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 Psychology of Trade Show Design: How Booth Layout Influences Visitor Behavior
We like to say your booth talks before you do. It can whisper “average” or shout “you need to stop here.” The choice is yours. While flashy graphics and cutting-edge technology are crucial, they are merely tools. The true foundation of a high-performing booth is an understanding of human psychology. Our white-glove, end-to-end process isn’t […]
5 Trade Show Booth Designs That Dominated the Competition
In the bustling world of trade shows, standing out takes more than just a table and a banner. At Highway 85 Creative, we’ve designed and built numerous booths that stand out on the trade show floor. Here are five exceptional examples that showcase how to achieve bold creativity, immersive experiences, and unforgettable branding. These five […]
Why Your Giveaways Are Wack, and What to Offer Instead
Giveaways have been the trade show move since forever. Big brands, scrappy startups—everyone’s tossing out branded junk hoping it’ll buy them attention. But let’s call it what it is: most giveaways are trash. They don’t attract serious leads. They don’t spark lasting connections. And they definitely don’t build your brand. All you’re left with is […]
From Leads to Legacy Clients: The Ultimate Post-Show Follow-Up Playbook
Let’s get one thing straight: Your trade show was a waste of time if your leads end up rotting in a spreadsheet. Most companies mess this up: they collect business cards like Pokémon, then ghost their prospects with weak-ass “nice to meet you” emails. Not you. Not anymore. This playbook is your fucking blueprint for […]
The Future of Trade Shows: How Special Tech Continues to Change the Game
How Special Tech Continues to Change the Game In the world of experiential marketing and brand activations, staying ahead of the curve ALWAYS means embracing the latest tech. At Highway 85 Creative, we *strongly* believe that cutting-edge tech is one of the necessary secret ingredients to making your trade show pop off. From holograms to […]
Dominate the Trade Show Floor in 2025
High-Impact Trends to Crush the Competition In the cutthroat world of trade shows, blending in is failure. As we charge into the second half of 2025, the game of exhibition design is leveling up: demanding bold, unforgettable experiences that don’t just look the part but drive real business results. Highway 85 Creative is leading the […]
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 […]
5 Takeaways From Design & Construction Week 2025
KBIS & IBS take Las Vegas The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) and the International Builders’ Show (IBS) aren’t just trade shows—they’re the Super Bowl of the design, construction, and home improvement industries. If you’re serious about making an impact in these spaces, this is where you need to be. This year had record-breaking […]
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 […]