Article SummaryAfter 25 years away, Target Flavors made a strategic comeback at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) show with a custom modular exhibit designed to reintroduce the brand and position them as a serious national player. Partnering with Skyline Exhibits, they created a high-impact 20x20 island booth that drove strong traffic, generated qualified leads, and set the stage for expansion in 2026.
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Target Flavors hadn't exhibited at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) show in 25 years. When the family-owned company decided it was time to come back, they wanted to do it right. Founded in 1981, Target Flavors needed to reintroduce themselves to the industry, show what they're capable of, and prove they belong on the national stage. A standard booth wasn't going to cut it. They needed a partner who understood what was at stake.
Target Flavors aimed to transition from regional shows to the premier national event in their industry. This move brought serious challenges. They secured a 20x20 island space but had ambitious goals for it. The exhibit needed to include multiple product sampling stations, promote meaningful conversations, and provide plenty of storage for supplies—all while creating an open, friendly atmosphere.
Their primary objectives included:
Reintroducing the Brand: After a long absence, they needed to make a strong impression and raise their brand awareness.
Attracting Attention: The exhibit had to draw attendees in with multiple sampling stations and comfortable meeting areas.
Managing Logistics: With a team of eight booth staffers and the need for water and supplies for samples, efficient storage and prep areas were critical.
Driving Growth: The ultimate goal was to generate new business opportunities and expand their marketing reach.
The design had to be functional, facilitating a free-flowing environment, yet compelling enough to make them look like the major player they are. They needed a solution that combined a reasonable rental budget with high-end aesthetics.
Skyline worked with Target Flavors to design a custom modular rental that made their 20x20 space feel much bigger than it was. We started with their initial sketches and built from there, combining their vision with our experience to create something that really stood out.
The booth included:
Strategic Layout: The floor plan was precisely arranged to include five distinct sampling stations, allowing Target Flavors to showcase their diverse capabilities. A central storage tower offered essential space for water, flavoring packets, and personal items, while additional storage was integrated under each serving counter.
Dominant Branding: To create the "really big" feel Target Flavors desired, the exhibit featured one of Skyline's largest standard-sized hanging signs. With bold, eye-catching graphics of fruits and bakery items, it was visible from across the show floor, attracting attendees to the booth.
High-End Finishes: To complete the premium look, a 3D illuminated logo was mounted on the back of the central tower, adding a sophisticated touch that elevated the entire exhibit.
The modular rental booth gave Target Flavors the best of both worlds. They got a custom look without the custom price tag. They bought the graphics outright so they could use them again and keep their branding consistent, but rented the structure to keep costs manageable.
Target Flavors' return to IFT went better than expected. The booth stayed busy throughout the show, with a steady flow of visitors sampling products and asking questions. The layout worked exactly how it should have. People could move through comfortably, the team had room to demo their flavors, and they walked away with a solid list of qualified leads.
The post-show feedback was outstanding. Target Flavors gave Skyline perfect scores across the board for the overall experience, communication, responsiveness, and value. The client noted that each and every team member they interacted with "blew it out of the water and exceeded their expectations."
The success at IFT 2025 has already cleared the path for future growth. Target Flavors was so pleased with the outcome that they have already expanded their space to a 20x40 for the next IFT show. Using their investment in graphics and the flexibility of Skyline's rental system, they plan to reuse many components as they add additional elements to fill the larger footprint.
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