Interactive Maps for Malls, Events, Trade Shows and More

The Challenge

Calgary Beerfest, Canada's largest and most beloved craft beverage events, had always relied on a highly detailed paper map to help guide its tens of thousands of visitors through the show floor. When they approached us, they had a bold request: build a digital version of their paper map, but without losing the printed version their audience was accustomed to.

The request came with several major challenges:

• The final list of vendors wouldn't be ready until just days before the event.
• They needed a system that could handle multiple updates, quickly and easily.
• They were unsure how attendees and vendors would respond to a digital version.
• Tthe festival was divided into three sessions, with their own timelines for announcements, cutoffs, and last calls.
• Above all, the digital version had to be fast, mobile-friendly, consistent with the paper map, and editable by multiple stakeholders.

Our Solution

We delivered a fully interactive digital map, carefully layered on top of the official paper map design. Here’s how we made it work:

✅ Paper Map + Digital Overlay

• Started with the official PDF copy of the printed map.
• Converted to a lightweight, high-res JPG for mobile use.
• Used as a base layer with a custom SVG overlay to map out vendor booths and interactive points.

✅ Interactive & Editable

• Created a custom CMS with SQL Server backend, allowing updates in real time.
• Each booth in the SVG was tagged with an ID and linked to live JSON data.
• Vendors could log in individually to edit their own profiles, names, links, and more.
• Event staff had access to bulk editing and override tools.

✅ Smart Time-Based Notifications

• Added a time-aware system that showed notices relevant to the current session.
• Included the ability to schedule announcements and highlight session-specific features dynamically.

✅ Lightweight, Mobile-First Design

• Optimized all assets for fast downloads on mobile networks.
• Designed with minimal interaction friction - no app installs or registration required.
• Accessible via a simple QR code on posters placed throughout the venue.

The Response

“Amazing, awesome, so smart, perfect”

“Beerfest people loved it and want to start using it for all their events”

“Attendees asked only for more features - proof the core experience was a hit”

The interactive map was quickly adopted by attendees and staff alike. With strategic QR code placements and word-of-mouth promotion from both Beerfest and our team, usage spread quickly without the need for paid advertising or extensive onboarding.

Key Benefits

• 🔄 Real-time editing meant last-minute changes could be reflected immediately
• ✅ Consistency between digital and paper maps eliminated confusion
• 🚀 Rapid deployment even with a tight schedule
• 🧠 Smart automation using time-based session alerts
• 📲 Mobile-friendly access with no downloads or barriers

Tools & Technologies Used

• Custom-built SVG mapping system
• SQL Server backend with JSON API
• CMS/editor with vendor and staff access
• Image pipeline: PDF → JPG conversion & resizing
• Responsive front-end optimized for mobile
• QR code access points with strategic placement

What's Next

This successful deployment laid the foundation for future enhancements, including:

• Real-time tap availability
• Social and sharing features
• Location-aware interactions
• More advanced schedule integration

Calgary Beerfest is now exploring rolling this system out for all of their events.