Taking home The Zeigler Award, the competition's top honor, requires a stellar design, and Sierra Space Corp. delivered with a stand jurors lauded as "forward-thinking and downright celestial." The stellar success of this 20-by-50-foot structure required substantial creative thrust from designers at Condit Exhibits LLC.

Sierra Space provides offerings such as its Dream Chaser space planes, which are capable of crewed and noncrewed flights to low-Earth orbit environments, and its Orbital Reef, dubbed a mixed-use business park in space. Its Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE) accommodates four astronauts plus science experiments. The space habitat launches on a conventional rocket and then inflates during orbit to form a 27-foot diameter structure.

This booth at Space Symposium had to mirror the exhibitor's other-worldly offerings. Central to the design were ClearLED walls that defined the space and provided attendees with captivating messaging. The transparent walls, paired with double-sided lightboxes from Moss Inc., displayed all-encompassing content while offering open sightlines. Within the space, designers opted for understated functional elements, including reception desks, podiums topped with 3-D product models, and a double-deck structure from Highmark TechSystems USA for meetings.

Even at an intergalactic show, the booth managed to captivate attendees. And within the Portable/Modular Awards, the exhibit enchanted jurors, ignited accolades, and effortlessly catapulted right to the program's pinnacle.

The difference between a thoughtfully designed exhibit chock-full of technology and a cluttered mess brimming with blandness is akin to the contrast between a beautifully organized Moroccan spice shop and the baking aisle at Walmart. These environments each contain equal amounts of stuff. But like a spice stall in a Moroccan souk, Aluvision offered an immersive yet beautifully organized experience that jurors called “an oasis of creativity.”

Aluvision designers strategically positioned key elements aisle-side to draw visitors into and through the space. An LED Diamond display sat on the corner of the footprint where its 3D content seemed to jump out at passing attendees. Within the booth, an LED cylinder formed a central component that beckoned attendees to explore. At the back of the stand, the Flexdeck incorporated LEDs on its second level to attract attendees from afar, while Aluvision's Flexbox drew visitors on the ground level.

Throughout the booth, video content was coordinated to create a cohesive and compelling visual effect. Judges applauded this unique presentation as “a powerful, synced-up content takeover” and identified Aluvision's display as a standout among standouts.

When it comes to claiming its space, few booths do so with more swagger than this 30-by-30-foot island from Axonius Inc., a cybersecurity asset management and SaaS management firm. Some judges chose to laud the carefully selected materials and finishes that created a high-end experience, but virtually all jurors noted the stand's powerful presence.

The brainchild of designers at Hill & Partners Inc., the booth was born out of Axonius' demands for an experience that was approachable, functional, and immersive. Employing a host of modular components from BeMatrix USA and Highmark TechSystems USA, the booth featured expansive video surfaces that seamlessly extended from the walls to the raised flooring. Captivating videos and animations paired with reflective finishes transformed an otherwise blank slate into a dynamic, bold, and vibrant environment.

Oozing authority, the exhibit owned not only its space but also the top slot in the Best Island Exhibit 700 to 1,600 s.f. category.

Capturing the top slot in the Best Conceptual Design category, this 150-by-170-foot behemoth for Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. married massive machinery with elegant architectural forms. The concept, which came from the brilliant minds at Skyline Exhibits, was crafted to highlight Hitachi equipment and its advanced technology and to deliver brand messages centered around innovation and environmental sustainability. From a functional perspective, designers crafted plenty of hospitality and meeting space for booth visitors.

Employing Skyline products such as the SkyRise flexible wall system, LED Wall, and Envoy exhibit system, the conceptual design featured a series of three entrance arches meant to capture attendee attention, drive visitors farther into the stand, and deliver brand messaging. Suspended, high-impact graphics fostered visibility while large equipment positioned on opposite sides of a central aisle lured visitors inside for a closer look. Upstairs, attendees could discover a pair of reception and meeting spaces while the lower level included a theater, staff break rooms, and heaps of storage.

Judges appreciated the thoughtful architectural elements, which seemed to pull attendees into the space, and they noted that the enormous equipment was proportionally integrated within the environment — thereby reinforcing Hitachi's larger-than-life capabilities. Hat's off to Hitachi! While the design was never produced, it's certainly not forgotten.

As a relatively unknown brand exhibiting at the Channel Partners show, GoTo Technologies USA Inc. was laser focused on generating awareness for its communication and remote IT tools. BlueHive Inc. (dba BlueHive Exhibits) designers were tasked with elevating the design beyond previous booths by adding more textures, more activations, and more shared workspaces — not to mention a serious zhuzh of innovation.

Hailed by jurors as “a standout rental with a clear and cohesive voice,” GoTo's 30-by-50-foot exhibit used the company's inherently colorful brand palette. Curved, tensioned-fabric rental elements with printed skins were a step up from GoTo's previous exhibit iterations — and a clear hit with judges, who expressed that these bold, colorful, and dynamic shapes cast a custom-design vibe over the entire stand. Meanwhile, angled floor graphics extended to 3D elements and drew attention to various demo stations. A rented bar that served as an exhibit focal point as well as a meeting room, suspended signage, and various storage areas rounded out the booth's many offerings.

How do you cram ample space for in-depth product presentations, a storage area, and an inviting lounge complete with a table, demo stations, and seating for four into a 10-by-20-foot booth? You start by enlisting designers and system components from Exponents Insta USA Inc. Then you drop the reins and watch as they transform a modest footprint into a radically functional stand.

Crafted for Red Hat Inc., a provider of enterprise open-source software solutions, this exhibit offers two separate sections under one roof. The left side of the stand provides a practical yet inviting welcome desk and backwall with ongoing product presentations. The right half of the booth presented ample space for product and service demos via a bistro-height table and chairs, along with a subtle storage area on the back of the footprint. Bathed in Red Hat's black, white, and red hues, the design also employed subtle yet impactful details — e.g., floor graphics, a partial ceiling showcasing illuminated signage, and strategic lighting.

Wearing myriad hats, the structure won over attendees and jurors alike, the latter of whom lauded designers' efforts saying, “It's a tiny space that packs an impactful punch.”

When it comes to glowing juror endorsements, you can't beat this one for the Veterinary Emergency Group's booth. “I loved everything about this exhibit, from the well-balanced colors to the simple yet fun graphics.”

The recipient of these kudos, VEG's exhibit had little more than hanging signage, a central rectangular structure, and reception desk within it. However, thanks to its graphic details, its impact was much greater than the sum of its parts.

Designed by BlueHive Inc. (dba BlueHive Exhibits), the stand was built using components from BeMatrix USA, Foam Fab, Ntension Corp., and Procedes Chenel. Textured materials, such as faux snakeskin, cowhide, and rabbit fur, brought the veterinary brand to life. Suspended overhead, ID signage featured magnetized mounting plates that accommodated magnetic dimensional lettering, the combination of which provided simple storage and assembly.

The large-scale “peace” sign, constructed of lightweight foam, added a whimsy-filled focal point while keeping weight-related charges low. And a “bingo board” gaming experience comprised a magnetic backing board and interchangeable magnet game pieces, which were easily reused from show to show. This fun, frugal design was “paw-sitively” on point.

Leonardo da Vinci had it right: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Taking home top honors in the Best Reconfigurable Exhibit category, this clean, uncomplicated construction easily morphs between 30-by-30-, 20-by-30, and even 10-by-20- foot configurations. Jurors noted that while it featured a simple design, the use of rectilinear elements, digital media content, and interactive kiosks provided endless modularity.

The stand, designed by ExpoCentric Pty. Ltd., showcased the educational offerings from the New South Wales Technical and Further Education Commission (dba TAFE NSW), which provides vocational training on campus, online, and in the workplace. TAFE NSW wanted a stand that could accommodate multiple footprints at various shows throughout 2023. However, it also hoped to meet the demands of the evolving educational landscape by delivering high-quality information via digital mediums.

Comprising Aluvision brand components, the nimble exhibit prominently featured a series of freestanding touchscreen kiosks with ongoing digital content and downloadable course guides delivered via QR code or email. Among them, a smart mirror housed an interactive experience that let attendees visualize themselves in various careers and vocations. Paired with a centrally positioned LED screen that showcased digital reels of student experiences, the kiosks offered an optimal use of space and the ability to adapt to any footprint.

Hailed by jurors as “a spot-on representation of the brand,” this 10-by-30-foot stunner, designed by Zilla LLC, strove to display the Minoan Experience Inc. brand essence.

Playing to the short-term rental and boutique hotel markets, Minoan offers upscale furnishings at steep discounts. In exchange, property owners provide guests the opportunity to purchase these furnishings for their own homes. Thus, Minoan's booth at the Vacation Rental Management Association's International Conference had to scream “luxury furnishings” while communicating Minoan's services. Plus, it had to do so in a minimal space with a budget that couldn't exceed $39,000.

Employing Zilla's own components paired with those from Classic Exhibits Inc., Zilla designers crafted four arched product showcases. A central seating area completed the scene, and in a stroke of true budgetary genius, designers employed an existing brick-façade backwall front and center. Both Minoan's brand and this exhibit prove that a high-end look doesn't require an equally exorbitant price tag.

According to one juror, “If you're looking for a great example of how to use a few simple branded elements to make a rental booth feel custom, this is it.” Conceived by Rockway Exhibits + Events, this 20-by-30-foot island wowed jurors, who gave it top billing in the Best Rental Exhibit 600 s.f. and Fewer category.

Crafted for Lookout Inc., a data-centric cloud security company that was hoping to make a big splash at the annual 2023 RSA Conference in San Francisco, the design needed to not only create an impactful experience but also accommodate Lookout's new logo, brand messages, and colors. In addition to acting as an unmistakable focal point in the stand, the logo had to be presented as a free-floating element according to the company's exacting brand standards.

Comprising silicone edge graphics (SEG), Aluvision-brand Omni 55 frames, and a custom-built hanging sign made of Orbus LLC components, the booth drew attendees' eyes to the skies, where a massive, multipart suspended structure topped the space. Featuring integrated lighting and a four-tiered hanging sign with 3-D letters, the ceiling element included a suspended dimensional interpretation of Lookout's organically shaped, fan-like logo.

Beneath the couldn't miss canopy, excited attendees discovered a video wall, a reception desk, demo stations, ample seating, and clever brand messaging delivered via SEG materials. Paired with the overhead elements, the minimal ground-floor presentation offered an open and inviting environment that had attendees looking right where the exhibitor wanted: up. And they were no doubt looking forward to learning more about Lookout and its services.

When it was going into the Apartmentalize show, Omnia Partners LLC was looking for a modern yet dramatic design that could shape-shift between 20-by-20- and 20-by-30- foot iterations, employing only the firm's two brand hues: black and white. So Classic Exhibits Inc. delivered a brand-inspired design that used Classic's SuperNova LED Lightboxes, Aero elements, and EuroLT Modular Panels.

While designers maintained the strict color palette, they added visual interest with texture. The glossy laminated panels contrasted soft textures that were delivered via backlit graphics and soothing white carpet. The logo appeared in a circular arch that formed the stand's focal point. The additional spherical elements included a suspended ID structure (comprising the Aero framework) and a half circle of white, which served as the eye-catching backdrop to a sleek aisle-side product display.

The booth could morph to different sizes and judges emphasized the stand's simple yet beautiful design. “The modular elements work together to create an iconic and photo-worthy experience,” one juror said.

How do you serve up your cake-decoration supplies and technology without looking like yet another pastry shop at the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association show? If you're DecoPac Inc., you throw a party that seamlessly displays your wares.

Designed and crafted by Exhibit Partners LLC (dba Storylink Creative) using BeMatrix- and Moss-brand exhibitry, DecoPac's 50-by- 50-foot booth featured tension-fabric graphics on three sides of the space. Presenting rich brand colors, celebratory photos, and a graphic timeline of DecoPac milestones, the graphics introduced the stand's festive theme.

Within the environment, gradients of saturated colors delineated product and service groupings. Because celebrations often center around family, designers added a family of mannequins covered in sprinkles that doubled as a photo op. The design team also tucked a partially enclosed Party Room into the footprint that provided festive photos on a 95-inch screen paired with projection- mapped images on a white dining table.

Folding together a batch of ingredients — including on-point colors, a unifying theme, and thoughtful organization — Storylink Creative whipped up a recipe for success.

A mainstay at events such as the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) show, PepsiCo Inc. typically puts its corporate brand center stage. For its exhibit at NACS 2023, however, PepsiCo hoped to prominently showcase individual brands and lead visitors on a multistop journey through its various and delicious offerings.

Designed by MSM Inc. in collaboration with the PepsiCo Design Center and Liquid Creative Inc., PepsiCo's booth maintained parent-company branding via a 30-foot diameter suspended sign along with a 24-foot circular sampling counter that showcased PepsiCo's featured brands. The design, however — which employed BeMatrix USA components — also offered a series of five distinct brand-experience rooms, each of which was curated to reflect the essence of its respective brand.

The Flamin' Hot room, for example, boasted a custom counter set against a roughly 6-by-24-foot LED video wall paired with a live DJ who provided a dynamic, not to mention flamin' hot, musical backdrop. Placed against a similarly sized curved LED wall, the Gatorade experience offered a custom-built activation that mirrored attendees' every movement with water droplets as they interacted with the screen. Beyond the five brand-experience rooms, the booth offered various product displays, interactive touchscreen monitors, and a full-size Jeep Gladiator that served as a huge draw: a sampling station for Rockstar products.

Jurors touted PepsiCo's beautifully executed graphics and media content. But one juror likely phrased it best when they quipped: “PepsiCo crushed it with a massive space that still managed to offer intimate brand experiences. In a show full of fizzy beverages, PepsiCo was a veritable pop star.”

For its first foray into the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) show, Tropicana Brands Group wanted a fresh-squeezed design that would tempt attendees to learn about the company's chilled and fresh beverages. The booth, however, also had to include ample space for sampling as well as beverage storage — all within a 20-by-20-foot space. Designers at MSM Inc. employed BeMatrix brand frames and fabric graphics to devise a stand judges said they felt was impactful and functional despite a relatively small footprint.

Bathed in brand-appropriate hues of orange, green, and white, the exhibit had suspended signage that branded the space and gave the illusion of a canopy of trees swaying over the footprint. Meanwhile, yellow-orange louvers draped above a ground-level sampling station added texture and motion.

Along with the sampling station on the front corner of the booth — and an unobtrusive storage area on the opposite side — the exhibit offered two tree-shaped product displays and a roughly 11.5-by-13-foot video wall that showed dynamic content and gave product insights. The sweet design quenched Tropicana's thirst for a fresh, functional on-brand stand.