Derse is reinforcing its industry leadership and long-term commitment to the trade show and event industry.
submitted by Alli Hughes, Derse
Milwaukee, Wis. — Derse announces plans to build a new flagship facility in the greater Milwaukee area, which would consolidate two of its eight existing locations into a single, state-of-the-art headquarters and full-service facility. Derse’s existing Milwaukee headquarters and division as well as its Waukegan, Illinois division would merge into this newly formed Midwest facility built with a vision for long-term growth for Derse, its clients, and valued employees.
With the land under option and approvals being sought at the state and local level, this expansion would mark the largest single investment in Derse’s 77-year history—further signaling the company’s continued leadership in the evolving trade show, event, and experiential marketing industry.
“We’re building for what’s next. Not just for us, but for our network of clients and partners who rely on us to bring creative visions to life,” said Brett Haney, CEO of Derse. “With both of our current facilities in Waukegan and Milwaukee nearing capacity due to company growth and both facilities having less than 36 months left on their leases, we found ourselves needing significantly more space in the Midwest that this major investment will allow for. This new facility would represent growth and would expand and enhance our ability to service clients, create more room for creative collaboration, and invest in the futures of our employees—all while staying deeply grounded in the values that got us here. Our vision for our new Headquarters will be that it is the industry-leading facility for employees and customers in the United States.”
At a time when many in the industry are shifting ownership models, Derse remains committed to staying privately held and family-owned, something the company sees as a key strategic differentiator.
“We’re not following the trend toward private equity,” said Haney. “This commitment gives us the freedom to invest in our employees, clients, and responsible growth. Clients know that when they choose to work with Derse, they’re getting a trusted and reliable partner who has their best interest in mind. With many of the top competitors in our industry being bought and sold in recent years, the ownership of Derse is committed long-term to our employees and customers, and our facility expansion news is just another milestone that pays testament to that commitment. As we enter our 77th year in business, we are planning for continued responsible growth for our employees and customers in the decades to come. It’s a very exciting time to be at Derse.”
As a company rooted in face-to-face experiences, Derse sees this new facility as a representation of what it does best. A space like this can offer collaboration areas, a presentation stage, training zones, expansive production and warehousing capabilities, and an overall open, welcoming environment for employees, partners, and clients alike. It can also be designed to meet industry-leading sustainability and employee workplace standards, underscoring Derse’s commitment to health, well-being, and productivity across every touchpoint. The new facility would feature a dedicated experience center—a hands-on space built to educate and inspire audiences of all kinds. Whether someone is new to the world of trade shows or deeply experienced in the industry, clients, vendors, and employees will all experience firsthand the influential role Derse plays in shaping the future of experiential marketing.
Additionally, the facility would significantly expand Derse’s ability to service clients nationally while adding capacity for high-volume and high-complexity programs. It’s also expected to generate new jobs in the greater Milwaukee and Chicago areas.
Once approved, construction is expected to begin in 2026, with occupancy to follow in late 2027. The company will release additional details as development milestones are reached.
About Derse
Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Derse is a family-owned experiential marketing agency and exhibit builder with nearly 600 employees and eight locations in the United States and Europe. For more than 75 years, Derse has created award-winning exhibits, events, and environments for client programs in more than 50 countries, and is consistently recognized amongst its clients and peers as one of the most respected companies in the exhibits and events industry. Experiences matter at Derse. For more information, visit www.derse.com.
