What Capitol Tradeshow Services does

Capitol Tradeshow Services (CTS) is a full-service tradeshow exhibit provider founded in 1988 and headquartered in Manassas, Virginia, operating as a division of Capitol Exhibit Services Inc. The company delivers end-to-end exhibit lifecycle services — design, fabrication, graphic production, logistics, installation and dismantle, warehousing, asset management, and AV integration — from a single 100,000+ square foot facility that includes 40,000+ square feet of dedicated storage. CTS holds a GSA Multiple Awards Schedule contract enabling direct procurement by federal agencies and maintains Aluvision Premier Ambassador status for modular exhibit systems. Operations span more than 1,000 shows per year, with logistics support for 300+ major tradeshows annually.

Revenue is generated through custom exhibit design and build projects, a rental exhibit program covering 10x10 through 30x40 configurations, event services, warehousing and asset management subscriptions, AV integration, and graphic production. Pricing is quote-based, with rental units bundling graphics and storage. The go-to-market relies on enterprise field sales staffed by dedicated Account Executive and Account Manager teams, supplemented by client referrals and a portfolio-driven marketing approach. Distribution is direct (no resellers), supported by an international logistics alliance network covering North and South America, Asia, and Europe.

The customer base skews heavily toward defense, aerospace, and federal government — including NASA, DARPA, Northrop Grumman, General Atomics, Orbital ATK, Airbus, the U.S. State Department, and USAREUR — with secondary exposure to consumer and industrial segments such as CSX, Sallie Mae, and Heckler & Koch. Operations are supported by a barcode-based inventory management system with a real-time client portal, CNC fabrication equipment, HP 2000/3000/5000 large-format digital printers, and Mac-based graphic design workstations. Production relies on a craft workforce that includes master cabinet makers with 50+ years of combined experience.

Name

Capitol Tradeshow Services

Legal name

Capitol Tradeshow Services

Website

https://capitoltradeshowservices.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Capitol Tradeshow Services (CTS) is a full-service tradeshow exhibit provider founded in 1988 in Manassas, Virginia, delivering design, fabrication, rental, logistics, warehousing, and AV integration to defense, aerospace, federal government, and enterprise clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tradeshow Exhibit Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

akta.pro primary industry

Trade Shows & Exhibitions (Booths, Show Management) (BPAFAGAD)

Keywords

• Custom exhibit design
• Tradeshow fabrication
• Exhibit rental services
• Event logistics management
• Exhibit warehousing

Headquarters

HQ city

Manassas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Exhibit Design and Fabrication: Design, build, and coordinate custom tradeshow exhibits tailored to client brand and specifications. Includes consultation, 3D prototypes, structural engineering, and production.
2. Rental Exhibits: Rental program offering exhibits in various sizes (10x10 through 30x40) with graphics included. Features lightweight, reconfigurable designs using Aluvision system.
3. Event Services: Installation, dismantle, logistics, and on-site supervision for tradeshows and events. Handles over 300 major tradeshows per year.
4. Warehousing and Asset Management: Secure storage of exhibit properties with barcode tracking, multiple loading docks, and fleet delivery service. Over 40,000 square feet dedicated to storage.
5. Audio-Visual Integration: Design, specification, and installation of AV systems for exhibits including interactive displays, digital signage, touchscreens, projection, lighting and sound.
6. Graphic Design and Production: Large format digital printing up to 60 inches wide, mounting and laminating, drum scanning, cut vinyl lettering, and silk-screening services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Capitol Tradeshow Services (CTS) provides full-service tradeshow exhibit design, fabrication, and event coordination for enterprise and government clients. Core offerings include custom exhibits, rental exhibits in sizes from 10x10 through 30x40, event display services, and asset management/warehousing with barcode-tracked inventory. All production, graphics, fabrication, logistics, installation, and storage operations are housed in a 100,000+ square-foot facility in Manassas, Virginia, enabling end-to-end delivery from concept through show execution and post-show storage.

Product overview

Capitol Tradeshow Services (CTS) is a full-service tradeshow exhibit provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services. The core offerings consist of Custom Exhibits (bespoke design and fabrication), Rental Exhibits (in various sizes from 10x10 to 30x40), Events services, and Asset Management/Fulfillment services. These core products are supported by integrated service modules including Program Management, Design Services, Graphic Design and Production, Fabrication, Logistics, Install and Dismantle, Inventory Control, Warehousing, and Audio-Visual Hardware Integration. All operations are conducted under one roof in a combined 100,000+ square foot facility in Manassas, Virginia, enabling CTS to provide end-to-end exhibit solutions from concept through execution and storage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Exhibits Bespoke tradeshow exhibit design, fabrication, and production services tailored to specific client branding, size, and budget requirements, including consultation, 3D prototypes, structural engineering, and full production under one roof. Targeted at enterprise and government clients in defense, aerospace, federal, automotive, and consumer products sectors.
• Rental Exhibits Tradeshow exhibit rental program offering configurable exhibits in sizes from 10x10 through 30x40 using the Aluvision modular system, with graphics included and optional accessories such as iPad workstations, monitors, shelving, and literature displays. Designed for clients needing lightweight, reconfigurable exhibit solutions without full custom-build costs.
• Events Event display and exhibit services including design, fabrication, installation, and on-site management for large-scale institutional, corporate, and government events. Targeted at clients hosting or participating in major events domestically and internationally.
• Asset Management / Fulfillment Services Comprehensive exhibit property management including inspection, photography, cataloging, online inventory management, and real-time database access through a secure client portal, with over 40,000 square feet of dedicated secure storage and fleet delivery. Targeted at clients with ongoing multi-show exhibit programs needing lifecycle management of physical exhibit assets.
• Program Management Account team-based program management providing dedicated Account Executive and Account Manager for collaborative client relationships from initial creative strategy through long-term exhibit program planning. Targeted at enterprise and government clients with multi-show, multi-year exhibit programs.
• Design Services Tradeshow exhibit design services including conceptual development, 3D prototyping, color and finish specifications, structural and lighting design, and production drawings. Targeted at clients needing design concepting and engineering before fabrication.
• Graphic Design and Production Mac-based graphic design and large-format production services including large format digital output from 300 to 1,200 dpi up to 60 inches wide, mounting and laminating, drum scanning, cut vinyl lettering, and silk-screening. Production equipment includes HP 2000, 3000, and 5000 digital printers, Orca 1 laminator, and Trax vinyl cutter.
• Fabrication Full-service in-house fabrication including acrylic fabrication, custom metal fabrication, plastic laminate and veneer application, electrical assembly, painting and finishing, CNC routing, model making, and custom display casework. Supports both custom exhibits and corporate environment production.
• Logistics Onsite service management for major tradeshows covering shipping, drayage, electrical, internet, floral, rigging, cleaning, audio visual, carpet, and furniture rental, supported by strategic alliances throughout North and South America, Asia, and Europe. Handles over 300 major tradeshows per year.
• Install and Dismantle Tradeshow booth installation and dismantle services with CTS Exhibit Technicians providing on-site supervision of labor crews and service providers. Targeted at clients needing professional on-site exhibit setup and breakdown at venues.
• Warehousing Over 40,000 square feet of on-site secure storage with bar-code system, rack systems, multiple loading docks, and fleet vehicles for local delivery and installations. Targeted at clients needing secure between-show storage and inventory management of exhibit properties.
• Audio-Visual Hardware Integration AV integration and systems design for tradeshow exhibits, events, and corporate environments including AV system design, computer-based interactive exhibits, digital signage, touchscreens, projection systems, lighting, and sound, with ongoing maintenance agreements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 shows managed per year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• AluvisioncoreTechnology or IntegrationAluvision is a modular exhibit system provider. CTS holds Premier Ambassador status with Aluvision, using their lightweight aluminum frames and reconfigurable structures for rental and custom exhibits. The partnership enables CTS to offer high-quality, lightweight, and reconfigurable exhibit solutions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mosaic: Experiential marketing and trade show exhibit provider with custom design, fabrication, and program management. Direct peer across enterprise tradeshow and event programs.
• 3D Exhibits: Custom trade show exhibit designer and fabricator serving enterprise clients. Direct mid-sized peer with a similar design-build-program management model.
• The Sparks Group: Experiential marketing and trade show exhibit provider with design, fabrication, and program management services. Direct peer serving similar enterprise clients in need of brand experiences at tradeshows.
• GES: Global full-service exhibit and event services provider serving many of the same enterprise and association clients. Directly comparable in scope, including design, fabrication, logistics, and onsite services.
• Impact XM: Custom and rental trade show exhibit provider with strong modular systems and program management. Comparable to CTS in targeting enterprise exhibit programs with multi-show deployments.
• Freeman: The largest global full-service tradeshow and event services company, offering exhibit design, fabrication, logistics, and AV. Freeman is CTS's largest direct competitor across enterprise tradeshow programs.
• Czarnowski Display Services: Full-service exhibit and event marketing provider with custom fabrication, rental programs, and asset management. Comparable mid-sized competitor with a similar end-to-end service model.
• Skyline Exhibits: Provider of modular and custom trade show exhibits with a strong rental program and dealer network. Comparable to CTS in rental/modular offerings (analogous to CTS's Aluvision-based rental line).
• Hill & Partners: Custom trade show exhibit provider serving enterprise and association clients with design, fabrication, and warehousing. Closely comparable mid-sized custom-exhibit peer.

Broad incumbents

• George P. Johnson Experience Marketing: Large global experiential marketing agency that builds brand experiences including trade show exhibits. Operates in CTS's space as part of a wider experiential portfolio, including events and activations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/capitol-exhibit-services-inc.

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Capitol Tradeshow Services