The ZEIgler Award
Best Use of Technology
Exhibitor: Aluvision Inc.
Design/Fabrication: Aluvision Inc., Duluth, GA, 470-252-3500, www.aluvision.com
System: Aluvision Inc.
Event: Integrated Systems Europe, 2019
Budget: $80,000 – $149,000
Size: 30-by-40 feet
Photo: Aluvision Inc.

When it comes to their own trade show stands, few companies face more pressure to "walk the walk" than exhibit houses and booth-component providers, for whom standard booth structures are practically considered subpar. Rather, these firms need to impress with virtually never-before-seen concepts.

Aluvision Inc., which offers modular aluminum framing solutions, bore the weight of this challenge – and others – going into Integrated Systems Europe. It needed not only to prove its creative capabilities but also to highlight its new Hi-LED 55 screens, which seamlessly integrate into modular constructions. Plus, it wanted a stand that would depict its World of Wonder marketing campaign based loosely on Alice in Wonderland.

Lauded by one juror as "a stunning stand that brilliantly showcased the exhibitor's products in a fun, interesting, and informative manner," Aluvision's 30-by-40-foot exhibit took home top honors in the Best Use of Technology category and earned The Zeigler Award, the competition's top honor given to the booth with the highest score regardless of category.

Featuring a mixture of Hi-LED 55 tiles (integrated into arches, flooring, corners, an LED wall, etc.) and Aluvision's traditional framing covered in static graphics, the exhibit used a variety of imagery to drive home the World of Wonder concept and draw attention to the stand's components. Digital graphics vacillated between futuristic images with swirling shapes to Candy-Crush-style icons and Wonderland-esque clocks. Designers also employed products in both their pristine, finished states and in unfinished looks, the latter of which allowed visitors to examine the framing's inner workings and connections.

Clearly, Aluvision didn't just display its wares at ISE. It literally and figuratively showed up and showed off its products and in-house creative capabilities.

Best 10-by-10-Foot Exhibit
Exhibitor: Hush Puppies, a division of Wolverine World Wide Inc.
Design/Fabrication: Exhibitpro Inc., New Albany, OH, 800-449-9541, www.exhibitpro.net
Design: Big Red Rooster LLC, Columbus, OH, 614-607-7900, www.bigredrooster.com
System: BeMatrix USA
Event: Global Brand Conference, 2019
Budget: $20,000 – $39,000
Size: 10-by-10 feet
Photo: Exhibitpro Inc.

Making a big impact in a small space sure isn't easy. But marketers at Hush Puppies, a division of Wolverine World Wide Inc., made it look like a walk in the park with your favorite pooch.

Going into the Global Brand Conference, the shoemaker and its agency, Big Red Rooster LLC, hoped to craft a space that would reinforce the brand and shine a spotlight on the footwear. After enlisting the aid of Exhibitpro Inc., the team chose a BeMatrix-brand system that was lightweight, modular, and easy to assemble.

Featuring an L-shaped structure and freestanding lightbox – which were joined by an overhead support beam – the 10-by-10 exhibit presented a white palette that positioned the company's colorful shoes center stage. Designers opted for fabric graphics for both the lightbox and an exterior wall, the latter of which depicted repetitive brand messaging. Within the exhibit, arm lights and bare-bulb fixtures illuminated the products, and a shiplap wood wall and grass-inspired carpet helped complete the fresh, authentic feel of the space.

Best Fabric Exhibit
Exhibitor: Newmar Corp.
Design/Fabrication: Inter-global Exhibitions Inc. (dba InterGlobal Exhibits - IGE), Englewood, CO, 303-932-9356, www.igegroup.com
System: Aluvision Inc.
Event: The RV Experience, 2019
Budget: $750,000 – $999,000
Size: 105-by-143 feet
Photo: Inter-global Exhibitions Inc. (dba InterGlobal Exhibits - IGE)

Luxury recreational vehicles, such as those from Newmar Corp., allow "glamping" enthusiasts to take their lavish outdoor experiences on the road. So for The RV Experience, the firm needed an exhibit that exuded a sense of luxury and sophistication on par with its discerning customers. Tapping designers at Inter-global Exhibitions Inc., Newmar debuted a 105-by-143-foot stand that ticked all the boxes and took the top slot in the Best Fabric Exhibit category.

Enlisting Aluvision Inc. components, designers enclosed the space with 12-foot-tall fabric walls that displayed outdoor imagery and minimal messaging. Entering through a single opening, visitors encountered four different RV models surrounded by graphics and furnishings referencing an aspect of glamping, such as entertainment, adventure, cooking, and nightlife. For example, in the nightlife section visitors discovered Adirondack chairs around simulated campfires and graphics of a starry sky.

Deemed "a powerful use of fabric" by jurors, the stand seemed to epitomize glamping. While it included touches reminiscent of the outdoors, such as flooring resembling a stone path, it delivered an unmistakable sense of sophistication befitting of the brand.

Best In-Line Exhibit
Exhibitor: Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits Inc. (now part of Classic Exhibits Inc.)
Design/Fabrication: Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits Inc., Portland, OR, 866-652-2100, www.classicexhibits.com
System: Classic Exhibits Inc.
Event: EXHIBITORLIVE, 2019
Budget: $40,000 – $79,000
Size: 10-by-30 feet
Photo: Classic Exhibits Inc.

In-line exhibits are a lot like billboards in that they must catch the eyes of those zooming by and give them a reason to pump the brakes. This 10-by-30-foot stand from Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits Inc. (now a part of Classic Exhibits Inc.) tackled those two tasks and wowed the judges, one of whom said it offered "an effective use of visuals that were well incorporated with the structural components."

At EXHIBITORLIVE, Eco-Systems hoped to craft an inviting space with multiple discussion areas that would also highlight its design and manufacturing capabilities. The final design, which featured components from Classic Exhibits, provided both eye-catching allure and functional effectiveness.

Comprising a recycled aluminum frame and LED lighting, the back-wall graphic introduced imagery of a lush lagoon. A 12-foot-tall ID tower clad in reclaimed wood generated long-distance visibility and offered floating shelving, a glass-enclosed waterfall feature, and hidden storage. Showcasing Green elements such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood, Wilsonart-grand GreenGuard laminates, water-based stains, and reclaimed wood cladding, the exhibit pleased marketing managers and delighted dear Mother Nature.

Best International Design
Exhibitor: Laminex, a division of Laminex Group Pty Ltd.
Design/Fabrication: Expo Centric Pty Ltd., Rydalmere, NSW, Australia, 61-2-9937-1500, www.expocentric.com.au
System: Aluvision Inc.
Event: Australian Woodworking Industry Suppliers Association, 2018
Budget: $150,000 – $249,000
Size: 40-by-52 feet
Photo: Expo Centric Pty Ltd.

More often than not, a booth plastered with products resembles the Fez medina – and not in a good way. But Laminex, a division of Laminex Group Pty Ltd., devised a space as heavy on allure as it was on product.

Crafted by Expo Centric Pty Ltd. using an Aluvision Inc. system, the 40-by-52-foot stand debuted at the Australian Woodworking Industry Suppliers Association show. Here, Laminex, a provider of laminates, engineered stone, and paneling products, hoped to introduce a new product line and establish a dominating industry presence.

Designers opted for a partially enclosed footprint with a large main access point on the front corner. Clad in the exhibitor's product and bearing the Laminex logo, towering walls reaching almost 20 feet in height formed the perimeter. At the entrance, visitors encountered a reception desk followed by a bar and hospitality area just beyond the threshold.

While almost all available surfaces were covered in products, designers positioned sophisticated displays along the front wall and down the booth's central corridor. Dubbed "pods" by designers, the displays were organized according to the different series within the new product line. Thanks to integrated lighting, the pods showcased the color and texture variations in the products, creating a gallery-like environment that encouraged attendees to touch and experience each grouping.

Portable/Modular Awards jurors appreciated the clean, clear branding along with the stand's organization. "The product displays, entrance, and hospitality space offered a hierarchy that was notably easy to navigate," one judge said. "In its entirety, it was an impressive and inspirational exhibit."

Best Rental Exhibit (1,000 Square Ft. or Fewer)
Exhibitor: PopSockets LLC
Design/Fabrication: Condit Exhibits LLC, Denver, 303-744-7167, www.condit.com
System: BeMatrix USA, Moss Inc.
Event: International Consumer Electronics Show, 2019
Budget: $80,000 – $149,000
Size: 20-by-40 feet
Photo: Exposures Ltd.

PopSockets have revolutionized the way many of us interact with our phones, and PopSockets LLC hoped to acquire a similarly game-changing exhibit for its presence at the quintessential U.S. technology conference, the International Consumer Electronics Show. Designers at Condit Exhibits LLC devised a rental exhibit with a somewhat unorthodox layout that teemed with product references.

Constructed using components from BeMatrix USA and Moss Inc., the 20-by-40-foot island included a principal element running three-quarters of the length of the space, which offered ample storage and prime real estate to display the brand's products. Designers also used a host of curved components to mirror PopSockets' shape. Three arches protruded from the product-display construction and connected to the floor, delineating a meeting area below each one.

To cap the space with an obvious nod to the product itself, designers suspended five 8-foot-diameter disks, each in a different hue, over the booth. According to one judge, "the overhead elements, vibrant colors, and unexpected forms created a fresh and exciting space and a near-audible 'pop' of creativity."

Best Island Exhibit (Less Than 600 Square Ft.)
Exhibitor: Payfactors Group LLC
Design/Fabrication: Hill & Partners Inc., Weymouth, MA, 617-471-7990, www.hillpartners.com
System: BeMatrix USA
Event: WorldatWork 2019 Total Rewards Conference and Exhibition, 2019
Budget: $150,000 – $249,000
Size: 20-by-20 feet
Photo: Cole Group Inc.

Cloud-based compensation data management tools aren't usually fun and games. But Payfactors Group LLC, which provides such services, set out to infuse its exhibit with both – that is, not only a sense of fun and excitement but also a gamified activation to lure in the passing masses.

Designed by Hill & Partners Inc., the resulting dual-faceted booth debuted at the WorldatWork 2019 Total Rewards Conference and Exhibition. Constructed using BeMatrix USA components, the 20-by-20-foot structure presented what one juror deemed "an open, inviting layout featuring unique forms and shapes that drew attendees' interest."

As visitors approached, they discovered an urban-industrial design boasting a beer-and-wine bar, metal and wood tables and stools, and a branded overhead arch that resembled an unfinished metal beam. Vinyl flooring offered a map of Florida with random points highlighted by green dots. Overhead, a 16-foot-tall faux location pin jutted through the center of the space at an angle, seeming to stab into the flooring, where it pinpointed the location of Orlando, FL, the show's host locale.

Opposite the bar, a 9-foot-tall Plinko board created excitement as attendees had a chance to win cold hard cash by playing a chip they received in a pre-show mailer. A live camera showcased the activity at the board on additional monitors throughout the space and at the Payfactors office in Quincy, MA.

To draw continuous traffic throughout the show, staffers distributed branded light-up wristbands and explained that when the bands lit up twice per day, attendees were to return to the exhibit for a chance to win various prizes. Upon activation of the wristbands, exhibit monitors displayed a countdown, background music became more audible, and overhead RGB lighting pulsated to create a dramatic environment.

Best Island Exhibit (More Than 1,000 Square Ft.)
Exhibitor: Candela Corp.
Design: Core Design Group LLC, Warrenville, IL, 630-322-8200, www.coredesigngroup.net
Fabrication: Access TCA Inc., Whitinsville, MA, 508-234-9791, www.accesstca.com
System: BeMatrix USA, Moss Inc.
Event: American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, 2019
Budget: $250,000 – $499,000
Size: 40-by-50 feet
Photo: Padgett and Company Inc.

A corporate relaunch is kind of a big deal. And often, you need a big presence to do so. Or at least that's the route Candela Corp. took for the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting. The firm partnered with Access TCA Inc. and Core Design Group LLC to create an exhibit that debuted the brand and its black, magenta, and chrome color palette – and leaned away from the previous stand's spa-like aesthetic.

At its core, the 40-by-50-foot exhibit presented several display stations that incorporated Candela's medical aesthetic devices and graphic images of the products in use in clinical situations. In addition, the stand showcased a modern vibe, as evidenced by a partially enclosed lounge, contemporary white furniture, black and white wood-grain flooring, and a central reception desk.

Employing fabric components from Moss Inc. and BeMatrix USA in Candela's new palette – a choice that minimized weight-related charges - two L-shaped structures hung on each of the footprint's front corners and elevated the new brand.

Best Rental Exhibit (More Than 1,000 Square Ft.)
Exhibitor: Corbion N.V.
Design: Elite Cargo Systems Inc. (dba ElitExpo), South Elgin, IL, 800-543-5484, www.elitexpo.com
Design/Fabrication: ExpoMarketing Group LLC, Tustin, CA, 877-890-2395, www.expomarketing.com
System: Aluvision Inc.
Event: International Baking Industry Exposition, 2019
Budget: $150,000 – $249,000
Size: 40-by-70 feet
Photo: Proto Images

While perfecting its recipe for the International Baking Industry Exposition, Corbion N.V., a provider of sustainable ingredient solutions, decided to mix things up with a new rental property that would allow for product demos, meetings, and sampling. Plus, the firm wanted to sprinkle the entire experience with an upscale cafe theme.

Designed by Elite Cargo Systems Inc. (dba ElitExpo) and ExpoMarketing Group LLC, the 40-by-70-foot exhibit contained three distinct zones. A sampling and product-demo bar on one side of the stand gave staff room to spread out samples. The middle portion featured a pergola-style construct to delineate three table-and-stool groupings where attendees and reps could chat. Finally, the third section comprised an enclosed meeting room suitable for up to 10 guests.

The booth, which used Aluvision Inc. components, contained a host of silicone-edge fabric applications that kept weight-related costs low and allowed designers to introduce the feel of a bistro minus the real-life materials. For Corbion, an organized three-part design along with a dash of cafe accoutrements were a recipe for success.

Best Island Exhibit (600 to 1,000 Square Ft.)
Exhibitor: 2020 Exhibits Inc.
Design/Fabrication: 2020 Exhibits Inc., Houston, 866-790-2356, www.2020exhibits.com
System: Octanorm North America Inc.
Event: EXHIBITORLIVE, 2019
Budget: $250,000 – $499,000
Size: 20-by-30 feet
Photo: Exposures Ltd.

Acclaimed by one juror as "a showcase of fresh ideas in exhibiting," this 20-by-30-foot whimsical wonderland was brought to life by, and for, 2020 Exhibits Inc. Constructed using Octanorm-brand elements, the stand was born of 2020 Exhibits' desire for a dynamic environment that would stand out amid EXHIBITORLIVE's competitive landscape.
To that end, designers chose an arboreal theme as a unifying concept. Like a tree, brands – and exhibits – are living entities. And while you would have been wise to plant your "tree" 20 years back, you can still reap remarkable rewards if you start sowing some seedlings right now. In conjunction with the metaphor, marketers added the tagline "Plant yourself. Dig In. The Time is Now."

The booth captivated passersby with an eye-catching display of the company's logo made of 8-foot-tall, 3-D numbers that comprised live plants sandwiched between white laminate. Next, visitors encountered a 15-foot-tall faux tree with a massive canopy of branches and a 13-by-26-foot video wall that presented nature- inspired content. Lured into the landscape, visitors could view presentations or simply sit and talk shop, all while cocooned in a one-off experience unlike anything else on the trade show floor.

Best Use of Graphics
Exhibitor: Topo Designs LLC
Design: Topo Designs LLC, Denver, 720-730-2547, www.topodesigns.com
Design/Fabrication: Condit Exhibits LLC, Denver, 303-744-7167, www.condit.com
System: BeMatrix USA
Event: Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, 2019
Budget: $40,000 – $79,000
Size: 30-by-40 feet
Photo: Exposures Ltd.

As it prepared for the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, Topo Designs LLC had a host of challenges that were the stuff of most designers' nightmares. The outdoor-gear brand was undergoing a major relaunch, but it also wanted to display a plethora of products, much like its past exhibits. What's more, a mere two months out from the show, marketers realized their 30-by-40-foot space also had a giant venue-support pillar smack dab in the middle of it.

Despite the numerous hurdles, designers at Condit Exhibits LLC teamed up with the staff at Topo, and together they cranked out a stand with arresting visuals that wowed the judges and won Best Use of Graphics.

To maintain an open footprint and allow attendees ample access to product displays, designers chose a well-spaced floor plan that enlisted elements from BeMatrix USA. It included a 16-foot-tall back wall that butted up to a neighboring exhibit and a side and partial-front-wall edifice that not only created a cozy apparel-display space but also wrapped the structural column, partially concealing it from view. Both wall structures featured colorful illustrations representing outdoor gear, such as mountain bikes, carabiners, handlebars, hiking boots, and more.

Throughout the environment, designers also used freestanding fabric-graphic panels that presented product imagery on one side and actual products on the other. In addition, the team crafted a pillar wrap that transformed the unsightly structural column into an ID tower of sorts, effectively topping off the stand for Topo.

People's Choice Award
Exhibitor: Verity Solutions Group Inc.
Design: Exhibits NW Inc., Seattle, 866-469-8534, www.exhibitsnw.com
Fabrication: Classic Exhibits Inc., Portland, OR, 866-652-2100, www.classicexhibits.com
System: Classic Exhibits Inc.
Event: 340B Coalition Winter Conference, 2019
Budget: $250,000 – $499,000
Size: 20-by-30 feet
Photo: Exposures Ltd.

Verity Solutions Group Inc. might have won the People's Choice Award, chosen by popular vote on ExhibitorOnline.com. But if EXHIBITOR gave an award for projects that most effectively met clients' myriad objectives, this exhibit likely would have taken that home, too.

As it approached the 340B Coalition Winter Conference, Verity Solutions, which provides software and services to aid administration of the federal 340B drug-pricing program, developed a laundry list of objectives. In addition to crafting a 20-by-30-foot stand that projected a high-end feel, it wanted to generate a sizable presence with minimal shipping crates. Plus, it hoped to incorporate two demo stations, interchangeable graphics, and a large presentation area.

Using a system and fabrication capabilities from Classic Exhibits Inc., designers at Exhibits NW Inc. met all those mandates and more. On the left of the space, designers flanked a reception desk with two SuperNova LED Lightboxes. Incorporating backlit interchangeable graphics allowed Verity Solutions to tailor its messaging according to market variations at each show. Just beyond the lightboxes, two demo stations were tucked under a pergola-like structure, and an additional flatscreen monitor projected the exhibitor's messages.

On the opposite side of the booth, a semiprivate presentation area was defined by white tension-fabric walls. Constructed using ClassicModul Aluminum Extrusion with halo-lit dimensional logos, the edifice created a sizeable impression yet required a minimum number of crates for shipping. By outlining the lightboxes, counters, demo stations, and theater surround in white dimensional frames, designers also satisfied the final objective, as the booth effectively reflected the high-end nature of Verity Solutions' brand.

Best Reconfigurable Exhibit
Exhibitor: Hyatt Hotels Corp.
Design/Fabrication: Exhibit Partners LLC, Maple Grove, MN, 763-231-2080, www.exhibitpartners.com
System: Dimension Design LLC
Event: Global Business Travel Association, 2019
Budget: $750,000 – $999,000
Size: 40-by-50 feet
Photo: Exposures Ltd.

With a host of brands under its umbrella, Hyatt Hotels Corp. is a multifaceted company that seems to have something for everyone. So it's not surprising that Hyatt hoped to devise a similarly multipurpose exhibit, one that could accommodate a bevy of footprints, including everything from a 50-by-60-foot behemoth to an 8-by-20-foot cutie – and the 40-by-50-foot stand shown here, which debuted at the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) show. Designed by Exhibit Partners LLC using a system from Dimension Design LLC, the modular exhibit was a favorite among jurors, one of which called it "a cohesive design that held together through many configurations."

The 2,000-square-foot layout for GBTA featured a custom hanging sign with internally lit logos. Suspended around the perimeter of the space, it allowed for further flexibility depending on the event. Its construction permitted the integration of various LED screens, and it was broken into sections to adapt to multiple footprints.

Along these same lines, most structural panels reached 8 feet tall and could be stacked atop one another if desired. This meant the edifice could accommodate numerous height restrictions with ease. Designers also utilized magnetic tiles featuring logos of Hyatt's numerous brands as opposed to integrated graphic panels – a move that meant the company could switch out the tiles as needed to highlight different brands at each show. Pairing on-brand aesthetics with adaptive elements, Hyatt's exhibit was the epitome of form and function.

2020 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

Matthias Braun, creative director, Studio Atelier Damböck Messebau GmbH, Munich


Tom Doumasiou, creative director, NeosCreative, Hampton Wick, United Kingdom


Suzanne Morsch, founder, Su, Design Us, Woerden, Netherlands


Diane Perlov, senior vice president for exhibits, California Science Center, Los Angeles


Kelsey Snook, creative director, independent consultant, Portland, OR


Marketing Panel

Glenda Brungardt, CTSM, global events manager, HP Inc., Fort Collins, CO


Matt Jones, marketing experience and design manager, GE Appliances, Louisville, KY


Chris LaRoy, senior manager, industry events and trade shows, Cox Automotive Inc., Atlanta


Annette McClure, CTSM, CSEP, account manager, trade shows and events, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH


Victor Torregroza, brand experiences program manager, global event marketing, Intel Corp., Santa Clara, CA