EMC was recently tapped to manage Out of Home trade show marketing sponsorship opportunities for one of the most prestigious gatherings in vision science and ophthalmology — ARVO 2026. This year’s event took place in Denver, Colorado, drawing thousands of eye care researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals from around the world.

Working closely with the ARVO team and its exhibitors, EMC planned and executed a range of Out of Home sponsorship opportunities designed to extend brand visibility well beyond the exhibit hall floor. Conferences like ARVO bring together some of the most influential voices in retinal research, drug development, and clinical practice — and OOH media helps exhibitors connect with that audience throughout their entire trip, from arrival to departure. And new sponsorship opportunities are a win-win for both the association and exhibitor.

This year’s sponsorship portfolio included airport advertising at Denver International Airport, large-format wallscapes in key locations around the conference hotels and convention center, hotel front desk wraps, elevator door wraps, and wrapped vehicles circulating throughout the conference footprint. The media mix gave exhibitors a consistent brand presence across every touchpoint of the attendee journey.

Airport Advertising at Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport served as the primary gateway for ARVO attendees arriving from across the country and abroad, making it a natural first impression opportunity for conference exhibitors. EMC placed airport media throughout DIA’s concourses and baggage claim areas, positioning advertisers in front of a highly targeted audience of ophthalmology professionals before they even set foot at the venue.

Wallscapes and Street-Level Visibility

Large-format wallscapes positioned near the conference hotels and convention district gave exhibitors dominant, unmissable presence in the areas where attendees were spending the most time. These high-impact placements allowed brands to command attention at a scale that smaller formats can’t match, reinforcing messaging seen in other media throughout the week.

Hotel Front Desk Wraps and Elevator Door Wraps

Among the more distinctive formats in this year’s sponsorship portfolio were hotel front desk wraps and elevator door wraps — placements that put brands directly in front of attendees at the moments they’re most relaxed and receptive. Conferences like ARVO concentrate thousands of attendees in a small number of conference hotels, making hotel-based media exceptionally targeted.

 Wrapped Vehicles Throughout the Conference Footprint

At street level, sponsors deployed wrapped vehicles that circulated throughout the Denver conference area during the run of the show. These mobile units kept brands visible across the full footprint of the conference — from hotel drop-off zones and restaurant districts to the convention center entrance and surrounding streets.

Extending Trade Show Marketing Beyond the Exhibit Hall

EMC’s Out of Home strategy at ARVO 2026 gave sponsors the ability to build a consistent brand presence across the full conference experience. From Denver International Airport to the hotel corridors and streets surrounding the venue, exhibitors were able to reach attendees at multiple points throughout their trip.

For events like ARVO, partnering with EMC to offer OOH media sponsorships provides exhibitors with additional ways to connect with a highly targeted professional audience — while generating new revenue streams for the event itself.

To learn more about how exhibitors view sponsorship opportunities at medical and scientific conferences, check out our comprehensive sponsorship study.

If you’re interested in how Out of Home trade show marketing can work for your next conference, reach out to our team to learn more.