Gilbert is marking its 40th anniversary in experiential design, custom tradeshow exhibits, and branded environments.
Founded in 1986 by Gil Ballen and Barry Ballen, the company began as Gilbert Displays with one custom-built exhibit and a 15,000-square-foot facility in Valley Stream, New York. Over the next four decades, the company expanded its exhibit work, added retail and architectural environments, and grew into larger facilities in Hicksville, Melville, and Las Vegas.
Company began with custom exhibits
Gilbert was founded to provide custom exhibit work rooted in craftsmanship, service, and industry experience. The company’s early growth came through custom tradeshow exhibits, which remained a foundation for its broader experiential work.
During the 1990s, Gilbert expanded into the optical, fashion, and jewelry markets. It also moved into a 55,000-square-foot facility in Hicksville, New York, and acquired Graphic Displays. That decade brought additional recognition when Barry Ballen was named Entrepreneur of the Year.
Growth expanded into retail environments
In the 2000s, Gilbert built on its tradeshow client relationships and expanded into retail work. The company began designing and building architectural environments for clients, which widened its service mix beyond exhibit programs.
As the business grew, Gilbert moved into a 125,000-square-foot headquarters in Melville, New York. The company also received the Olympus Partnership Award, which recognized its long-term client relationships and work.
During the 2010s, Gilbert marked its 25th anniversary, added in-house metal fabrication, and rebranded to reflect its broader experiential design services. The shift positioned the company across exhibits, activations, retail environments, and other branded spaces.
Las Vegas facility supports national work
In the 2020s, Gilbert continued to expand its operations with a focus on national work. The company added a 46,000-square-foot Las Vegas facility to support West Coast tradeshows and luxury retail clients.
Today, Gilbert produces tradeshow exhibits, activations, and luxury retail environments for clients across multiple markets. Its anniversary marks both the company’s history in custom exhibit work and its expansion into a broader experiential design business.
“Reaching 40 years is a meaningful milestone, one that reflects the dedication of our team and the trust of our clients,” says Barry Ballen, chief executive officer of Gilbert.
Matt Ballen, chief operating officer of Gilbert, says the company remains focused on future growth.
“We’re proud of the environments we’ve brought to life and how much we’ve grown over the years,” Matt Ballen says. “We’re excited to deliver great products and experiences to our clients in the future.”
About Gilbert
Founded in 1986, Gilbert provides design, construction, and management services for tradeshow exhibits, retail, hospitality, corporate, residential, and event environments. For more info, visit www.gilbertexperience.com.
Press release submitted by Gilbert. Edited by Exhibit City News for clarity, length, and style.
