For brands that want exhibits to do more than look good, Acer Exhibits & Events (Acer) has spent 22 years turning complex ideas into real results on the show floor.
The veteran-owned agency blends creative precision with long-term client strategy, operating out of a 170,000-square-foot full-service facility in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Founded in 2003 by Mark Crane and Michael Dunne, Acer has grown into a trusted partner for exhibit design, fabrication, rentals, logistics, and storage across nearly every industry.
Acer’s work is widely recognized in the field. The company has been named to Event Marketer’s Fab 50 list for over a decade and has earned multiple placements on EXHIBITOR Magazine’s Find It – Top 40. In 2023, Exhibit City News named one of Acer’s designs a “WOW!” booth in its year-end issue. Most recently, the firm was honored as a finalist in two categories of the inaugural ExSYS Awards, which spotlight modular and system-based exhibit design. Their work for Hultec and Fabletics, both using beMatrix systems, was recognized for its execution and versatility.
But what keeps Acer relevant isn’t just awards—it’s the company’s client-first mindset. “Our goal is to truly partner with our clients, constantly looking for ways to improve,” says Wendi Jacobs, marketing and account development manager. “We look at the whole picture—not just a single project. That includes their show program, their budget, their timeline. We try to anticipate what our clients need before they know they need it.”
That practical, flexible approach applies to projects of every size. Acer is just as comfortable building a high-end centerpiece as it is finding smart design solutions that stretch limited budgets.
The firm’s recent debut project for the L’Oréal umbrella of brands at AAD 2025 brought that mindset into focus. The 80 x 140-foot space unified seven distinct brand identities within a single environment. “There wasn’t a single standout moment—this was a full team effort from start to finish,” says Ashley Crane, business development manager. “We had five or more exhibits staged in our build area at once, including various sections of the L’Oréal space. It felt like navigating a highly intricate tradeshow maze, each exhibit representing a different industry vertical. It worked because our teams stayed aligned.”
That ability to manage complexity while maintaining design integrity is part of what distinguishes Acer in the exhibit space. Whether it’s a modular rental, a large-scale custom build, or a program requiring phased implementation, the team applies the same focus: collaborative planning, realistic solutions, and effective execution.
Acer’s partnerships extend beyond clients. The company maintains strong industry ties through long-standing involvement with the Exhibitor Appointed Contractors Association (EDPA) and other professional groups. “Like our approach to clients, we really believe in forming partnerships in our industry,” Jacobs says. “We’ve helped other agencies in a pinch, and we’ve also leaned on competitors when we needed local support. That kind of mutual trust is rare.”
That sense of community was deeply felt when a longtime Acer team member, Tim Almony, passed away unexpectedly. The EDPA Northeast Chapter quickly organized a fundraiser for his family. “There are not many industries which would rally together to make a difference in one family’s lives,” Jacobs says. “We are so grateful for that generosity.”
Looking forward, Acer continues to invest in sustainability, experiential technology, and creative hiring. The company has added staff in nearly every department and is also a founding supporter of Exhibitor Advocate, a nonprofit focused on tackling exhibitor challenges like rising costs and fairness in the industry.
“We’ll build you a diamond-crusted reception counter if that’s what you want,” Jacobs says. “But if you don’t have the budget for it, it’s our job to get you the same impact within the resources you do have.”
It’s this combination of realism, reliability, and creative range that keeps Acer trusted by clients and respected by peers. As Crane put it during the company’s anniversary celebration: “We will continue working as a team to raise the bar in satisfying our clients—hopefully for another 20 years and more.”
This story originally appeared in the Q3 2025 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 84. For original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/exhibit_city_news_-_jul_aug_sept_2025/84.
