ILLINOIS — Derse, a leading face-to-face marketing agency, has announced it will relocate its Milwaukee headquarters to Oak Creek, consolidating its operations with its Waukegan, Illinois facility into one central hub.
The company plans to build a new headquarters within Oakview Business Park, marking what officials say will be the largest single investment in Derse’s nearly 80-year history.
New Site to Serve as Central Operations Hub
The move aims to streamline Derse’s core activities — including exhibit planning, event production, and brand environments — by bringing two major locations under one roof.
According to the City of Oak Creek, Derse selected a 31-acre site following a thorough site-selection process. The new facility will be about 14 miles south of its current Milwaukee office on Canal Street and around 40 miles from the Waukegan location.
As confirmed by FOX6 News, the Oakview location will serve as a centralized headquarters, improving internal operations and reducing long-term costs.
Timeline and Development Plans
Derse’s application for development has been submitted, and the company is now navigating site and architectural approvals through summer 2025.
If approved, the real estate transaction will close by late 2025, and construction is expected to begin in 2026.
The City of Oak Creek noted that it had previously acquired the parcels of land specifically with corporate development in mind, making the site ideal for Derse’s expansion.
Company Background and Global Reach
Founded nearly 80 years ago, Derse employs more than 500 people, supports over 8,000 events annually, and serves 500+ clients worldwide.
In addition to its current offices in Milwaukee, Waukegan, and Northbrook, Illinois, Derse operates locations in:
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Dallas
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Las Vegas
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Pittsburgh
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Poland
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Germany
The company specializes in custom exhibits and experiential marketing environments, often managing full-service production for major trade shows and corporate events.
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