mg Magazine’s List of the Most Noteworthy Booth Designs
After MJBizCon 2024, one thing was clear: Companies raised the bar with exhibit designs that were both impressive and inspirational. From innovative use of space to stunning visuals, the show floor was a showcase of creativity and thoughtful execution.
Cannabis professionals and companies from around the globe gathered for a week of business, networking, and celebration, making it increasingly challenging to stand out in the crowd. This year’s exhibitors proved that effective booth design goes beyond aesthetics. Instead, it’s about crafting memorable experiences that resonate with visitors long after they’ve left the show floor.
Our team carefully reviewed hundreds of exhibits to compile a list of the most noteworthy designs. Our final selections weren’t necessarily the flashiest or largest displays; rather, they exemplified creativity, functionality, and strategic design that captivated audiences. Whether through minimalistic elegance, innovative lighting, or cleverly curated products, these booths highlight the art of effective trade show marketing.
Here are our picks for the top exhibit designs at MJBizCon 2024. These exhibits struck the perfect balance between branding, functionality, and visual impact — proving thoughtful design makes all the difference.
1. Athena Ag
Athena Ag specializes in formulating and manufacturing liquid and dry fertilizer blends tailored for commercial cannabis cultivators. The company’s 20-foot by 30-foot, two-story exhibit exemplified precision and elegance. The minimalist black-and-white palette accentuated the vibrant labels of Athena’s products, creating a visually striking contrast, and the design thoughtfully incorporated angular elements, adding architectural interest to the space.
Intended to function as an exclusive meeting area, the upper level’s bar, product displays, and modern lounge provided a refined setting for private discussions. Custom coffee tables equipped with built-in speakers and plush, double-padded carpeting enhanced the visitor experience, reflecting the company’s commitment to quality and attention to detail.
Athena’s meticulously crafted exhibit effectively communicated the company’s dedication to excellence.
2. Blazy Susan
Blazy Susan, known for its innovative smoking accessories and “Smoke Pink” branding, brought a touch of the outdoors to the exhibit floor with a creative camping theme. The 20×20 booth featured a custom-wrapped Sprinter van as its centerpiece, doubling as both a product display and a backdrop. The vibrant pink design extended to every detail, from the products on display to the uniforms worn by team members.
Visitors could hold meetings around a cozy campfire setup or at a picnic table, fully immersed in the booth’s thematic presentation. Pine tree cutouts surrounded the space, reinforcing the outdoor vibe and providing a welcome escape from the busy trade show environment. Team members wearing matching pink flannel shirts added a fun, cohesive touch that further emphasized the brand’s playful personality.
Blazy Susan’s execution perfectly aligned with its branding and product design, showcasing how the company’s unique style can transform a trade show booth into an inviting and memorable experience.
3. Futurola
A leader in rolling solutions and accessories, Futurola captured attention with an innovative approach to its 50×20 exhibit space. Foregoing traditional structural elements, the company invested in a towering fifty-foot-wide, thirty-foot-high high-definition LED video wall. The striking visual centerpiece showcased one of the company’s key celebrity partners, Mike Tyson, whose larger-than-life image dominated the display. Tyson also made a personal appearance, signing autographs and engaging fans, drawing a crowd that added to the booth’s electric atmosphere.
The clean, modern aesthetic extended to the exhibit’s display counters, which featured subtle branding and backlit lighting that perfectly contrasted with the video wall. White served as the dominant color down to the uniform attire of the Futurola team, reinforcing the sleek and cohesive presentation. The open layout allowed attendees to engage with products easily while enjoying an unobstructed view of the dynamic video content.
Futurola’s exhibit demonstrated how a bold, minimalistic design combined with cutting-edge technology and star power can create an unforgettable trade show experience. It not only highlighted the company’s innovative product offerings but also underscored the brand’s commitment to standing out in a competitive marketplace.
4. Display Dispensary
A bold and cohesive visual statement, DisplayDispensary’s 20×30 booth seamlessly blended creativity with functionality. Anchored by a dramatic, gigantic sculpture of a hand—crafted in-house by the company’s mannequin division—the booth commanded attention while cleverly showcasing Display Dispensary’s design capabilities. A striking wall of much smaller hands held examples of the firm’s FlowerBox displays, lit in the company’s signature green.
Edgy graffiti artwork featuring the company’s tagline, “Stuff that Sells Your Stuff,” added a contemporary urban flair to the exhibit. Green LED accents framed the booth, tying the elements together and reinforcing branding. Staff members in custom-branded baseball jerseys, mirrored by similarly dressed mannequins, further emphasized the company’s attention to detail and thematic consistency.
Every aspect of the exhibit demonstrated Display Dispensary’s mastery in creating captivating displays and merchandising collateral, making the booth an experiential showcase of talent in both design and functionality.
5. Metrc
A well-designed two-story, 20-by-20-foot island booth effectively highlighted Metrc’s role as a leading compliance tracking system provider. The exhibit’s clean and engaging graphics, combined with integrated display monitors, created a seamless visual experience that clearly communicated the company’s expertise in simplifying supply chain decision-making.
Key design elements included warm wooden shelving and counters, which added a sophisticated touch, and a striking live-plant wall featuring an illuminated Metrc logo. The natural accents underscored the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Metrc also made a lasting impression with visitors by giving away high-quality branded swag including bags, hats, and phone cases.
6. High Tek USA
High Tek USA captivated attendees with a dynamic 900-square-foot island exhibit showcasing the latest advancements in cannabis weighing, packaging, and feeding systems. Using fully operational machinery, visitors could judge for themselves how well the company delivers on its promise to provide seamlessly efficient and reliable equipment designed to handle complex workflows with ease.
The booth’s design reflected the company’s commitment to both functionality and aesthetics. Sleek accent lighting highlighted the polished stainless-steel machinery, creating an atmosphere that was visually striking and professional. The thoughtfully integrated lighting not only drew attention but elevated the appeal of industrial equipment, transforming the display into a gallery of modern engineering artistry.
7. LuvBuds
LuvBuds, a distributor of smoking accessories, vape products, and customizable retail solutions, transformed its massive 2,000-square-foot exhibit space into “LuvBuds University.” The fabricated campus-themed booth replicated the charm of a traditional Ivy League campus, complete with a central tower adorned with the LBU crest and standing as a beacon visible throughout the convention hall. The immersive setup created an experiential environment for visitors to explore.
Staff members added to the fun by donning custom letterman jackets emblazoned with “LUV U” on the back, embodying the collegiate spirit. Throughout the space, products were arranged thoughtfully on open shelves, allowing attendees to browse with ease in an interactive setting.
The booth’s creative design and attention to detail elevated LuvBuds University from a simple product showcase to an imaginative, memorable experience.
🎥 View video of LuvBuds University
8. Abstrax
Abstrax showcased its expertise in terpene research and product innovation with a sleek and modern 20×20 exhibit. The inviting design, dominated by a dark matte exterior, drew visitors through illuminated archways and into a brightly lit interior. Inside, the centerpiece was a sophisticated counter for sampling and discussion, paired with clean, minimalist shelving that emphasized the premium quality of the offerings. The use of neon lighting and natural wood accents created a dynamic yet welcoming atmosphere. Overhead, a hanging sign reinforced Abstrax’s brand identity with the tagline “Let’s Talk Terpenes,” inviting engagement and establishing the company as a leader in its field.
9. Caleaf Tech
Using a series of illuminated circular display cases, Caleaf Tech crafted a unique sense of depth and dimension that set its exhibit apart from others. The minimalist design, accentuated by clean lines and glowing green accents, positioned the products as the centerpiece of the booth. Informational panels and digital displays enhanced the experience by telling the brand’s story and providing deeper insights into its product offerings.
Caleaf Tech’s cohesive and immersive presentation left a lasting impression on attendees and further reinforcing the company’s reputation as a leader in its sector.
🎥 View video of Caleaf Tech’s exhibit
10. Chubby Gorilla
Positioned as the exhibit hall’s title sponsor, Chubby Gorilla’s 800-square-foot booth impressed with its sleek black exterior, clean white graphics, and bold yellow accents. Inside, backlit duratrans panels showcased packaging solutions with eye-catching artwork. The minimalist design and rotating sign prioritized visibility and branding, demonstrating strategic visuals and thoughtful execution can leave a lasting impact without elaborate structures.
11. Honest
Making its debut at this year’s MJBizCon, Honest transformed a modest 100-square-foot booth into a thoughtfully curated and impactful exhibit. Using plywood as the primary material, the minimalist design perfectly mirrored the brand’s clean and straightforward aesthetic. Custom signage strategically placed behind each product added a refined touch, effectively guiding attendees through the offerings.
Honest demonstrated a remarkable trade show presence doesn’t require a massive budget — just creativity and ingenuity. By leveraging simplicity and thoughtful execution, the booth stood out, proving even a small space can make a big impression.
12. Leafy
Leafy made a bold statement by eschewing traditional booth structures in favor of focusing entirely on product presentation. The exhibit drew inspiration from the charm of a classic confectionery shop, featuring vibrant gummies displayed under elegant glass domes atop sleek black pedestals. The setup was both inviting and nostalgic, evoking the feeling of stepping into an upscale candy shop.
Each gummy type, from tangy raspberry to tropical mango, was meticulously showcased with detailed placards and QR codes, inviting attendees to explore more. The minimalist yet sophisticated approach created a warm and approachable atmosphere while highlighting the brand’s emphasis on quality and precision.
13. The Cones Factory
The Cones Factory demonstrated how creativity can transform a standard exhibit into a standout experience. By showcasing custom pre-rolled cones and white-label packaging products through carefully curated displays, the company created an engaging interactive experience. Striking a perfect balance between professionalism and playfulness, The Cones Factory showed how ingenuity and creativity can make even a simple structure impactful.
14. The Bureau
The Bureau’s exhibit is a strong example of minimalism done right. The inviting and spacious design provided ample room to showcase products while maintaining a clean, organized aesthetic. Illuminated displays and thoughtfully arranged shelving emphasized the offerings without clutter or distraction. The Bureau’s booth highlighted how a minimalist approach can enhance architectural design in exhibit spaces to create a professional and impactful presentation.
Discover more inspiring exhibits from MJBizCon 2024 on our exclusive YouTube playlist. Watch the full playlist here.
