Beyond Vinyl: 5 High-Impact Materials for Trade Show Backdrops

In the fast-scrolling world of event marketing, your trade show booth has less than three seconds to make an impression.  While vinyl banners have their place, they often blend into a sea of sameness. To truly stop attendees in their tracks, you need to engage more than just the eyes: you need to engage the […]

Why Your Booth is Getting Skipped and How to Fix It In 2026

After 20+ years designing for events across the nation, we’ve seen booth strategies evolve. But the post-pandemic shift has been seismic.  Attendees are more selective and digitally saturated than ever. If your traffic is dwindling, the problem isn’t the crowd, it’s the experience you’re offering.  Relying on a pop-up banner, a branded table throw, and […]

The 3-Second Rule: How to Design a Booth That Grabs Attention in a Crowded Expo

In a sea of flashing lights, bold branding, and overcrowded aisles, your trade show booth has a job: stop people fast. You don’t have minutes. You don’t even have 10 seconds. You’ve got 3 – tops – to grab attention, spark curiosity, and pull your audience in. Whether you’re building your SuperBowl show booth (think […]

The 4-Month Journey of Creating a Badass CES Booth

CES isn’t just a trade show; it’s the global stage where tech titans and scrappy startups alike vie for the world’s attention.  The spotlight is blinding, the competition is fierce, and the audience is the most discerning on the planet.  To stand out here, you don’t just need a booth. You need an experience.  You […]

Post-Show Success: How To Extend Your CES Activation Through Digital Channels

The lights on the Las Vegas Strip have dimmed. The booth is packed away. For many companies, the story of their CES presence ends here: a successful but fleeting moment in time.  But at Highway 85 Creative, we believe your investment shouldn’t be confined to four days in a convention center. The real ROI begins […]

6 Booth Design Lessons from CES 2025  

 CES is the ultimate playground for innovation, and every year, brands push the boundaries of booth design to stand out. CES 2025 was no exception: with mind-blowing tech, immersive experiences, and next-level engagement strategies. After walking the show floor and analyzing the most successful booths, we’ve distilled six key design lessons that any brand (big […]

The No-BS Guide to Owning Your Next Trade Show

My Learnings Taking Essence Cosmetics to ULTA FLC Hey there! I’m Brittney Martin, Artistic Director at Highway 85 Creative—a no-fluff, all-fire creative house delivering next-level trade show experiences. Since jumping into this world nearly three years ago, I’ve gone from a crash course in trade shows to leading the creative direction on some of our […]

The Ultimate Trade Show Checklist: Everything You Need for a Standout Exhibit

Trade shows are a massive opportunity to showcase your brand, connect with potential customers, and drive business growth. But let’s be real—a successful trade show presence doesn’t happen by accident. It takes planning, strategy, and execution to stand out in a sea of exhibitors. At Highway 85 Creative, we know what it takes to create […]

Trade Shows Are Competitive—Here’s Why You Need a Creative Agency to Win

Trade shows are a battleground for attention. With hundreds—sometimes thousands—of exhibitors vying for the same audience, it’s not enough to simply show up with a booth and some brochures. You need a presence that captivates, engages, and delivers results. That’s where a creative agency like Highway 85 Creative comes in. We specialize in turning ordinary […]

The Rebel’s Guide to Trade Show Timelines: Why They’re Non-Negotiable

At Highway 85 Creative, we don’t just build exhibits—we own the trade show game. We’ve seen some brands completely dominate and others struggle to even get their booth up in time. The difference? A rock-solid timeline. Timelines aren’t just a “nice-to-have”—they’re the backbone of a successful trade show strategy. If you want to avoid stress, […]