Stay Informed!
Subscribe to our free newsletter and don't miss a thing
Company News
Gilbert Celebrates 40 Years of Experiential Design Excellence
6/11/2026
MELVILLE, NY – Gilbert, an industry leader in experiential design, custom trade show exhibits, and immersive branded environments, proudly celebrates 40 years of transforming ideas into unforgettable experiences. For four decades, Gilbert has pushed the boundaries of design, craftsmanship, and innovation—creating dynamic spaces that connect brands with audiences in meaningful ways.
Founded in 1986 by Gil and Barry Ballen, Gilbert Displays was established with a clear purpose: to deliver thoughtful, high-quality solutions rooted in quality craftsmanship, customer service, and expertise. The company began with a single custom-built exhibit and a 15,000 sq. ft. Valley Stream facility. The 1990s brought rapid growth, as Gilbert expanded its reach into the optical, fashion, and jewelry industries, building lasting partnerships and broadening its portfolio, including a move to a 55,000 sq. ft. Hicksville facility and the acquisition of Graphic Displays. That decade also saw Barry Ballen recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year, solidifying the company’s industry leadership.
In the 2000s, building on strong relationships with its trade show clients, Gilbert naturally expanded into retail, designing and constructing immersive architectural environments. This growth led Gilbert to relocate to a 125,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Melville, supporting its continued evolution and expanded capabilities. Their collaborative approach earned the company the Olympus Partnership Award, recognizing its commitment to excellence and long-standing client partnerships.
The 2010s were defined by evolution and leadership continuity. Gilbert celebrated 25 years, launched in-house metal fabrication, and rebranded to reflect its full-service experiential design capabilities. In the 2020s, the company streamlined operations with a focus on scalability, including a move toward national expansion with a 46,000 sq. ft. Las Vegas facility to better accommodate West Coast trade shows and luxury retail clients, while also advancing innovation in this sector.
Today, Gilbert produces impactful trade show exhibits, activations, and luxury retail environments for some of the most recognizable brands in the world, and leadership is looking forward to continued growth. "Reaching 40 years is a meaningful milestone—one that reflects the dedication of our team and the trust of our clients," said Barry Ballen, CEO of Gilbert. "We’re proud of the environments we’ve brought to life and how much we’ve grown over the years and are excited to deliver great products and experiences to our clients in the future." said Matt Ballen, COO of Gilbert.
About Gilbert
Founded in 1986, Gilbert is a turnkey organization that provides design, construction, and management solutions for trade show exhibits, retail, hospitality, corporate, and residential environments, and corporate events. For more information, visit www.gilbertexperience.com.
Contact:
[email protected]
MELVILLE, NY – Gilbert, an industry leader in experiential design, custom trade show exhibits, and immersive branded environments, proudly celebrates 40 years of transforming ideas into unforgettable experiences. For four decades, Gilbert has pushed the boundaries of design, craftsmanship, and innovation—creating dynamic spaces that connect brands with audiences in meaningful ways.
Founded in 1986 by Gil and Barry Ballen, Gilbert Displays was established with a clear purpose: to deliver thoughtful, high-quality solutions rooted in quality craftsmanship, customer service, and expertise. The company began with a single custom-built exhibit and a 15,000 sq. ft. Valley Stream facility. The 1990s brought rapid growth, as Gilbert expanded its reach into the optical, fashion, and jewelry industries, building lasting partnerships and broadening its portfolio, including a move to a 55,000 sq. ft. Hicksville facility and the acquisition of Graphic Displays. That decade also saw Barry Ballen recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year, solidifying the company’s industry leadership.
In the 2000s, building on strong relationships with its trade show clients, Gilbert naturally expanded into retail, designing and constructing immersive architectural environments. This growth led Gilbert to relocate to a 125,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Melville, supporting its continued evolution and expanded capabilities. Their collaborative approach earned the company the Olympus Partnership Award, recognizing its commitment to excellence and long-standing client partnerships.
The 2010s were defined by evolution and leadership continuity. Gilbert celebrated 25 years, launched in-house metal fabrication, and rebranded to reflect its full-service experiential design capabilities. In the 2020s, the company streamlined operations with a focus on scalability, including a move toward national expansion with a 46,000 sq. ft. Las Vegas facility to better accommodate West Coast trade shows and luxury retail clients, while also advancing innovation in this sector.
Today, Gilbert produces impactful trade show exhibits, activations, and luxury retail environments for some of the most recognizable brands in the world, and leadership is looking forward to continued growth. "Reaching 40 years is a meaningful milestone—one that reflects the dedication of our team and the trust of our clients," said Barry Ballen, CEO of Gilbert. "We’re proud of the environments we’ve brought to life and how much we’ve grown over the years and are excited to deliver great products and experiences to our clients in the future." said Matt Ballen, COO of Gilbert.
About Gilbert
Founded in 1986, Gilbert is a turnkey organization that provides design, construction, and management solutions for trade show exhibits, retail, hospitality, corporate, and residential environments, and corporate events. For more information, visit www.gilbertexperience.com.
Contact:
[email protected]
Submit Your News!
There is no charge to submit your press release for publication on the Exhibitor News Network.
Marketplace
- Audiovisual Equipment
- Convention Centers
- Event Design and Production
- Exhibit Fabrication
- Exhibit Producers
- Exhibit Rental
- Experiential Agency
- Flooring
- Graphics
- International Exhibit Producers
- Kiosks
- Lead Retrieval
- Modular Exhibit Systems
- Portable Display Systems
- Shipping and Transportation
- All Companies