Best Rental Exhibit
(Less Than 1,000 Square Feet)

Exhibitor: Scorpion Design LLC
Design: Hill & Partners Inc., Weymouth, MA, 617-471-7990, www.hillpartners.com
Fabrication: International Port Management Enterprise (IPME), Compton, CA, 866-237-6302, www.goipme.com
System: International Port Management Enterprise (IPME)
Event: Service World Expo, 2019
Budget: $250,000 – $499,000
Size: 30-by-30 feet
Photos: Cole Group Inc.

When most people picture an exhibit for a cutting-edge provider of digital marketing services, they likely envision something sleek, hypermodern, and brimming with tech. That might be a good fit for some trade show audiences, but Scorpion Design LLC needed to appeal to the plumbers, electricians, and general contractors roaming the aisles of Service World Expo. In other words, this wasn't a white-carpet affair. So Scorpion marketers asked exhibit house Hill & Partners Inc. to devise a rental solution that would resonate with tradespeople and kindle their desire to linger in the space.
Keeping attendees' demographics and Scorpion's 30-by-30 footprint top of mind, Hill & Partners proposed a double deck made from a collection of prefabricated shipping containers from International Port Management Enterprise. To complement the containers' heavy-duty vibe and drive home an "industrial beer garden" theme, designers added cage-style lighting (similar to what one might find at a construction site), caution tape striping, and weathered wood countertops supported by metal pipes. An internally lit, billboard-type sign atop the double deck branded the space, which boasted a cozy bar, multiple seating options, screen-based demo stations, and a swag shop. Meanwhile, a discrete area across the aisle promoted Scorpion's high-value giveaway: a Dodge Ram pickup. "Scorpion took advantage of its limited footprint and managed to create a variety of harmonious vignettes," said one juror. We'll raise a glass to that! Best Use of Graphics

Exhibitor: Arm Ltd.
Design/Fabrication: ProExhibits LLC, Freemont, CA, 888-816-4516, www.proexhibits.com
Systems: Aluvision Inc., Octanorm North America Inc.
Event: Arm TechCon, 2019
Budget: $150,000 – $249,000
Size: 40-by-70 feet
Photo: David Schmitz Photography

Arm Ltd., a British semiconductor and software design company, had a bevy of hands-on experiential delights planned for its exhibit at the 2019 Arm TechCon, the business's own tech conference exploring everything from the Internet of Things to the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence. But the high-tech wonderland inside the 40-by-70-foot "experience zone" would be for naught if it failed to lure passing attendees.
To guarantee conference goers were drawn to the exhibit like Steve Jobs to a black turtleneck, ProExhibits LLC designers leveraged a underappreciated piece of show floor real estate: the ceiling. A trio of rigged elements (fabricated from Aluvision Inc. and Octanorm North America Inc. components) comprising a roughly 15-by-35-foot LED "wall" flanked by two equally sized backlit panels offered up an alluring mix of static and dynamic, kaleidoscopic imagery. "The overhead graphics are absolutely what drew attendees into the space and brought the booth to life," said one juror. "The effect was cohesive, immersive, and engaging." Best Conceptual Design

Exhibitor: Kobelco Construction Machinery USA Inc.
Design: 2020 Exhibits Inc., Houston, 866-790-2356, www.2020exhibits.com
Systems: Aluvision Inc., Octanorm North America Inc.
Event: ConExpo-Con/Agg, 2020
Budget: $1 million – $1.9 million
Size: 195-by-165 feet

Everything is bigger in Texas, and Las Vegas isn't known for its modesty. So when the excavator division of Katy, TX -based Kobelco Construction Machinery USA Inc. issued 2020 Exhibits Inc. a request for proposal for its stand at the 2020 ConExpo-Con/Agg in Vegas, designers knew they needed a concept as impressive as The Strip and as memorable as the Alamo. 2020 Exhibits' proposal welcomed attendees to "Kobelco Country," a 32,175-square-foot experiential oasis comprising Aluvision Inc. and Octanorm North America Inc. components.
While a sizable portion of the footprint was devoted to showcasing Kobelco's multi-ton machinery, designers still allowed ample space for Western-themed engagements, such as a general store offering branded apparel, a bull-riding activation, and a VIP saloon on the second level of a double-deck structure in a back corner of the space. Inspired touches including old-fashioned rocking chairs and weathered wood and corrugated metal finishes rounded out the scene. Best In-Line Exhibit
(100 Square Feet or More)

Exhibitor: Pharmacosmos A/S
Design/Fabrication: Access TCA Inc., Whitinsville, MA, 508-234-9791, www.accesstca.com
System: Access TCA Inc.
Event: American Society of Hematology, 2021
Budget: $40,000 – $79,000
Size: 10-by-20 feet
Photo: Padgett and Company Inc.

While trade shows were on lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Danish pharmaceutical company Pharmacosmos A/S received FDA approval to market Monoferric, its IV treatment for individuals with iron deficiency anemia, in the United States. The 2021 American Society of Hematology conference was Pharmacosmos' first opportunity to present its treatment to its target audience of health-care providers, but with uncertainty still looming over the feasibility of in-person events, the company opted to debut Monoferric in a relatively modest in-line. Designed and fabricated by Access TCA Inc. using an in-house exhibit system, the 10-by-20-foot stand "packed a significant punch into a small space," according to one juror. The exhibit boasted an angular reception desk with illuminated panels referencing the drug's circular logo, a fabric and laminate back wall with a backlit "1" emphasizing that Monoferric is effective with just a single dose, and a faux-grass half wall separating the commercial and medical-affairs areas. Said another juror, "The space looks inviting and feels larger than it actually is." Best Fabric Exhibit


Exhibitor: Access TCA Inc.
Design/Fabrication: Access TCA Inc., Whitinsville, MA, 508-234-9791, www.accesstca.com
System: Tectonics Industries LLC
Event: EXHIBITORLIVE, 2020
Budget: $150,000 – $249,000
Size: 20-by-40 feet
Photo: Padgett and Company Inc.

Striking in every sense, this razor-sharp stand for exhibit house Access TCA Inc. earned heaps of praise from our judges, who called it "a skillful balance of light and dark," "a subtle embodiment of the company's logo brought to life in a 3-D environment," and "a brand message that speaks volumes without having to say a single word." Designed by Access TCA's own team and fabricated with custom Tectonics Industries LLC components, the 20-by-40-foot island, which debuted at EXHIBITORLIVE in the early stages of the face-to-face marketing industry's post-COVID comeback, functioned as the delayed public-facing launch of the company's new branding. As such, the stand's soaring black tension-fabric walls featured both a redesigned logo and dramatically angled cutouts revealing a stark-white interior where staffers stood at the ready to welcome attendees. Best In-Line Exhibit
(100 Square Feet or Fewer

Exhibitor: Dimah Messe + Event GmbH
Design/Fabrication: Dimah Messe + Event GmbH, Ostfildern, Germany, 49-711-3416-9030, www.dimah.de
System: Dimah Messe + Event GmbH
Event: EuroShop, 2020
Budget: $100,000 – $190,000
Size: 10-by-7.5 feet
Photo: Dimah Messe + Event GmbH

Never has the adage "The best things come in small packages" been more applicable to an exhibit than when it comes to this mere 10-by-7.5-foot stand designed by and for Dimah Messe + Event GmbH. Needing a portable means of showing off the design firm's capabilities in practically any situation or venue, whether that be visiting a prospective client or exhibiting at a trade fair, Dimah fabricated this versatile solution that fits inside a modest shipping crate yet features jaw-dropping functionality. The stand, which debuted at EuroShop, includes three nesting tables that can be fanned out at countless angles, fully integrated and adjustable RGB LEDs, a 32-inch monitor, multiple charging and input ports, and a storage cubby. It comes as no surprise that jurors were enamored with the pint-size wonder. "The transformable, portable design allows for effective deployment in a variety of challenging situations," said one judge. "It's like the Swiss Army knife of exhibits!" Best Rental Exhibit
(1,000 Square Feet or More)

Exhibitor: Allscripts Healthcare LLC
Design/Fabrication: The Freeman Co. LLC (Freeman), Dallas, 800-423-8416, www.freeman.com
System: BeMatrix USA
Event: Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, 2019
Budget: $750,000 – $999,000
Size: 90-by-120 feet
Photos: The Freeman Co. LLC (Freeman)

It's not exactly unusual for marketers to approach an exhibit house with a laundry list of wants, but Allscripts Healthcare LLC had a doozy for its booth at the 2019 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society show. The health-care IT provider asked The Freeman Co. LLC (Freeman) to whip up a rental with four distinct demo stations, a spacious theater, and 11 private meeting rooms. And above all, Allscripts wanted the space to feel like a calming retreat from the rest of the chaotic show floor. Freeman was able to deliver on all counts with a 90-by-120-foot space crafted from BeMatrix USA components. But what truly captured judges' attention was designers' use of thin vinyl "fins" set in the ceiling element suspended above the theater and conversation zone. These gently undulating strips glowed with cooling shades of green and blue light, bathing this heavily trafficked portion of the booth in soothing hues. "Lighting can make or break an exhibit," said one juror. "And in this case, it definitely makes it. It's beautiful, dynamic, and impressive." Best Island Exhibit
(Fewer Than 800 Square Feet)

Exhibitor: Vectorworks Inc.
Design/Fabrication: E&E Exhibits Inc., Tempe, AZ, 800-709-6935, www.exhibitsusa.com
Design: Vectorworks Inc., Columbia, MD, 410-290-5114, www.vectorworks.net
System: Aluvision Inc.
Event: Live Design International Show, 2021
Budget: $80,000 – $149,000
Size: 20-by-30 feet
Photo: Vectorworks Inc.

When your company tagline is "Design without limits," your exhibit better be a showstopper. And Vectorworks Inc., a design software provider, and its trade show partner E&E Exhibits Inc. certainly delivered with their stand for the Live Design International Show. The 20-by-30-foot island earned glowing accolades from jurors, who called it "striking," "sophisticated, and "flawless." Fabricated from Aluvision Inc. components, Vectorworks' exhibit featured three dedicated product-demo stations where staff could showcase the company's offerings. A full quarter of the footprint was devoted to a presentation theater, and a nearby conversation "nook" with a bar-height counter and a 43-inch monitor served as a locale for media interviews. When not in use, both of these spaces could be converted to additional demo areas. And to ensure visibility, the stand was topped with a halo-lit dimensional logo and large graphic panel that can be quickly updated for future shows. Best Use of Technology

Exhibitor: Subaru of America Inc.
Design/Fabrication: EWI Worldwide Inc., Dearborn, MI, 734-525-9010, www.ewiworldwide.com
Design: Hansen Productions Inc., San Clemente, CA, 949-797-9223, www.hansenproductionsinc.com; Next Now, Chicago, 312-945-6222, www.nextnowagency.com; Carmichael Lynch, Minneapolis, 612-334-6000, www.carmichaellynch.com
System: EWI Worldwide Inc.
Event: New York International Auto Show, 2019
Budget: $2 million – $4.9 million
Size: 80-by-125 feet
Photos: Charles J. Cangialosi

Supersized video walls are practically ubiquitous at auto shows, so Subaru of America Inc. marketers and their partners at EWI Worldwide Inc. knew they'd need something more attention-grabbing than dime-a-dozen LED tiles to lure passing attendees at the 2019 New York International Auto Show. So rather than walk the well-worn path of AV for AV's sake, the teams concocted a dynamic activation nodding to Subaru's longstanding support of America's National Park Foundation and the Find Your Park program that encourages public support of and engagement with the park system. To that end, EWI and a trio of design agencies worked up an immersive brand experience unlike anything else on the show floor. A curved LED wall roughly 24 feet tall and 80 feet wide used all of its 7.4 million pixels to emit wanderlust-evoking content from several national parks. But the imagery wasn't limited to the wall, as more than 900 video tiles on the floor of the theater area added another dimension to the presentation. At a key moment of the scheduled unveiling, the wall parted on a truss trolley system and revealed Subaru's latest vehicle, which slowly made its way onto an elevated turntable also clad in video tiles. Said one judge, "With a budget like this, you should inspire people. Mission accomplished." Best Reconfigurable Exhibit

Exhibitor: RocketRez Inc.
Design/Fabrication: Rockway Exhibits + Events, Orlando, FL, 407-753-6658, www.rockwayexhibits.com
System: Orbus Exhibit & Display Group
Event: International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, 2021
Budget: $80,000 – $149,000
Size: 20-by-20 feet
Photo: Steven Miller Photography

Leading up to the 2021 International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions expo, RocketRez Inc., a cloud-based revenue management platform for attraction and entertainment providers, wanted a new exhibit for its 20-by-20 booth space. The stand needed bold graphics, six separate demo areas for different offerings, and – somehow – a spacious and hospitable feel. Oh, and one more thing: The exhibit had to be reconfigurable for 10-by-20 and 10-by-10 inline footprints. Remarkably, Rockway Exhibits + Events was able to check all of these boxes with this blue-and-white wonder made from Orbus Exhibit & Display Group components. In the island setup shown here, two pairs of back-to-back screen-based demo stations maximize floor space while a central counter offers two hands-on experiences. And per RocketRez's wishes, the components easily convert to an in-line configuration featuring a reception/demo counter and a back wall with additional demo stations. Best Island Exhibit
(More Than 1,500 Square Feet)

Exhibitor: Kia America Inc.
Design/Fabrication: EWI Worldwide Inc., Dearborn, MI, 734-525-9010, www.ewiworldwide.com
System: EWI Worldwide Inc.
Event: Los Angeles International Auto Show, 2021
Budget: $2 million – $4.9 million
Size: 133-by-150 feet
Photo: Matt Petit Photography

In early 2021, the South Korean auto giant Kia Corp. announced that it was launching a top-to-bottom rebrand of everything from its logo to its positioning in the marketplace. The new look was sleek, upscale, and future-focused. And while the corporate office provided Kia America Inc., its U.S. division, with specific design cues regarding its presence at stateside expos, it was up to exhibit house EWI Worldwide Inc. to translate those cues into workable solutions.

First up was the Los Angeles International Show in November, where this 133-by-150-foot behemoth made its debut. Luxurious yet approachable and modern but not cold, the stand, which featured custom EWI components, touched a chord with judges. "Simplicity at its finest," said one juror. "The shapes, structures, and color palette play a supportive role to the cars, just as they should. Said another, "This exudes elegance and sophistication around every corner. The successful use of reconfigurable rectilinear elements breaks down the vast footprint into focused vignettes." And those vignettes included everything from massive LED walls featuring touchless experiences to a pair of driving simulators offering the opportunity to take Kia's autos for a virtual spin.

Best Island Exhibit
(800 – 1,500 Square Feet)

Exhibitor: ECI Software Solutions Inc.
Design/Fabrication: Skyline Exhibits LLC, Saint Paul, MN, 651-234-6000, www.skyline.com
System: Skyline Exhibits LLC
Event: International Builders' Show, 2022
Budget: $250,000 – $499,000
Size: 30-by-40 feet
Photo: Skyline Exhibits LLC

According to famed fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy, "Luxury is in each detail," and clearly our judging panel agreed, calling this 30-by-40-foot island for ECI Software Solutions Inc. "refined," "well balanced," and "subtle yet effective." Designed and fabricated by Skyline Exhibits LLC using its own components, the stand, which debuted at the International Builders' Show, invokes the feel of a modern home via its angled rooflines, contemporary dark wood and faux concrete finishes, and restrained color palette.

Individual stations in the center of the footprint highlighted ECI's subbrands while keeping the overall aesthetic as focused as a laser beam, and a double-deck structure at the back created ample meeting space and a presentation theater. But the exhibit's crowning glory was the striking blood-red tree positioned near the aisle. The arboreal element functioned not only as a dramatic pop of color and an artful nod to the crimson tittle in ECI's logo, but also as an undeniable attention-getter that captivated scores of passersby.