MAGIC-ally Transforming Show Floor Design

August 28, 2014

Mark Munhall

Mark Munhall is Senior Vice President, National Accounts at GES. He has more than 30 years experience in the event industry including over 13 with GES focusing on large national portfolio business including Advanstar, Reed, Microsoft and MP Associates. 

There’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to show floor design. Just as exclusive as the fashion trends I see at MAGIC every year, the GES team aspires to bring our Advanstar client’s show floor vision to life and make it unique as possible. Too often, trade shows look alike, and our client is committed to making their exhibitors’ experiences fresh – from the way they manage the show to the way they interact with attendees.

For their summer 2014 show, Advanstar challenged us to create a new look and feel that would elevate the look of MAGIC.

It needed to be an elegant canvas that showcased their exhibitors’ products with polished and extremely high end finishes. When they came to my team with this challenge, we readily accepted. We vowed that we would deliver something that would turn heads and make products ‘pop’. That’s where FIT 3.0 came in.

FIT 3.0 is a versatile, exclusively designed GES system. The development of the system was led by GES’ product development team based out of Las Vegas and Chicago who solicited input from teams across the country for research, testing and a prototype.

After about 20 pages of tradeoffs between individuals, a final direction was chosen. Long hours were spent challenging traditional trade show design and determining the best-in-class solutions for numerous show site challenges based on each venue.

The multi-functional system offers infinite configuration possibilities and an array of accessories that exhibitors can choose to use at their discretion.

The real show-stopper is the fabric insert that allows overlay options and light box incorporation, creating a truly unique offering. The installation of 23,000 double-sided panels in the luxurious white fabric WOW-ed not only attendees, but the client and industry.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the final product …

Video Case Study- http://youtu.be/Icys6suWl4I

Sometimes thinking outside of the box doesn’t require completely reinventing the wheel, but it does require change. By offering a limited amount of structures with an infinite amount of material options, MAGIC now has a unified show look without restricting visual opportunities for branding. The beauty of this system is that it gives exhibitors the ability to totally change the feel of a space through material selection. The industry is hungry for something new and we believe this system feeds that desire.

How are you challenging the norm within our industry? Share your ideas below; we’d love to collaborate and continue pushing our industry outside of its comfort zone.

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MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.