Experiential Exhibit Design: Rise & Shine by Inhabitat at VRMA 2024 – 20×20

Experiential Exhibit Design: Rise & Shine by Inhabitat at VRMA 2024 – 20×20

Experiential Exhibit Design: Rise & Shine by Inhabitat at VRMA 2024 – 20×20

Experiential Exhibit Design: Rise & Shine by Inhabitat at VRMA 2024 – 20×20

Experiential Exhibit Design: Rise & Shine by Inhabitat at VRMA 2024 – 20×20

Experiential Exhibit Design: Rise & Shine by Inhabitat at VRMA 2024 – 20×20

Rise & Shine needed a 20x20 footprint that could stay calm during peak traffic—supporting quick demos, short sales conversations, and consistent brand presentation without creating bottlenecks. Built for the pace of VRMA 2024, the booth prioritized clear sightlines, repeatable demo positions, and practical behind-the-scenes storage so staff could keep interactions moving while protecting the quality of each conversation.

High-angle view showing the green turf flooring and circular hanging signs above the booth.
High-angle view showing the green turf flooring and circular hanging signs above the booth.
High-angle view showing the green turf flooring and circular hanging signs above the booth.
Full view of the Rise & Shine 20x20 island booth at VRMA, featuring a sunrise-themed backdrop and green carpet flooring.
Full view of the Rise & Shine 20x20 island booth at VRMA, featuring a sunrise-themed backdrop and green carpet flooring.
Full view of the Rise & Shine 20x20 island booth at VRMA, featuring a sunrise-themed backdrop and green carpet flooring.
Open lounge area with white modern chairs and green carpet resembling a lawn for a relaxed atmosphere.
Open lounge area with white modern chairs and green carpet resembling a lawn for a relaxed atmosphere.
Open lounge area with white modern chairs and green carpet resembling a lawn for a relaxed atmosphere.
Large curved fabric graphic wall displaying "Rise & Shine: The Vacation Breakfast Series" branding.
Large curved fabric graphic wall displaying "Rise & Shine: The Vacation Breakfast Series" branding.
Large curved fabric graphic wall displaying "Rise & Shine: The Vacation Breakfast Series" branding.
Custom semi-circular sunrise backdrop with embedded digital screen displaying the presentation schedule.
Custom semi-circular sunrise backdrop with embedded digital screen displaying the presentation schedule.
Custom semi-circular sunrise backdrop with embedded digital screen displaying the presentation schedule.

Project
Specs

Project Specs

💼

Client:

Rise & Shine by Inhabitat

Rise & Shine by Inhabitat

📅

Year/Exhibition:

VRMA International Conference 2024

VRMA International Conference 2024

📍

Location:

Phoenix Convention Center, AZ

Phoenix Convention Center, AZ

📐

Size:

20×20 island booth

20×20 island booth

🏢

Industry:

Vacation Rental Software & Media

Vacation Rental Software & Media

Challenge

The Challenge: Creating a “Studio” on the Show Floor

The Challenge: Creating a “Studio” on the Show Floor

VRMA show days tend to compress everything into short windows—attendees step in for a quick look, teams need to run demos back-to-back, and “where do we put things” becomes a real operational problem. The challenge was to make a 20x20 feel open and high-visibility while still giving staff reliable demo surfaces, simple wayfinding, and controlled storage for collateral and product materials.

Because small execution misses become very visible on a 20x20 island (mis-labeled crates, missing hardware, AV arriving out of sequence), we treated logistics and install sequencing as part of the build plan. That meant preparing a union-ready workflow, labeling and packing by install order, and aligning graphics + counters + AV so the crew could assemble efficiently. Pre-show logistics & coordination was a key lever to reduce show-floor risk and keep the on-site schedule predictable.

Design vs. On-site Execution

A simple layout that performs under real traffic

A simple layout that performs under real traffic

Design choices were made to stay repeatable under pressure: clean perimeter access, a clear “approach → demo → next step” flow, and consistent demo positions so staff didn’t need to improvise. Counters and touchpoints were positioned to avoid clustering, while storage was planned to support replenishment without blocking guest movement.

On-site, execution focused on sequencing and tolerance control—ensuring counters, graphics, and AV aligned the first time. The goal wasn’t just a great look; it was a booth that could be installed smoothly and operate reliably for continuous demos across the full show schedule.

Interactive Zones & Design Highlights

Interactive Zones & Design Highlights

Custom semi-circular sunrise backdrop with embedded digital screen.
Custom semi-circular sunrise backdrop with embedded digital screen.
Custom semi-circular sunrise backdrop with embedded digital screen.

The Sunrise Main Stage

A central visual feature that anchors the booth identity and acts as a recognizable backdrop for conversations, presentations, and live recordings.

The Green Lounge

A relaxed seating zone designed to slow foot traffic and encourage deeper discussions, supporting informal meetings and brand storytelling.

Green turf flooring with white modern lounge furniture.
Green turf flooring with white modern lounge furniture.
Green turf flooring with white modern lounge furniture.
Orange gradient counter labeled "Educational Content".
Orange gradient counter labeled "Educational Content".
Orange gradient counter labeled "Educational Content".

The Content Bar

An integrated counter area that supports live demos, media interactions, and casual networking while maintaining clear circulation paths.

Curved Branding Wall

A sculptural branding element that reinforces visual continuity across the booth while subtly guiding visitor movement through the space.

Large curved fabric wall acting as a privacy divider and billboard.
Large curved fabric wall acting as a privacy divider and billboard.
Large curved fabric wall acting as a privacy divider and billboard.

On-site Execution Highlights

On-site Execution Highlights

High-angle view showing the green turf flooring and circular hanging signs above the booth.
High-angle view showing the green turf flooring and circular hanging signs above the booth.
High-angle view showing the green turf flooring and circular hanging signs above the booth.
Open lounge area with white modern chairs and green carpet resembling a lawn for a relaxed atmosphere.
Open lounge area with white modern chairs and green carpet resembling a lawn for a relaxed atmosphere.
Open lounge area with white modern chairs and green carpet resembling a lawn for a relaxed atmosphere.
Full view of the Rise & Shine 20x20 island booth at VRMA, featuring a sunrise-themed backdrop and green carpet flooring.
Full view of the Rise & Shine 20x20 island booth at VRMA, featuring a sunrise-themed backdrop and green carpet flooring.
Full view of the Rise & Shine 20x20 island booth at VRMA, featuring a sunrise-themed backdrop and green carpet flooring.
Custom semi-circular sunrise backdrop with embedded digital screen displaying the presentation schedule.
Custom semi-circular sunrise backdrop with embedded digital screen displaying the presentation schedule.
Custom semi-circular sunrise backdrop with embedded digital screen displaying the presentation schedule.
Large curved fabric graphic wall displaying "Rise & Shine: The Vacation Breakfast Series" branding.
Large curved fabric graphic wall displaying "Rise & Shine: The Vacation Breakfast Series" branding.
Large curved fabric graphic wall displaying "Rise & Shine: The Vacation Breakfast Series" branding.
Side view of the "Educational Content" counter structure in orange gradients.
Side view of the "Educational Content" counter structure in orange gradients.
Side view of the "Educational Content" counter structure in orange gradients.

On-site Highlights

  • Seamless attendee flow across all four sides of the island

  • High visual impact from multiple sightlines

  • Flexible use of space for conversations, filming, and demos

  • Strong brand recognition without enclosed structures

Key Design Features & Show Floor Presence

Experiential Theme as Spatial Anchor

The sunrise-inspired visual system acted as a spatial anchor rather than decoration. Curved graphics and warm color gradients helped define orientation within an open 20×20 island footprint, making the booth instantly legible from multiple approach angles.

The sunrise-inspired visual system acted as a spatial anchor rather than decoration. Curved graphics and warm color gradients helped define orientation within an open 20×20 island footprint, making the booth instantly legible from multiple approach angles.

Open Layout With Guided Circulation

Instead of a single forced entry, the booth allowed free access from all sides while subtly guiding movement through curved forms, furniture placement, and visual focal points. This preserved openness without creating chaotic traffic patterns.

Instead of a single forced entry, the booth allowed free access from all sides while subtly guiding movement through curved forms, furniture placement, and visual focal points. This preserved openness without creating chaotic traffic patterns.

Conversation-Driven Zoning

The layout separated quick interactions from longer conversations. Edge-facing zones supported short engagements, while interior lounge-style areas encouraged deeper discussions without blocking main circulation paths.

The layout separated quick interactions from longer conversations. Edge-facing zones supported short engagements, while interior lounge-style areas encouraged deeper discussions without blocking main circulation paths.

Visual Readability at Show-floor Distance

Brand elements were positioned for clarity at both near and mid-range sightlines. Elevated graphics, consistent color blocking, and repeated messaging ensured recognition even in a visually dense exhibition hall.

Brand elements were positioned for clarity at both near and mid-range sightlines. Elevated graphics, consistent color blocking, and repeated messaging ensured recognition even in a visually dense exhibition hall.

Content & Engagement Readiness

Several areas were intentionally designed as clean, camera-friendly moments. Controlled backdrops, lighting consistency, and minimal visual noise supported live content capture and social sharing without disrupting visitor flow.

Several areas were intentionally designed as clean, camera-friendly moments. Controlled backdrops, lighting consistency, and minimal visual noise supported live content capture and social sharing without disrupting visitor flow.

Outcome

Show-floor Outcome

Show-floor Outcome

High

High

High

attendee engagement throughout the event

Most

Most

Most

conversations driven by walk-up interactions

Extended

Extended

Extended

dwell time within the booth

Successful

Successful

Successful

content capture and brand exposure

Insights & Designer’s Note

Insights & Designer’s Note

From the Lead Designer :

A 20x20 island works best when it behaves like a system: traffic flow, demo cadence, storage, and install sequencing all need to reinforce each other. When teams scale from smaller footprints, the biggest shift is operational—rigging coordination may be minimal compared to larger builds, but electrical planning, AV readiness, and install order become the difference between a “good-looking booth” and a booth that performs for continuous demos.

If you’re planning a similar footprint, the 20x20 booth size guide breaks down what changes in layout logic, staffing flow, and execution planning as you move into a true island configuration.

FAQ: Experiential Design Strategy:

  • Q1: Why choose an open island layout for VRMA?
    A: VRMA is highly social and content-driven. An open island booth maximizes visibility and allows multiple conversations to happen simultaneously.

  • Q2: How does a ‘lounge-style’ layout affect engagement?
    A: Informal seating reduces barriers, encouraging longer conversations and more meaningful brand interactions.


  • Q3: How do you balance branding with openness?
    A: By using sculptural elements and curved graphics, branding remains strong without enclosing the space.


  • Q4: What role does color play in experiential booths?
    A: Color guides attention, sets emotional tone, and helps the booth stand out in crowded exhibition halls.

This project is part of Circle Exhibit's Case Study Library, showcasing real-world trade show booth design and build projects delivered across major U.S. exhibitions.

Explore more exhibition booth case studies.

Planning an Experiential Booth for VRMA?

Planning an Experiential Booth for VRMA?

Planning an Experiential Booth for VRMA?

This case shows how an open 20×20 layout and studio-style touchpoints can support high-frequency conversations and content moments on a conference show floor.

This case shows how an open 20×20 layout and studio-style touchpoints can support high-frequency conversations and content moments on a conference show floor.

This case shows how an open 20×20 layout and studio-style touchpoints can support high-frequency conversations and content moments on a conference show floor.