics. With 6 weeks to go, reach out now to confirm availability.