We just got back from ExhibitorLIVE in Tampa. The show was a great reminder of how strong our industry is and how it continues to evolve to meet every challenge.
Here are 5 key takeaways from the show:
1. Technology and materials are being used more strategically
LED panels, lighting, flooring, and textures are all being combined to guide the attendee experience from start to finish, going far beyond decorating the space. See how one company made the experience personal, engaging, and tied it all right into their sales process. Risk-taking can really pay off.
2. Ingenuity beats booth size
Some of the busiest booths I saw weren’t the biggest. The secret to more traffic: giving attendees a reason to stop, interact, and stay. See below for a creative company whose engagement far outperformed their booth size.
3. Real connections turn into real projects
In-person connections make a difference. Numerous people in my network told me that reconnecting with colleagues at the show led to new opportunities, already in motion.
4. New talent is energized and ready to jump in
The student designers I spoke with were genuinely excited about the creativity in our industry and eager to get started. That’s a great sign for all of us.
5. Outside investment in our industry is accelerating
Our industry will see close to a billion dollars of private equity investment this year. That kind of attention reinforces how important trade shows and events are to sales and marketing strategies.
(On a side note: thank you to all who shared kind words about our team! It means a lot to me that you stopped me to say how much you appreciate our personalized service and attention to detail. And yes, we agree that being privately owned is an advantage, too.)
If you’d like to hear more or are starting to plan for upcoming shows, we’re happy to share more details about what we saw and help brainstorm what might work best for your next project.
Check out our convenient 2026 trade show calendar for a list of upcoming shows, including:
- Digestive Disease Week, Chicago, May 2–5
- National Restaurant Association Show, Chicago, May 16–19
- Sweets & Snacks Expo, Las Vegas, May 19–21
- American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Chicago, May 29–June 2
Need an estimate for trade show flooring? Just call 404-876-5900 or contact us. Our awesome account managers will respond with an accurate estimate, fast.
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