Experiential marketing and exhibit company plans 300,000-square-foot facility, creating 65 new jobs and supporting long-term growth
MADISON, Wis. — Derse, Inc. will invest $48 million to build a new international headquarters in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, consolidating operations, expanding production capacity and creating 65 new jobs.
The project is the largest investment in the family-owned company’s nearly 80-year history and is designed to position Derse for continued growth in the experiential marketing, trade show and event industries.
The new headquarters will encompass approximately 300,000 square feet on a 31-acre site in Oakview Business Parkin Oak Creek. The facility will consolidate Derse’s existing operations in Milwaukee and Waukegan, Illinois, into a single location.
$48 Million Derse Headquarters Project to Create 65 Jobs
Derse is an experiential marketing agency and exhibit builder that designs, builds and manages trade show exhibits, branded environments and events for clients across the United States and Europe.
The new Oak Creek headquarters will initially include approximately 60,000 square feet of office space and 240,000 square feet of production and warehouse space.
The site is also designed to accommodate future growth, with the potential for an additional 250,000 square feet of expansion.
Construction is expected to be completed by late 2027.
Wisconsin Supporting Derse Expansion With Performance-Based Tax Credits
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is supporting the project by authorizing up to $1.25 million in performance-based state income tax credits.
The final amount of tax credits awarded will depend on the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment made during the project period.
“It’s exciting that Derse has chosen to expand and build its world headquarters here in Wisconsin,” said John W. Miller, secretary and CEO of WEDC. “Derse’s decision shows a commitment not only to being a leader in the trade show and event industry, but also to our state and its culture of innovation.”
Derse recently held a groundbreaking celebration at the Oak Creek site to mark the beginning of the project.
New Oak Creek Facility Will Consolidate Midwest Operations
Employees and operations currently located at Derse facilities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Waukegan, Illinois, will transition to the new headquarters.
The consolidated campus will provide more room for production, warehousing, employee collaboration, client engagement and future expansion.
“We’re building for what’s next. Not just for us, but for our network of clients and partners who rely on us to bring creative visions to life,” said Brett Haney, CEO of Derse.
Haney said both the Milwaukee and Waukegan facilities are nearing capacity as a result of company growth and have fewer than 36 months remaining on their leases, creating the need for significantly more space in the Midwest.
“This new facility would represent growth and would expand and enhance our ability to service clients, create more room for creative collaboration, and invest in the futures of our employees—all while staying deeply grounded in the values that got us here,” Haney said.
Headquarters Designed for Collaboration, Production and Client Engagement
The new Derse headquarters will include a range of spaces designed to support employees, customers and the company’s expanding operations.
Planned features include collaboration areas, a presentation stage, employee training space, production facilities and warehousing capabilities.
The company said the headquarters is being designed to become an industry-leading facility for both employees and customers while increasing Derse’s ability to manage large-scale experiential marketing and exhibit projects.
Oak Creek Project Supports Long-Term Growth
The Oak Creek location gives Derse room to expand while keeping a major portion of its workforce and operations in southeastern Wisconsin.
With additional land available for future development, the campus is expected to support the company’s long-term growth strategy and provide additional capacity as demand for trade show exhibits, events and experiential marketing services increases.
The project also represents a significant private investment in Oak Creek and adds new employment opportunities to the Milwaukee-area economy.
About Derse
Derse, Inc. is a family-owned experiential marketing agency and exhibit builder serving clients in the United States and Europe.
The company designs, builds and manages trade show exhibits, events and branded environments for organizations across a range of industries. Derse has operated for nearly 80 years and maintains multiple locations supporting its design, production and client-service operations.
