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Parrotts Transfer Highmark TechSystems Ownership

Building on her 16 years of diverse exhibit industry experience, Debbie Parrott has acquired Highmark TechSystems from her father, Mick Parrott, who started designing and producing exhibits over 38 years ago.

As owner of ICON Exhibits, Parrott was an early adopter of systems thinking and modular exhibit architecture. In 1986, he introduced ExZact, a revolutionary modular panel system that gained widespread popularity due to its setup speed and panel interchangeability.

In 1996, he introduced ExpoDeck with its unique QuicDecx connector and FlexRail railing system, which combined with ExZact to form the U.S. exhibit industry’s first fully integrated multi-level modular system.

Two years later, he formed a new corporate entity, Highmark Technologies (now Highmark TechSystems), with the goal of partnering (rather than competing) with exhibit designers and producers to create, build, and market specialized modular products for the industry at large. This move sparked new innovation and a fast-growing list of impressive customers.

Today, Highmark’s approach to modular architecture continues to influence the evolution of event structures, temporary exhibition structures, and scalable branded environments across the experiential marketing industry.

Continuing a Legacy of Modular Innovation

In 2016, two decades after Mick Parrott called upon the industry to “go up, not out” with ExpoDecks and an expanded offering of innovative modular wall panel systems, he announced his intention to continue the Highmark culture of innovation and leadership by “passing the baton” to Debbie, who had served as the company’s President for the previous two years.

The leadership transition represented more than a change in ownership. It reinforced Highmark’s long-standing commitment to innovation, collaboration, and smarter modular solutions for the events industry.

Commenting on the transition, Parrott said:

“As a father watching my daughter take the reins of this dynamic company, I am immensely proud of her and her spirit to carry on our family’s commitment to an industry that has captivated my imagination for so many years. I know Debbie will take Highmark TechSystems in new directions that are beyond what I ever envisioned. An important bonus for our customers will be their ability to leverage the value of Highmark TechSystems now being a woman-owned business.”

Ms. Parrott said:

“I’m honored to take over ownership of this remarkable and rock-solid company at a point in its ascendancy where we can continue to partner with designers and producers as we bring on stream smart new products and services. I’m excited to build on my father’s legacy of business know-how and integrity, his entrepreneurial vision and drive and his attentiveness to customer and marketplace needs.”

2026 Update: Driving Growth and Expansion in Modular Event Structures

Since acquiring Highmark and being appointed President, Debbie has helped lead Highmark into an exciting phase of expansion and innovation. Under her leadership, the company has:

Launched Highmark Outdoor, a product line designed for exterior environments, expanding the application of Highmark’s modular structure solutions beyond indoor events.
Established mo System Distribution, giving U.S. event marketers easy access to the Berlin-based, state of the art indoor/outdoor system line.
Featured in prominent industry publications, including Exhibit City News, the Wall Street Journal, Women in Events, and Event Marketer, shining a spotlight on her leadership and Highmark’s continued innovation in the world of custom event structures.
Launched YOURspace, a sister company offering customizable privacy and productivity pods, diversifying Highmark’s presence beyond traditional event markets.

These are just a few accomplishments that demonstrate Debbie’s forward-thinking leadership as President and her commitment to advancing Highmark’s legacy as a top provider of prefabricated modular structures.

A Leader in Custom, Prefabricated, and Temporary Event Structures

Highmark Techsystems continues to lead the industry with semi permanent structures and custom event structures that are sustainable, versatile, and cost-effective.

Our best-in-class solutions are designed to support and elevate the aesthetic representation of branded environments, while also saving clients money on design, production, shipping, installation, and dismantling.

Whether you need a mobile event structure for a trade show, a custom, double-deck event structure for an experiential marketing campaign, or a modular structure for a large-scale activation, Highmark is your go-to, innovative partner.

Partner with Highmark

Looking to create smarter, more flexible branded environments? Highmark TechSystems offers scalable and efficient modular structures that meet the needs of today’s fast-paced events industry. Let’s help you stand out together.

Talk to our expert team today to learn how Highmark can help you produce better events and improve your bottom line.