HMM - Custom Shipping Container Style Displays for Maritime Trade Shows

The Challenge

A marketing supervisor at HMM, a major containership ocean carrier, needed branded displays for trade shows and conventions. The challenge was finding something that authentically represented what they do while still being practical for event logistics. Standard booth displays weren't cutting it. They wanted something that looked like actual shipping containers that could be stacked and rearranged for different venues.

The team also needed displays that were lightweight enough to transport easily but still looked substantial. They were working with tight end-of-year budgets, and there were multiple competing priorities pulling them in different directions. This meant the project kept getting pushed back while other urgent work took precedence.

Why Lightboxes?

PK Green's illuminated bench displays gave them exactly what they needed. The rectangular shape resembled their shipping containers, and they could even have the container doors printed on the ends. The lights were portable at just 13 pounds each, which made setup and breakdown simple for their events team. Since the displays run on rechargeable batteries with an 8-hour runtime, there's no hunting for outlets at convention centers.

The benefits of our displays included:

• Custom edge-to-edge printing - The design replicated their actual container graphics, including the distinctive door details on the ends
• Lightweight construction - At just 13 pounds each, one person can easily carry and arrange them without assistance
• Rechargeable built-in battery operation - This simplified booth setup at any venue, eliminating the need to search for power outlets or run extension cords
• Durable build - The lamps can handle repeated packing, shipping, and stacking for multiple events without damage
• Remote-controlled colors - The displays can be adjusted to match venue conditions and branding needs with a simple click of the remote

From Concept to Reality

The HMM marketing team found the company through a Google search and submitted their initial inquiry. They received mock-up designs within hours, which helped them visualize how the container design would translate to the bench format. The team worked with PK Green through several design iterations as they refined the graphics to match their actual containers.

Despite starting the conversation early in the year, competing priorities kept pushing the project back. When the supervisor finally had approval and finalized designs, production moved quickly. The team at HMM was so pleased with the initial order that they placed another order for three additional benches just a few months later.

The Impact

The illuminated benches solved their event visibility problem immediately. Instead of generic table displays, HMM now had recognizable branded pieces that showed exactly what they do. The ability to stack and rearrange the benches meant they could adapt their booth layout to different venue sizes and configurations.

The portability of the displays made a real difference for their events team. At only 13 pounds each, one person could handle the setup without needing extra help or equipment. The rechargeable built-in battery operation meant they could position the displays wherever they made sense visually, not just where outlets were available.

Standing Out

In the maritime and logistics industry, trade show booths often look similar, with standard banners and brochure displays. HMM's container-style light displays immediately showed attendees what they do in a way that static graphics simply can't match. The illuminated displays naturally draw attention in crowded convention halls, and the authentic container design makes their booth memorable.

The displays also give them more flexibility than printed graphics ever could. They can adjust the lighting intensity and color based on venue conditions. This ensures their booth always looks sharp, whether they're in a bright convention center or a dimly lit ballroom.

Tips for Your Events

• Custom printing - You can use the custom printing to replicate your actual products or services, just like HMM did with their container graphics
• Stacking configurations - You can stack multiple lightboxes to create a range of different arrangements for various venue sizes
• Strategic positioning - Try positioning the displays at the front corners of your booth space to draw attendees in from the aisles
• Pre-event testing - Make sure to test the remote control's color settings before your event to find what works best with your branding
• Plan for expansion - You might want to consider ordering additional units after your first event, once you see how versatile they are in different setups

Product Details

PK Green makes many different shapes and sizes of light boxes, including cubes, columns, benches, spheres and more. Here's what HMM ordered:

• Custom illuminated bench displays - Each bench measures 22 inches long x 14 inches tall x 12 inches wide (55 cm x 35 cm x 30 cm)
• Lightweight design - Each lamp weighs just 13 pounds (6 kg), making them easy for one person to handle and transport
• Featuring a rechargeable battery with at least 8 hours of runtime - This covers a full event day. Each lamp comes with a mains charger included
• Remote control with 16 color options - You can easily adjust colors to match your branding or adapt to different venue lighting conditions
• Custom edge-to-edge printing - The design is applied to all sides of each lamp to replicate authentic container graphics
• Follow-up order - HMM ordered 3 additional benches a few months after their initial purchase, demonstrating their satisfaction with the product

FAQ

What types of maritime and logistics events work best for these displays?

These work particularly well at several types of industry gatherings:

• Industry trade shows like TPM Conference, Breakbulk, and regional maritime exhibitions, where you're competing for attention in crowded halls
• Cargo conferences and port authority events where shipping companies showcase their services
• Corporate showrooms and customer briefing centers where you want to make a strong visual statement about your container fleet

Many shipping and logistics companies use them as reusable assets that they bring to multiple events throughout the year.

How do illuminated displays compare to standard trade show banners?

The key differences that matter at trade shows:

• Visual depth - Traditional banners are flat and easy to overlook, while illuminated displays create a three-dimensional presence that draws attention
• Lighting advantage - The built-in illumination helps you stand out even in brightly lit convention centers, and you can adjust colors with the remote throughout the day
• Reusable assets - These are displays you own and can use at multiple shows, rather than renting booth items or ordering new banners each season
• Brand authenticity - For shipping companies, having container-shaped displays that match your actual fleet branding is far more impactful than printed graphics

The lighting itself makes a noticeable difference in busy halls where everyone else is using standard printed materials.

What kind of impact do these have on booth traffic?

The lighting naturally draws people toward your space, particularly in busy convention halls where hundreds of booths compete for attention. Companies in the shipping industry tell us that attendees specifically comment on their displays and often use them as a landmark reference point. The real impact shows up in conversations because when someone approaches your booth, they already have a sense of what your company does based on the container design. This means you're spending less time on basic introductions and more time on meaningful discussions.

What about storing and transporting these between events?

The displays are durable enough to handle being packed, shipped, and set up repeatedly without damage. At 13 pounds each, they're light enough that one person can handle them without needing special equipment. Many companies keep them in protective cases or boxes between events. Some shipping and logistics companies actually use their own freight services to transport them to different shows, which works out well. The displays are made from solid PE plastic rather than thin acrylic sheets, so they're built to withstand the wear of regular trade show use.

Can we actually stack these without worrying about them falling or getting damaged?

The bench displays are designed to be stackable, which is particularly useful for shipping companies who want to create that authentic container yard look at their booth. The solid construction means they can handle being stacked without risk of cracking or breaking. You can arrange them in different configurations depending on your booth size and what kind of visual impact you want. The flat top surface of each bench makes stacking stable. Many logistics companies reconfigure their stacks at different shows to keep their booth looking fresh and to adapt to different space sizes.

If you want to see what this could look like for your specific needs, it's worth getting in touch because we can create free mock-ups and provide a quote based on what you're planning.