Downtown FabWorks Portfolio | Merck Wellness Tent

project
description

For ESSENCE Festival of Culture® 2025 in New Orleans, pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. decided to create the Wellness Tent—an interactive, welcoming space designed to spark conversation and inspire advocacy for equitable healthcare. Centered around increasing awareness and understanding of clinical trials, with a particular focus on representation in research, the activation combined education, technology, and storytelling. From 3D holograms to heartfelt panel discussions, the booth invited attendees to explore what it truly means to advocate for one's health—and for the health of your whole community.

the
challenge

Merck and their experiential partner, Idlewild Experiential (Experiential Agency + Creative Design) came to us with a big ask: fabricate a bold, tech-forward installation that could both meet the scale of Essence Fest and travel to future events seamlessly. The goal was to craft a modular design that didn’t feel modular—one that upheld Merck’s brand values while aligning with sustainability goals. Every piece needed to pack smart, ship efficiently, and reassemble with ease, all without sacrificing warmth, quality, or storytelling impact.

description

We brought the Wellness Tent to life with a thoughtful approach to fabrication—balancing immersive design with quiet, behind-the-scenes engineering that made the whole activation travel-ready. The custom structure featured lightweight, durable materials and modular framing systems that allowed for effortless adjustments in layout, size, and branding elements. Built to evolve, the environment could flex across multiple event formats—like its journey from the energetic pulse of Essence Fest to the more formal atmosphere of the 54th Annual Legislative Conference in D.C. Along the way, subtle changes like updated signage and refreshed screen content kept the experience relevant and resonant, while maintaining brand consistency. By prioritizing sustainability without compromising creativity, we helped Merck reimagine what an experience can do—not just in one moment, but again and again.

Scott Beelman

Partner, Katapult Events

In the world of live events—where things often change on a whim—it's great to have a fabrication partner who understands our business and exceeds our expectations every single time.

Kristen Kain

Owner, Kristen Kain: Marketing + Events

Downtown FabWorks is a great group to work with on any event project. They are experienced in all things related to scenic fabrication and installation, and they are flexible and accommodating as the needs of the project are developing. Having a reliable scenic partner is crucial to the success of the project—and Downtown FabWorks does not disappoint.

Mandi (Ridgdell) Mueller

Account Manager, Solomon Group

We love our partnership with Downtown FabWorks! Between their quality leadership and fortitude they are second to none.

Paul Utterback

Business Development, Crystal Clear Imaging

A model company for design and fabrication. If you can dream it, Downtown FabWorks can do it.

Irina Gusin

Independent Exhibitions Producer

Dan and his team at Downtown FabWorks were able to fully produce and execute a large-scale structure thoughtfully and in record time when my project's deadline was threatened by Hurricane Ida. I couldn't be more appreciative of Dan's professionalism and hard work during a very stressful and uncertain time. Dan and his team were a joy to work with!

Mike Cassesi

Owner, CASSESI Commercial Construction

Dan and his team are true professionals who are in a league of their own. When it comes to creativity, quality, and skill, Downtown FabWorks is a company that we know we can trust. Dan is down-to-earth, responsive, hardworking, and a true pleasure to work with every time.

Chuck Breaux, Sr.

Owner, Assurance AV Solutions

Working with Dan and his team has been great. We always have a need for custom fab solutions in our line of work and these guys deliver top-notch work on time—every time. I highly recommend them for any of your fabrication needs.

get in touch