Double-deck exhibits are uncommon at Myrtle Beach shows, which means the approval process at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center runs on a longer timeline than in markets where a plan-review desk handles them daily.
A second-level structure requires an engineer's stamp, a fire-marshal review of upper-level egress, and confirmation that the hall's ceiling clearance actually accommodates the design.
None of that is unusual on its own, but in a smaller-market venue, the review moves at the pace of a single building official rather than a dedicated convention-center plan desk.
Execution priorities
- Submit engineer-stamped drawings early, since plan review here doesn't run on a daily convention-center cadence.
- Confirm MBCC's ceiling clearance against the proposed structure before finalizing a double-deck design.
- Plan upper-level egress and ADA access into the design from the start rather than as a late addition.
What a double-deck exhibit requires structurally
A two-story exhibit needs an engineer's stamp on the structural drawings, a defined load calculation for the upper deck, and a fire-marshal review of how attendees get on and off the second level safely.
These requirements aren't specific to Myrtle Beach, but they matter more here because the local review process handles far fewer double-deck submissions than a market like Chicago or Las Vegas.
Insurance and liability documentation for a double-deck structure typically needs to be on file with the venue ahead of move-in, separate from the standard exhibitor certificate of insurance.
Ceiling clearance at MBCC
The Myrtle Beach Convention Center's main hall has a defined ceiling clearance that needs to be checked against the proposed structure's total height before the design is finalized, not after.
A double-deck exhibit that works in a taller hall elsewhere may not clear MBCC's ceiling, so this is the first thing to confirm rather than the last.
The approval process here
Engineer-stamped drawings, upper-level ADA egress plans, and fire-marshal sign-off all route through the same review before a double-deck structure is approved for the floor.
Because this type of submission is rare in this market, building in extra time for questions and follow-up from the reviewing official is the safer approach.
Exhibitors weighing a double-deck structure for this market should also confirm whether the show itself draws enough floor traffic to justify the added visual impact, given the shorter show length typical here.
A show manager considering a double-deck request for a Myrtle Beach date should raise it with MBCC as early as the show is booked, not once the exhibitor's design is already finalized.
Timeline reality in a smaller-market venue
A major union convention city often has a dedicated plan-review desk processing double-deck submissions on a routine basis. Myrtle Beach does not, so review can take longer simply because the request is less familiar.
Submitting drawings well ahead of the standard deadline, and following up directly rather than waiting on a status update, keeps the timeline on track.
Exhibitors should also confirm whether MBCC requires a licensed local rigger for the installation, since that requirement varies by venue and affects both cost and scheduling.
That confirmation is worth getting in writing before the exhibitor's structural drawings are finalized, since it can affect the overall project timeline.
Why double-deck is rare here
Most Myrtle Beach shows run one to two days rather than the four or five days common at a major convention, and a double-deck structure's added engineering and freight cost is harder to justify for a shorter show.
Exhibitors who do bring a double-deck structure to this market are usually reusing a design built for a larger show elsewhere on their circuit, rather than commissioning one specifically for a Myrtle Beach appearance.
Frequently asked questions
Does MBCC allow double-deck exhibit structures?
Yes, subject to structural review, but the process takes longer here than in a market that handles these submissions daily.
How far ahead do double-deck drawings need to be submitted?
Earlier than the standard deadline, since review moves at the pace of one building official rather than a dedicated plan desk.
Is an engineer's stamp required?
Yes, along with a load calculation for the upper deck and a fire-marshal review of the egress plan.
What's the ceiling clearance at MBCC's main hall?
It's defined by the venue and should be checked against the proposed structure's total height before finalizing the design.
Is double-deck construction common at Myrtle Beach shows?
No, it's uncommon here compared to major convention markets, which is part of why the approval timeline runs longer.
Why don't more exhibitors use double-deck booths in Myrtle Beach?
Most local shows run shorter than a major convention, which makes the added engineering and freight cost of a double-deck structure harder to justify.