Calgary’s trade show and display industry has a leader in Exhibit Studio + Westwind Design, a company that has been crafting custom exhibits, branded spaces, and experiential marketing displays since 2007. At the helm is David Stokes, Managing Partner, who wears many hats—industrial designer, fabricator, and tech wizard, among others. Stokes shares insights into the business, its evolution, and what makes Exhibit Studio a standout in the industry.
What is your business called and what does it do?
We’re Exhibit Studio + Westwind Design. Since 2007, we’ve been designing and building custom displays out of Calgary. Trade show booths, experiential marketing displays, museum exhibits, branded environments—you name it. We love creating spaces and experiences that bring brands to life and make people stop and look.
What made you want to do this work?
I’ve always been passionate about turning ideas into reality through creative solutions and builds. When I teamed up with Tracey in 2012 as a Managing Partner, I saw an opportunity to create something truly special. The challenge of blending creativity, engineering, fabrication, and brand storytelling into one standout display is what excites me every day. A big part of our work is transforming bold, ambitious ideas from impossible to real. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the reactions from our clients—and their clients—when everything comes together. In 2022, we acquired Westwind Design, a company with a legacy dating back to 1979, merging their design expertise with our fabrication capabilities to push our creative potential even further.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
We noticed a gap in the market for high-quality, customizable displays that are built locally and built to last. We also wanted to solve the hassle clients face when juggling multiple vendors or dealing with overseas suppliers just to get one project done. That’s why we handle everything in-house—design, print, build, and install. It keeps things simple, on time, and on budget while making sure we’re delivering the best products and solutions. We like to call ourselves a one-stop shop because, for us, it’s all about doing things right from start to finish.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
We work with all kinds of clients—from small local businesses to major corporations, non-profits, museums, and government organizations. Our clients come from industries like tech, healthcare, education, energy—you name it. Basically, anyone who needs a visually compelling way to tell their story in a physical space. While a lot of our clients are based in Canada and the U.S., we also work with businesses and organizations from around the world who come to Calgary or travel across North America for trade shows, events, and product launches.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
We make money by offering a range of display products and services—from custom exhibit design and fabrication to portable displays, rentals, and installation. Some clients buy fully customized exhibits, while others prefer to rent from our existing inventory with branded graphics and elements that we produce in-house. On top of that, we offer ongoing maintenance, storage, and logistics for exhibits that need to travel. It’s a mix of building, renting, and supporting our clients’ displays wherever they go.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
Our design studio and production space is located in South Calgary, but our work shows up all over Canada and beyond—pretty much anywhere our clients need to make an impact. You’ll find our displays at trade shows in Vancouver, museum exhibits in Toronto, corporate spaces right here in Alberta, and lots of places in between. Our designs and services travel wherever the job takes us.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services?
A great question to ask is: “How does your process work, and what parts do you handle in-house?”
Many display companies resell pre-made systems, especially for trade shows, and outsource printing, fabrication, and installation. While this might seem like a more affordable option at first, if you’re exhibiting at multiple shows or need a display that really stands out, you’ll want something unique, built to last, and backed by a skilled team that ensures you always look your best.
Asking how a company handles projects—and who’s actually doing the printing and building—will give you a better sense of the quality you’ll get and whether you’ll have to deal with the hassle of juggling multiple vendors. It’s best to go with an experienced company that has its process down and a solid reputation.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part is definitely seeing the final product come together. There’s nothing like the moment when a client sees their brand brought to life in a way that truly makes an impact. It’s incredibly rewarding to know we’ve helped them create a memorable experience.
As for the worst part—tight deadlines can be a challenge. With trade shows and events, everything has to happen on a strict timeline, and there’s no room for delays. It’s definitely high-pressure, but honestly, that’s part of the challenge that keeps us thriving.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
We don’t just think outside the box… we design, build, and install the box, too!
Where can we follow you?
Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
We’ve got a lot of great things to say about Carvel Creative. They’re a local agency that nails it when it comes to film, entertainment, and public art. Over the years, we’ve teamed up with them on many projects. They always bring something unique and exciting to the table.
