XBOW turned old school hacker culture into a fully immersive 90s-inspired environment at Black Hat 2026.
The Challenge
Creating an Immersive Retro Hacking Experience
XBOW wanted to create a booth that stood out from its competitors on the Black Hat show floor. The space needed to support product demos, presentations, giveaways, and small-group conversations while staying open and inviting without relying on enclosed meeting rooms or a traditional theater setup.
Highlights
Elevation3D transformed the XBOW booth into a fully themed environment inspired by retro technology, grunge culture, and old school hacking. The final environment blended nostalgic energy of a 90s grunge aesthetic with the unmistakable character of a hacker’s basement.
- Rather than creating a traditional theater, lounge-style areas provided flexible spaces for presentations and conversations.
- Demo stations gave attendees multiple opportunities to interact with the brand and explore products.
- 90s-inspired computers added an authentic touch to the environment, making it feel lived-in.
- A custom graffiti wall incorporated a layer of personality into the retro hacking environment.
The Solution
Turning a Booth Into a Retro Hacking Hideaway
From graffiti-covered walls and vintage computers to payphones, custom skateboards, and a massive LED display, every inch of the space played a role in the retro hacking concept. Elevation3D created an environment that felt unexpected and authentic while keeping the booth open, functional, and easy to navigate.
Every Detail Tells the Story
The retro hacking concept wasn’t confined to a few graphics or props. It was built into the entire environment. Graffiti, vintage technology, grunge-inspired textures, and 90s details worked together to give the booth the feel of a hacker’s basement rather than a polished corporate exhibit. Even the flooring and overhead elements were designed to carry the theme throughout the space.
Hacker Sanctuaries for Smaller Conversations
Not every interaction needed to happen at a demo station. “Hacker Sanctuaries” created dedicated spots for groups of two to three people to sit down and connect. The lounge areas gave attendees a quieter place for conversation without enclosing them or interrupting the flow of the booth.
Open Spaces Built for Engagement
Instead of separating presentations behind theater walls, the booth used open lounge areas to create flexible spaces for presentations and gathering. Double sided demo stations also kept product interactions visible from multiple sides, allowing attendees to move through the space naturally while keeping the energy of the show floor connected to the experience.
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