This past weekend I was in Houston for the annual HeliExpo trade show. Over the next few posts I’ll feature a few trends and ideas I saw there.
Video presentations.
The biggest and most prominent use of video was at the Eurocopter exhibit. These flat-panel, touchscreen units were intriguing and informative.
At first glance, they appear to be flat and self contained. However, upon closer examination, there is a projector hidden near the tailcone of the helicopter staged near the plex station.
In the same booth, the overhead screens worked well and used both live and created content.
There were at least three large 9-foot by 12-foot panels accepting projected images. During live events in the booth, the images were broadcast on the screen. A superior audio system supported these screens. At other times the content varied but were generally overview-type images of products, people and their helicopters at work, music-video style.
The green plex surrounds made the image space fit into the theme and look of the rest of the booth.Over at Universal Avionics, this 2×4 set of monitors had some great transitions. 
John Hamby, the marketing manager from their Tucson, AZ, headquarters, told me he originated the content. Still images alternated with video and major areas of interest and content were separated by animated transitions of a jet flying across the multi-screen field.
Good ideas to emulate or build upon.
TTSG
The Eurocopter exhibit design was created by the team @ Skyline Exhibits in Minneapolis, MN and Skyline DFW in Dallas, TX The touch screens we created were a great for us to change the normal presentation of information next to the aircraft. The team at Eurocopter wanted to make sure what we designed would convey innovation as it is a major part of the brand. Many attendees didn't realize that it was rear-projection and that led to some interesting conversations.
Best comment on the touch screens was from a guy who said, in his best Texan drawl, "that's some slick Star Wars stuff there"! (actually he didn't say "stuff" but you get the idea).
Hmm, I can't imagine what word that guy would have said, Jeff.
But in all seriousness, that Eurocopter exhibit was downright majestic.