Experiential marketing agencies for trade shows
Activations that turn a booth into an experience: demos, games, content and staff. How experiential agencies price and what budgets look like. Compare 45 vetted builders who run experiential work.
Free for exhibitors · No obligation to book · Up to 5 matched builders
Booths our builders made for
The published numbers
Experiential and activations: what it costs and how it is billed
Rates and rules as published by show contractors, venues, surveys and suppliers, with the source and its date beside each. Your show's exhibitor manual has the rates for your dates.
| What the source says | Source | Dated |
|---|---|---|
| Event Marketer's EventTrack 2026 report: 86% of B2B marketers will increase event spending, and 47% of B2B marketers plan to do more trade shows in 2026. | Derse (citing Event Marketer EventTrack 2026) | Dec 2025 |
| EventTrack 2026: 84% of consumer marketers will increase event spending in 2026, with a third increasing spend by 8% to 15%, and 52% of consumer marketers say content created for events is their top spend category. | Derse (citing Event Marketer EventTrack 2026) | Dec 2025 |
| "80% of companies have increased experiential marketing budgets", which now make up roughly 10 to 30% of total marketing spend (Cvent citing a Marketing Dive release). | Cvent | Jun 2026 |
| Event marketing agencies price by minimum project and hourly rate: on Clutch's October 2026 event agency rankings, All Terrain lists a $100,000+ minimum project and Top Brand Worldwide $50,000+, while listed hourly rates include $100 to $149 per hour (KindCo Consulting) and $300+ per hour (Battle Royal Studios). | Clutch | Oct 2026 |
| A sample all-in trade show activation budget of $78,000 for a 10x20 prime corner includes $18,000 exhibit space, $15,000 modular fabrication, rental and graphics, $6,000 technology and internet, $5,000 union labor at advance rates, $5,500 freight and drayage and a $6,000 contingency reserve. | Makai, Inc. | Aug 2026 |
How it works
Experiential and activations, step by step
- 01
Set the goal
Leads, product trials or content: the goal decides the activation, not the other way round.
- 02
Brief the experience
Describe the visitor journey in the booth: what they see from the aisle, what they do inside, what they leave with.
- 03
Budget the whole activation
Space, build, technology, labor, freight and a contingency reserve all belong in one budget.
- 04
Measure it
Agree before the show how leads, demos and content will be counted.
Compare builders
Compare builders who offer experiential and activations
The top 12 of 45 builders, side by side. Tick the ones you like and send them one brief.
| Select | Builder | Google rating | Since | Service | Custom | Rentals | 3D renders | Venues worked | Price level (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exhibit OptionsLas Vegas | ★ 4.9 (29) | 2005 | Build and install | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | 6 | $$$ | |
Condit ExhibitsDenver | ★ 4.6 (27) | 1945 | End to end | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | 5 | $$$ | |
Dimensional InnovationsChicago | ★ 4.6 (24) | 1993 | Build and install | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | 4 | $$$$ | |
CzarnowskiLas Vegas | ★ 4.2 (99) | 1947 | Build and install | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | 5 | $$$$ | |
Catalyst ExhibitsChicago | ★ 4.2 (35) | 1998 | End to end | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | 5 | $$$ | |
DerseLas Vegas | ★ 4.3 (24) | 1948 | Build and install | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | 6 | $$$$ | |
BTWN EXHIBITSAtlanta | ★ 4.4 (17) | 2011 | End to end | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 4 | $$$ | |
DisplayCraftPlainville | ★ 4.7 (14) | 1957 | End to end | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 4 | $$$ | |
ExhibitusAtlanta | ★ 4.8 (12) | 1994 | Build and install | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | 5 | $$$ | |
STAR (Formerly Exhibit Edge)Minneapolis | ★ 4.6 (10) | 1993 | End to end | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 5 | $$$ | |
ExhibitreeLos Angeles | ★ 3.7 (9) | 1977 | End to end | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 5 | $$$ | |
Divinitas DisplaysOrlando | ★ 4.1 (9) | 2013 | Build and install | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | 7 | $$$ |
Ratings from Google Maps. Services, years and venues as listed by each builder. Price level is our estimate from each builder's own site, from $ (budget) to $$$$ (luxury), not a quote.
Real booths
Booths from builders who offer experiential and activations
One booth from each builder's portfolio. Brief one builder for the booth and the service together.
Showing 9 of 9 booths
Price level is the builder's, our estimate from its own website.
Exhibit Options
★ 4.9 (29) · Las Vegas
Offers experiential and activations
Condit Exhibits
★ 4.6 (27) · Denver
Offers experiential and activations
Catalyst Exhibits
★ 4.2 (35) · Chicago
Offers experiential and activations
Divinitas Displays
★ 4.1 (9) · Orlando
Offers experiential and activations
The Tradeshow Network Marketing Group
★ 4.2 (5) · St. Charles
Offers experiential and activations
Exhibitus
★ 4.8 (12) · Atlanta
Offers experiential and activations
Disciple Built Displays
★ 5.0 (1) · Los Angeles
Offers experiential and activations
Czarnowski
★ 4.2 (99) · Las Vegas
Offers experiential and activations
Exhibitree
★ 3.7 (9) · Los Angeles
Offers experiential and activations
Photos belong to the builders shown.
Questions
Experiential and activations questions
How much does an experiential marketing agency cost?
Agencies price by minimum project and hourly rate: on Clutch's October 2026 rankings, minimum projects run from $50,000+ to $100,000+ and listed hourly rates from $100 to $149 to $300+.
What does a trade show activation budget include?
One published sample for a 10x20 corner booth totals $78,000: $18,000 space, $15,000 fabrication, rental and graphics, $6,000 technology, $5,000 labor, $5,500 freight and drayage and a $6,000 reserve (Makai, 2026).
Are companies spending more on events?
Yes, according to EventTrack 2026: 86% of B2B marketers will increase event spending, and 47% plan to do more trade shows in 2026.
How many builders offer experiential and activations?
45 vetted builders on Exhivo list experiential and activations among their services, rated 4.49 on average across 615 Google reviews. Compare them on this page and send one brief to up to 5.
More on trade show booths
Booth types
Booth sizes
Rentals and prices
- 10 × 10 booth rentals
- 10 × 20 booth rentals
- 20 × 20 booth rentals
- Trade show booth cost
- Trade show booth ideas
- Trade show booth sizes
- Types of trade show booths
- Rent or buy a trade show booth
- Trade show checklist
- How to choose a booth builder
- Trade show ROI
- How to set up a trade show booth
- Booth cost calculator
- Trade show RFP template
Builders by city
- Trade show booth builders in Las Vegas
- Trade show booth builders in Orlando
- Trade show booth builders in Chicago
- Trade show booth builders in Los Angeles
- Trade show booth builders in Atlanta
- Trade show booth builders in New York
- Trade show booth builders in Dallas
- Trade show booth builders in Denver
- Trade show booth builders in San Diego
- Trade show booth builders in Houston
Booth rentals by city
- Trade show booth rentals in Las Vegas
- Trade show booth rentals in Orlando
- Trade show booth rentals in Chicago
- Trade show booth rentals in Los Angeles
- Trade show booth rentals in Atlanta
- Trade show booth rentals in New York
- Trade show booth rentals in Dallas
- Trade show booth rentals in Denver
- Trade show booth rentals in San Diego
- Trade show booth rentals in Houston
Convention centers
Trade shows by industry
Services
Top-rated builders
Upcoming shows
- SEMA Show
- Los Angeles Build Expo
- Small Business Expo Dallas
- The Liver Meeting (AASLD)
- International Quilt Festival
- IAAPA Expo
- RSNA Annual Meeting
- CES