Our Heritage: Commitment to Innovation

Since 1980, Skyline has been committed to developing the most innovative products in our industry. This commitment has inspired a continuous stream of industry firsts making the Skyline brand synonymous with innovation. Whether it be a new design, technology or material, you can typically count on Skyline being first to market.

Here's a short history of Skyline's successes, illustrated by some of our most innovative products and company milestones:

1980 - The Shotel®
Perhaps the most memorable quality of Skyline's first exhibit, the "Shotel," was that it fit inside our founder's K-Car trunk. It was praised for its simplicity, reasonable price, and being one of the industry's first curved exhibits.
1980 - Shotel®
1984 - The Mirage®
The Mirage revolutionized the industry with its strong yet flexible fiberglass frame which makes it virtually indestructible. Its seamless design and round end panels set the standard for pop-up displays that continues to this day.
1984 - Mirage®
1987 & 1988 - Named Inc. 500
Inc. Magazine twice honored Skyline in its annual list of the fastest-growing private companies.
1987 & 1988 - Named Inc. 500
1990 - Skyland
Skyline employees from across the nation and around the world came together for four days to build a playground in Burnsville, Minnesota. Skyland stands as a tribute to our staff's dedication to making a difference in their community.
1990 - Skyland
1992 - First to go digital-direct
Skyline was first to invest in digital-direct graphics for trade show graphics production and has been on the cutting edge of graphic technology ever since. Skyline is the largest producer of high-quality exhibit graphics.
1992 - First to go digital-direct
1993 - ISO 9001 Registration
Skyline was the first trade show exhibit manufacturer to receive ISO 9001 Registration. The honor certifies that Skyline has established control processes that meet international standards of manufacturing quality.
1993 - ISO 9001 Registration
1998 - SkyTruss
Skyline revolutionized the large exhibit arena with SkyTruss. Like our other innovations, SkyTruss is lightweight, easy to set up and transport, and reconfigurable. SkyTruss also collapses flat for easy storage and shipment, yet is strong enough to construct almost any design imaginable.
1998 - SkyTruss
1999 - New Skyline International Design Center
Skyline's new facility in St. Paul, Minnesota, brings together exhibit design, engineering, manufacturing, graphic production, exhibit construction, and asset management under one roof.
1999 - New Skyline International Design Center
1999 - Skyline Seminar Series
Skyline continues to update and expand its free seminar series which helps exhibitors stay current with exhibiting trends, outlook and best practices. Skyline seminars have been attended by well over 100,000 exhibitors.
1999 - Skyline Seminar Series
2003 - New Tube System Wins Best New Product
Skyline Exhibits captured one of the trade show and event marketing industry's top honors, the Buyers Choice Award. Skyline earned the recognition for a new modular steel tube system.
2003 - New Tube System Wins Best New Product
2005 - Las Vegas Regional Service Center
Skyline opens its first Regional Service Center in Las Vegas, the #1 trade show destination in the U.S.A. The Service Center provides responsive service, on-site graphic production and local exhibit rental, allowing exhibitors to forego costly cross-country shipping.
2005 - Las Vegas Regional Service Center
2005 - 25-Year Celebration
In 2005, nearly 800 members of the Skyline team from all over the world gathered at its World Headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota to celebrate Skyline's 25th anniversary. The event featured classes and activities to encourage education, interaction and fun.
2005 - 25-Year Celebration
2006 - Orlando Regional Service Center
Skyline opens its Regional Service Center in Orlando, the #2 trade show destination city in the U.S.A. Like its Las Vegas Service Center, Orlando provides quick, responsive service, on-site graphic production and local exhibit rental.
2006 - Orlando Regional Service Center
2007 - Exalt Banner Stand
Skyline's innovation continues with the release of the Exalt™ banner stand. Exalt is the first banner stand that is retractable and features a curved design.
2007 - Exalt Banner Stand
2008 - Shapes Collection Banner Stand
Skyline's Shapes Collection banner stand is released and gives exhibitors a look beyond basic banner stands with unique layered graphics. Full back panels with profile-cut front panels provide depth and interest.
2008 - Shapes Collection Banner Stand
2008 - Safer, Greener CMH Lighting
Skyline's new high output, low wattage Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH) lighting offers bright, crisp light. One 70-watt CMH light is twice as bright as a 200-watt halogen lamp, cutting exhibitor electrical costs by up to 80%. The revolutionary light is environmentally-friendly and fully approved in Las Vegas venues that ban halogen lamps over 50-watts.
2008 - Safer, Greener CMH Lighting