Vent-a-Hood, the leading manufacturer of home kitchen ventilation products, had several goals in mind when the company decided to design a new exhibit for the 2018 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Orlando. They were looking for an open floor plan that would draw people in and the flexibility to modify the exhibit as kitchen design trends evolve.

It was also essential to include a space to celebrate the family-owned company’s 85th anniversary and create several immersive, life-like kitchen environments that visitors could experience first-hand.

One of the critical design elements that the client requested was a central kitchen island space where guests could gather around for product demonstrations or have a chat. People often have most of their social interactions in the kitchen, so Vent-a-Hood wanted to create a similar situation where everyone would come around the island, just like you would at home.

Referred to The Trade Group by their ad agency, the client visited TTG’s Dallas showroom and was intrigued by the option to create a custom-looking exhibit with lightweight components.

“Vent-A-Hood liked the idea of having an exhibit that looked custom, but without the heavy, wooden structures that can warp over time. They also appreciated the fact that the modular, aluminum components are scalable and graphics can be easily swapped out as trends and products change,” says TTG Senior Design Consultant Claire Phillips.

Creating an exhibit with a heart

The client provided a rough drawing of the space they envisioned and the TTG design and engineering teams got to work. A few conversations and renderings later, the team homed in on an exhibit design and floor plan that checked all of the client’s boxes. Highlights included:

A custom hanging sign as a “calling card.” From across the trade show floor, you can’t miss Vent-A-Hood’s massive hanging sign shaped like a giant kitchen hood and emblazoned with the client’s logos, which were cut out of aluminum to match the kitchen hoods. The sign hung over the center of the booth, right above the …

Kitchen island gathering space. The island is surrounded by comfortable bar stools and can be seen from multiple entrances to the booth. A working kitchen hood with an induction cooktop is featured in the island, making it the perfect spot for product demos and presentations.

Mini “kitchens” with custom, changeable backsplashes. To highlight the client’s different product lines, several individual mini “kitchens” were sectioned off throughout the space. To illustrate how the hoods would look in different environments, each hood is paired with a unique backsplash graphic in different colors and “textures.” The graphics can be easily replaced as interior design trends change.

Outdoor kitchen space. The client also wanted to show visitors how Vent-A-Hood products could be used for outdoor kitchens. This exterior space features several working gas grills and accompanying hoods with a custom pergola that heightens the outdoor feel of the space. This was the first time Vent-A-Hood has featured an outdoor section in their exhibit, and it was one of the client’s favorite parts of the booth.

Space-defining flooring. To help distinguish the indoor space from the outdoor space, three different types of flooring were used in the booth, including rollable vinyl that looks like a rustic wood floor for the interior space and stone-look rollable vinyl and Astroturf for the outdoor space.

Interactive product displays. Vent-A-Hood recently launched a new online portal called Build-A-Hood, where customers can design their dream range hood. Kiosks were set up throughout the space so visitors could access the portal. A “Finish & Decorative Options” station was also set up inside the booth so guests could see and touch different finishes.

85th Anniversary tribute wall. Vent-A-Hood wanted to include a space to celebrate the story of the family-owned company’s vast history and accomplishments over the years. The space featured a timeline printed directly on acrylic and hung with aluminum standoffs to give the wall an elegant touch.

Looking for a trade show exhibit that speaks from the heart?

Contact us. Our friendly sales and design consultants are here to listen and make your dreams come true. Just give us a call at 800-343-2005 to learn more.

Vent-A-Hood^® COMPANY INFO

Overview: Founded in 1933, family-owned Vent-A-Hood was the first company to manufacture kitchen range hoods in the United States and is known as the leading manufacturer of home kitchen ventilation products in the marketplace.

Industry: Home kitchen ventilation systems

Home Base: Richardson, Texas

Fun Fact: The company’s original owners would sell products door-to-door and return to the shop to make the hoods following a sale.