We’ve helped create all types of custom trade show displays over the years, but some of our favourites have been the custom projects that push the boundaries of what you'd expect from a display. These always seem to challenge our team both creatively and technically. They are also usually the displays that draw the most attention and create the most impact where ever they are placed. We’ve put together this list of our 10 favourite custom displays that really made a statement so you can see that anything is possible!
1. Water Race GMC Trucks at the Calgary Stampede
We absolutely loved this exciting outdoor exhibit for GMC Canada. This engaging interactive game took months of preparation, challenged our team, and took the term ‘custom’ to a new level. A 3-dimensional mountain and bold graphics married GMC’s brand to Alberta’s beautiful landscape. These tough, hardworking vehicles were the star of the show. We built water guns, used industrial hydraulics, lifted 4 - 7000lb GMC Sierra HDs, blasted music, printed 3D graphics, all of which enticed the players to win really awesome prizes. The audience was captured by the innovative take on a Stampede favourite. GMC ProShot is first on our 10 Big and Bold Custom Displays list.
2. WestJet Airplane Race
Airplanes, music, flashing lights, and the chance to win WestJet flights. Our team was challenged to bring WestJet Vacations to the 2017 Calgary Stampede. We were thrilled when WestJet approached us to help bring their vision to life. We only had a couple of months to revamp an old midway trailer and bring WestJet to the Greatest Show on Earth. The audience raced 14 mini airplanes across the track to win WestJet branded prizes. We loved working on this project and with the their team to take on our first midway trailer. Bold colours, engaging graphics, music and alternating lights brought to life for 10 incredible days at the Calgary Stampede.
Thank you so much to you and your team for all the work on this project, you guys did an amazing job both on the trailer and onsite. I love working with you guys and value the kind of above and beyond service your company provides. Please extend my thanks to the team. You guys are the best!
Shannon Reynolds / WestJet
3. 50'x70' Chinese Petroleum Technology & Development booth
A 50ft x 70ft trade show space is what we were tasked with to build a custom booth for the Chinese petroleum company, CPTDC. Combined with custom built counters, a 15ft high meeting room, monitor video wall, light box graphics and fabric accents. This returning favourite used our entire team to put this display together for the past few Global Petroleum Show’s in Calgary and is always so well received.
We were very pleased to work with you and your team at this show. Everything turned out great from the communication, to regular updates, to assembly and the final stand. Both my colleagues and our client were incredibly satisfied with how everything turned out. We really hope that we will have a chance to work together in the near future.
Andy O’Hare, Dolphin Media International / CPTDC
4. Interactive Photo Booth and Virtual Reality
What an incredible exhibit for Siemens. This eye-catching and interactive display truly stood out at the 2016 CanWEA wind energy show. The exhibit showcased the Siemens bright blue colour, an enormous hanging halo which lined the perimeter of the space, captivating virtual reality, and an interactive photo booth which showcased Siemens wind-powered energy. Of course we tested them both out!
Love these guys! They worked tirelessly to ensure myself and my clients were happy every step of the way! The large-scale trade show booth they built for us was professionally crafted, and their customer service went above and beyond my expectations. I would highly recommend working with this team, and in fact I hope to again real soon.
Meg Sweeney, Yellow House Events / Siemens
5. GMC Rangeland Derby Virtual Reality Experience
We were tasked to combine Virtual Reality with the traditional sport of chuck wagon racing. We loved being apart of this project, from initial meetings, the fabrication process, putting bright & bold graphics over all the GMC footprints and testing out the game! GMC Canada wanted to use GMC Sierra horsepower to tow the players along the course. Using reigns attached to virtual reality controllers, a bouncing chuck wagon seat and VR, players were sure to get a real Stampede experience like no other. Check out their YouTube video to get a peek at all the fun!
There really aren’t any words to describe how incredible the Exhibit Studio team is to work with. They can do anything - from building exact replicas of sketches we tossed their way, onsite logistics management, major set builds, last minute printing requests - you name it, they do it with ease! You will NOT be disappointed in their capabilities for your next event!
Katie Gallagher, Momentum Worldwide / GMC
6. Tiled - Top to Bottom
Our entire team loved this project for Ames Tile & Stone. The space really showcased their company branding and sophisticated look. We loved working with their team to build a custom display which featured tile on the walls and floor. A team of two men and 4 hours was what it took to build this booth and have it ready for their show. The audience was transported to their Vancouver showroom by incorporating plexi graphics and a comfortable meeting space. Additional plants and lighting gave this booth what it needed to stand out!
7. Dusty Crophopper Replica
A 60 hour race to the finish line to build this fun custom airplane and have it parade ready for the Calgary Stampede. In a matter of hours, we assembled, painted & decaled, transported and brought Dusty to life to make his debut. What was great about this project was the excitement in all of the children’s faces when they saw a movie star in their own city. This is a project we will never forget!
I honestly could not have had a better experience with Exhibit Studio. When I first met Tracey and team I came to them with an extremely difficult task, and not only did they deliver, they went above and beyond. Tracey and her team took care of me as a first time customer as if I had been giving them business for a lifetime. They offer fair pricing, creative problem solving, and most of all, they truly care!
Anthony Mayes, Simon Pure Marketing / Walt Disney Studios
8. Rustic Brewery
This trade show booth made an impact with their 20ft custom wall which included large fabric back lit graphics and 3D stand-offs! The client wanted their space to look rustic and aged, as if it were a pre-existing brewery. We included textured wood, which surrounded all the surfaces and custom slate printed flooring. We loved this display, as the audience was captured by the its ability to bring the brewery to the show!
9. Repair, Repaint and Rebuild
This custom booth for COSL at the Global Petroleum Show was one we truly won't forget. The booth originally arrived half completed and in a matter of days our team had to repair, repaint and rebuild parts of it right on the show floor. Once completed, the booth stood out with its unique curves, light box graphics, and a comfortable meeting area. We loved the finished look!
10. Ply Gem 30' x 50'
Ply Gem came to us to build a custom booth to showcase their product line. We loved this project because it went above and beyond a typical build. We built the space to fit full sized doors & door frames, working windows, and stand-off product sample shelving. This space easily became one of our favourites, as it was inviting and eye catching. The audience was able to see the product in use, feel the different textures and use the product right on the show floor. Ply Gem's 30' x 50' custom display wraps up our Top 10 Big and Bold Custom Displays list.
Our design and fabrication team are always up for a new challenge; no project is too big or too small. Keep your eyes open, we have more custom projects in the works!
