portfolio
Ceiling the Deal
In the exhibit hall's sea of sameness, the ceiling remains the final frontier for differentiation. Discover how six forward-thinking exhibitors transformed their environments using suspended logos, undulating wooden panels, and glowing architectural elements. These canopies helped exhibitors elevate their brand presence, transforming conventional spaces into memorable architectural destinations. By Linda Armstrong
In the exhibit hall's sea of sameness, the ceiling remains the final frontier for differentiation. Discover how six forward-thinking exhibitors transformed their environments using suspended logos, undulating wooden panels, and glowing architectural elements. These canopies helped exhibitors elevate their brand presence, transforming conventional spaces into memorable architectural destinations. By Linda Armstrong
PHOTO: Ryan Nadji Photography LLC
Rx for Success
Exhibitor: Walgreens Co.
Show: HLTH USA
Design: Manifold Inc., Portland, wearemanifold.com
At HLTH USA, Walgreens opted for a 30-by-30-foot space featuring a giant arch across the middle. Here, a series of white scrim panels cut into graceful arches formed a brilliant canopy. The luminous overhead installation transformed the space into an inviting sanctuary.
Exhibitor: Walgreens Co.
Show: HLTH USA
Design: Manifold Inc., Portland, wearemanifold.com
At HLTH USA, Walgreens opted for a 30-by-30-foot space featuring a giant arch across the middle. Here, a series of white scrim panels cut into graceful arches formed a brilliant canopy. The luminous overhead installation transformed the space into an inviting sanctuary.
PHOTO: Padgett and Company Inc.
Double Duty
Exhibitor: Nissei ASB Machine Co. Ltd.
Show: NPE: The Plastics Show
Design: ColorCraft3D, Ocoee, FL, 800-973-8007, colorcraft3d.com
Capping Nissei's 80-by-100-foot booth, a dramatic blue and white ceiling structure defined the perimeter with a bold corporate identity. Below, a second suspended element hovered over the hospitality zone, guiding visitors through distinctly purposed areas.
Exhibitor: Nissei ASB Machine Co. Ltd.
Show: NPE: The Plastics Show
Design: ColorCraft3D, Ocoee, FL, 800-973-8007, colorcraft3d.com
Capping Nissei's 80-by-100-foot booth, a dramatic blue and white ceiling structure defined the perimeter with a bold corporate identity. Below, a second suspended element hovered over the hospitality zone, guiding visitors through distinctly purposed areas.
PHOTO: Robert Hackman Photography
The Power of U
Exhibitor: University of Miami
Show: eMerge Americas
Design: Exhibit Craft, Miami, 800-329-2812, exhibitcraft.com
Lofted boldly above the University of Miami's 30-by-40-foot booth, an iconic U logo rendered in signature orange and green undeniably branded the space. The 38-by-23-foot architectural element transcended spatial limitations, transforming a modest exhibit into an unmistakable beacon.
Exhibitor: University of Miami
Show: eMerge Americas
Design: Exhibit Craft, Miami, 800-329-2812, exhibitcraft.com
Lofted boldly above the University of Miami's 30-by-40-foot booth, an iconic U logo rendered in signature orange and green undeniably branded the space. The 38-by-23-foot architectural element transcended spatial limitations, transforming a modest exhibit into an unmistakable beacon.
PHOTO: Hans Roggen Photography
Cloud Forest
Exhibitor: Sony Europe B.V.
Show: Integrated Systems Europe
Design: D=3 Spatial Design and Project Management, Zaandam, The Netherlands, 31-653-166-309, dis3.com
Sony's exhibit transcended conventional design with wood-clad pillars supporting massive tensioned-fabric disks that hovered overhead. This canopy created a serene sanctuary amid trade show chaos, inviting curious attendees to pause and discover the innovation sheltered beneath.
Exhibitor: Sony Europe B.V.
Show: Integrated Systems Europe
Design: D=3 Spatial Design and Project Management, Zaandam, The Netherlands, 31-653-166-309, dis3.com
Sony's exhibit transcended conventional design with wood-clad pillars supporting massive tensioned-fabric disks that hovered overhead. This canopy created a serene sanctuary amid trade show chaos, inviting curious attendees to pause and discover the innovation sheltered beneath.
Net Worth
Exhibitor: Umdasch Store Makers Management GmbH
Show: EuroShop
Design: Umdasch Store Makers Management GmbH, Amstetten, Austria, umdasch.com; Dobas, Lucerne, Switzerland, 41-41-972-56-60, dobas.ch
Umdasch unified its multi-zoned exhibit space with a commanding ceiling element. The circular structure featured hard-surface materials and integrated lighting, while the interior showcased ethereal blue netting, which culminated in a funnel over the heart of the stand.
Exhibitor: Umdasch Store Makers Management GmbH
Show: EuroShop
Design: Umdasch Store Makers Management GmbH, Amstetten, Austria, umdasch.com; Dobas, Lucerne, Switzerland, 41-41-972-56-60, dobas.ch
Umdasch unified its multi-zoned exhibit space with a commanding ceiling element. The circular structure featured hard-surface materials and integrated lighting, while the interior showcased ethereal blue netting, which culminated in a funnel over the heart of the stand.
Timber Tapestry
Exhibitor: Mind Trooper
Show: EuroShop
Design: Mind Trooper, São Domingos de Rana, Portugal, 351-213-429-416, mindtrooper.pt
Mind Trooper captivated EuroShop's design-savvy audience with an overhead installation of seemingly interlaced wooden panels. This undulating sculpture created waves overhead, using artisanal precision to elevate the Portuguese design firm above its competition.
Exhibitor: Mind Trooper
Show: EuroShop
Design: Mind Trooper, São Domingos de Rana, Portugal, 351-213-429-416, mindtrooper.pt
Mind Trooper captivated EuroShop's design-savvy audience with an overhead installation of seemingly interlaced wooden panels. This undulating sculpture created waves overhead, using artisanal precision to elevate the Portuguese design firm above its competition.
Editorial
Coloring Inside the Lines
The most impactful designs are ones in which companies strip their message down to its essence.
Exhibitor Q & A
Augmented and Virtual Reality
What are the most effective ways to integrate AR and VR into a trade show environment to support our brand goals?
Ask Dan
Ideas from the New Guy
My boss tends to accept ideas or suggestions based on an employee's seniority.
Exhibiting 101
Network Smarter, Not Harder
These strategic tips will help you meet the right people at the right time for the right reasons.
Fuel
Ideas That Work
Put a Pin in it, Bust a Move, Free Bird, and more
Products
New Tools
Trade Show Maestro chatbot, Audio Design Tool for Non-Techies, and more
Conventional Wisdom
Congress Center Hamburg
The Congress Center Hamburg (CCH) was reopened in 2022 after an extensive $345 million overhaul.
City Profile
Get Out! Hamburg, Germany
Hamburg entices visitors to experience its history, culture, and nightlife from every angle.
Fixing Snafus
Lost in Transportation
A rushed shipment bound for San Antonio took an unplanned Vegas vacation, and the show opening was just hours away.
Archive
Fairy Tale
1908: The Electricity Fairy visits the International Exposition of Electricity in Marseille, France.
Education
Shelf Help
These 2025 titles offer fresh insights, practical guidance, and behind-the-scenes tales of event industry history.
Portfolio
Ceiling the Deal
In the exhibit hall's sea of sameness, the ceiling remains the final frontier for differentiation.
Quiz
Are You Normal?
How normal are you and your trade show program compared to "average" exhibitors?
Case Study
Sound Decisions
At Integrated Systems Europe, Sono's dreams were bigger than its budget. But the company's gamble paid off.
Expo Awards
World Expo Awards
EXHIBITOR holds its sixth World Expo Awards competition to honor the most impressive pavilions in Osaka, Japan
Expo Awards
World Expo Awards Honorable Mentions
Honorable Mentions from EXHIBITOR's sixth World Expo Awards competition in Osaka, Japan
Expo Awards
Quiet Giants
EXHIBITOR's resident World Expo historian and consultant discusses his favorite finds from World Expo 2025.