How did it all begin?

You could say it all started at (the now defunct) Contempo Design, where Tim Roberts worked in sales and Paul Stahlberg worked in design. On Tim's very first project, he was teamed up with Paul, and the two worked brilliantly together, and from then on, on a variety of projects. They continued to work closely together after being promoted to management positions at the company, and built a lasting friendship as well.

Catalyst Exhibits was born

In the late 90s, the boys had the right idea at the right time. The industry was going gangbusters back then. But the focus was on selling outdated, nerdy exhibits, with no opportunity for rental. What's more, the number of discussions about establishing marketing goals and exceeding those goals with 3D Marketing Solutions ranged from zero to nil. Tim and Paul saw a need in the industry for effective, marketing-driven trade show exhibits, and, in 1998, established Catalyst Exhibits.

The two sold their innovative concept effectively, spreading the message that companies could keep their trade show booths continually cutting-edge and market more effectively ... without blowing their budgets.

Catalyst grows

With six employees and six clients, Catalyst moved into its 17,000-square-foot office in Cary, Illinois. The group started winning over some key clients by helping them redefine their marketing space ... to get results.

Soon, they were expanding and exploding-and busting at the seams. They enlarged their warehouse, production, and graphics departments over the years to accommodate their rapid growth, finally settling into their current 100,000-square-foot location in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Here they house state-of-the-art equipment, design, and production tools to accommodate both large and small clients. Catalyst Exhibits also has a second office in San Francisco.

Need we say more? (We will)

A current roster of 175 clients is proof that Catalyst's marketing-driven rental concept fits the times. Catalyst Exhibits strives to be much more than a trade show exhibit house. Our goal is to supply each and every client with the 3D Marketing Solution that will best help them meet their objectives ... and to be the forerunner in the exhibits arena.