Aerial Work Platforms for Film, Event and Trade Fair Productions – What Organisers Need to Know

Rigging a concert stage at a height of 8 metres, setting up camera positions for a TV production, fitting out trade fair stands with ceiling lighting – behind almost every one of these builds is an aerial work platform. And that is exactly where problems tend to start: events run on tight time windows, cramped halls and zero tolerance for downtime. Anyone who orders the wrong machine or starts planning too late drags the whole build into delay. This article shows which aerial work platforms are suited to event productions, what matters when choosing one – and what a rental partner like Luibl needs to deliver so that setup and teardown genuinely run without a hitch.

Aerial work platforms are used at far more points in an event than most people assume. Broadly, four areas can be distinguished:

Rigging and stage technology

Truss constructions, motor hoists, speaker clusters – all of this hangs overhead and has to be installed, serviced and taken down again after the event. Anyone who needs a safe, positionable platform for that work can't get around an aerial work platform.

Camera and lighting positions

Film and TV productions often place cameras in positions that are unreachable without a platform: hall ceilings, overhead shots, wide shots from an elevated perspective. Lighting designers also use aerial work platforms to aim spotlights with precision.

Trade fair construction and exhibitions

Ceiling systems, signage and lighting installations in exhibition halls require work at heights of 6 to 12 metres – usually on smooth concrete floors, often under considerable time pressure. The halls are large, but electric scissor lifts can move efficiently from point to point here.

Decoration and set construction

Large sets, facades, green walls or hanging installations – in the events sector, hands-on work at height is the rule rather than the exception.

The conditions in the hall matter more than the actual task at hand. The key parameters: ceiling height, floor surface, width of access points and whether emissions are permitted.

Electric scissor lift: the standard for indoor halls

For most trade fair and indoor productions, renting an electric scissor lift is the obvious choice. It runs emission-free, leaves no tyre marks on sensitive hall flooring, and can be positioned precisely. Working heights of 6 to 14 metres cover the majority of exhibition halls and event venues. Typical models for event use have a platform width of 1.20 to 1.80 m – wide enough for two people with tools, narrow enough for most aisle widths.

Where it doesn't fit:

On uneven ground, stage ramps or wet outdoor surfaces, scissor lifts quickly reach their limits.

Articulating boom lift: for reach over obstacles

When rigging truss constructions or installing camera positions in hard-to-reach spots, lateral reach matters more than sheer height. An articulating boom lift can be positioned over grandstands, stage structures or barriers without the machine needing to stand directly underneath. Working heights of up to 58 metres allow safe work even in large arenas or production halls – even when the floor beneath isn't clear.

Mast lift: compact for confined areas

In historic buildings, castles or small event venues where ceiling height and doorways are severely limited, a mast lift is often the only solution. At under a metre wide, they fit through standard doors and are manoeuvrable in minimal space.PlatformTypical Working HeightFloor TypeKey FeatureElectric scissor lift6–14 mLevel, pavedEmission-free, wide platformArticulating boom liftUp to 58 mPavedLateral reach over obstaclesMast liftUp to 12.65 mLevel, indoorVery narrow, fits through doorways

Time windows are non-negotiable

Exhibition halls and event venues have fixed setup times – often only 24 to 48 hours before the first visitor walks through the door. If the machine is delivered late or doesn't work, there's no buffer. That's why coordination with the rental partner should be more detailed than for a typical construction site job: delivery time, on-site contact person, and what happens if the machine breaks down. Luibl delivers with its own fleet of low-loaders and offers on-site technical support – at events, that's not a luxury, it's real peace of mind.

Check floor loading in halls

Exhibition halls are rarely designed for unlimited floor loads. An electric scissor lift weighing 3,000 to 5,000 kg puts point loads on the floor that need to be cleared with the venue operator. This is especially true for older event halls or historic buildings. When in doubt: use load-spreading plates and check with the rental partner.

Permits and operator responsibility

Anyone using an aerial work platform at a public event carries, as the operator, the responsibility for safe operation. That includes briefing operators, checking the ground surface and – at certain venues – coordinating with the location's safety concept. Luibl offers training for all machine types, qualifying operators directly on the rented equipment.

Setup and teardown: two separate planning steps

During setup the hall is empty; during teardown it isn't. After a trade fair or event, exhibits, decoration and often the cleaning crew are already in the way. Anyone who plans teardown as a simple mirror image of setup usually gets a surprise. A more compact machine can be the better choice for teardown than the one that worked perfectly on the open floor during setup.

Outdoor events: different requirements, different machines

At festivals, open-air concerts or outdoor events, different rules apply. Paved ground is rare, rain and wind have to be factored in, and distances across the site are greater. For outdoor events, diesel articulating boom lifts or tracked aerial work platforms are mainly used. The latter are built specifically for soft, uneven terrain and can handle gradients of over 50% – which matters on hilly festival grounds or unpaved sections of a site. Important: keep an eye on wind speeds when platforms are extended. From wind force 5 upward, operation should generally be stopped. At events with their own safety concept, this is usually already specified.

Book early – especially during event high season

Spring and autumn are high season for trade fairs, conferences and events – exactly when availability of specialist machines gets tight. Anyone who orders the aerial work platform for a trade fair build just two weeks in advance risks having to settle for whatever model is left, rather than the right one. Luibl has over 200 locations across Europe and a broad range of equipment. Even so: the earlier the enquiry, the better the selection – and the more time remains to coordinate the details properly. Rent aerial work platforms Rent electric scissor lifts Rent articulating boom lifts Training for aerial work platforms

Which aerial work platform is best suited for trade fair construction?

For most exhibition halls, an electric scissor lift is the first choice. It runs emission-free, leaves no marks on smooth hall flooring, and is highly manoeuvrable on level surfaces. When lateral reach over structures is needed, an articulating boom lift is the better option.

Am I allowed to use an aerial work platform at a public event?

Yes, but as the operator you carry responsibility for safe operation: briefing operators, checking the ground, and coordinating with the venue's safety concept. Training provided by the rental company is recommended and reduces legal risk.

How far in advance should I book an aerial work platform for an event?

During high season (March to May, September to November), ideally 4 to 6 weeks ahead. For large projects with multiple machines, even earlier. Short-notice requests are possible but limit the choice of models.

What happens if the aerial work platform breaks down during setup?

That's exactly the point to clarify before booking. Reputable rental companies offer on-site technical support and fast replacement in case of a fault. Luibl provides technicians on site on request and delivers with its own fleet – this minimises dependence on external service providers.

Can I also rent an aerial work platform for outdoor festivals?

Yes. For soft or uneven terrain, tracked aerial work platforms (spider lifts) are the right choice. For paved outdoor areas, diesel articulating boom lifts are suitable. Important: keep an eye on wind speeds and stop operation from wind force 5 upward.

Aerial work platforms for film, event and trade fair productions follow different rules than a typical construction site. Time pressure, hall conditions, floor loading and setup/teardown logistics demand more careful planning – and a rental partner that doesn't just deliver the machine, but responds when things go wrong. Anyone who addresses the choice of machines and providers early saves themselves most of the surprises during setup. For a no-obligation quote – including combinations of multiple machines – Luibl is available at luibl.ch.