Creating a Standout Trade Show Booth at IMEX America 2023

PROBLEM:

MGME partnered with MARBLE to design a 10x20 ft booth for the IMEX America tradeshow, where over 3,300 exhibitors competed for attention. The goal was to create an engaging and memorable experience that generated new leads, fostered connections, and built trust in both brands—all within a budget of under $50,000. The key challenge was ensuring the booth stood out in a crowded, high-energy environment while staying true to the brand’s core values of creativity, innovation, and human connection.

SOLUTION:

Inspired by the nostalgic resurgence of "paint by numbers," MGME designed an immersive and interactive booth experience centered around a large-scale collaborative mural. A renowned visual artist initiated the artwork, and attendees were invited to contribute to its evolution over the two-day event. This unique approach encouraged visitors to return and engage with the booth multiple times, tracking the progress of the mural and deepening their connection to the MGME and MARBLE brands.

To maximize impact within the limited budget, the booth featured a minimalistic design that highlighted the mural and the collaborative process. This ensured that the booth itself became a conversation piece, attracting attention organically and fostering a community-driven experience. The activation aligned perfectly with the client’s objectives of promoting creativity, human connection, and engagement.

Event Highlights & Results

• Recognized as one of the top 5 booth designs at IMEX America 2023 by Event Marketer

• Interactive engagement that captivated visitors and encouraged multiple interactions

• Memorable design that left a lasting impression on attendees

• Budget-friendly innovation, achieving high impact while staying under the $50,000 budget

• Stronger connections and community engagement, with visitors leaving the booth feeling inspired and more connected to the brands

Through innovative storytelling and audience participation, MGME and MARBLE successfully transformed a standard trade show booth into an immersive, must-visit experience—proving that big ideas and bold creativity can make an impact, even within a budget-conscious framework.