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awards
EXHIBITOR MAGAZINE'S TWELFTH ANNUAL
PORTABLE / MODULAR AWARDS
Forget everything you thought you knew about portable and modular exhibits. Today's system-built environments are sustainable solutions, technological powerhouses, and brand storytelling vehicles in one adaptable package. EXHIBITOR Magazine's 12th Annual Portable/Modular Awards don't just celebrate great design. They bear witness to the future of experiential marketing.
Our winners showcase unprecedented versatility, from intimate spaces that feel like luxury boutiques to massive environments that transform convention centers into immersive brand worlds. They prove that modular design isn't about compromise but about smart choices that maximize both impact and investment. These exhibits, representing investments from $80,000 to $2 million, demonstrate that innovation knows no budget constraints and prove that in today's market, the most powerful exhibits aren't always built from scratch. They're often the nimble, reconfigurable varieties that are engineered for evolution. 
The Zeigler Award
How do you introduce an industry to a new-to-you name while showcasing the iconic brand now under your umbrella? For Kenvue Inc., the answer was an exhibit that one judge called “a masterclass in brand architecture.”
Exhibitor: Kenvue Inc. Design/Fabrication: MSM Inc., Webster, NY, 585-232-4020, msmxp.com System: BeMatrix USA Event: American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting 2024 Budget: $750,000 – $999,000 Size: 80-by-110 feet Photo: Padgett and Company Inc. Designed and fabricated by MSM Inc., Kenvue's 80-by-110-foot exhibit transformed BeMatrix frames and various system components into a sophisticated brand ecosystem where trusted names like Neutrogena, Lubriderm, Aveeno, and Rogaine each claimed their own distinct territory while contributing to a greater whole. At the heart of the space, a dramatic 20-foot curved LED screen served double duty — hosting educational sessions by day then transforming into an immersive canvas that displayed synchronized brand storytelling every 15 minutes. Illuminated hanging signs floated above distinct brand zones, while seamless fabric graphics and interactive elements, including themed photo opportunities and a state-of-the-art influencer pod, kept visitors engaged at ground level. A digital passport system gamified the experience, guiding dermatologists through a intelligently curated journey of product discovery. The modular design, which took home the competition's top honor, proved as strategic as it was stunning because its elements broke down into cohesive components the brand could display at smaller shows. In the end, this sophisticated solution helped Kenvue establish its new corporate identity while celebrating the scientific heritage that made its skincare brands legendary in the first place. Ecolab_PMA Video Player is loading.
Best Use of Technology
Time may be money in the restaurant business, but at the 2024 National Restaurant Association show, Ecolab Inc. proved that tracking time might be worth even more. The company's 30-by-110-foot design didn't just promise to save restaurateurs four hours a day; it showed exactly how, why, and where those savings occurred.
Exhibitor: Ecolab Inc. Design/Fabrication: Storylink Creative, Maple Grove, MN, 763-231-2080, storylinkcreative.com System: Aluvision Inc Event: National Restaurant Association, 2024 Budget: $500,000 – $749,000 Size: 30-by-110 feet Photo: Storylink Creative Crafted by Storylink Creative using Aluvision Inc. components, the booth offered an interactive experience that comprised a front- and back-of-house environment. Transparent screens calculated sustainability metrics in real-time, while overhead LED elements turned cooking demos into broadcast- worthy performances. A gamified badge-scanning system turned the company's “Save Four Hours” message into an engaging treasure hunt. Visitors who completed four demos earned product bundles, while the system gathered valuable metrics. The crowning touch? LTE sensors with AI capabilities tracked everything from dwell times to traffic patterns, creating heat maps and visitor journey analyses that transformed casual observations into actionable insights. 
Best Use of Graphics
When everyone else zigs, sometimes you have to zag. Or in the case of Hill & Partners Inc., you might need to polka dot, chevron, and plaid. The firm's “Unmatched” campaign turned visual discord into design harmony, showing that the best partnerships often begin with imperfection.
Exhibitor: Hill & Partners Inc. Design/Fabrication: Hill & Partners Inc., Weymouth, MA, 617-471-7990, hillpartners.com System: BeMatrix USA Event: EXHIBITORLIVE 2024 Budget: $80,000 – $149,000 Size: 20-by-20 feet Photo: Cole Group Photography Working within a 20-by-20-foot space, designers employed BeMatrix b62 frames, a two-toned flooring design, and custom slat walls to create distinct zones that deliberately didn't match — yet somehow worked together. The challenge here, however, was making “unmatched” feel intentional rather than accidental. The solution lay in careful color selection, using the company's tertiary palette to inject brightness while maintaining sophistication. Even the campaign's custom font featured restrained shapes that kept the eclectic elements feeling organized and intentional. “They walked a tightrope between playful and polished,” noted one judge. By incorporating whimsical elements into its traditional branded materials, Hill & Partners showed that serious business can still have fun. RedBull_PMA Video Player is loading.
Best Fabric Exhibit
At the 2024 National Association of Convenience Stores, Red Bull demonstrated the power of transformation by taking its existing assets and creating a striking 50-by-50-foot fabric exhibit. The bold, immersive display redefined the brand's presence, turning familiar elements into something entirely fresh and dynamic.
Exhibitor: Red Bull North America Inc. (dba Red Bull) Design/Fabrication: Storylink Creative, Maple Grove, MN, 763-231-2080, storylinkcreative.com System: BeMatrix USA Event: National Association of Convenience Stores 2024 Budget: $250,000 – $499,000 Size: 50-by-50 feet Photo: Storylink Creative Working with Storylink Creative, the team turned BeMatrix's b62 frame system into an environment that felt more permanent than portable. A three-piece overhead element combined branded headers with dimensional red accents, while 20 existing digital posters were unified into one massive display wall, creating what one judge called “a masterful remix of structure, color, and content.” The exhibit's core was pure Red Bull energy. A mirrored bar with a live DJ provided the soundtrack for the brand's signature Dance Your Style competition, where street dancers faced off on a black angular floor as enthusiastic crowds voted for their favorites. Strategic touches like a tasting station offering sample-sized portions of a variety of drink flavors, and carefully curated sports memorabilia completed the striking transformation. In the end, this exhibit proved that the most innovative designs can come from looking at existing elements through new eyes and being daring enough to reimagine them. 
Best Island Exhibit
How do you make warehouse logistics look like a blockbuster attraction? Talos Engineered Products LLC opted for slotted walls and LED lighting and created such a compelling environment at MODEX 2024 that it established a new benchmark for innovative exhibit design among those in the logistics industry.
(900 Square Feet and Fewer) Exhibitor: Talos Engineered Products LLC Design: Zilla LLC, Dublin, OH, 614-763-5311, zilladisplay.com Fabrication: Classic Exhibits Inc., Portland, OR, 503-652-2100, classicexhibits.com System: Classic Exhibits Inc. Event: MODEX 2024 Budget: $80,000 – $149,000 Size: 20-by-40 feet Photo: Las Vegas Event Photography The 20-by-40-foot island exhibit, designed by Zilla LLC and fabricated by Classic Exhibits Inc., made an immediate impact with its Aero Frame sign featuring dimensional logos that commanded attention from every angle. Below, dimensional slotted wall panels illuminated by green LED lighting created a distinctive branded environment that one judge praised as “a perfect marriage of form and function.” Custom counters and desks provided ample workspace for demos and convos, while cleverly integrated storage areas kept marketing materials close at hand. The layout left open floor space for any potential equipment displays while offering a number of meeting areas. Most impressively, every element was engineered for flexibility, allowing for reconfiguration while maintaining a custom appearance. 
Best Rental Exhibit
They say there's no place like home. But at the 2024 International Consumer Electronics Show, Motorola Mobility LLC proved there's no home like a smart home. The firm transformed 3,000 square feet of concrete into a technological tribute to domestic tranquility that made even jaded tech journalists want to kick off their shoes and stay a while.
(More Than 400 Square Feet) Exhibitor: Motorola Mobility LLC Design: Event Strategy Group (ESG), Broomall, PA, 214-729-8665, esg.us Fabrication: Classic Exhibits Inc., Portland, OR, 503-652-2100, classicexhibits.com System: Classic Exhibits Inc. Event: International Consumer Electronics Show 2024 Budget: $250,000 – $499,000 Size: 50-by-60 feet Photo: SJP Media Working with Event Strategy Group (ESG) and Classic Exhibits Inc., the team orchestrated a series of themed product areas that flowed together like well-appointed rooms in an upscale home. The use of Gravitee One-Step Modular wall panels and ClassicModul Aluminum Extrusions created distinct environments that invited exploration while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. “They turned technology into interior design,” observed one judge, praising how the exhibit elevated consumer electronics into lifestyle statements. The muted color palette, architectural lighting, and premium finishes transformed what could have been a sterile tech display into an inviting domestic environment. Plus, by combining rental components with premium finishes, the space achieved a luxurious feel without breaking the budget. 
Best Rental Exhibit
In a world of trade show excess, sometimes the boldest move is to whisper. At Natural Products Expo West 2024, Nature's Bakery (a Mars Inc. brand) proved that point with devastating elegance, turning a 20-by-20-foot space into a monochromatic meditation on the power of restraint.
(400 Square Feet and Fewer) Exhibitor: Mars Inc. (Nature's Bakery brand) Design/Fabrication: Condit Exhibits LLC, Denver, 303-698-3989, condit.com System: Aluvision Inc. Event: Natural Products Expo West 2024 Budget: $80,000 – $149,000 Size: 20-by-20 feet Photo: TradeshowGuy Exhibits Working with Condit Exhibits LLC, the team transformed Aluvision walls into an exercise in chromatic precision, where every surface played its part in a carefully orchestrated color story. Even the furniture, originally more traditional in appearance, was brought to technicolor life to fit the theme through in-house painting that matched the brand's exacting standards. “What could have been a limitation became a revelation,” noted one judge. “The way they handled different materials and surfaces showed extraordinary attention to detail.” Perhaps most impressive was designers' transformation of a structural column from obstacle to opportunity, concealing it within a product feature wall that maintained fire safety access while creating an innovative display surface. The result was a testament to the power of unified design, proving that the most memorable experiences can come not from what you add, but from what you carefully trim away. 
Best Reconfigurable
Exhibit
IMEX 2024 attendees were captivated by the signature entertainment and hospitality of Hard Rock International at its engaging exhibit. Crafted by The Freeman Co. LLC (dba Freeman) utilizing a system by BeMatrix USA, this impressive 20-by-50-foot environment triumphed in the Best Reconfigurable Exhibit category, effectively showcasing that modular design can be both practical and electrifying.
Exhibitor: Hard Rock International (USA) Inc. Design/Fabrication: The Freeman Co. LLC (dba Freeman), Dallas, 404-538-8260, freeman.com System: BeMatrix USA Event: IMEX 2024 Budget: $50,0000 – $749,000 Size: 20-by-50 feet Photo: The Freeman Co. LLC (dba Freeman) Lauded by one judge as “a greatest hits collection that could play any venue,” the booth drew inspiration from Hard Rock properties, where iconic pop culture memorabilia and local music elements are woven into the décor and ambiance. A soundwave-patterned carpet set the stage, while a striking greenery wall featuring Hard Rock's motto — “Love All Serve All” — provided an Instagram-worthy backdrop. Interactive elements transformed attendees into superstars, including a custom mirror designed as a Hard Rock magazine cover for selfie moments and a “Sound of Your Stay” listening wall where guests could sample music genres via QR codes. This reflected the experience that is offered to Hard Rock Hotel's many annual guests. The strategic blend of 60-percent rental structures with 40-percent custom elements created a sustainable solution that could scale from 20-by-50 feet down to 10-by-20 feet while maintaining its headliner status. Its adaptability ensured impressive brand impact at any venue, from massive expos to boutique events. Like a carefully curated setlist, this exhibit demonstrated that modularity doesn't have to mean monotony. Classic Exhibits_PMA Video Player is loading.
Best In-Line Exhibit
Can a 10-by-30-foot space truly command attention at a bustling trade show like EXHIBITORLIVE? Classic Exhibits Inc. proved that it can.
Exhibitor: Classic Exhibits Inc. Design/Fabrication: Classic Exhibits Inc., Portland, OR, 503-652-2100, classicexhibits.com System: Classic Exhibits Inc. Event: EXHIBITORLIVE 2024 Budget: $80,000 – $149,000 Size: 10-by-30 feet Photo: Classic Exhibits Inc. Rising 14 feet above the show floor, a commanding LED back wall anchored the space, while lenticular walls created an unexpected analog activity. One judge praised the design, noting visitors were naturally drawn to discover different messages hidden within the shifting patterns as they moved through the space. Classic Exhibits created an environment that served as a living portfolio of its capabilities, featuring custom wood-build elements, Gravitee modular wall panels, and SuperNova light boxes. Inside a private meeting area, a circular lightbox fostered an inviting atmosphere, its plant imagery softened by ghosted word art that subtly referenced company values. The coordinated LED content on the main wall and front counters cycled through capabilities demos and moments of branded serenity. The combined effect communicated the firm's brand values and capabilities in a way that resonated with visitors. ZimmerBiomet_PMA Video Player is loading.
Best Island Exhibit
Picture a surgical theater where robots dance with surgeons, artificial intelligence anticipates every move, and the future of orthopedics unfolds in real-time. But that's not science fiction. It's what Zimmer Biomet brought to life at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2023, where 13,500 square feet of exhibit space became healthcare's most compelling crystal ball.
(More Than 3,300 Square Feet) Exhibitor: Zimmer Biomet Design/Fabrication: Hamilton Exhibits LLC (dba Hamilton), Indianapolis, 800-688-9302, hamilton-ex.com System: Agam Group Ltd., Aluvision Inc., BeMatrix USA Event: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2023 Budget: $1 – $1.9 million Size: 90-by-150 feet Photo: Hamilton Exhibits LLC (dba Hamilton) At the heart of the 90-by-150-foot space, which was designed and crafted by Hamilton Exhibits LLC (dba Hamilton), an all-glass operating room served as both showcase and stage. Outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and pristine lighting, here attending surgeons could witness and interact with Zimmer Biomet's latest advancements in medical technology and best-in-class implants. The exhibit's architecture (comprising components from Agam Group Ltd., Aluvision Inc., and BeMatrix USA) created a sophisticated canvas for the company's signature blue palette. Synchronized LED walls and overhead signage guided visitors through product areas, while three private labs offered hands-on demonstration spaces where attending surgeons could test-drive cutting-edge technologies in a controlled, immersive environment. One judge said, “This exhibit was a portal into healthcare's next chapter. From the illuminated entrance logo to the glass-enclosed OR, every element worked in concert to position Zimmer Biomet as the boldest med-tech innovator in the field.” 
People's Choice Award
Originally entered in the Reconfigurable Exhibit category, Accuray Inc.'s exhibit captured the People's Choice Award, which is chosen by popular vote on ExhibitorOnline.com.
Exhibitor: Accuray Inc. Design/Fabrication: Derse Inc., Milwaukee, 414-257-2000, derse.com System: Aluvision Inc., Derse Inc. Event: ASTRO Annual Meeting; American Society for Radiation Oncology; American Association of Physicists in Medicine 65th Annual Meeting and Exhibition, 2024 Budget: $1 – $1.9 million Size: 60-by-60 feet, 20-by-20 feet Photo: MedMeetingsImages, Derse Inc. Designing an exhibit for a company focused on expanding the curative power of patient-centric radiotherapy presented Derse Inc. with unique challenges. The space had to showcase complex medical technology in an engaging way while maintaining a cohesive brand experience. Plus, it needed to morph between 20-by-20- and 60-by-60-foot dimensions. The solution was an innovative modular framework featuring striking vertical towers and a distinctive floating canopy. These architectural elements, constructed with Aluvision Inc. and Derse components, created a dramatic sense of height, and were engineered to adapt both vertically and horizontally, allowing the same core components to transform into different sizes. Inside, technology integration points highlighted Accuray's sophisticated delivery systems while creating intuitive education zones. By emphasizing sustainability through adaptive reuse, Derse delivered an exhibit that struck a chord with environmentally conscious attendees and bottom-line focused execs. ITG_PMA Video Player is loading.
Best Conceptual Design
In a competition category where imagination knows no bounds, this conceptual design for ITG Brands LLC stood out as what one judge called “a brilliant blueprint that perfectly balances brand storytelling with next-generation engagement techniques.”
Exhibitor: ITG Brands LLC Design/Fabrication: Storylink Creative, Maple Grove, MN, 763-231-2080, storylinkcreative.com System: Aluvision Inc. Event: National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) 2024 Budget: $1 – $1.9 million Size: 50-by-70 feet Photo: Storylink Creative Developed by Storylink Creative using Aluvision's Omni55 Panels and Hi-LED 55 tiles, the 50-by-70-foot concept was an immersive digital playground. At its heart, an edge-lit tree stretched toward a 20-foot-diameter circular LED display, symbolizing the growth potential ITG offers its convenience store partners. But perhaps the design's most innovative element was its “phygital” bar concept, where product placement triggered digital content through six embedded interactive screens. Other forward-thinking touches included a virtual convenience-store simulator with a 28-foot LED wall, mixed-reality Blu device exploration via Hololens, and gesture-based competitions. Each branded tower collects valuable customer data while delivering memorable experiences. From cigar-rolling demonstrations to slow-motion video souvenirs, every corner of this next-generation exhibit reinforced ITG's position as the convenience store industry's premier partner for growth. 
Best Island Exhibit
How do you showcase half a million products in a single exhibit? For Bio-Techne at the American Association for Cancer Research 2024, the answer wasn't to show everything — it was to show the connections that exist between everything.
(1,000 Square Feet to 3,200 Square Feet) Exhibitor: Bio-Techne Corp. Design/Fabrication: BlueHive Inc., Worcester, MA, 508-581-9560, blue-hive.com System: Moss Inc. Event: American Association for Cancer Research 2024 Budget: $250,000 – $499,000 Size: 20-by-50 feet Photo: Padgett and Company Inc. Working with BlueHive Inc., the team created a 20-by-50-foot environment where a striking coil structure became a visual metaphor for scientific progress. The aluminum framework, which was wrapped in tension fabric from Moss Inc. and accented with LED lighting, created what one judge called “a brilliant visual synthesis of complexity and clarity, where each element flowed naturally into the next.” This centerpiece was visible from multiple aisles, drawing attendees into the space and encouraging closer engagement with the surrounding elements. At the heart of the space, a laboratory setup and billboard-style LED matrix displayed both overarching messages and targeted product information. A large-format VirtualLab touchscreen experience invited visitors to explore Bio-Techne's vast catalog through an intuitive interface, while digital product representations offered versatility beyond the show floor for marketing and educational purposes. This extended the exhibit's impact long after the event concluded. The design's genius lay in its adaptability, as the coil structure could be reconfigured for various footprints while maintaining brand consistency and visual impact. In the end, this sophisticated solution demonstrated how Bio-Techne's products work together to advance life science research and technology.
2025 JUDGES
Entries were scored by a two-part panel of marketing and design experts, who evaluated both the aesthetic qualities of the completed portable/modular exhibits as well as their functionality, practicality, suitability, messaging, and marketing capabilities.
Design Panel
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