Custom Augmented Reality Development in Reno

Looking for an augmented reality developer in Reno, Nevada?

Wesley (Wes) McQuillen is a Reno-based marketing strategist, creative technologist and augmented reality developer specializing in custom AR, WebAR and WebXR experiences for brands, advertising agencies, events, arts organizations and businesses.

With more than 20 years of marketing experience, McQuillen combines creative strategy with emerging technology to develop interactive experiences that connect physical objects, environments and printed materials with digital content.

His work includes browser-based augmented reality, interactive 3D experiences, NFC-enabled physical media, experiential marketing activations and immersive digital-art installations.

Unlike traditional augmented reality applications that require downloading software from an app store, many WebAR and WebXR experiences can launch directly from a compatible smartphone browser using a QR code, NFC tap or website link.

Augmented Reality Projects in Reno

Western Lights: Interactive Public Art and Augmented Reality

McQuillen developed an augmented reality activation associated with Western Lights in Reno, Nevada, using smartphone-accessible digital content to create an interactive experience connected to a real-world arts event.

The activation generated approximately 1,500 scans, demonstrating how augmented reality can engage audiences beyond traditional advertising and encourage interaction with physical locations and installations.

Project coverage: https://downtownmakeover.com/AR-western-lights

Artown: Digital Art, Physical Exhibitions and Interactive Technology

McQuillen has organized and curated digital-art programming associated with Artown, Reno’s annual arts and culture festival, from 2023 through 2026.

His work explores the relationship between digital art, physical exhibition spaces and interactive technology, including augmented reality, NFC-enabled materials and new approaches to presenting digital artwork to in-person audiences.

The 2026 exhibition at Reno Art Loft featured work from more than 180 international digital artists alongside regional creators.

Exhibition coverage: https://fb.me/e/14lBhQqkU

Award-Winning Augmented Reality and Experiential Marketing

McQuillen’s professional recognition includes American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) for work involving augmented reality and interactive marketing.

The American Advertising Awards, presented by the American Advertising Federation, recognize creative excellence across advertising, digital media and emerging technologies.

His work brings together marketing strategy, creative development and technical execution, with an emphasis on making interactive experiences accessible and relevant to real audiences.

Awards and recognition:
2026 NCET AI Digital Summit – Panelist
2025 American Advertising Awards – Idaho Falls – Judge
2024 American Marketing Association Ace Awards – Marketer of the Year
2024 American Advertising Federation Western Region Conference – Panelist on AI in Advertising
2023 NCET 8th Annual State of Digital Marketing – Panelist on AI in Marketing
2023 PRSA Bronze Spike – Strategies and Tactics – Owned Social Media
2023 Bronze ADDY – Social Media – Campaign
2023 AAF – AI Unleashed: A Hands-On Workshop – Presenter and Promptathon Judge
2022 NCET Tech Advocate of the Year Creative Services
2022 NFT NYC – VIP Speaker – How To Handle an Influx of Media
2022 Gold ADDY – Online/Interactive/Virtual Reality – AR VR Brand Activation
2022 Silver ADDY – Social Media
2022 & 2023 American Advertising Awards – Fresno – Judge
2021 American Marketing Association – How to Not Suck on Social Media: Beyond Best Practices
2021 NFT NYC – VIP Speaker – NFT Use Cases in Consumer Cannabis Industry
2021 American Marketing Association – Marketing Workshop – Sales Funnel Optimization
2021 Silver ADDY – District 14 – Online/Interactive/Virtual Reality –  AR VR Brand Activation
2021 Silver ADDY – Online/Interactive/Virtual Reality –  AR VR Brand Activation
2021 Bronze ADDY – Print Advertising/Direct Mail
2020 NNBW Best In Business – New Nevada Innovators (Movers and Shakers)
2020 – American Advertising Federation – Don’t Panic: Moving Events and Offices to Virtual Reality – Interactive Scavenger Hunt to Learn About Accessible VR Platforms
2020 Rockies (American Advertising Awards in Boise) – Judge
2019 – American Advertising Federation Western Region Conference – LGBT in Advertising Panelist
2019-2021 – Published in Reno Gazette-Journal four times on business formation, marketing, and NFTs
2019 – NCET BizCafe Speaker – Organic Social Growth Hacking (broke attendance record )

Featured on:
Yahoo Finance
Benzinga
Yahoo Money
Markets Insider
Business Insider
Future of VR
VR AR News
Crypto Insider
NFT Radius
Reno Gazette Journal
Richmond Times Dispatch
Northern Nevada Business Weekly
RVAmag
Style Weekly

McQuillen was also named the American Marketing Association’s Marketer of the Year in 2024.

Augmented Reality Services for Reno Businesses and Advertising Agencies

McQuillen develops and consults on custom interactive experiences for organizations in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Lake Tahoe and beyond.

Applications include:

• Augmented reality marketing: Interactive advertising campaigns, brand activations and promotional experiences.
• WebAR development: Browser-based augmented reality experiences accessible through smartphones without a conventional app download.
• WebXR development: Interactive 3D and immersive web experiences using compatible browsers and devices.
• NFC and QR-connected experiences: Physical cards, packaging, signage, direct mail and promotional objects that launch digital content.
• Events and experiential marketing: Interactive installations, visitor engagement, branded experiences and location-connected content.
• Museums, galleries and public art: Digital interpretation, virtual objects, interactive exhibitions and enhanced visitor experiences.
• 3D product visualization: Interactive digital objects and augmented reality demonstrations for compatible devices.
• Agency collaboration: Creative concept development, technical consultation and specialized AR production for advertising and marketing agencies.

McQuillen works directly with businesses and organizations as well as alongside agencies that need specialized augmented reality or interactive technology capabilities for client projects.

Video Case Studies:

Virtual 3D Art on Truckee River Walk – https://youtu.be/OH1jBdpOZxQ

Cavalier Founders Ring – Social Campaign Video Case Study – Winner of 2023 ADDY and PRSA Spike – https://youtu.be/yxLCM1Yq85I

Cavalier x PCA Instagram Filter Explainer – ADDY Winner – https://youtu.be/aDBTqLPZuPY

Metaverse Client Meeting Hub – ADDY Winner – https://youtu.be/32RaiU0FcJk

Explainer Video for Cavalier VR Cigar Lounge – Winner of 2 ADDYs – https://youtu.be/WB50WJRgfhQ

WebAR and WebXR Development Without Traditional App Downloads

One of the advantages of browser-based augmented reality is accessibility.

Instead of asking customers to install a dedicated application, many experiences can begin with a simple interaction: scanning a QR code, tapping an NFC-enabled object or opening a link.

Depending on the project and device capabilities, these experiences can include 3D models, animations, interactive content, digital artworks and immersive storytelling.

WebAR and WebXR can be particularly useful for event marketing, tourism, public art, promotional products, retail displays and campaigns where reducing friction is important.

Marketing Strategy Meets Augmented Reality Development

Technology alone does not make an effective experience.

McQuillen’s background in marketing strategy helps connect the technical possibilities of augmented reality to a business or organization’s goals.

Before developing an experience, the questions are practical: Who is the audience? Why would they interact? What should happen afterward? How will the experience support the larger campaign?

This approach combines creative concept development, technical feasibility and audience engagement rather than treating augmented reality as a novelty.

About Wesley McQuillen

Wesley McQuillen is a Reno, Nevada-based marketing strategist, creative technologist and digital-art curator with more than two decades of professional marketing experience.

He works across augmented reality, WebXR, interactive media, NFC technology, digital art and experiential marketing. His projects range from public arts activations to custom digital experiences for businesses and advertising agencies.

McQuillen is a recipient of American Advertising Awards recognition for augmented reality work and was named Marketer of the Year by the American Marketing Association in 2024.

He operates ALTER Strategies, a marketing and creative technology consultancy.

Contact a Reno Augmented Reality Developer

For augmented reality development, WebAR projects, WebXR experiences, interactive marketing or agency collaborations in Reno and Northern Nevada, contact Wesley McQuillen.

Wesley McQuillen
ALTER Strategies
Reno, Nevada
Website: https://alterstrategies.co
Email: wes@alterstrategies.co
866-4-RENO-NV

Available for direct client engagements and advertising agency collaborations.