Exhibit City News - May/June 2019

ECN’s 2019 I&D ACE Awards Honoring Our Industry ACES!

May/June 2019 • VOL. 25 • ISSUE 3

INDUSTRY ACES PLUS

EXHIBITORLIVE 2019 WRAP-UP THE MASTERY OF MUSEUM EXHIBIT DESIGN

EDPA FOUNDATION MARCHING TO A MILLION SPOTLIGHT ON ATLANTA EXHIBITCITYNEWS.COM

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TABLE OF CONTENTS On the cover: Nth Degree Photos by Raftermen Photography

ECN’s 2019 I&D ACE Awards Honoring Our Industry ACES!

29-40

ECN Presents I&D ACE AWARDS

24

May/June 2019 • VOL. 25 • ISSUE 3

INDUSTRY ACES

Honoring Part I of the 2019 I&D ACES Part II’s ACES will appear in ECN’s July/August issue

41

Shop to Showfloor Section I&D and Event Labor

42

PLUS

THE MASTERY OF MUSEUM EXHIBIT DESIGN

EDPA FOUNDATION MARCHING TO A MILLION

Mobile Exhibits

Taking it to the Streets

SPOTLIGHT ON ATLANTA EXHIBITCITYNEWS.COM

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46

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On our cover, the inaugural class of ECN I&D ACE award winners.

IBM Think 2019

Willwork Global Event Services and George P. Johnson are Put to the Test

Feature Story

48

24-26

Q&A Spotlight

EXHIBITORLIVE Wrap Up

Carpenters Union Local 10’s Kevin McLaughlin

Columns

Events & Venues: “Strategic Brilliance”

From Beanstalks to Jungles, Nature Dominated at EXHIBITORLIVE 2019

55

12

Hibino Corp. Acquires TLS Productions

As The Saws Turn

56

Do The Saws Still Turn?

Tradeshow Strategies: Is an Exhibit Rental Right for You?

14

Andy’s Apps

On The Road Again with an App To Guide You

16

Social Media Strategies The Little Blue Bird: Tweeting Twitter

18

The International Man International Tradeshow Differences: China

20

Ask An Expert

Fern Continues Growth Acquiring Triumph and DWA

Departments 8 Publisher’s Words 10 Convention Center Snapshot 22 Airport Snapshot 52 International Focus 54 AIPC 55 Events & Venues 60 The Convention Center Spotlight 76 People on the Move 82 The D.E.A.L. 86 Regional Show Calendar 95 Service Guide 103 Classifieds 105 Advertiser Index

Creatacor’s COO Analyzes the Options

46

58

The Don & Mike Show Podcasting Live from ECN’s ACE Awards

62

Association News

EDPA’s Selfie Scavenger Hunt Recap

64

EDPA Foundation’s Mission March to a Million Nears Goal

66

The Greening of an Industry Design Students Learn about Joule Battery Packs

68

Corp. Profile: Showdown Display Showdown Displays Believes in Magic

70

The Mastery of Museum Exhibit Design

84

In Memoriam Ed Mato

6 May/June 2019 Exhibit City News

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Cover and top photo (EDPA Access) by PADGETT & CO.

EXHIBITORLIVE 2019 WRAP-UP

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PUBLISHER’S WORDS

Greetings to readers everywhere!

E

CN ACE Awards: Year 1 As our cover art conveys, this issue, in large part, is dedicated to the entire show floor workforce across North America.

It is dedicated to the effort you put in each and every day.

The show floor and event jobsite can be all consuming. It can suck you in.

Weekends and evening work are just as prominent as the regular work week traditionally is.

The workers, that we call tradespeople, rise to the top. They have the not-so-common skills and the ability to work independently and as a team... many times bouncing between those two separate disciplines multiple times during a typical day!

Congratulations to the first group of ACES. I congratulate you on behalf of the hundreds of exhibitors and event managers that you had served throughout the year, year after year.

A big Thank You to the labor companies that supported our effort to organize the first awards ceremony.

And to key industry vendors who saved us thousands of dollars in costs such as lighting, labor, photography/video, mannequins...to name just a few.

You’ll also want to check out some of our featured stories in this issue... including Cynthya Porter’s stories on museum exhibits and mobile exhibits, both giving exhibit designers in our industry a chance to do something com-

CSAL

CONVENTION SERVICES ASSOCIATION

AS VEGAS

PUBLISHER Donald V. Svehla Jr. (702) 309-8023 ext. 102 DonS@exhibitcitynews.com

pletely different.

And, of course, our columns including Andy’s Apps—this month’s column is about apps that help with our constant travel. One of the Traveling Leads of the Year ACES, Robert Lassiter from The Trade Group, spent 282 days on the road last year. And Amadeus Finlay’s column on Twitter is sure to help those who want to use social media in their marketing plans.

This month’s Wow booth became a Wow entire show as Willwork and George P. Johnson teamed up to make the IBM Think! conference, with an estimated 30,000 attendees, a huge success in the newly remodeled and expanded Moscone Center and about 15 other venues around the city as well.

They were given less than three days for set up and only a 48-hour setup window for the showfloor. Hats off to Willwork Global Event Services, George P. Johnson, 4 Productions and the 750 union workers who worked aroundthe-clock to pull it off!

I’m looking forward to next month’s women in the industry feature with a follow-up story on the NAB ShowCares initiative as well as honoring the remaining eight I&D ACES in another special section devoted to the unsung heroes of the showfloor.

Don Svehla | Publisher

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jeanne Brei (702) 309-8023 ext. 103 JeanneB@exhibitcitynews.com ART DIRECTOR Thomas Speak Tom@Speak-Design.com NEWS EDITOR/WEBSITE Ray Smith (702) 309-8023 ext. 104 RayS@exhibitcitynews.com STAFF WRITER/EDITOR F. Andrew Taylor (702) 309-8023 ext. 105 FAndrewT@exhibitcitynews.com COLUMNISTS Calanit Atia Amadeus Finlay Larry Kulchawik Jim Obermeyer Cynthya Porter F. Andrew Taylor CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Aloysuis Arlando Vince Battaglia Will Farmer Mike Morrison Aleta Walters NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Christy DiGiambattista (702) 309-8023 ext. 111 ChristyD@exhibitcitynews.com CIRCULATION Manny Chico Mike Morrison

Vol. 25, issue 3, copyright 2019 by EXHIBIT CITY NEWS, published six times a year by Mr. Tradeshow Communications, LLC, 1675 E. Desert Inn Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89169. Editorial views presented within this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher and no liability is inherent. To subscribe, go to ExhibitCityNews.com or call (702) 309-8023. Reproduction/reuse of this material may only be permitted with expressed permission of Exhibit City News. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to location listed above.

8 May/June 2019 Exhibit City News

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Meet the Staff

Publisher

Don Svehla

Editor-in-Chief DonS@ExhibitCityNews.com

Don has been in the tradeshow industry his entire life, beginning as the son of a tradeshow trucker. He began working at Giltspur, and coming from the show floors of Chicago, he realized the need for an industry news source in 1993. With the support of industry friends, he began putting his 20+ years of tradeshow experience into Exhibit City News, which launched in June 1994 as a small eight-page newsletter for Chicago’s tradeshow community. By 1996, the newspaper had grown into a 32-page national newspaper bearing the tagline “Uniting the Nation’s Tradeshow Community.” Over 25 years, ECN is now an indispensable resource for industry news and info--both online and in a glossy magazine.

Jeanne Brei

JeanneB@ExhibitCityNews.com

Jeanne is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and has worked and written for Photo District News, The Independent, The Sunday and others. She is also a singer, tap dancer, entertainer and producer with a 7-piece swing band, The Speakeasy Swingers, and a monthly show, The Swanky Supper Club Soiree, now in its ninth year. She’s spent many years working in the tradeshow industry, producing events for DMCs and as a tradeshow rep. She’s a published author on Amazon and has written/narrated and co-produced five PBS Las Vegas documentaries and 13 episodes of her own Vintage Vegas Variety Show that aired on VegasTV in 2012.

New Editor Art Director

Thomas Speak Tom@Speak-Design.com Tom is a UNLV graduate, has worked at FREEMAN Las Vegas as an exhibit designer, and later at Vegas Seven magazine. He now heads Speak Design an award winning print and web design studio In Downtown, Las Vegas.

Ray Smith

RayS@ExhibitCityNews.com An award-winning journalism graduate of San Diego State University, Ray Smith worked more than 35 years as a newspaper reporter, writer and editor, including 20 years with the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He resides in Las Vegas where he partakes in nearly all of the city’s vices.

Business Development/Sales

Christy Giambattista

Staff Writer

ChristyD@ExhibitCityNews.com

F. Andrew Taylor

Christy has more than 15 years of tradeshow/events experience. She began her career in Atlantic City creating unique fine dining events and a show for the Food Network. In 2008 she worked with the Philly Eagles to create a wine labeled “Happy Tails” to benefit the ASPCA.

FAndrewT@ExhibitCityNews.com Andy is an award-winning journalist, artist, photographer, cartoonist and illustrator. He also works in film production, does local historical research and has been an amateur stunt driver and rodeo participant.

Have news or story ideas for ECN? Email newsdesk@ExhibitCityNews.com!

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CONVENTION CENTER SNAPSHOT

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The Georgia World Congress Center Location: 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30313 Year Opened: September 14, 1976 as a 350,000 sq.ft. exhibition hall. As the first state-owned center in the U.S., the GWCC Authority also developed the Georgia Dome (demolished in 2017), the 21-acre Centennial Olympic Park and Mercedes Benz Stadium to create a 220acre meetings hub in downtown Atlanta.

Size: 3.9 million-sq.ft. facility, with 1.5 million sq.ft. of exhibit space, 12 exhibit halls, 98 meeting rooms, two ballrooms and three landscaped outdoor plazas.

PLUS!

Ranking: Fourth largest convention center in the U.S. (behind Chicago, Orlando and Las Vegas)

Where to eat, sleep and play near GWCC on p. 60

Renovations: Phase II added 1.1 million sq.ft. in 1985, Phase III increased exhibit space to 950,000 sq.ft. in eight exhibit halls and opened the Georgia Dome in 1992, Phase IV added 420,000 sq.ft. of prime exhibit space in 2002. Currently building a fixed gateway between exhibit halls in Buildings B and C to create over 1 million sq.ft. of contiguous exhibition space.

Breaking ground on a new luxury 1,000room Signia Hilton hotel this fall adjacent to Building C (site of old Georgia Dome).

Parking: Visit www.gwccparking.com to reserve a parking spot—there’s even a hotlink for ESCA—or use the ParkMobile app to reserve parking at the GWCC. Hotels: There are 181 hotels within a mile of GWCC. Website: www.gwcc.com ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2019 11

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COLUMN As the Saws Turn

Do The Saws Still Turn?

W

hile wanpart of our lives. Almost dering everything we built was the aisles plywood and laminate, of EXHIBITORLIVE connected with Roon the last afternoon toloks or quarter-twenBy Jim Obermeyer of the show, I stopped ties and wing nuts. by the ECN booth and was We hired carpenters and chatting with Don, Jeanne and cabinet makers and mill Tom. At one point, Jeanne workers to run our shops asked for clarification on the full of saws. We graduated to title of this column: was it “As CNC machines—which just The Saw Turns” or “As The created more sawdust as they Saws Turn?” Is the “saw” singu- cut more wooden parts faster. lar or plural? Apparently, over The saws were still turning. time it has shown up both ways But then things began to in the publication and website. change. We started using more Interesting how a simple aluminum and metal. First as question can send me spiraladditions to the wooden strucing down the rabbit hole into tures we were producing. And much deeper thinking. As I as the aluminum extrusion continued my wanderings that and metal modular panels beday, I kept circling back to that came more sophisticated and question. But what was nagmore prolific, the saws began ging at me was one thought: to slow down. Soon complete do the saws still turn? exhibits were created from When I started writing this non-wooden elements. column in October 2000, our Reception counters and shops in our “exhibit houses” kiosks were created from were full of saws turning, buildstock modular components. ing custom wood wall panels, Large wooden signs with custom wood kiosks and countvinyl graphics became metal ers and cabinets. Sawdust was a frames with stretched fabric

covers. More saws slowed and stopped.

The terms “custom” and “modular” at one time had different meanings: a custom exhibit was built primarily from wood and laminate. A modular exhibit was aluminum and metal. The reality was that every exhibit was custom—designed specifically for that client, and every exhibit was modular—it broke down into components that could be used in a variety of configurations. Now every exhibit is custom modular—regardless of the material from which it is created.

This is not a bad thing. It is the natural progression of our industry, the natural growth in the experimentation and use of new materials, driven by a variety of forces. Forces such as increased freight and drayage costs driving the use of lighter weight materials to counteract those increases. Forces such as increased on-site labor and installation costs driving the use of easier-to-install exhibits requiring fewer I&D hours to counteract those increases.

And all of this is augmented by the increased use of technology in the exhibit—using the

latest methods of engagement to interact with the audience and deliver the brand and product message. The physical structure of the exhibit has become secondary to the experience that happens in the space.

And that is as it should be: the objective of every exhibitor should be to engage the attendee in conversation about their product and brand, to build relationships on the show floor that ultimately lead to new business for the company. Not to just build the biggest physical structure.

But as the traditional industry tradeshow is now challenged by more private corporate events, off-site meetings, mobile tours, activations and pop-up stores, the trade show— both the event itself and how it is produced—must evolve to maintain its relevancy. All of the parties involved in making a tradeshow attractive—and beneficial—to exhibitors must come together to continue to make it a financially feasible marketing alternative. We must all do our part to ensure that tradeshows remain a viable option for corporate marketers.

But I think maybe I need to change the name of my column.

Maybe “As the Metal Bends” or “As the Fabric Stretches” or “As the Audience Engages.”

Or maybe I’ll just leave it as is. There are still a few saws turning…for the time being.

See you on the show floor.

Jim Obermeyer has been in the tradeshow industry 37 years, both as a corporate tradeshow manager and exhibit house owner. He is currently a vice president at Hamilton Exhibits and can be reached at jobermeyer@hamilton-exhibits.com.

12 May/June 2019 Exhibit City News

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COLUMN Andy’s Apps

On The Road Again with an App To Guide You

I

f there is one constant in the tradeshow industry, it’s travel. Well, travel, not enough sleep, and a diet consisting of whatever you can get to quickly, but for this month we’ll look at apps to help you with travel.

rental car info and should you need it, Hovercraft tickets. It is also easy to share the info with associates you need to meet and coordinate with.

Google Trips Similar to TripIt, this app gets its TripIt information from your Gmail account.

Most of us no longer use travel agents You can get customized guides, maps and nearly none of us have a and even tours of the area you’re personal assistant to keep track in, assuming you’ve somehow of all of our travel information. managed to schedule some TripIt is one of the most populeisure time on your trip. The inlar trip planning and organizing formation can be stored offline, apps for a reason. It requires if you’re in a location where

By F. Andrew Taylor very little effort on the user’s Wi-Fi might not be as readily part as it draws on your emails and other available. There are more areas without info on your phone to create and track decent Wi-Fi than most people living in your itinerary. On a recent trip I found large cities might imagine. myself searching through emails from a month or two prior trying to find my Flight Aware flight confirmation number. TripIt would This app recently became available have already gathered that and made it for Androids in addition to iOS. It simple to access in an easily readable shows the real time flight status for format. The app can also let you know commercial flights on live maps. Flights your itineraries, hotel or Airbnb info, can be tracked by registration, route,

airline, flight number, city or airport code. It’s a great tool if you’ve got someone on the ground trying to coordinate picking up people from different flights from different places.

Lyft and Uber Maybe you don’t use these yet, due to your loyalty to your Uncle Herb, who drives a taxi. If you’re one of the dozen or so people who aren’t utilizing these ride sharing apps yet, get on it now. They cost less than a cab and usually arrive in under five minutes. Like Flight Aware, you can track where your ride is on your phone and step right out of the door to the ride, skipping indeterminate waits in inclement weather. Your Uncle Herb will forgive you. Eventually.

F. Andrew Taylor is an award-winning journalist, artist, photographer, cartoonist and illustrator.

He also works in film production, does historical research and has been an amateur stunt driver and rodeo participant. Contact him at fandrewt@ exhibitcitynews.com.

14 May/June 2019 Exhibit City News

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MORE THAN JUST A SYSTEM

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COLUMN Social Media Strategies

The Little Blue Bird: Tweeting Twitter

H

umans are and frequently these impulsive, barrages come in the reactionary form of a Tweet. As creatures with a a result, all eyes are tendency to act withon the little blue

By Amadeus Finlay out thinking… and bird, but that doesn’t Twitter knows it. Founded always equate into a positive. in March 2006, Twitter is According to Statista, the designed to convey simple platform’s monthly active usmessages with the intention of ers peaked at 69 million in Q1 rapidly conveying and spread- 2018, but that number proing a single idea, or driving gressively dropped quarter by traffic to an external source. quarter to 66 million in Q4.

Which makes the art of the The last time the number was tweet a little more complex that low was Q2 2016. Worse than the standard Facebook/ still, the company’s NYSE LinkedIn-type post. Not only share price has dropped is the user restricted to 280 consistently since April 2015, characters (more below), but reaching a low point two years must make intelligent use of later, slowly climbing until hashtags and tagging in order June 2018, after which it befor it to make any sort of imgan to steadily drop again. pact. And with an average of However, this doesn’t mean 500 million tweets being sent the platform is dead, far from each day, the competition to it. In fact, according to Adstand out is fierce.

Week, 93 percent of industry Sound restrictive? Perhaps, professionals rate Twitter as but it was once far more difthe most useful social media ficult to operate Twitter than tool for engaging with events. it is today. Until September Having said that, it would be 2016, Tweets were limited to wise to calculate just what you 140 characters, with images wish to achieve with Twitter… and videos counted against the and my suggestion is bait. character limit. Accordingly, Twitter users aren’t there to users were forced into highly linger. Consider the platform creative solutions just to get a to be like a tabloid newspaper; simple message across, and the a visually-rich medium packed result was a noisy platform litwith meaty headlines designed tered with jargon and hideous to hook the reader. Drive abbreviations. Thank goodness those scrolling eyes to your for progress. content with something utterly Today, Twitter is a comcompelling, and remember to pany on the tip of everyone’s use hashtags to ensure they tongues. Rarely a day goes do so. Why? Twitter users rely by without a political barrage on this useful tool to wade coming out of Washington, through the endless threads

and quips, or else they’d never find anything. Set up your Tweets for success with hashtags that your audience is likely to search for. Top hashtags for the event and tradeshow industry include #eventprofs #eventpros #eventmanager #eventtech #eventmarketing and #meetingprofs, with supporting tags such as #innovation and #creativity good ones to throw in, too.

Twitter is also an excellent wrangling tool on the exhibit floor. Most shows have their own hashtag, meaning there’s potential for real-time conversations via the platform, as well as the rapid conversion of digital to in-person relationships. And it works. During ISC West 2018, Tweets containing the hashtag #ISCWest were seen by 435,781 different users.

To put that in context, 30,000 individuals attended the show.

During ISC West 2018, Tweets containing the hashtag #ISCWest were seen by 435,781 different users... [only] 30,000 individuals attended the show...”

Finally, some top tips.

Twitter, like everything, has its own set of peculiarities, and these are unnegotiable. One of the most troublesome are their rules around video. Currently, Twitter only supports MP4 and MOV video formats on mobile apps. On the web, you are even more restricted; the only formula currently accepted is MP4 with H264 format and AAC audio. Furthermore, users can only upload videos up to 512MB, and must be no longer that two minutes and 20 seconds length. Another Twitter essential is the platform’s hatred of spam. Twitter Jail is a real thing, and suspends your account for 48 hours. Avoid getting in trouble by posting and sharing relevant content, only commenting on threads to which you or your business can add value.

Want to ruffle some feathers? Pop on Twitter and get chirpy; you never know who you might just bump into.

After all, Twitter is an open forum where you can tag and (theoretically) chat with anyone. So, get strategic, crack an egg and see what happens. You might just get into a conversation with a real-life big bird.

Try it for yourself! Contact us at @ExhibitCityNews Having worked with Groupon, IBM, Nordea, and others, Amadeus Finlay is a global connector of people and brands. He has extensive experience in professional copywriting, social media and script-to-screen video production, including on-camera hosting. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, he holds a Master’s degree in American History.

Connect with him at https://www. linkedin.com/in/amadeusfinlay/

16 May/June 2019 Exhibit City News

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COLUMN The International Man Shanghai, China

International Tradeshow Differences

T

he second edition of neurial and now, fully entitled to Tradeshows from One claim its place on the world stage Country to the Next was as a driver for global business

By Larry Kulchawik recently released. The guide growth—especially for China. book is about international marketing, Since I had written the first edition with a focus specifically on global tradeof this book five years ago, many new show differences. Although dedicated convention facilities have been added. to the venues, top events, exhibit design The new Hong Qiao Convention & Exhibit and regulations, much of the information Center in Shanghai is now one of the speaks to effective communication and largest exhibition and convention centers culture when spending a week or less in the world. This remarkable growth has marketing a product in a foreign country. resulted in the popularity of many new After 45 years in the international tradeinternational tradeshows in Asia. show arena, I have collected information directly from world tradeshow experts Exhibit graphics who live and work in the 45 countries The languages used for graphics must outlined. No one person, or company, be bi-lingual, except for some easy Enis the expert everywhere in the world. glish words that are familiar to the ChiTrusting the opinions of local supplinese. Note that all English words do not ers is a good first step when planning a translate directly to mean the same. Work tradeshow abroad. Outlined below are with a native for accurate translations. excerpts from the book. When it comes to international exhibiting, we will never Chinese etiquette stop learning something new.

When in China, being calm, quiet and collected is considered a sign of measured China thought and intelligence. Chinese prefer For emerging markets like Brazil, China, harmony and balance in everything so India, Russia, Turkey and China, fostering be careful of your facial expressions. Use cross-cultural relationships must be at the handshakes to greet your Chinese counforefront for creating successful negotiaterparts and start with the oldest person. tions and relationships through tradeshow A short and light handshake is expected. marketing. First impressions are everyShaking hands up and down a few times thing. Brushing up on a country’s cultural shows friendliness and passion. Don’t get to norms will help to develop a mutual trust business immediately, start with small talk and understanding and avoid an embarand then on to more important matters. rassing situation—especially in Asia.

Chinese business etiquette requires Doing business anywhere in the Asia that you use correct titles when addressPacific region is extraordinary. At times the ing someone. Remember, title follows the challenges can be immense, but so, too, the surname and not the first name. Chinese rewards. The region is dynamic, entrepretake their time in making personal rela-

tionships and business is conducted only on the basis of personal trust. You might have to make several round trips to China before a deal is finalized. Be patient! The Chinese are very good at figuring out when their cooperation is badly needed, and they will use to an advantage.

Take many business cards with you.

Have your credentials translated in Mandarin on the back. Quality card design is viewed as professional. In China it is a symbol of prestige. When presented with a business card, don’t just stuff it in your pocket. It is a major insult to the Chinese; instead take your time to admire the details and recognize their title.

Chinese business etiquettes require that there be personal space between individuals. No body contact, except for a handshake. Private space is preferred with minimal eye contact during business discussions. Don’t be surprised if you are applauded when you first walk into a meeting room in China. Applause is often used as a greeting, and it is expected that you also join in.

Moral of the story: sometimes we just don’t know what we don’t know when exhibiting internationally. No one book will address all of your concerns when exhibiting globally, but take some extra time to read up on a region and find a trusted partner to advise you along the way. Associations like EDPA and IFES can really offer advice for a trusted partner as well.

Larry Kulchawik is the head of Larry Kulchwawik Consulting and author of Trade Shows from One Country to the Next. For more info, visit www.larrykulchawik.com

18 May/June 2019 Exhibit City News

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COLUMN Ask An Expert

Fern Continues Growth Acquiring Triumph And DWA

F

ern, one of the largest service contractors in North America, producing more than 1,100 events per year, has acquired Seattle-based Triumph Expo and Events (20 years in business) and Portland-based DWA Trade Show & Exposition Services (40 years in business).

Fern, in business for 110+ years, is the third largest official services contractor in the U.S. with more than 400 full-time employees. Its core focus is on service and innovation, and recently they launched ONEVIEW, the industry’s first team-based exhibitor platform.

Aaron Bludworth, president & CEO of Fern, spoke with Exhibit City News about these latest acquisitions.

Why did the company decide to acquire both Triumph and DWA? AB: We liked the opportunity from several dimensions including geographic growth, the culture of the businesses and the great clients served by both companies. Growth is hard to come by in the competitive spaces we operate in, so we are always looking for opportunities to grow through acquisitions in addition to our sales and organic growth efforts, but we are very selective when it comes to pursuing or completing a deal. If the

management, team, customer base, financial and quality performance, and geography aren’t right, we pass.

What factors appealed to you about Triumph and DWA? AB: The Pacific Northwest is a relatively isolated region, and it’s a long distance from Aaron other markets. It Bludworth made more sense for us to have a larger platform, a bigger footprint in that market than either one of the companies had by themselves. Once we started thinking seriously about that market, we wanted to get as big of a platform put together as we could.

Both Triumph and DWA are the preferred contractor in the markets they serve while also having a core customer base they serve across North America. Additionally, the move into the Pacific Northwest will allow us to serve this growing market more effectively.

What assets did the companies you purchased add to Fern?

AB: The most important assets, of course, are the customers and the teams of both companies. Additionally, both companies have great creative design and production capabilities and the equipment and tools used in producing their great work. Both companies

By Calanit Atia

have been quality focused and have well cared for and maintained equipment used in producing shows and events.

The core operations of the businesses will stay the same, and we hope every member of both teams remain with the company long-term. The management will remain in place, and so we expect management styles will be very similar to how they have been. Of course, over time, we will add various services, especially technology, that Fern currently has to the offerings of these new locations.

So, everything will stay the same though we hope the combination of the business will enhance the offering to the customers.

How will you incorporate your management style?

AB: As far as I’m concerned the Triumph and DWA employees have been with Fern since the day they joined those companies–I want them to feel like part of the family.

Fern has been successful for 110 years because of our people, and we will continue to be successful because of our people, which now include the folks from DWA and Triumph. They already emulate the Fern culture; it won’t be hard to maintain it.

How are you going to incorporate Triumph and DWA into Fern?

AB: They are being integrated into Fern. Both will begin to operate as Fern in the coming months and systems are already being integrated on the backend. This integration is natural. The existing leadership and infrastructures will stay the same, the same people, they will start doing things a little bit different to conform to the Fern model, and in some cases, Fern will adopt their practices.

Whenever we do a deal we learn from the people in the businesses we buy; we improve our overall process as a result of some of the learning from the companies we acquire. Some Fern services and processes are important additions and necessary from a scale perspective; we will incorporate those practices. If the companies we acquire are doing things better than we are, even if they are smaller, we want to learn from those things and incorporate them across the Fern system. We take a methodical approach to understanding how they do business, why they are successful, what do they do that is unique, what do they do that their customers love, and find ways to continue offering any of those things that we don’t have.

Fern’s business approach is what makes them a leading provider of exposition and event production services.

For more info, visit FernExpo.com.

Calanit Atia is an award-winning event planner, exhibit management expert, founder and president of A to Z Events and Trade Show Talent, columnist, Las Vegas destination expert, Air Force veteran and speaker. She can be contacted at Info@AtoZevents.com

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Meet Our Columnists As The Saw Turns

The International Man

Jim Obermeyer has been in the tradeshow industry 35 years, both as a corporate trade show manager and exhibit house owner.

He is currently a vice president at Hamilton Exhibits and can be reached at jobermeyer@ hamilton-exhibits.com.

Larry Kulchawik is the head of Larry Kulchwawik Consulting and author of “Trade Shows from One Country to the Next.” For more info, visit www.larrykulchawik.com

Ask An Expert Andy’s Apps F. Andrew Taylor is an award-winning journalist, artist, photographer, cartoonist and illustrator. He also works in film production, does local historical research and has been an amateur stunt driver and rodeo participant. Contact him at fandrewt@exhibitcitynews.com.

International Focus Cynthya Porter is a 70-time awardwinning journalist recognized by national and international associations for her expertise in tradeshow topics, travel writing, photography and news. She has covered the exhibition industry for eight years.

Calanit Atia is an Air Force veteran, founder and president of A to Z Events, an award winning event planner, Las Vegas ambassador, social media maven, columnist and speaker. Contact her at Info@ AtoZevents.com.

Social Media Strategies Amadeus Finlay is a writer, strategic growth marketer and communications/ public relations consultant who resides in Rhode Island. He’s a graduate of the University of Edinburgh and has lived in the U.S. since 2014. Contact him at AmadeusF@ ExhibitCityNews.com.

Have news or story ideas for ECN? Email newsdesk@ExhibitCityNews.com!

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AIRPORT SNAPSHOT

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4/19/19 2:50 PM

Hartsfield– Jackson Atlanta Int’l.

Airport IATA Airport Code: ATL Location: 6000 N. Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, Georgia Year Opened: Built and opened in 1926. It was originally named Candler Field; it was renamed Atlanta Municipal Airport in 1942, William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport in 1971, and finally, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in 2003.

Size: The airport covers 4,700 acres with five parallel runways. It has 192 gates of which 152 are domestic and 40 international. It is the world’s busiest commercial airport and serves nearly 104 million passengers per year.

Transportation: Taxis, limos, shuttle buses, hotel courtesy vehicles, MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) are available. Shared-Ride Van Service goes to and from Downtown, Midtown and Buckhead. The ATL SkyTrain, an automated people mover system, connects the Rental Car Center with 13 rental car operations open 24/7, to parking, Georgia Int’l. CC, and the Atlanta Airport Gateway hotels (Marriott, SpringHill Suites & Renaissance). Greyhound Flightlink also goes to selected cities and states.

Fun Fact: It was built on a closed auto racetrack owned by former mayor and founder of the Coca-Cola company, Asa Candler. As part of the sales deal it was initially named for him. Three Atlanta mayors have been namesakes for the Airport.

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EXHIBITORLIVE 2019 WRAP-UP

From Beanstalks to Jungles, Nature Dominated at EXHIBITORLIVE 2019

BY ALETA WALTHER

When the economy is weak, like much of the last decade, corporate marketing professionals flock to Exhibitor magazine’s annual educational conference with the hope that newly acquired knowledge will provide job security. When the economy is good, tradeshow marketing professionals, flush with corporate cash for training and program enhancements, flock to the annual tradeshow for tradeshows. That said, EXHIBITORLIVE 2019, held Feb. 24-28, was flush with conference attendees, exhibitors and energy.

Hosted once again at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Conference Center in Las Vegas, the show attracted more than 4,500 attendees from across the globe according to John Pavek, chief marketing officer for Exhibitor Media Group. Also attending were 231 exhibiting companies, encompassing 54,296 square feet of floor space.

“There was great energy on the show floor this year,” says Candy Adams, a.k.a. The Booth Mom, an independent

exhibit industry project manager for more than 20 years and longtime CTSM class instructor. “I’ve never seen it so busy at the close of the last day.”

Exhibitor Media Group followed through with its second year of a threeyear plan to re-brand the event, “Connect With Your Species.” Exhibitor Media Group’s president and chief operating officer Randy Acker explains, “Connect with Your Species” is not just a marketing catchphrase, “but a promise to bring education and opportunity to the industry that generates business and elevates the effectiveness of tradeshows and events for everyone.”

“It was energizing connecting with ‘my species’ on the show floor—fellow exhibit managers, colleagues, past session attendees, other CTSMs and exhibitors,” Adams adds.

“EXHIBITORLIVE is where my battery gets recharged.”

Adams noticed more themed exhibits this year and particularly liked BlueHive’s exhibit theme of “Where great brands

come to grow” anchored by a two-story beanstalk, tree trunk chairs, floor graphics of grass and a blue sky hanging sign.

She also liked ELITeXPO’s Fifties diner theme, “Serving tradeshows since 1987.”

My favorite exhibit this year was Skyline Exhibits’ “Tame the Tradeshow Jungle.” The exhibit’s vibrant colors and tiger-themed elements caught my eye instantly. Booth staff wore safari-style uniforms and provided booth visitors with a survival kit applicable for a tradeshow environment, including lollipops, hand sanitizer, Emergen-C, an antacid, first aid quick facts guide and more. I also liked Punch Visual Concepts’ theme “Rest easy, we got you covered.” Although a small 10x10, this exhibit’s message was effective and consisted of a wall showcasing a 3D bed with pillows, a turndowned quilt and a bedside rug with slippers.

On the conference side, there were 145 presenters offering 175 educational sessions. Forty individuals were honored with their certified trade show marketing

(CTSM) credential, 53 CTSMs upgraded their credential to either a bronze, silver, gold or diamond level. Currently there are 3,800 enrollees in the CTSM program. Speaking of the CTSM program, longtime CTSM executive director Jan Nelson is retiring, not just from her position, but from her career.

“I will miss connecting with and supporting CTSM class attendees, as they advance their

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BeMatrix took the Best of Show: Large Booth. Staff members believe the ground-breaking use of a bridge over the aisle caught the judges’ eyes.

careers,” says Nelson. “I am passionate about the industry and will miss it as well.”

That said, Nelson confides that she is ready to relax although she hasn’t mapped out her retirement except that she and her husband will be spending more time at their winter retreat in Florida. She says, “I am sure the open space will fill up quickly.”

And the winners are…

During EXHIBITORLIVE, @ExhibitCityNews

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Exhibitor Media Group handed out numerous awards in a variety of categories, including four best booth awards.

Best of Show Large Booth:

BeMatrix Although BeMatrix technically had one exhibit, its novel design actually showcased two exhibits in its 20x20 foot print, a larger, more “industrial exhibit” on one side of

an aisle and a smaller, “more retail, more comfortable exhibit” on the other. The judges stated they “loved how this innovative exhibit featured an overhead arch that joined two otherwise disparate booth spaces that were separated by a main aisle. They also appreciated the clear presentation of the company’s products, as well as the attention-grabbing use of messaging and digital graphics.”

“We obviously won the award because the bridge across the aisle that has never been done before,” says Scott Barker, beMatrix’s marketing manager. “BeMatrix prides itself in being innovative and finding new ways to do things.

Fortunately with our partners HT Connect and Steelhead we produced more than we thought possible.” HT Connect was responsible for mapping Continued on p. 26 ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2019 25

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EXHIBITORLIVE 2019 WRAP UP

NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE WINNERS

EXHIBITORLIVE once again hosted its New Product Showcase with 25 new products or services submitted for the showcase.

New Product Showcase Buyers Choice Awards winners for 2019 were: ABCOMRENTS Innovate LED Poster GES took the award for Best of Show Best Booth Staff by giving their staff a comprehensive training program in advance of the show.

Continued from p. 25 and LED. Steelhead was the designer and did the framing and finishing of everything that was not LED scape.

Best of Show New Exhibitor:

Alexis Exhibits This 10x20 exhibit had lots of kinetic elements, including moving gears, motion video, a simulated fireplace and an array of lighting elements. Chris Dugan, design director for Alexis Exhibits, says the eye is attracted to movement and the judges agreed. The judges found the exhibit “inviting, clean, creative and beautiful, engaging booth staff, cohesive steampunk design aesthetic

and an easy-to-understand tagline: ‘We Create Incredible.’ ” “We wanted to come up with something that stood out from the crowd,” explains Dugan.

“With everything going on and all these large companies around us, and this being our debut, we really wanted to do something unique.”

Best of Show Small Booth Award:

Elevation3D Elevation3D chalked up another win in this category having also won the Best of Show Small Booth Award last year. Judges noted that the 10x20 in-line exhibit was creative and engaging, remarking

on “its great curb appeal and how the structure maximized every inch of the 200-squarefoot space.” My favorite aspect of the exhibit: the 473 gold painted ears.

“We wanted to communicate to prospective clients about how good we are at listening and coming up with great solutions for their programs,” says Dana Esposito, vice president, creative services. “We wanted something that would get peoples’ attention, something that was unique, a little more fun and would start a conversation. I would have to say, ‘Mission accomplished.’ ” Best of Show Award for Best Booth Staff:

GES

Alexis Exhibits won Best of Show New Exhibitor with a clean, steampunk look.

Judges found the GES booth staff engaging and informative, specifically noting how staff connected with attendees in the aisle and invited them inside for a memorable, personal, soft-sell experience. In the words of one judge, “They made eye contact, referred to me by name, asked questions, smiled and seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say.”

“We built a comprehensive

Mirror Show Management MapBuilder by ExperiDigital Makitso USA Casonara 360° Light Box Displays ExhibitForce OneView Exhibitry HoloPresenter - Augmented Reality Presentations Reality Engineering Solutions, LLC, eLead Card training program in advance of the show and when we got to the show we went through training again,” says Heather Rosenow, vice president, client relations, corporate accounts for GES. “We also look for diversity in our booth staff. Our team members came from different divisions, including strategy and measurement, events and experiential design. Potential clients want to talk to the people who are actually doing the work as we design their programs.”

Aleta Walther is a Southern California-based marketing and communications professional and freelance writer with several years experience as a corporate event manager. Contact her at aleta@prwriterpro.com

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@ExhibitCityNews

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ECN I&D ACE AWARDS 2019

Exhibit City News Presents

The 2019 I&D ACE Awards Four Seasons Hotel, Las Vegas | February 24, 2019 Presenters: Don Svehla, ECN publisher, and Jeanne Brei, ECN editor-in-chief

Guest Presenters: Jake Merzigian, president/CEO, Zig Zibit; and William F. Nixon, Jr., owner/CEO, Willwork Global Event Services

A longtime dream of ECN’s publisher Don Svehla, the inaugural ECN I&D ACE Awards were an opportunity to honor the unsung heroes of the tradeshow floor—the I&D men and women who build the exhibits despite all the things that can go wrong and sometimes do: from logistics to missing crates and more.

The Traveling Lead of the Year ACES, one of our most popular categories, ended up as a four-way tie; seasoned show veterans was a three-way tie and there were two winners each in Best Firefighter ACES and the William F. Nixon, Sr. Lifetime Achievement awards. And you’ll see why it was so hard to choose between the nominees when you hear how their colleagues and clients describe working with each of them.

Photography by Exposures, Ltd.

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Exhibit City News Presents the 2019 I&D ACE Awards

EXHIBIT CITY NEWS’ 2019 I&D ACE AWARDS Rookie of the Year ACE Award Will Goza, Sho-Link, Inc.

TO BE SPOTLIGHTED IN OUR NEXT ISSUE

Regional I&D ACE of the Year Award

Best “Firefighters” of the Year ACE Awards

Dan Pienta, Nth Degree

Willie Matamoros, Nth Degree Brian Kaminski, Momentum Management

Traveling Leads of the Year ACE Awards Mike Macauley, Nth Degree

Seasoned Show Floor Veterans of the Year

Chris Pohanka, Nuvista

ACE Awards

Robert Lassiter, The Trade Group

Gino Apadula, Nth Degree

Brad Kearns, Laborinc.ca

Mike Haren, Sho-Link, Inc. Frank Mennell, Momentum Management

Best City/Regional Manager of the Year ACE Award

The William F. Nixon, Sr. Lifetime

Joey Brassell, Sho-Link, Inc.

Achievement ACE Awards Gary Wannemacher, Nth Degree

Best Operations Team ACE Award

Brian Kearns, Laborinc.ca

Renaissance Management Las Vegas (Bill Muller, Ben Buranek, Jim Martin, Bernie Boyd,

The ECN I&D Hall of Fame (Posthumous)

Liza Romano, Iliana Aguilar, Doug Stone,

Ken Broadbent, Sho-Link, Inc.

and Darrell Heckler)

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Exhibit City News Presents the 2019 I&D ACE Awards

Rookie of the Year ACE: Will Goza, Sho-Link, Inc. Nominated by Sho-Link’s regional & divisional director, Jim Genzano from Lake Forest, Ill., Will is described as “Ready, WILLing and Able,” and Jim adds that “from show one and every show since, Will showed up early with a great attitude and well-prepared, to this day I have yet to see him without his tool pouch carrying a pen, Sharpie, tape measure, knife and multi-tool. He checks every box in someone

you want as a new employee and we are fortunate to have him on our team.” ​His co-workers, including Leandra Spontak, SoCal’s city manager, and clients, including Derse account managers Alex Laama and Melissa Kenny, who both worked at the Long Beach Convention Center with him, all speak very highly of him.

As Alex wrote in his testimonial, Will “is a great addition to an already impressive team.”

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Exhibit City News Presents the 2019 I&D ACE Awards

Regional I&D ACE of the Year: Dan Pienta, Nth Degree, Midwest Region Nominated by Issa Tadros from United Steel Workers Local 17 in Chicago Ridge, Ill.: Issa wrote that in the three years that he’s known Dan and worked on projects with him, Dan’s “far and away the best ACE and lead. Everyone just loves him from the client to the crew—he is a valued asset for Nth Degree.”

And the clients agree, including Trade Show Manager Millipore Sigma, who Facebooked a testimonial on Feedback

Friday earlier this month, saying: “Dan is consistently incredibly (better than especially) HELPFUL. He knows his customers and what is important to us and always ensures that we are satisfied with everything. He’s a superstar.”

Unfortunately, Dan was setting up for the Housewares show so he couldn’t be there. Steve Daugherty, Nth Degree’s VP of Global Operations, accepted the award on Dan’s behalf.

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Exhibit City News Presents the 2019 I&D ACE Awards

Traveling Leads of the Year ACE: Mike Macauley, Nth Degree Nominated by D’Anna Hurley, the marketing project manager for Nth Degree, who, by the way, wrote the best submission entries an I&D ACE could ever ask for, Mike Macauley has been wowing his co-workers and clients at Nth Degree for more than 18 years, spending an average of more than 100 days on the road traveling for projects (mostly at the request of clients) with crews of more than 25 people that, she wrote, “he can lead on site without breaking a sweat.”

D’Anna asked his colleagues to describe him in a few words and here’s the words they chose: “hard working, grit, honest, team player, can-do attitude, profession-

al, willing to go the extra mile, knowledgeable, talented fabricator and carpenter, great communicator, easy to work with and client ambassador.” One of his colleagues, senior account director Cindy Haun-Nevens, describes an automotive client who, after the first time working with Mike, “were insistent that Mike travel to every major show,” which he did for the entire length of the contract.

She adds that “on many occasions we were told that they couldn’t do the job without him.”

Nth Degree’s Las Vegas Market City Manager Melvin Alston accepted the award on Mike Macauley’s behalf.

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Exhibit City News Presents the 2019 I&D ACE Awards

Traveling Leads of the Year ACE: Chris Pohanka, Nuvista Nominated by Maddie Ogren, CTSM, director, client services for Access TCA in Whitinsville, Mass.: Maddie showers Chris with praise, saying, “He can truly do it all. He works hard, is a problem solver, and is respected by all the crews he works with. Whether it be in his home town of Chicago, or on any other show floor in the country, he’s the first man there and the last man home. He leads by example, keeping a calm head in tough situations and providing an unmatched level of service to clients.

He’s respectful of people’s time, budgets and last-minute requests, and will always go out of his way to make things better for others.” Maddie adds that “Chris is an integral part of the success of my shows” and praises his positive attitude, his amazing work ethic, and his commitment to the team.

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Exhibit City News Presents the 2019 I&D ACE Awards

Traveling Leads of the Year ACE: Robert Lassiter, The Trade Group Nominated by The Trade Group’s Becca Dewosky in Carrollton, Texas: Robert‘s colleagues, including senior sales consultants Robin Dean (who’s worked with him for 16 years) and Claire Amberson Phillips (who’s worked with him for nine years) both laud his customer service and dedication. As Claire writes, “he has saved the day too many times to count. As an I&D Supervisor, Robert always goes above and beyond. I know that when he is present, the installation process runs smoothly, clients are happy and the show is a success. His attention to detail, innovative ideas, ability to quickly respond and MacGyver exhibits are incredible. He is kind, hardworking, the first to show up and the last to leave.

Robert is a problem solver, ‘big picture’ thinker and a true gem. He brings excel-

lence to the show floor and The Trade Group as a whole.”

His 282 traveling days last year included working for clients such as Natalie Swan at CACI and Jennifer Uhlemann, Trade Show and Events Manager for Karndean Designflooring. As Natalie explains, “working with Robert isn’t just working with someone random to get the job done, it’s working with a friend that you know you can trust and who cares about your project just as much as you do.” And Jennifer wrote, “Robert handles even the most difficult scenario with a calm demeanor and a focus on problem solving. When Robert is managing our booth setup, I can relax and focus on other details because I know the booth is going to be completed on time and looking its best.”

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Exhibit City News Presents the 2019 I&D ACE Awards

Traveling Leads of the Year ACE: Brad Kearns, Laborinc.ca Nominated by Don Brown, Laborinc’s VP of operations: it’s Brad’s “attention to detail while consistently meeting the ever-tightening project budgets and time targets” that Don mentions as “a superb example to the crews he supervises on how to meet challenges.” Don has worked with Brad for more than 12 years and says, “he’s an excellent team leader, dedicated colleague, resourceful and calm under fire.”

Among Brad’s clients, AWF’s president said during a project debriefing for a large scale installation, “I wish I had 10 more leads like Brad.”

Extreme Exhibits also commend Brad, explaining, “During a multi-city tour across Canada we were met with all types of weather challenges, ridiculous time lines and changing layouts on the fly. Brad and his local crew delivered top drawer services with confidence, ingenuity and constant reassurances, which was nice to receive. We would contract for Brad as our exclusive lead on all our future marketing efforts in Canada.”

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Exhibit City News Presents the 2019 I&D ACE Awards

Best City/Regional Manager of the Year ACE: Joey Brassell, Sho-Link, Inc. Nominated by Joe O’Reilly, Sho-Link’s director of field operations based in Loganville, Georgia: Joe explains that “It has always been more than a job for Joey…it has also been a lifestyle providing an unmatched level of service where everyone is important,” adding that Joey “has a limitless energy with a strong work ethic, a passion for the industry, a commitment to the core values of the company and an ownership of the job that it really isn’t Nashville… it’s Joeyville.” His co-worker for the past 10 years, traveling lead Aaron Lincoln, agrees and says, “Joey’s active approach to finding solutions rather than dwelling on the problem, and the ability to adapt to various situations” along with “his commitment to Sho-Link’s core values, and the relationships he has built on trust and respect of his peers make him well deserving of this award.”

And the clients! Trinity Industries’ Jaimie Green says that Derse “lined up a labor crew in Nashville for the NPGA show that exceeded all of my show experiences over the years. They presented themselves in such a professional manner and were capable, courteous, friendly...

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always staying on task...just a great team!” followed by Milwaukee-based Derse account director Katy Paquette, who wrote about a Harley-Davidson RRE event saying, “David Brassell was great as always, Aaron was an absolute pleasure and Joey…well, we all know I love me some Joey. Again, I love coming to Nashville because ya’ll make us feel right at home!”

And then there’s Downing Displays’ account exec Daniel Imhoff, who wrote, “it is just record setting on how Joey & David Brassell keep things organized and the quality of workers they supervise in Nashville. I have never had a bad experience or problem of any kind in Nashville with a show. These guys have to be the best in the country. I would like to nominate from Nashville: Joey Brassell, David Brassell, Joe Brassell III (son), and Aaron. I appreciate all those guys & their hard work they do for myself and Downing Displays throughout the year’s time.”

Sho-Link’s Senior Relationship Manager Jean Keefe accepted on Joey Brassell’s behalf.

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Exhibit City News Presents the 2019 I&D ACE Awards

Best Operations Team ACE: Renaissance Management Las Vegas Nominated by Darlene Cooper, Renaissance Management Las Vegas, the Renaissance Ops Management Team in Las Vegas is a reflection of the vision Sonny Ciferni and Steve Johnson had when incorporating their own I&D company 30 years ago. As the hub for all West Coast operations, the Las Vegas management team plans and executes over half of their nationwide annual business. From the high standards of Director of Operations for the West Coast Region Bill Muller and Las Vegas Operations Manager Ben Buranek; office managers Liza Romano and Iliana Aguilar (who have a workload that rivals War & Peace); floor managers Jim Martin, Bernie Boyd and Doug Stone; floor support staff Ashlynn Peralta, Sharnel Guy and Kim McKeen; Warehouse Manager Darrell Heckler to runners Brett Leone and Todd Vanderwalker; Darlene describes them as “an operations management team that is unrivaled in its workload, customer service, positive union relationships and overall success.”

And their clients agree. Joe Talarico, Services Coord., Spoon Events, Rochester,

NY, says “I can’t say enough good about the Renaissance Las Vegas Team. They are fast, efficient, always ready to solve problems and never complain about what needs to get done—they just do it! From the office staff to the floor managers to the labor coordinators and the carpenters —we always get top notch service.” Derse Account Manager Hayley Harmon says “I always love working with the Las Vegas Renaissance team. I feel 100 percent covered and taken care of every show set up and dismantle. They keep us informed at all times and continually have solutions when we hit challenges. I know that no matter what obstacle, I’m in very good hands with my lead and team.” Chris Littlefield from BlueHive Exhibits says that in working with this team for 20 plus years, “Many of the lead men have become like family to me. The one thing that stands out to me the most is the attention that the management and floor managers provide to all of the clients. Whether in preshow calls to discuss labor or on the show floor. If something is needed it is always no problem. I have worked with

several other labor partners and none provide the same level of service.”

Sean Nolan, The Exhibit House, Indianapolis, Ind., adds that “several times over the last 25 years I have had to lean on Renaissance Vegas to perform miracles from rotating a finished exhibit to meeting a shipment at 2 a.m. Happy to say these requests—no matter how far out—have always been answered with a ‘no problem, we can do that.’ ”Julie Morgan, Administrative Assistant & Dispatcher Southern Nev. Teamsters 631 Convention Training says, “Year after year it remains a pleasure to work with Bill, Liza, Illiana, Ben and the Renaissance crew. There is always something exciting and new that Renaissance brings with an energetic team effort to the Las Vegas convention industry.

Pictured are Bill Muller, Ben Buranek, Jim Martin, Bernie Boyd, Liza Romano, Iliana Aguilar, Doug Stone and Darrell Heckler—the Renaissance Management Las Vegas full-time staff, who are this year’s recipients of the Best Operations Management Team ACE Award.

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Exhibit City News Presents the 2019 I&D ACE Awards

Thank You Exhibit City News would like to extend our gratitude to those who nominated these winners: D’anna Hurley, Nth Degree; Maddie Ogren, Access TCA; Becca Dewosky, The Trade Group; Rich Carlson and Dave Kennedy, Momentum Management; Jean Keefe, Scott Rudel, Rob West and Jim Genzano, Sho-Link, Inc.; Issa Tadros, USW Local 17; Brian Kearns, Laborinc.ca; and Darlene Cooper, Renaissance Management Las Vegas.

Exhibit City News would also like to thank all those who worked tirelessly to make these awards happen: Lisa Abrams (production), Clemente Guillen/Clementine Creative Services (event design), Melissa Skipworth/Total Show Tech (sound and lights), Lori Schlichting/Color Reflections (graphics/pop-up booth), James Zacharias/Brumark (carpet), Patrick Hudgin/ Elevation3D (beMatrix panels), Lilly Stetler/Evergreen Silks (flowers), Alison Wainwright/ Las Vegas Store Supply (mannequins), Sasha Wootton/Horizon Print Solutions (trophies, plaques, face fans and programs), Gary Prochorchik/Exposures Ltd. (photographer/timelapse video), Jami Duprey (appearing as Marilyn), Billy Nixon/Willwork, Inc., and the ECN staff (Don, Jeanne, Tom, Christy, Andy and Amadeus).

Congratulations to our Las Vegas Management Team, winners of the

2019 Inaugural Best Operations Team ACE Award.

You Built It! With over 174 years of combined service in the Trade Show Industry, our Las Vegas team is the best in the industry.

Unrivaled in their workload, customer service, positive union relationships, and overall success, this group i��more than deserving of recognition for their dedication and service to the industry.

Thank you, Bill, Liza,inBen, Iliana, Jim, Bernie, Doug, and Darrell i��

for exemplifying Renaissance Management, Inc.’s vision of providing superior service.

Bill, Liza, Ben, Iliana, Jim, Bernie, Doug, and Darrell ��

2300 West Park Place Blvd. Suite 146, Stone Mountain, GA 30087

www.renmgmt.com

(770) 879-0485

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2019 39

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Willwork, Inc. Exhibit & Event Services Professional Skilled Labor

Audio Visual Technology

Nationwide & International

Dedicated Project Managers

Event Contracting

Data Management

University Training Program

www.willworkinc.com | 508-230-3170 info@willworkinc.com 029_ACE_AWARDS_Booklet_0519.indd 12

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SHOP TO SHOWFLOOR An In-Depth Look into Today’s World of I&D and Event Labor

Designed by Paul Rand for his Eye-Bee-M poster in support of IBM’s motto, THINK. The rebus loomed large over IBM Think 2019 in San Francisco this year.

Mobile Exhibits: Taking it to the Streets

Pp. 42-44

IBM Think 2019

Q & A Spotlight

Willwork Global Event Services & George P. Johnson are Put to the Test

Carpenters Union Local 10’s Kevin McLaughlin

Pp. 46-47

P. 48

This section is dedicated to all exhibit house professionals, as well as all exhibit managers and tradeshow coordinators worldwide.

For advertising information and rates, please call our offices at 702-309-8023 and ask for sales. @ExhibitCityNews

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SHOP to SHOWFLOOR I&D and Event Labor Cisco got double-duty out of its customized Airstream trailer, rolling it cross-country for its mobile exhibiting program as well as right onto the show floor as the ultimate portable display.

TAKING IT TO THE STREETS

by Cynthya Porter

F

or myriad reasons, sometimes, the tradeshow floor isn’t the right choice for reaching a company’s target market.

In many organizations, sending employees to tradeshows has been among the first and most frequent casualties of budget cuts to trim the corporate bottom line. But for companies who rely on faceto-face marketing to sell their products, that downturn in attendance has the potential to be devastating to their own sales and marketing success.

Alternately, for some would-be exhibitors, the cost of bringing demo products to a show is prohibitive due to the bulk or fragility of them, so they must come up with inventive means to get their wares in front of buyers.

And for some businesses, coming up with face-to-face marketing alternatives to tradeshows fits the company’s vibe or suits a particular product’s storyline.

For all those situations, mobile exhibiting just might be the right road to go down, so to speak.

Decades ago, mobile exhibiting meant one of two things: a giant rolling box wrapped with some branding and pulled by

a semi-truck, or a kitschy attention-getter like the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile. And though that rolling box might have had some demo equipment in it or the Wienermobile might set up somewhere and distribute hot dogs, mobile exhibiting, for the most part, was not where companies

You can literally design anything from pop-up stores to meeting suites to demo lounges ... were doing any kind of serious business.

But now, ProExhibits vice president of marketing Paul Miller says, only the imagination can limit what companies can accomplish using traveling exhibits and there is more interest in it than ever before

as companies look for innovative ways to get in front of current and potential clients.

“It’s a trend that has been increasing over the past 15 years,” he says, “because it’s a way to bring a brand to multiple clients in a way that is convenient for them.”

To wit, when a trailer decked out with product demo stations and a cushy meeting room pulls into the parking lot of a business, there are very few barriers that keep the C-level executives from being able to walk across the parking lot for a few minutes to check it out. Compared to the challenges of creating that opportunity at a tradeshow, it’s a win for those mobile exhibitors. But as a bonus, most mobile exhibits can serve double duty right on the tradeshow floor as well, allowing a company to have the best of both worlds without having to invest in a separate display setup.

A mobile exhibit today might be so tricked out that, once inside, visitors lose themselves in the environment and forget that they are standing in a trailer, Miller says. “The technology part of mobile exhibiting is a lot more sophisticated.

Now those setups have access to hi-speed internet and large flat-screen TVs, and the generators being used to power them are

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much smaller and quieter,” he says. “You can literally design anything from pop-up stores to meeting suites to demo lounges and outfit them exactly the way you would in a stationary place of business.”

With the exploding number of ways you can outfit a mobile exhibit, the variety of vehicles being used for road shows has expanded dramatically as well, says Miller. In years past, 53-foot semi-truck trailers were the standard for mobile exhibits, but now, clients are choosing between a wide array of vehicles that come with various customization options and price points, from Sprinter vans to Airstream trailers and beyond.

When Carmela Robertson, director of global events for Cisco, pitched an Airstream trailer road show to her supervisors a couple of years ago, it was because the idea of mobile exhibiting fit perfectly with the company’s product promise of digital security anywhere for its clients. The company didn’t use it to replace its presence at tradeshows, she says, but rather to aug-

@ExhibitCityNews

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Carmela Robertson spearheaded Cisco’s mobile marketing program, launching this trailer on a two-year, cross-country journey to meet with clients face-to-face and demonstrate the company’s mobile security capabilities.

ment their traditional exhibiting program.

The company would bring its customized Airstream trailer right into its booth on the show floor, but then would schedule it for stops around the country in the meantime.

Robertson says there is a steep learning curve when it comes to mobile exhibit-

ing, as the success of a program depends largely on the willingness of various sales departments to integrate it into their existing routines. But at a company where mobile exhibiting programs have not existed before, she says, training and Continued on p. 44

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SHOP to SHOWFLOOR I&D and Event Labor

Outfitted with small demo areas, a large presentation screen and a comfortable meeting space, this customized Airstream trailer enhanced Cisco’s ability to meet with people and demonstrate its products anywhere.

Continued from p. 43 advocacy for the program are required if it is going to catch on within departments. “Someone needs to be on the program specifically to promote it to the sales force,” she says. That person would also be the ideal candidate for managing the booking of the Airstream to maximize the efficiencies available.

At Cisco, sales teams could request that the trailer be brought to events around the country, and deftly navigating the logistics and expenses of crisscrossing the country is another discipline that takes time to master when launching a road show, she says. “We definitely learned a lot the first year and I think that year could have been

more cost effective. But having the trailer on a multi-year contract allowed us to see some savings,” Robertson explains.

Costs for mobile exhibiting can vary as widely as the types of vehicles and number of industries that might avail themselves of the marketing method, Miller says.

Most companies rent the vehicle from turnkey suppliers like ProExhibits, he says, and the size of the vehicle, the amount of customization, the number of and distance between stops the vehicle will have, and the accompanying setup for the roadshow events (such as auxiliary tents, food trucks, etc.) will all dictate what kind of investment a firm will make into a mobile exhibiting program. On the lowest end, he said,

a roadshow with a customized van could cost as little as $10,000, but a tricked-out semi-truck trailer running on an elaborate schedule across the country could cost more than $1 million.

Expense and variables and learning curves aside, for companies willing to tackle the endeavor, mobile exhibiting can be worth the effort, Robertson says.

“We tracked its performance in the pipeline and it did do very well so we could definitely justify its use,” she says.

“We chose an Airstreamer because it was unique—an attention getter, and it drew people to us even when we were just leveraging it on the tradeshow floor.” The mobile exhibit enjoyed similar popularity out on the road, both for its iconic form and for the extreme convenience of being able to sample Cisco’s security products without really having to leave the office. Beyond that, Robertson says, when Cisco promised clients it could give them digital security anywhere, the company really put its money where its mouth was by doing so from a mobile display parked outside.

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Willwork Global Event Services and George P. Johnson are Put to the Test

by Ray Smith

T

he IBM Think 2019 conference took over the streets of downtown San Francisco Feb. 12-15, closing Howard Street as an estimated 30,000 people made their way from home base at the newly expanded George Moscone Convention Center to 15 separate venues to hear experts talk about the latest innovations in business technology.

More than 2,500 breakout sessions were held at locations including the W San Francisco, Hilton Union Square, InterContinental San Francisco, City View, Yerba Buena

Center for the Arts and an AMC movie theater.

It was a logistical jigsaw puzzle challenging Curt DaRosa, general manager of Boston-based Willwork Global Event Services, general contractor for the four-day IBM Think conference. He spent six months in intense meetings collaborating efforts between IBM, George P. Johnson event marketing and 4 Productions.

Willwork and the GPJ Live Production Team flew to San Francisco to negotiate labor contracts with the Teamsters, Local 510 Sign and Display

With such a tight move-in schedule, Willwork and the GPJ Live Production Team put together a logistics map to cycle 150 tractor-trailer loads of equipment and material into Moscone Convention Center, lining up trucks in the correct “batting order” to get the assets in place as needed at a specific time.

“We were pushing them through as fast as we could,” says DaRosa. “As soon as we stopped unloading, the truck circled around to get the empty crates out for the next crew to do the aisle carpeting.

It was a revolving door with freight in and freight out that never stopped.”

And this extensive event came less than six months after Willwork Global Event Services was challenged with preparing for and executing the city-wide OracleWorld

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Photo by Paula McCallum

IBM THINK 2019

union and IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees).

Typically, Willwork Global Event Services, would need an entire week to install a show of this magnitude, DaRosa says. For the IBM conference, he possessed the space on Saturday afternoon for a show that opened on Tuesday.

“It was a massive team effort from the local unions to the teams we brought in to pull it off,” DaRosa explains. “There were a lot of moving parts.”

The unions worked around the clock on 12-hour shifts running about 400 men and women during the day and 350 on evening shifts, he says. Willwork Global Event Services sent specialized teams for payroll, administration, supervision, safety and management, all working 14 to 20 hours a day leading up to the opening of IBM Think 2019.

Photo by Paula McCallum

SHOP to SHOWFLOOR I&D and Event Labor

Photo by Paula McCallum

Photo by Paula McCallum

event that welcomed 60,000 attendees from 175 countries to San Francisco…winning the general contractor contract for the first time only nine weeks out from the show opening.

Chris Goveia, vice president of the creative team for Auburn Hills, Mich.-based George P. Johnson, says one of the major considerations at IBM Think 2019 was the 48-hour window for GPJ to set up more than 500,000 square feet of exhibit space in Moscone Center’s North and South halls. It was essential that GPJ design the experiences and environments to enable success.

“From the outset of the planning process, our creative and operations teams collaborated to define a strategy for enablement,” Goveia say.

“As IBM’s largest proprietary conference, Think needed to uphold and deliver on the @ExhibitCityNews

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brand attributes of premium quality, relevant content and meaningful experiences.

“With the challenges around set-up time, we needed to identify the essential elements and home in on how to craft and engineer those experiences to maximize efficiency without losing integrity, interest or brand recognition.”

George P. Johnson designed and fabricated most of the structures for the conference campuses, including theaters, think tanks and activations, which were all part of a branded architecture system developed with IBM and tied to the overall brand.

The theaters are large-format, fabricated architecture supporting materials and graphics that allow for custom visual identification within the conference. Think tanks are designed to support a variety of deep-dive breakout sessions and networking. They can be configured to support the best scenario for delivering content and engaging with the audience following keynote speeches in a theater-type setting.

Goveia worked with Matthew Calkins, design principal and creative director of IBM Events and Environments, to come up with special “brand moments” for attendees, especially those that created social media buzz by serving as a perfect photo opportunity.

Most notable was a 40-foot physical representation of the famous IBM rebus logo suspended in the renovated lobby of Moscone South. Originally designed by Paul Rand in 1981, the logo uses pictures of an eye, a bee and the iconic M in vertical order.

“Creating a three-dimensional, suspended version presented

an entirely new set of challenges,” Goveia says. “To maintain the integrity of the logo, GPJ needed to come up with creative solutions and materials to solve for the ‘negative’ space between each of the letters and elements. Size and weight were also critical factors, as the structure had to be suspended over an area where attendees would be walking, and again, rigged and hung in what was an eerily short move-in time.”

Everyone at IBM and GPJ considered the show a “rousing success,” and the teams are proud of putting in long hours.

“Our biggest takeaway was that having the meticulous— almost surgical—precision for move-in paid dividends and has become a best practice for all future projects,” Goveia says.

Willwork and the GPJ team met three times a week with various teams and vendors to create a web-based production schedule for every action and order, along with appropriate labor to support that schedule.

Willwork arranged for a twoday seminar at a Boston hotel where top supervisors and key managers from GPJ, IBM and 4 Productions sat in classrooms to get a 30,000-foot perspective of the event planning.

“I want to give credit to the unions,” DeRosa adds. “It was very important for the unions to succeed as well. IBM is coming into their city with a huge conference. Some others were saying the unions can’t get it done. It’s too much, too fast.

I saw an exceptional attitude from the unions on site. You could see the guys really worked to be part of something big and part of the success story.”

IBM combined several of its large conferences into IBM Think in 2018, naming it after the company’s famous tagline and delving into technology and business topics with panel discussions led by visionaries in their fields. They talked about emerging technologies that are radically changing the business landscape.

IBM Chair, CEO and President Ginni Rometty gave the keynote address on “Building Cognitive Enterprises,” while IBM Analytics General Manager Rob Thomas spoke on “Accelerating the Journey to AI.” “There’s no AI without IA— information architecture,” Thomas says. “Every client has to go along the journey of the AI ladder, from how you collect data, organize data, analyze data and finally infuse data.”

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SHOP to SHOWFLOOR I&D and Event Labor

Q&A WITH KEVIN MCLAUGHLIN He’s Proud of the Carpenters Union’s Industry ACES

by Jeanne Brei

I

had the good fortune to hobnob with industry movers and shakers at ECN’s I&D ACE Awards presentation at the Four Seasons and I spent some time chatting with Kevin McLaughlin, Carpenters Union Local 10’s international representative from Chicago. He was impressed that nearly half of the inaugural class of ACE award winners were in the Carpenters Union, including Gino from Philly and Frank, Ken, Chris, and Dan from Chicago to name just a few.

ECN: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

KM: I was born and raised in Chicago, the youngest of nine children from a good Southside Irish family. I still live in the Chicagoland area today with my wife and children. When I started working in the trade as an apprentice over 34 years ago, I was building homes. As I gained experience, I began working more and more on commercial construction projects, until eventually those were all I worked on. I was introduced to the tradeshow industry through my local union, Carpenters Local 10, which oversees the work at McCormick Place, and I’ve been in the industry for about 30 years now.

ECN: What do you like best about your job?

KM: It’s the people and

the relationships you make in this industry. Anyone who spends a few years working in this industry loves it and has a passion for it. When you’re fortunate enough to work with people who enjoy what they do, it no longer feels like work.

ECN: Do you have a mentor? If so, could you tell us a little about him/her and how they assisted you?

KM: There have been many people that have helped me and mentored me throughout the years. The ones that had the most influence on me were Frank Libby and Ken Viscovich.

Frank was a business representative for Local 10 when I was starting out. He moved up, eventually becoming the president/executive secretary-treasurer of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters. He had a unique forward-thinking ability that always amazed me.

He taught me to think before acting and to always keep in mind what consequences your actions could lead to five or ten years down the road.

Ken Viscovich was my predecessor, and the Carpenters international representative for the tradeshow industry for more than 30 years. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Ken before his retirement. The knowledge and relationships he built over the years made the transition so

much easier for me.

ECN: Do you have something you could tell exhibit managers to make your job easier?

KM: Communication is key, it’s what this whole industry is based on. Every city and venue is different when it comes to the regulations and the trades involved. The more information the contractors and the trades know about your event ahead of time, the smoother everything runs.

ECN: Do you have a favorite tradeshow? Or a favorite city?

Or a favorite memory to share?

KM: It would have to be my first ever tradeshow, the National Restaurant Association in Chicago many years ago. It was where I caught the bug for the industry. As far as a favorite city goes, I would have to say Chicago, only because that is where I got my start and where I have the strongest relationships with people in the industry. It’s not the city or the venue, it’s the people you work with in those places that leave an impression on you.

ECN: Do you have any advice or someone just starting out in the industry?

KM: My advice for someone starting in the industry would be to learn everything you can.

If you are just starting out as a

carpenter, take as many classes as you can at one of our many training centers. We have centers all over the United States and Canada. The curriculum and certifications available cover every aspect of the carpentry trade. There are multiple courses available for the tradeshow industry. The more knowledgeable you are, the more employable and valuable you will be to both the contractors and the exhibitors.

ECN: Do you have an opinion on how the NAB ShowCares program went? It gives exhibitors unlimited drayage for just $3.85 per square foot. Hopefully the increase in exhibitors will make up the difference.

KM: I have heard a lot of people over the years complaining about the business model of the tradeshow industry. The only way we can make things better is to try new things, sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. Our industry has a lot of moving parts, move one and you move them all. I think it’s very important run through new ideas or methods a few times to see how they affect everything else involved. If this program brings in more exhibitors, then I’m sure the industry will adapt and make the necessary changes.

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During the Inaugural ECN ACE AWARDS ceremony, Ken was recognized for his contribution to the industry as an I & D Ace, “Posthumously�

In honor of:

Ken Broadbent 1952-2011

From everyone at Sho-Link, your kindness and inspiration continues to be felt.

847.735.0640 \ info@sho-link.com \ www.sho-link.com

@ExhibitCityNews

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TRADESHOW/EVENT SOLUTIONS

Photo credit: Christie’s Photographic Solutions

Aluvision booth @ ExhibitorLive

Nimlok Chicago won Best Rental Exhibit with their Aspecta booth

2020 Exhibits took home the Best Fabric Exhibit award with their Autodesk booth

Aluvision’s LED tile wins “Best use of Technology” at ExhibitorLive 2019 Aluvision, developer and manufacturer of the internationally renowned wall frames with holes was once again rewarded for its innovative approach. The Aluvision Hi-LED 55 tile, which seamlessly integrates in its wall frame system, won the Portable Modular Award for Best Use of Technology at ExhibitorLive, the professional development conference for trade show and corporate event marketing, held every year in Las Vegas. Two other Aluvision entries were crowned at the Portable Modular Awards ceremony: 2020 Exhibits took home the Best Fabric Exhibit award with their Autodesk booth and Nimlok Chicago’s Aspecta booth was elected Best Rental Exhibit.

Aluvision @ ExhibitorLive The Aluvision booth at ExhibitorLive did exactly what every tradeshow exhibit is meant to do: draw people in. The comments of the show’s judges say it all: from “Whimsical design – the booth portrays anything is possible” to “Innovative in their design. Very creative atmosphere with high level messaging”.

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INTERNATIONAL FOCUS Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne Poised for Growth with Expansion Project

by Cynthya Porter

M

elbourne, Australia, is jockeying for a position in the global exhibition and event marketplace with the unveiling of design plans for a new event center that officials are promising will be one of the best in the world. The venue, set to open in 2022, recently began accepting bookings in anticipation of that completion date. It will be a flexible-use space in the heart of the city’s 100-acre Melbourne & Olympic Parks complex, which currently contains several arenas, a stadium and other indoor and outdoor event spaces on the edge of the city’s central business district.

“With our precinct located on the edge of Melbourne’s vibrant central business district, we’ve designed our new center to capture the magnificent beat of the city, while also having the flexibility to allow events to create their own

identity. With spaces for both grand and intimate events, the new center’s fundamental purpose is to enhance experiences and leave guests talking about your event long after it’s over,” says Lara Burnes, general manager of Premier Events & Experiences at Melbourne & Olympic Park.

The project is the third and final stage of a $1 billion refurbishment and development plan that has been underway since 2010, with the first two phases making significant improvements to the park’s sports facilities, infrastructure and aesthetics. Officials say the Phase 3 spaces being created will be the pinnacle of the plan’s achievements and will position the district among the greatest facilities worldwide. Artist renderings show the venue will have 28-foot ceilings accentuated by floor-to-ceiling windows that provide views across the

Australian landscape and the Melbourne city skyline. A 22,000-square-foot pillarless ballroom and an 11,000-square-foot pre-function area will be rounded out with a 250-seat auditorium, multiple breakout rooms, and an outdoor terrace.

Melbourne & Olympic Parks, perhaps best known for hosting the Australian Tennis Open Championships, has a total capacity of more than 65,000 people and was first constructed as Olympic Park for the summer Olympics in 1956. Its state-of-the-art arenas have retractable roofs and flexible pre-function areas that lend themselves well to concerts and other gatherings and events outside of the tennis community. Over time, the addition of conference and meeting spaces to the district’s sports arenas has helped Melbourne become one of Australia’s

leading event and exhibition cities. Currently, the complex hosts an estimated 2.5 million people per year at more than 600 events.

For conferences and exhibitions, Melbourne’s offerings include the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center which, with a footprint of nearly 750,000 square feet including a 430,000-squarefoot pillarless meeting space, is the largest venue of its kind in Australia. Though not situated adjacently, Melbourne & Olympic Parks and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center team up to leverage the capabilities of both complexes in order to land major international conferences, including, most recently, the 2023 International Rotary Conference with an estimated 20,000 attendees.

Complementing Melbourne’s burgeoning status as a destination, at least 22 new hotels have either recently opened or are in the works, adding more than 4,000 hotel rooms to the city’s lineup.

In addition, the city saw an uptick in direct international flights in 2018, with a dozen new or expanded routes around the world from places such as San Francisco, Milan and Jakarta.

Cynthya Porter is a 70-time award-winning journalist recognized by national and international associations for her journalistic expertise in tradeshow topics, travel writing, photography, and news. She has covered the exhibition industry for seven years and, though she makes her home in the Midwest, travels the world in search of interesting stories and photographs.

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AIPC

Standards Matter – But So Does Uniqueness!

Aloysius Arlando

BY ALOYSIUS ARLANDO, AIPC PRESIDENT

Convention centers today are increasingly facing a uniquely challenging—and somewhat contradictory—set of demands. On the one hand, they are expected to deliver their products and services consistently and to generally accepted industry standards, particularly for events that rotate on a regional or global basis and which, therefore, need to be sure their expectations will be met in a range of different locations. On the other, they need to be able to demonstrate features and qualities that reflect and support the kind of unique delegate experience that is an increasingly important part of today’s events.

How to manage this balance is a major consideration in the way in which AIPC structures its programming for members in more than 65 countries around the world—and it happens in three key ways: First and foremost is a recognition that while centers operate in an almost infinite variety of conditions and circumstances, they all have many of the same issues to address. This means that the collective experience and expertise of more than 185 centers worldwide can be brought to bear on common concerns—but the key is to

recognize the importance of adapting these to local conditions and traditions in order to ensure that the unique flavor of a destination is not overwhelmed by standardized solutions. By optimizing the opportunities for members to compare and contrast their practices and experiences in a collegial environment, each can take what is most useful from the collective discussions and apply them to their own needs in ways that will still maintain their uniqueness.

Secondly, AIPC offers a wide range of adaptable tools and standards that do not so much prescribe what particular centers should do but rather how to approach specific challenges in order to deliver on client needs and expectations. These tools are developed in ongoing consultation with key client groups whose perspectives are incorporated into professional development activities such as conferences and workshops to make sure it is in fact the clients themselves who are clarifying where consistency is most important rather than trying to interpret this from other sources.

Third, AIPC’s most important forms of recognition—in particular the AIPC Apex Award for Best Client-rated Center—are en-

tirely based on evaluations by center clients, including how well competing centers are managing the balance between operation standards and consistency and those often-elusive qualities that determine how well a convention facility and destination are able to deliver a distinctive and compelling local experience for delegates. This approach again emphasizes the overarching importance of delivering to the satisfaction of customers rather than just to a set of general standards that may not pay sufficient attention to the “wow factor” that so many organizers are seeking today in order to satisfy their delegates and attract attendance.

With so much traditional content delivered through other vehicles, today’s meetings and events are increasingly focused on the quality of the interactions and experiences delegates achieve rather than just the information that is conveyed. As a result, convention centers and destinations must work even harder to contribute to that experience. By managing a good balance between good standards where these are needed to ensure operational success and helping clients

access what makes their destination unique, AIPC members are able to support the kind of products that ensure successful outcomes for everyone.

In addition to his role as AIPC president, Aloysius Arlando is the CEO of SingEx Holdings, which comprises several entities focusing on the MICE business; including the management of the Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre. Arlando is also the incoming president of the Singapore Association for Convention and Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (SACEOS), organizers of Singapore MICE Forum.

AIPC represents a global network of more than 190 leading centres in 64 countries with the active involvement of more than 900 management-level professionals worldwide.

It is committed to encouraging and recognizing excellence in convention center management, based on the diverse experience and expertise of its international representation, and maintains a variety of educational, research, networking and standards programs to achieve this. AIPC also celebrates and promotes the essential role of the international meetings industry in supporting economic, academic and professional development and enhancing global relations amongst highly diverse business and cultural interests. For more info, contact marianne.de.raay@aipc.org or visit www.aipc.org.

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VENUES/EVENTS

The TLS Productions Team Celebrates At Strategic Brilliance Event in Las Vegas

“Strategic Brilliance” Celebrated Hibino Corp. Acquiring TLS Productions

by Ray Smith and Amadeus Finlay

H

ibino Corp. of Japan, through its Hibino USA subsidiary, acquired Henderson-based TLS Productions effective March 1, adding value to the company’s tradeshow capabilities and guiding the new enterprise into the future.

The partnership was launched at Strategic Brilliance, an evening of hospitality, networking and the latest in impressive, high-tech displays at the Renaissance Hotel in Las Vegas during the National Association of Broadcasters show.

Guests mingled with executives from TLSP, H & X and Hibino and learned how H&X LED screen technology combined with the audio, lighting and rigging capabilities of TLSP will create turnkey client solutions.

“It is with great excitement that we look to a future that @ExhibitCityNews

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will allow the people that make the TLSP brand successful and to join with other creative, like-minded professionals providing the service and excellence that our customers expect—now, with global reach,” says TLS Productions CEO Brad Hayes.

Established in 1996, TLSP is the second-generation incarnation of Tobins Lake Studios, and over the past 23 years this innovative firm has grown into a major player in the tradeshow and event industry.

TLSP has warehouses/offices in Ann Arbor, Mich., and Las Vegas, Nev., and, with the acquisition, they’re expanding their reach into California as the sister company of Hibino-owned subsidiary, H&X Technologies, headquartered in Irvine, Calif.

Established in 2017, H&X

is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hibino, and breakthrough provider of LED media for large, live audience events and experiential marketing applications. Hibino Corporation is a global specialist in sound and visual technology, as well as a supplier of high-resolution LED screens and top-of-the-line sound equipment. Founded in 1964, the firm employs more than 1,000 employees across the world, and takes pride in its ability to provide integrated and comprehensive guidance designed to meet the diverse needs of myriad vertical markets.

Ultimately, TLSP will offer a true “turnkey” approach providing integrated services such as audio, visual, lighting, rigging and design, says Carl Kedzierski, director of opera-

tions and marketing.

The acquisition opens TLS Productions to the global market with partner brands in Europe, Asia and expanded offerings in the U.S., Hayes explains.

By uniting with Hibino Corp., a $350 million public company, TLS Productions gains access to product resources, professional services and state-of-the-art LED equipment worldwide.

It will have the resources necessary to meet the evolving needs of its partners, adding services and top equipment to a stellar team of professionals that will continue to serve clients’ production needs.

“Our goal is, as always, to make your projects and events more successful,” Hayes says.

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TRADESHOW STRATEGIES

Is an Exhibit Rental Right for You?

BY WILL FARMER, COO, CREATACOR

Tight budgets and hyper-competitive marketing environments, all while trying to improve product sales and make your brand stand out, are just a few of the many challenges faced by today’s exhibit/ event managers. Dr. Suess should have written a book, “Oh, the Challenges You Will Face!” to provide a little extra motivation toward getting us to the places we all need to go.

In the exhibits world, we know budgets are fixed and before we can even get to the fun stuff, 35 percent of our budget goes to purchasing floor space. If we don’t create an inviting atmosphere solving these challenges, thousands of potential customers will walk by a slab of concrete. So there are a lot of decisions which go

into making and maximizing the budgetary dollar.

One option that Creatacor likes to offer relates to examining the pros and cons of incorporating rental exhibits as a component of your broader strategy. Rentals may make sense based on your individual approach but you need to evaluate your plans and goals before any decisions are reached, something we do regularly with our clients. Answering the following questions will help determine which strategy may be best for your company.

Do you only exhibit at one or two shows per year or does your program involve multiple shows annually? When your tradeshow schedule has only a limited number of shows,

renting may make sense. While purchasing a custom exhibit allows maximum flexibility to create a unique space, the costs associated with ownership must be considered. For starters, you will need to store the exhibit during down time, either at your location or your exhibit company. The cost of refurbishing and updating the exhibit for each tradeshow can total approximately 3 to 5 percent of the total value of the exhibit. Furthermore, when you do decide to retire an older exhibit, disposal fees are an additional cost, a cost many fail to consider when purchasing.

Do the shows overlap or are they conveniently spaced out? If your industry clusters shows closely together, owning exhibits may

require you to own multiple.

Considering the cost of ownership noted above, this can be a budget killer. Renting allows you to participate in multiple shows allowing you to focus on marketing strategy rather than exhibit logistics. Plus, you get the advantage of covering all of the major events at a more reasonable cost.

Is your exhibit focused on brand building, marketing specific products or both? If your company has a specific marketing strategy that carries over to all the shows you participate in, producing and owning a single exhibit may be your best option. If, on the other hand, your company has different goals at specific shows or promotes different products at multiple shows, renting allows you more flexibility to handle each challenge. If you’re creating brand awareness at one event and displaying large products at another, the exhibit required may be very different.

Does the booth size vary from show to show or are you consistently purchasing the same size space? You can purchase custom exhibits allowing you to participate in multiple-sized spaces, but this adds to costs as displays need modular components you can use independently. As different shows bring in diverse attendees, you may require a different look to appeal to that market or to display different types of products. With renting, it’s easier to pick the best avail-

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able space at a show knowing your exhibit options are more flexible. If you run into limited space availability, renters have the option to add a double deck structure increasing their floor space when it’s required.

Finally, if your company is growing, renters have an easier time of increasing size without adding additional capital expenses to their books.

Is your corporate culture one of maximizing cost of ownership by using the same exhibit for multiple years or is it important to change the look and feel of the display after limited uses? While some companies are comfortable with a consistent exhibit for multiple years, others believe change is import-

ant to gain attendees’ attention.

Renting your tradeshow exhibit gives you flexibility to evolve your presence after only a few shows or even from show to show—including booth size.

Does the company allow for capital purchases? A new exhibit requires a large initial cost related to building your tradeshow exhibit. Does your company have the budget for a new build and will there be room for a replacement when the time comes? With rentals, there is no initial investment making it much easier to get a new look and you should have more room in your budget to put toward larger spaces while customizing the exhibit with high-impact graphics.

Overall, renting is a ben-

SW_STM_8x475_Ad_04-2017.pdf 1 4/3/2017 11:34:00 AM

eficial strategy when used correctly, and something we find we’re suggesting more often to our clients. If your company exhibits at multiple shows each year with the same exhibit, renting your tradeshow booth could end up costing you more money than owning. But, creating a truly unique exhibit can be more challenging when you’re renting. Plus, rental exhibits may not always be brand new, and may, at times, show some signs of wear and tear. You will also need to plan ahead to ensure the rental you require is available. But by knowing the limitations and the benefits at the outset, you may find that renting may be just the thing you need to help take

your company or organization to the next level.

Celebrating more than 30 years in business, Creatacor, Inc., in Clifton Park, N.Y., offers a full complement of exhibit design, fabrication and management services to tradeshow exhibitors and event marketers. Creatacor’s wide scope of products include custom exhibits and displays, mobile tours, marketing events, stage sets, museums and complete tradeshow program management.

Its creative team becomes your strategic tradeshow and event partner.

From the initial consultation through exhibit design and construction, to shipping and installation, their attention to detail and commitment to customer service is paramount to their business philosophy. For more info, visit www.creatacor.com.

"Our business experience with your facility has been fantastic and has saved us thousands of dollars.

Our ability to ship literature and supplies to your office has truly made STORAGEWEST an extension of our corporate offices In NH. We would not be able to manage our trade show business nearly as effectively if we did not have STORAGE WEST as a business partner in Las Vegas.”

LAS VEGAS | SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | GREATER PHOENIX | HOUSTON

www.StorageWest.com

@ExhibitCityNews

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TRADESHOW/EVENTS PODCAST

The Don & Mike Show’s Latest News CELEBRATING 100+ SHOWS, A NEW WEBSITE, WEEKLY POLLS & TWICE A WEEK PODCASTS

BY JEANNE BREI

“One of those features is a weekly poll related to our industries where answers are given to the audience each Friday during the regular Don and Mike Show. Also, a form on the landing page allows listeners to submit topics for discussion and make recommendations for future guests or the show.

“There’s also a shopping area for Don and Mike Show merchandise as well as every previous episode of the shows done since the first show aired on ExhibitCityNews.com July 7, 2017,” Morrison adds. “In addition, other related podcasts can be found on the site and much more.”

And they celebrated record-

ing their 100th show on March 22. They began podcasting twice a week starting in 2019 – keeping their original Friday podcasts and adding a Tuesday Don & Mike Show–Extra, and have now surpassed 25,000 listens. The Tuesday shows highlight organizational news and interviews from EDPA, ESCA, IAEE, EACA and many more organizations related to Tradeshows, Events and Experiential Marketing.

the new website has a weekly poll...a shopping area... & listeners can submit topics and recommend future guests...

In addition, it is now “Brought to You by SMT Expo,” their first sponsor. A division of Glenmore Industries, an OEM

Emcee Jeanne Brei with Don Svehla and Mike Morrison podcasting a live Don & Mike Show at the ACE Awards

manufacturer of a wide variety of home, industrial and automotive products, SMT Expo is headquartered in Edison, N.J., and has manufacturing facilities and offices in China, Taiwan, Vietnam and the U.K. SMT stands for Smart Modular Technology and is the exclusive provider of the industry’s leading, full floorplan, fabric booth system and the sole manufacturer of this revolutionary tool-free system.

Joe Cascio, SVP sales and marketing at SMT Expo, says, “Just as Don and Mike strive to stay at the cutting edge of the live events industry, SMT Expo is committed to enhanced creativity to improve the overall experience within our industry.”

Morrison adds, “Shooting the Facebook Live videos from the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic at EXHIBITORLIVE, as well as from the show floor at EXHIBITOR-

LIVE 2019, and from the ACE Awards presentation truly lets us cover the industry in a way no one else is doing.”

The Don and Mike Show Extra is underway every Tuesday bringing news from the industry as well as association updates while the Friday version of the Don and Mike Show shares interviews from industry colleagues from Tradeshows, Event and Experiential Marketing industries.

Interviews include these industry people:

»» Dasher Lowe - EDPA »» David Dubois - IAEE »» James Zacharias - Brumark »» Mitt Arnaudet and Julie Kagy - ESCA »» Ray Baum - Core Apps »» Rich Johnson - RSMG »» and many more! »» Steve Golden - CORT Events »» Steven Hacker - Consultant, SMT EXPO »» Tom Clark - Game Buzz »» Vince Battaglia TheTradeShowCalender.com

»» and many more!

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Photos by Exposures, Ltd.

The Don & Mike Show’s latest news is that their new website, www.TheDonandMikeShow.net is now live!

Show co-host Mike Morrison is excited about the features of the new website and says, “The new Don and Mike Show website (www.TheDonAndMikeShow.net) has a lot of varying features where our listeners can participate.

THE LATEST DON & MIKE SHOWS The Don and Mike Show - IAEE, EDPA, EACA, ESCA and more Association News, Headlines and More!

The Don and Mike Show Russ Klein, CEO American Marketing Association on Experience Design Branding The Don and Mike Show IAEE, EDPA, ESCA, EACA updates more news from the industries of Trade Show, Events and Experiential The Don and Mike Show - Founder of Exhibitshub. com Chris Kappes interview while Mike is in Miami and Don is in Argentina!

Nth Degree’s Steve Daugherty (left) with Mike Morrison with taping a live Don & Mike Show at the ACE Awards

Photos by Exposures, Ltd.

The Don and Mike Show - The Booth Mom Candy Adams - “Just Treat Us Fair” The Don and Mike Show Special Episode - 2019 Ace Awards Interviews The Don and Mike Show - Bill Muller, Renaissance Management, Inc., ACE Award Winner and #ExhibitorLive, Snow on the Strip The Don and Mike Show - #EXHIBITORLIVE is here!

Association News and a Live Report from the Show Floor

The Don and Mike Show - Dave Sterne with “Good Booth Gone Bad!”

The Don and Mike Show Industry Podcast Hosts and ExhibitorLive2019 Updates

The Don and Mike Show - Houston, We Have a Problem with 787 Max 8 Planes!

The Don and Mike Show - Government Shutdown Again? Association News and more!

The Don and Mike Show Stephen Benedetti celebrates the 100th Episode, New Website is Live!

Past shows have included interviews with IAEE CEO/ President David Dubois, Mitt Arnaduet and Julie Kagy from ESCA, Mohegan Sun’s John Washko and GameBuzz’ Tom Clark, Michael Center from Scaled Agile and Steve Goldman from CORT Events, Ray Baum of Core Apps and Steven Hacker of SMT Expo, Georgia World Congress Center’s Erik Waldman and Joe Bocherer and Get Synchronicity’s Fred Zimmerman.

The Don and Mike Show - enVu’s Jimmy Abraham and Dalton Jenkins on The EDPA 65th Anniversary Virtual Museum!

The Don and Mike Show - Crazy Headlines, Association Updates, New Website!

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The Don and Mike Show ESCA, EDPA, IAEE, EACA, CEIR news and RIP Edward Mato!

The Don and Mike Show News, Association Updates and Spring Break!

The Don and Mike Show - The Don and Mike Show Website is Live @ www.TheDonAndMikeShow.net

@ExhibitCityNews

The Don and Mike Show - Amadeus Finlay from ExhibitCityNews.com and Zachary Rossetter from DE McNabb Co.

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CONVENTION CENTER SNAPSHOT

EAT

by Jeanne Brei

T

he GWCC, adjacent to CNN Center and State Farm Arena, has a 220-acre campus which includes Centennial Olympic Park, the College Football Hall of Fame, the Junior Achievement Discovery Center and the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Stadium (it replaced the Georgia Dome in 2017).

The 3.9 million-sq.ft. facility, the fourth largest convention center in the U.S., is made up of three buildings.

Building A has three exhibit halls and the Sidney Marcus auditorium seating 1,740. Building B, the largest, contains five exhibit halls and the 33,000 square-foot Thomas B. Murphy Ballroom. The newest building, Building C, has four exhibit halls and the 25,700 sq.ft. Georgia Ballroom. Freight rail tracks run through the middle of the complex and under the parking decks.

The complex uses pedestrian bridges to connect exhibit halls on opposite sides of the tracks. Coming development includes the B/C Exhibit Hall project (building a fixed gateway between exhibit halls in Buildings B and C to create over 1 million square feet of contiguous exhibition space), the Andrew Young Int’l. Blvd. project, an on-site headquarters hotel and a new parking deck.

The GWCC proudly states, “The hallmark of the GWCCA campus is connectivity. The connections between our ven-

ues, the hotel district, and the world’s busiest airport are key differentiators in Atlanta’s ability to compete for in-demand conventions and tradeshows.”

Another source of great pride for the GWCC is that they are the world’s largest LEED certified convention center, achieving Gold re-certification in 2017.

Committed to minimizing its environmental footprint, they spent $28 million to upgrade lighting, chillers and other equipment, which is expected to reduce annual utility costs by at least 39 percent.

Solar panels in the GWCC’s truck marshalling yard produce enough electricity to power 89 homes in Georgia each year.

In 2016, more than 1.25 million aluminum containers were recycled from events at the Georgia Dome. Since 2008, 14 million pounds of materials have been diverted from landfills through recycling, composting and reuse. A herd of goats used for landscaping and “fertilizer” reduces fossil fuels and chemicals used, emissions, and noise by nearly 50 percent. And in 2016, 110,000 pounds of food were donated to local food banks following the International Diary, Deli and Bakery Association conference.

From literacy and mentoring programs at neighborhood schools to massive food bank donations, the GWCCA is proud to be involved in the local community.

SLEEP One of the city’s most historic properties, The Ellis Hotel is in the heart of downtown Atlanta and features 127 luxurious guest rooms and farm-to-table cuisine at the Terrace Bistro Restaurant & Lounge.

The hotel has a women’s-only floor, a pet friendly floor and a fresh air floor. Two more historic properties, the Glenn Hotel is home to a rooftop bar with sweeping views of downtown and Centennial Olympic Park and the American Hotel was the first hotel in Atlanta to welcome all guests when it opened in 1962 during the civil rights movement. If you prefer your hotels more hip than historic, the W Atlanta Downtown features the wonderful Bliss Spa, has an amazing pool on the roof, and hip bars from Randy Gerber (Cindy Crawford’s husband and George Clooney’s BFF) and Hotel Indigo Downtown has rooms that are vibrant, colorful and have an artistic flair.

PLAY The World of Coca Cola, College Football Hall of Fame and Children’s Museum of Atlanta feature fascinating exhibits and landmarks like CNN Center, Underground Atlanta and Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site are a must visit. The State Farm Arena, the Georgia Aquarium, the Fox Theatre, AmericasMart, and Zoo Atlanta are all worth a visit and you can check out Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Centennial Olympic Park while you’re on the GWCC campus.

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Rendering courtesy of tvsdesign / Design Las Vegas via Las Vegas News Bureau

Georgia World Congress Center

Near the GWCC, Trader Vic’s is like no other restaurant in Atlanta, offering authentic Polynesian cuisine in a tiki bar-inspired setting. Paschal’s Restaurant is a famed Atlanta eatery with a historic past tied to Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement. The panoramic views offered by Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar and View are unmatched in Atlanta, all while dining atop The Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel. Located in Castleberry Hill, No Mas! Cantina features patio garden seating and authentic Mexican cuisine.

Installing and Dismantling Exhibits Throughout California

Signs

Tradeshows

DisplayWorks

Retail

Event Outfitters USA

Museums

Events

MC 2

Hwalin Design

www.onsiteexhibitorservice.com | 707 258 8980

MEET IN A PLACE WHERE YOU MATTER. COBO CENTER | CENTERED AROUND YOU Welcome to a place where you can be part of something. Where a city and center are humming with energy. A place where you can actually feel good about a meeting. Where people go out of their way for you because that’s what we do. Because here, you matter.

What matters to you? Value? Service? Sustainability? A positive voice guiding you, every step of the way? We get it. We have reinvented this city and center for you.

COBOCENTER.COM 313.877.8214 DOWNTOWN DETROIT

@ExhibitCityNews

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LISA HENNESSY

COBO CENTER EVENT MANAGER

What a pleasure it was to work with Lisa on our convention. She went above and beyond to make sure everything went smooth and all our needs were meant.

Nothing was impossible.

SHERRY DULEY | SEIU DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

EDPA’s Selfie Scavenger Hunt

E

xhibit City News staff writer Andy Taylor took on the EDPA Selfie Scavenger Hunt—shooting five selfies in front of EDPA member companies with booths at EXHIBITORLIVE. Participants received a map of EDPA member booths with the instructions—each booth had to be in a different “color-coded” section of the map and each selfie had to clearly show the member company’s name/logo and “your smiling face.” After validation at the EDPA booth (which Andy got back to with just minutes to spare), participants were eligible for the drawing to receive a free 2019 EDPA membership.

According to Doug Rawady, EDPA sales manager, who created the EXHIBITORLIVE scavenger hunt last year, this year’s EDPA Selfie Scavenger Hunt winner and winner of the free 2019 EDPA membership was Nicole Klein from EPS Doublet.

Rawady says the competition was a little fiercer this year than last—the momentum is building!

CONCERTS CONVENTIONS DINING ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT SHOPPING SPORTING EVENTS

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Together we have made a real difference, and with your help, we will continue to do so.

The EDPA Foundation is getting close to reaching our initial goal of raising $1,000,000 to manage in its endowment and be able to meet its objectives for many years to come. To achieve this goal the EDPA Foundation needs YOUR help.

Supporting the Foundation demonstrates that we all collectively give back to care for people in our industry.

We have the results...and it’s over $150,000 raised between the Silent Auction and contributions in one night at ACCESS 2018.

Wow. Since it’s inception in 2001 the EDPA Foundation has been supported by 51 Founding Grantors and Grantor companies, individuals, and charitable events.

Our policy that 95% of money raised going to recipients and causes allows you to be sure that your donation will enable us to continue to make a difference together.

We can’t stop now.

J o in u s o n t he ‘R o a d to O ne M i l l i on’ To make a company or individual donation, please contact either Amanda Helgemoe at ahelgemoe@nuvistaonline.com or Rob Cohen at rcohen@dslgroup.com

Together, We Are Making a Difference.

www.edpa.com/edpafoundation

Together we have provided nearly 100 scholarships.

Together we have helped support the future.

Together we have helped more than 150 industry families in need.

The EDPA Foundation Scholarship Fund was created in 2004 to award scholarships for higher education to industry members and their families. To date, 80+ scholarships have been given nationwide, totaling more than $250,000.

We support the exhibit design programs at two partner schools; The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and Bemidji State University.

The Foundation has provided financial and emotional support during times of hardship to 150+ industry families through support of the RSMGC and other ancillary events.

Be Part of the Story.

Visit www.edpa.com/edpafoundation to see how.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

EDPA Foundation’s March to a Million Nears Goal Golfers line up at Feb. 28 Randy in Las Vegas

ment which would sustain the Foundation’s good works forever. That’s the legacy that would be given by those of us in the industry.”

Walens credits the Foundation’s board with coming together in the early days and helping build credibility and establishing the Foundation as an organization that could do good works. It also developed the programs that raise all of the funds necessary to do those good works.

“When we started, our funds were close to zero,” says Walens, “The chances we’re really high that we would not get there, but the industry rallied around us. We’ve been working on that for over 10 years and we’re really close to nailing it.”

During Walen’s initial run as chairman from 2005-2013, he built the committees that make the operation run. He was followed by Bill Haney, who Walens says helped transform the organization. It was Haney who came up with the Foundation Grantors Program, which really kickstarted the March to One Million.

“The grantors are companies who have contributed and made a commitment for three years,” says Walens. “Those grantors that contributed in the first year are our Founding Grantors, a title they retain forever.”

Ray Montague kept the program running as chairman following Haney. In August of last year he stepped down and Walens returned to the role, just in time for the 65th anniversary of the founding of the EDPA and the 25th anniversary of

the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic.

The hope is that everything will come together and, at the big gala in Tucson at ACCESS 2019, which takes place Dec. 4-6, the Foundation will be able to announce that it has reached it’s $1 million dollar mark. While the prognosis looks good, it is by no means guaranteed and the Foundation is still seeking contributions to help it continue its good works.

“This is just the beginning,” Walens says, “If we have enough, we’ll have a lot to give away. Once we’re no longer funding the endowment, any money raised can go directly to funding our good works. We may be able to increase our charitable budget by four times or so, if everything works out the way we hope.”

For more info or to make a contribution to the Foundation to help achieve the March to One Million, visit edpa.com/edpafoundation.

Since 2001, the EDPA Foundation has: Gained 51 Foundation Grantors Raised more than $900,000 in the EDPA Foundation Endowment Awarded more than 80 scholarships to students of industry families since 2004 Provided more than 150 industry families with financial and emotional support during times of hardship

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Photos by Rebecca Thompson

T

he March to a Million isn’t quite two years old, yet there’s a pretty good chance that it will achieve its goal of making the EDPA Foundation financially independent before the year is out, depending, of course, on the generosity of its members.

The Foundation is the charitable arm of the EDPA and has three primary ways of giving. It supports the design programs at Bemidji State University in Minnesota and The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York by donating money used for scholarship programs.

The Foundation also is a major supporter of the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic, which helps families in the exhibition industry who have suffered severe tragedies or face insurmountable medical expenses.

Finally, the Foundation has a scholarship program that it awards annually to members of the tradeshow industry or their children. The studies supported by the scholarship do not have to be related to the tradeshow industry.

The Foundation was reorganized and revitalized just a few years ago. In 2005, when Exploring, Inc.’s CEO/President Dave Walens first came on as the chairman of the board, there was no board and the Foundation needed a fresh start.

“We set a goal to get one million dollars in an endowment which would be invested in the market,” says Walens.

“The Foundation would then be funded by the annual profits from the endow-

Photo by Rebecca Thompson

By F. Andrew Taylor

Clockwise: EDPAF Chairman Dave Walens; Eagle Management’s Stacy Barnes; golfers getting goofy; Madison Kirkpatrick; MC2’s Bernie Massett, John Lopez, Madison Kirkpatrick and Pete Stevens

The Most Rewarding 18 Holes You Will Ever Play Each Fall for the past twenty four years, exhibit professionals have laid down their swords for a day and come together into a mighty force, supported by dedicated volunteers, to do something something that wouldn’t be possible on their own.

In the past quarter century over 5,000 golfers and volunteers have raised over $1.2 million dollars to provide both monetary and emotional support to over 150 exhibit industry families in their time of need. This year’s twenty-fifth anniversary Randy gives you the opportunity to spend a great day and experience the unbelievable feeling of giving back while witnessing something truly special.

Save the Dates Randy Smith Golf Classic October 4, 2019 Chateau Elan, Braselton GA

Chicago Randy

July 29, 2019 Seven Bridges Golf Course, Lisle IL

Get Out Of The Gutter August 2019 Bowlmor Lanes, Atlanta GA

Las Vegas Randy

Las Vegas, NV ExhibitorLive! 2020

Photos by Rebecca Thompson

Photo by Rebecca Thompson

Once You Go, Then You Know.

- Michael Boone.

www.rsmgc.org

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EXHIBITORLIVE 2019 WRAP-UP

The Greening of an Industry at EXHIBITORLIVE DESIGN STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT JOULE BATTERY PACKS

BY LARRY KULCHAWIK

Each year, like the CES show, the EXHIBITORLIVE event features a new product or service that serves to be a game changer for the tradeshow industry. Rob Cohen, VP of Display Supply & Lighting, spoke with design students on Feb. 24 while setting up their display, to discuss what’s new with exhibit lighting—including the latest in LED applications for tradeshow lighting. He also stated that for this show his entire exhibit was powered by a battery and went on to show the students how Joule Case Battery Packs would power his exhibit for the three day event without needing to exchange any units. Each battery pack has three outlets and two USB ports.

“There has been great advancements in rechargeable battery technology, as we have seen in the popularity of battery-powered vehicles in recent years,” Cohen explained. “Some of this same technology is now being applied to battery packs for tradeshow exhibit and special events where availability of electric power may be a challenge. DS&L has teamed up with the most talented group to help bring this technology to our industry.”

The students asked how much battery power a tradeshow booth needs and Cohen replied, “You need to talk this over with your battery provider. A good battery partner will help to size an appropriate system that meets your needs. To do so, they will need to know the total amount of wattage you are looking to power, for how many hours per day you want the equipment to run and over how many days you want the equipment to run without recharging the units.”

Cohen explained that for EXHIBITORLIVE 2019, DS&L calculated how many watts of power it would be using, made sure it had enough power for three days of extended show hours and sized the amount of battery power it needed appropriately. As a result they ran an entire booth without recharging over the three days of the show.

The students asked several more questions, including: Any problem shipping battery packs? “A Sealed Lead Acid system is no problem shipping any way you want,” Cohen said. “On the other hand, Lithium Ion requires a special label.”

Might this be a worthy investment for an exhibit house

to provide as a rental? “Powering an entire booth off of battery may or may not be the answer,” Cohen replied. “The availability to provide battery power to bring down the cost of electricity may definitely be a big plus,” adding that “exhibit houses can certainly add a rental income stream by owning and renting battery power systems. Owners of exhibit houses may also be interested in available federal tax credits for units purchased with solar recharging panels— but will need to consult with their tax advisors to receive advice on this.”

Cost savings..battery vs cost to order electric at site?

“From our analysis, the cost of electricity and electricians on show site versus battery power tends to have its payback around the fourth show, depending upon the amount of power and electrical services one typically purchases for a show,” Cohen said. “This needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

For outdoor shows, replacing generators with batteries that are rechargeable by solar panels cuts down on the use of fossil fuels used by generators and eliminates the noise and smell associated with generators as well.

This would definitely make a positive impact on the carbon footprint used at such events.

With LED lights, the power necessary to light a display has been reduced. Pop up events or retail kiosks can also benefit from the use of battery technology.”

How safe are battery power pack units? “Of course, safety of such products is critical,” Cohen replied. “All components used in our battery systems meet applicable UL standards. Testing to achieve an appropriate safety listing of these products is currently underway. We are not saying that we have all the answers about alternative power as an end-all solution in the exposition industry, but surely realize how exploring power source alternatives can really matter.”

Over the past ten years the tradeshow industry has embraced many safety and “green” concepts that have been applied to exhibition manufacturing and services.

A decade of extraordinary innovation in the U.S. has made the greening of the global economy not only feasible but also likely. Small steps do make a difference. Using battery power can certainly have a positive impact on the carbon footprint.

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CORPORATE PROFILE

Showdown Displays Believes in Magic

BY F. ANDREW TAYLOR

Kevin Walsh, president of Showdown Displays, reveals how the company has had 20 successful years in business: “Magic.”

“When you meet a Showdown team member, there’s an energy about them,” he explains. “There’s an intangible quality about the pride they have in what they do and the pride they have in wearing that Showdown brand, and I think that is magic. It’s a magic that we have about our brand.”

It’s also possible that the success could be chalked up to hard work, customer service, attention to detail and a strong desire to serve their clients as well.

The manufacturer of portable, lightweight signage and displays was founded in 1999

by Ed Flaherty and remained a family business until 2017 when Pfingsten Partners became the majority equity partner.

“They’ve both been phenomenal for us,” says Walsh.

“Our family owners were fantastic. They built a leadership team and instilled a culture focused on growth through delivering customer delight.

Pfingsten has really been accelerating that growth plan through acquisition—both domestically and internationally—over the last 12 months.”

Among those acquisitions was Alabama-based Xarisma (pronounced “charisma”), a leader in custom soft signage and innovative display development.

“Showdown’s success is in providing custom print images on standard sized display and signage products,” says Walsh. “Xarisma’s expertise is in offering custom-sized soft-signage and display products, especially in the SEG [Silicone Edge Graphics] world and the custom flag business. This expertise will allow Showdown to expand our product and service offering for all of our North American resellers. We’re very excited about what that’s going to do for us,” says Walsh.

Showdown Displays has a team of local sales professionals positioned all over North America, but its manufacturing facilities are located in three buildings: a 120,000-sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Ramsey, Minn.; a 185,000-sq. ft. corporate headquarters in Brooklyn Center, Minn.; and the recently purchased 95,000-sq.ft. Xarisma facility in Huntsville, Ala. These facilities are complemented by an additional 10 remote distribution warehouses that supply display hardware and components to 92 percent of the U.S. next day.

The company’s leadership is keenly aware of the challenges that can be created by rapid growth. To proactively address this, the leadership team completed a strategic planning session in 2012 where they outlined crisp

new mission and vision statements.

At the same time, they clearly defined the core values that were responsible for the company’s success. Actively socializing these messages while recognizing and promoting team members that personified those values, helps to align all of Showdown’s team members on a common goal as the business grows. That mission: “Great Products… Legendary Customer Experiences.”

“We’ve been fortunate and blessed to have experienced tremendous growth,” says Walsh. “When I joined our organization in 2010 we had 109 employees. Less than 10 years later, we’re at more than 570 employees and still growing. It’s essential to have enough talent and leadership to maintain that growth.

Those mission and vision statements helped define our company culture, and our culture differentiates Showdown from any other company I’ve experienced.”

From the humble start as a manufacturer of traditional tradeshow pop-up displays, the business has evolved into a trade-only supplier of event marketing products supporting promotional agencies, experiential, display and signage

companies who are looking to build their clients’ brands.

Whereas customers once came to Showdown for pop-ups and signs, now they partner with Showdown for nearly everything display related.

While Showdown started in 1999, it sprang from another company, Creative Banner Displays, that started in 1989.

Creative Banner was a manufacturer and supplier to the sign shop industry, delivering hardware and consumables used in the sign and print industries. “It has been an incredibly exciting journey,” says Walsh. “To stay relevant, we continue to invest in print technologies at the forefront of the wide-format print marketplace and through that investment we continue to discover new and innovative products that can help brands grow.”

“In addition to the advancements in print technology, the markets and channels continue to evolve as well. We’ve seen once independent and distinct channels such as promotional, advertising, print, signage and exhibit displays grow closer in an effort to provide an immersive experience for clients,” Walsh continues.

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“To fuel that effort and make it easier for our reseller partners, we’ve been aligning our efforts behind a single brand: Showdown Displays.”

Showdown believes a key element to its success is doing business only through ap-

@ExhibitCityNews

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proved product resellers. “We don’t have a separate website for a direct-to-market brand because that isn’t who we are or what we do,” Walsh says.

“Being able to communicate that with conviction is powerful for our team and our reseller partners.”

What some might call challenges or problems are part of what Walsh calls “opportunities” and perhaps the most exciting and rewarding part of the work. As a hypothetical example, he cited a recent opportunity for a partner whose client was a large electronics company introducing a new hand-held device. Printing and drop-shipping 5,000 retractable banners to 2,500 locations was the easy part.

The challenge was in gaining access to the image of the new phone only five business days prior to launch. As he says, “That’s exciting.”

“Coming up with creative solutions to meet those remarkable demands of visual promotion or product intro-

ductions, while still managing your way through customer requirements, is where the Showdown team really excels,” Walsh says. “Seeing our team collaborate on those solutions and delivering, is one of the top things that I love about my role.”

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The Mastery of Museum Exhibit Design

BY CYNTHYA PORTER

When it comes to creating exhibits, one might be tempted to think that the fundamental principles of exhibit design are fairly universal no matter if a display is built for a museum or tradeshow floor.

After all, whether headed for Comic-Con, the National Hardware Show or the Smithsonian Institute, elements such as signage, lighting and architecture all need to be expertly crafted with the visitor

Photo by Gallagher & Associates

The helmet wall in the entry of the College Football Hall of Fame is the first step of the interactive journey through the museum. When a visitor selects their favorite team, the corresponding helmet on the wall illuminates, and throughout the venue, information about that team is offered each time a visitor is near an interactive exhibit.

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Photo by Gallagher & Associates

MUSEUMS/EXHIBITS

experience in mind, right? In reality, designers say, displays built for museums and those created for tradeshows have little more in common than the fact that they are both spaces people walk through.

Everything else, from the materials used to what the space needs to accomplish, is entirely different.

The contrast between styles of exhibitry begins with goals, says Betty Brennan, president @ExhibitCityNews

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of museum exhibit specialists Taylor Design, Inc. “A tradeshow booth must attract people into the booth and get them to talk to you. Tradeshow booths must convey what you do and how you are different from the competitors,” Brennan says. “Museum exhibits need a central theme—for a visitor to take home inspiration about the subject matter and be more self-directed.” Each style, she says, requires a specific type of prowess. “Museum exhibits require a unique expertise in storytelling and design and you need expertise in interpretation and visitor behavior,” she says. “For tradeshow booths, you must have expertise in marketing, sales and the messaging that attracts clients.”

Greg Matty, a senior associate and studio director for Gallagher & Associates, agrees that there are dramatic differences between the disciplines.

“Museums are about storytelling using a collection of images and artifacts to drive that story arc,” he explains.

“At the beginning of the process, we start by asking what are the takeaways and what does our client want people to leave feeling and understanding. Then you begin to design around that.” But a tradeshow display positioned somewhere in the din of a convention hall has an entirely different hill to climb. “A tradeshow exhibit needs to attract people visually and sell them on a product,” Matty says. “They may do a little storytelling, but they don’t have the real estate to do that in an elaborate way.”

Where a tradeshow display

Displays built for museums and those created for tradeshows have little more in common than the fact that they are both spaces people walk through. Everything else... is entirely different ... has just seconds to grab attention from the aisle and send a message during a brief booth visit, a museum has the luxury of time and attention, allowing it to unfold a story like the petals of a flower as visitors explore a space. And while a tradeshow booth will need to be installed and dismantled as easily as possible, a museum display requires the kind of construction that will last a minimum of ten years, sometimes 20, Matty says.

So, given their vast and complex differences, it is not surprising to find little overlap between companies that design for tradeshows and those that specialize in museums.

Companies may cross over a little bit, Matty says, but are more likely to specialize in one style or the other.

What may come as a shock however, is how many museums there are out there to design for. According to “Museums of the World 2019”

by Munich-based publishing house De Gruyter Saur, there are 55,000 museums around the world in more than 200 countries. Just over 35,000 of those are in the U.S., the Institute of Museum and Library

Services says. They fall into myriad categories, from art to cultural to historical, but the universal thread between them, Matty says, is that they exist to deliver information for people to think about.

Telling those museum stories has changed over the decades, particularly with the forward march of digital technology, and with 27 years under its belt, Taylor Design has seen those shifting sands of time. “One of the biggest changes over several decades is that exhibits are less static,” says Brennan. “To engage visitors, exhibits need to be dynamic—not our grandparents’ exhibits of stuff put behind glass with long-winded text panels placed in front.

Sometimes stuff is still put under glass in order to protect collections and to display the real (authentic) thing to visitors. Yet, the material is much more immersive and interactive in how it is displayed. Plus people are more distracted. You cannot have long-winded text panels or videos and engage a visitor.”

That increase in interactive technology has caused a Continued on p. 72 ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2019 71

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CORPORATE PROFILE Continued from p. 71

introduction, other types of technology can quickly blow a budget and must be used purposefully. “Clients ask me all the time what the next ‘wow factor’ is going to be but I don’t like to start there,” says Matty. “Someone might say, ‘I’d like a hologram,’ and so you shoehorn in a hologram, but people aren’t going to be

pulled in just because of that.

You need to start with the story—what is the arc of the storytelling—and build it out from there.”

Brennan agrees that a good museum display starts with the story, not the method.

“There is a much-needed trend to use an interpretive planning and design process,”

she says. “This process not only puts the story first, it also analyzes management needs, resource considerations and visitor desires.” The result, she says, is a more effective museum experience.

Brennan believes there is a risk, however, of over-using technology to the point that it begins to dilute the experience

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Photo by Gallagher & Associates

Taylor Studios designed and fabricated exhibits for Jacksonport State Park Visitor Center in Jacksonport, Arkansas, in this example portraying the era when steamboats ruled the rivers.

Photo by Taylor Studios

substantial shift in how funds for a display are spent, Matty says. At the College Football Hall of Fame, for example, half of the budget went to audiovisual components, double what would have been spent on multimedia elements in the past. But what visitors encounter as a result is an astonishingly rich and personalized experience that sets the bar high for interactivity.

At the venue, which Gallagher & Associates helped complete in 2014, visitors get a radio-frequency identification (RFID) card as part of their entrance ticket and are able to use it to enter the names of their favorite teams. Then, as they move through the displays, content is automatically generated about the teams they follow specifically, from fight songs to glory moments. “It allows the museum to shape the experience for the interests of individuals,” Matty says. “You and I might go to the same museum and have completely different experiences.”

That personalization is something that museum goers are especially hungry for, Matty says, and the College Football Hall of Fame is just one of many good examples of RFID technology in action.

The chips can also do things such as tell a display to deliver content in a different language, follow the story from a particular historical character’s perspective as a visitor moves through displays and send a message to staff when there is a clog in traffic flow around an exhibit.

While the cost of integrating RFID technology has come down significantly since its

Photo by Gallagher & Associates

Photo by Taylor Studios

Pacific Theaters Gallery at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans retraces the grueling trail that led from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay. Gallagher & Associates created a fully immersive experience that explores the evolving strategy for fighting relentless Japanese forces in Asia and the Pacific.

rather than enhance it. “The rise of mixed media will continue,” she says. “On the other hand, people want authentic experiences. This means don’t add too much digital media that replaces presenting the real thing. The purpose of museums is to preserve humanity through collections and education. People want to see the real thing or representation of it in a physical way.”

But what they don’t want, Matty says, is another app on their phones, and progressive museums have stopped trying to coax visitors to download something so their experience can be interactive. The only way to get into a visitor’s digital existence is to offer a carrot so sweet that a selfie-hungry society can’t resist it. “A lot of people don’t want to put something of yours on their phone because it feels intrusive,” Matty says. “But, @ExhibitCityNews

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whose interests and attention span have changed over recent decades.

A good museum exhibit, therefore, must answer the visitor question, “Why should I care about this?” before it is ever asked, Matty believes, because without telling the story in a way that generates relevance, a museum is likely to lose potential visitors to any of the many things it is competing with for their time. “It doesn’t matter what the topic is,” he says.

“A well-designed exhibit has to pull people in and help them understand why the story being told just might touch them in some way and why it’s something that they should think about.”

for example, at the College Football Hall of Fame, if they register their email, then they can take pictures of themselves with digital face-painting in their school’s colors and the museum will send the image ready for Instagram.”

By slipping some branding on the image, the museum meets the needs of its visitors and gets a marketing win for itself at the same time.

Something else that museums are increasingly doing to meet the desires of visitors is creating more rotating exhibit spaces where displays can be refreshed frequently, perhaps to reflect current topics or host traveling displays, Matty says.

Along with experiences that are customizable and stories delivered compellingly, these measures are absolutely necessary to making a museum feel relevant to an audience ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2019 73

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IN MEMORIAM

Edward James Mato

September 7, 1962-February 28, 2019

L

ongtime veteran of the tradeshow industry Ed Mato passed away suddenly on February 28. Just hours before his unexpected heart attack he had attended the EXHIBITORLIVE show and seemed in fine health and good spirits.

Edward James Mato was born Sept. 7, 1962. He worked for more than six years in Las Vegas at the West coast offices of Orbus in business develop-

ment. When he passed he was working in sales for the Las Vegas offices of Salt Lake Citybased Design to Print. He also handled sales for Eye Catching Exhibits and Eye Catching Fabrication in Las Vegas.

“Ed Mato worked as a field sales representative in the West Coast Region for Orbus for six years,” says Natalie Whited, vice president of marketing for Orbus. “He was a fantastically eccentric,

energetic, eager and motivated character from the start of his career with us and in this great industry. Ed’s personality was one-of-a-kind; he brought life and invigorating enthusiasm to each sales meeting he held, tradeshow he worked and made friends wherever he went. He had a passion for charity and fundraisers that helped support various people and programs in need.”

Mato’s Linked-In profile describes him as a Freelance Tradeshow Knucklehead and has an image that says, “Why Be Normal when you can be Eye-Catching?” These two

phrases describe the fun-loving, personable Ed Matos in his own words. He was a man who lived life to the fullest–inviting everyone he met (or so it seemed) to his Sunday backyard pool parties and BBQs. “I am so grateful to have worked with Ed back in the day at Orbus, aka ‘Orbites,’ ” says Tony Manzanares, business development specialist with SEG Warehouse in Las Vegas. “We had a great run and lots of fun growing the West Coast. I can say without a doubt I would not be where I am today without Ed’s training and mentoring me during my

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He was a fantastically eccentric, energetic, eager and motivated character from the start of his career...Ed’s personality was one-of-akind...

time at Orbus. His friendship over the years was invaluable, both personally and professionally, and my family and I will miss him immensely.”

There was a celebration of life for Mato held on March 22 at SEG Warehouse in Las Vegas that was attended by the high school marching band that he volunteered with regularly as well as many of his tradeshow industry friends and family.

Friends spoke of his military service and how deeply patriotic he remained his whole life.

“A short program was held in Ed’s remembrance, followed by an open mic for all

to share their memories of Ed,” says Josh Bevans, CTO at Design to Print, Inc. “Everyone was invited to bring their stories to share along with your favorite Mato-isms.”

“The news of his passing is shockingly sad and still hard to fathom since he was just bouncing around the isles of EXHIBITORLIVE, meeting and greeting with so many friends in the industry,” says Whited. “Our sincere thoughts and prayers go to the Mato family; Ed was a remarkable soul who will be truly missed by all of his Orbus colleagues and friends.”

He is survived by his wife, Stella; his daughters, Denae and Jamie Mato, stepdaughter, Micaela Díaz; brother Andrew Mato and numerous friends. In lieu of flowers, the Las Vegas EDPA chapter is accepting donations that will be forwarded to support the Mato family.

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

People on the Move Freeman, one of the world’s leading brand experience companies, has named Phil Molyneux as its new president and, building on a 90+ years family legacy, is announcing that Carrie Freeman Parsons (right) has been chosen to succeed her father Don Freeman, Jr. as the next chair of the company. Freeman Parsons currently serves as the vice chair of Freeman and has has held numerous positions since joining the business in 1985, including general manager, president of Freeman Exhibit Company, chief marketing officer and as a member of the board of directors since 2004. Her father will transition into the role of chairman emeritus later this year.

Molyneux succeeds Bob Priest-Heck who is now Freeman CEO. Molyneux is a technology engineer known for his innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. Freeman also announced that, after 22 years at Freeman, Joe Popolo will be stepping back from the day-to-day business and focusing on his board role.

GES, a global full-service provider for live events, has expanded GES North America President Jay Altizer’s leadership role and promoted Jason Popp to president of GES EMEA. Altizer and Popp will continue to report directly to Steve Moster, president and CEO of Viad. “I’m pleased to announce the promotions of Jay and Jason, who will partner to lead GES globally,” says Moster. “We have seen great success from a similarly integrated approach in EMEA under Jason Popp’s leadership.”

GES also named Patrick Lukan (right) as senior VP and general manager of GES Canada. Most recently, Lukan was chief operational officer of GES Middle East, based in Dubai.

In his new role, Lukan will partner with Mike Lecour, GES executive VP of Canada. Prior to joining GES Middle East,

by Exhibit City News

he was commercial director at CityJet in Dublin and London, global director of operations for meetings & events at Carlson Wagonlit Travel based in Chicago, and general manager UK and Ireland for Travelport, based in London.

Also in Canada, Brian Kearns, president of Laborinc.ca and recipient of a 2019 ECN ACE William F. Nixon, Sr., Lifetime Achievement award, has named Andrew McCausland as East Coast regional manager serving Moncton, Halifax, St. John’s and surrounding regions of eastern Canada.

Since joining Laborinc.ca more than five years ago, McCausland has held the position of installation supervisor throughout Eastern Canada focusing on exhibits and special ops installations.

Celebrating 15 years of quality installation and dismantle services across the country, Lancaster Management Services (LMS) Inc. welcomes Mike Muir and Tyler Raymond (right) to the #orangeteam. Muir was named VP of operations and New Orleans city manager. He earned his tenure first with the original I&D Company and then moved to Zenith LaborNet for 20+ years and was most recently with Nth Degree.

As LMS expands into Southern California, Raymond will become the youngest city manager in #orangeteam history. He has supported LMS clients as a standout lead man for more than three years in Las Vegas. Says President Patrick Lancaster, “Mike is one of the best city managers in the installation and dismantle service industry [and] Tyler brings a young, experienced and vibrant energy to this new role and will lead the #orangeteam SoCal market to great success.”

Also in Southern California, Momentum Management is announcing Kevin Luken is their L.A. city manager and Angela Earthman (left) is the new field administrator/assistant city manager for their SoCal team. Luken started in the industry in 1997 working for GES on the general service contractor side, then Blaine Convention Services and Shepard Exposition Services as general manager. Earthman comes to Momentum with a background in financial management for McDonnell Douglas West and Schools First.

Momentum also welcomes Jennifer Pearman and Angela Youngerman as new account managers. Pearman is in charge of managing Momentum’s platinum process for customers and is on the teams of both senior account executives, Patti Wilder and Glen Ruggiero. Youngerman is responsible for coordinating show floor activity with Momentum’s city management teams and is part of Wilder’s team. Prior to coming to Momentum Management, Pearman was a corporate and international travel agent for Turner Broadcasting, Bellsouth and made travel arrangements for the athletes at the Olympic Village during the 1996 Olympics. Youngerman comes to the team from Marriott International, where she was a sales manager for more than five years.

Frank Howell is Momentum’s new city manager in New York City. He brings to Momentum more than 20 years of experience as NYC’s city manager.

“Frank Howell is a great addition to the Momentum Management team,” says Randy Bott, Momentum’s president and CEO. “His level of industry experience is incomparable, and we are positive that he will be a wonderful leader for our team in New York.”

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

to announce that New York account executive Ashley Strachovsky was inducted into the 2019 BizBash Hall of Fame as a Rising Star on Feb. 26 at the Sony Hall in NYC. Strachovsky has executed high-profile events including the MTV Music Awards, The U.S. Open, Tribeca Film Festival, Raise the Macallan tours, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; and she’s worked for reputable clients including Viacom, Bank of America, Macallan and T-Mobile and at legendary venues in NYC including The Plaza Hotel, Conrad Hotel, Mandarin Oriental, Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden and more.

Another rising star, the SGIA’s (Specialty Graphic Imaging Association) Director of Exhibit Services Rachel Thomas (right), CEM, has been named a “2019 Smart Women in Meetings” award winner in the Rising Star category. Thomas joined the SGIA staff in 2018 to oversee the SGIA Expo and PRINTING United tradeshow floors. Her prior experience, as manager of exhibits for the National Business Aviation Association, included work on three tradeshows, including NBAA-BACE, one of the 10 largest tradeshows in the U.S. The award winners are featured in the March issue of Smart Meetings magazine and will receive on-stage honors at the Smart Women in Meetings Awards gala on May 8 in Las Vegas.

Mirror Show Management, a woman-owned customer experience agency specializing in tradeshows, events and environments, has hired three new employees in upstate New York. Brekkin Harwood has joined the company as an associate project manager. She was most recently with I-Square as events manager in Rochester. Katie DeWitt joins as an exhibit detailer and was most recently an industrial design consultant in Lenexa, Kansas. Digital storyteller Katie Hollenbeck (right) was most recently with O’Brien & Gere as an interactive designer in Rochester, NY.

Sho-Link Inc., a premier installation and dismantle service company, has promoted Jesse Reyna to Southern Texas city manager. Reyna started working with Sho-Link in 2005 as a Las Vegas lead man. He quickly became a popular traveling supervisor and was promoted to San Antonio city manager. Reyna will oversee the entire southern region of Texas, which includes San Antonio, Austin and Houston.

“I have been with Sho-Link about 14 years now, and I have enjoyed every minute of it,” says Reyna. “I started in the tradeshow business in 1982 for a Texas company. I traveled 12 years all over the world doing exhibits in petroleum business at places like Beijing, Singapore, Amsterdam and Norway. I went to work for Freeman San Antonio, and then transferred to Freeman Las Vegas. My last 10 years in Las Vegas was working for ShoLink before moving back to Texas.”

Classic Exhibits Inc., based in Portland, Ore., designs and manufactures tradeshow, retail and corporate environments for more than 200 independent distributor partners, and has named 20-year veteran Harold Mintz (below right) regional sales manager. Mintz, who spent seven years at Shady Acres Entertainment as their communications director after leadership positions at custom houses, a portable/modular manufacturer and a graphic printer, will work alongside Jen LaBruzza, the national sales manager, to enhance and build the Classic Distributor Partner Network throughout North America.

Mark Lindheimer joins the North American sales team at Ion Exhibits with more than 15 years of experience in account management, tradeshow labor and exhibit sales. He has been an account executive for the past five years, responsible for

regional sales strategy, industry sales focus and exhibit house partnerships in the Midwest, Southern California and Texas markets. Says Kevin Fett, Ion Exhibits’ founder and CEO, “We are thrilled to welcome Mark Lindheimer to Ion’s account executive team to continue supporting our clients and their success.”

Highmark TechSystems, suppliers of advanced modular exhibit systems and structural solutions, has named Joe Franklin (left) as the company’s director of sales, Western region.

Franklin has enjoyed a successful sales career across industries as diverse as chemicals, materials technologies and financial services.

Debbie Parrott, Highmark’s president and CEO adds, “Having worked with Joe for several years prior to Highmark, I am confident in the abilities and experience he brings to our team and in his desire to deliver the right solution to customers.”

Doug Melinn recently joined Steelcase Event Experiences, a strategic space design partner, as a business development and sales consultant. “Doug’s thought-leadership in the business events industry will help expand our national impact, focusing on helping organizations design more meaningful participant experiences,” says John Fuhr, the business development and sales director at Steelcase.

Steelcase also welcomes Linda Nuss and Lynne Roy to their sales team. Roy is returning to Steelcase as a business development and sales consultant after leaving in 2004 to pursue independent contract work in the meetings/ events industry. Nuss comes to the team after fine-tuning her industry skills as the regional manager for the German Convention Bureau.

Dallas-based EXHIBITTRADER.COM, Inc., has named Kimberly Long as chief customer officer and senior VP of sales. Long’s primary responsibilities will be directing the company’s overall sales objectives, improving

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Champion Logistics Group has a transportation divison specializing in the coordination of trade shows and special events. Champion provides the most reliable and flexible trade show transportation in the industry.

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

customer interface, increasing product offerings and promoting positive relations with partners, vendors and distributors.

“Kimberly is a highly motivated and focused executive, consistently going above and beyond expectation,” says COO Chad Rogowicz. Long has relocated to Dallas-Fort Worth following her husband’s 30-year law enforcement retirement and she brings more than 10 years experience working with Camelback Displays in Houston. During her tenure, she moved up the ranks as account executive, office manager and VP of sales.

Taffy Event Strategies, a full-service tradeshow management firm, is proud to welcome Mary Bender (right) as the company’s VP of sales & corporate operations. Bender will be responsible for overseeing sales activities while also collaborating to streamline corporate processes. Bender has been in the tradeshow industry for nearly 20 years and most recently led marketing and sponsorship sales efforts for U.S. Boat Shows, a division of Informa Exhibitions. Prior to Informa, she worked for Smart City, Sands Expo & Convention Center, GES and Emerald Expositions (formerly GLM). Bender is a longtime member of IAEE, a past-chair of IAEE’s Public Events Council and IAEE’s Awards Committee, and has served on numerous other tradeshow industry committees.

LMG, a national provider of video, audio, lighting, and LED support based in Orlando, Fla., is pleased to welcome Sean Orr (right) to the LMG Show Services team as the accounts manager for Seattle. Orr comes to LMG with more than 15 years of experience producing live broadcast, video production, post production and executive keynotes. He has worked with some of the world’s most recognized brands, including Microsoft, Boeing, Samsung, Nintendo and more.

Streamlinevents, a leading meetings management company, welcomes Shelly Sutton (right) to the organization as VP, human resources. Sutton has nearly two decades of experience in human resource management and most recently served as human resources leader at Stanford Health Care.

In association news, CEIR (the Center for Exhibition Industry Research) announces the promotion of Senior Research Director Nancy Drapeau, PRC, to CEIR VP of research. In addition to conducting trend studies and building research agenda each year with the CEIR Research Council, Drapeau’s duties have expanded to include more public speaking, webinar facilitation and press interviews. She will also play a more active role in CEIR Index and CEIR Census initiatives.

PCMA (the Professional Convention Management Association) has promoted Robert Haas (right) to chief administrative officer and promoted Delores Hudson, CPA, to VP of finance. As PCMA’s first chief administrative officer, Haas will be responsible for the organization’s IT, human resources, data and finance departments.

Hudson will oversee PCMA’s financial infrastructure and accountability as it supports their mission to be the catalyst for global economic and social progress.

The ICCA’s (International Congress and Convention Association) Board of Directors has selected Senthil Gopinath to serve as the organization’s new CEO. Gopinath’s career in the meetings travel industry spans more than 20 years. He joined the ICCA team in 2016 as regional director of ICCA Middle East. In that role, he forged new relationships with regional governments and industry partners and has grown

ICCA ME membership by more than 80 percent.

In convention center and DMC news, Bill Drew joins PRA San Diego as their new GM, Visit Indy names Roberta Tisdul director of convention services, Dianne Young is retiring from Toronto’s Exhibition Place, FBI veteran Todd Temple has been tapped to lead security at the San Diego CC and New Orleans’ Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has hired Rocsean Spencer to be their first small business program director—a recently created position to help promote the importance of diversity, inclusion and small business development at the convention center.

LaKota Hotels & Resorts has named Christine Imbrogno director of sales and marketing at Lakota Oaks, Connecticut’s premier event and conference center in Norwalk. Imbrogno brings 23 years of hospitality sales and marketing experience to the operation. She began her hospitality career in 1996 as a sales coordinator at this same facility when it was the GTE Management Development Center and moved up to director of sales when the facility became the Prudential Learning Center, continuing in that capacity when it became Dolce Norwalk, and later served as global sales director for the Dolce organization.

Adduco Communications, a leading BtoB public relations, marketing and events management firm, has hired Tim Colbert for the newly created full-time position of strategy and content director.

Colbert has served as a senior strategic consultant since the company’s founding in 2010, supporting the executive staff on key projects. Colbert has more than 20 years of branding, marketing and public relations leadership, as both an in-house marketing executive and as an agency veteran in New York City and Pittsburgh, most recently as public relations director at Shift Collaborative.

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THE D.E.A.L. By Jeanne Brei

Dining, Entertainment, Attractions & Lodging

DINING

Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint: Southern Cookin’ with Music on the Side Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint is a mustsee in Atlanta featuring a deep history of music, food, drink and socializing in the South. Located in the former Macy’s building (built in 1927) in the heart of downtown Atlanta at an iconic Peachtree address, Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint offers great live entertainment and exceptional Southern cuisine including delicious mini cornbread bites in a basket, the South-

ern starter (fried green tomatoes, crispy Vidalia onions and fried okra, topped with herbed goat cheese and red pepper aioli), collard green spring rolls, extraordinary smothered pork chops, crispy crawfish tails (masa crisped with corn nibblers and sun-kissed citron tomato jam), freshwater rock shrimp with fresh lump crab meat with coleslaw, sweet apple corn relish and jalapeño tartar sauce and “ohhhh sooo DELISH peach cobbler,” which are all crowd-pleasing favorites. And speaking of crowd favorites, the Yelp reviewers rave about the $16 endless mimosas at brunch as well the moonshine-based cocktails that come in multiple flavors of moonshine.

Historically, juke joints originated in

the rural outskirts of many southern towns to give African American communities a place to kick back and unwind.

Owner Terry Harps says, “Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint is where the juke joints, honky tonks and cantinas of the past meet the present day,” explaining that the design of Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint is the modern day incarnation of the clubs that gave birth to the “raucous and raunchy” music known as “boogie-woogie.”

The tadpole and lily-pad inspired design pays homage to the low-lying wetlands where often historic juke joints once stood. The décor includes a nostalgic wall of period photos, historic artifacts, and walnut wood accents and cabinetry.

Local artist Stacy Brown designed the 18-foot custom mural which hangs in the main dining room. The music-centric restaurant also features a wood dance floor, stage for live music, and state-ofthe-art video screen for guests’ entertainment (with only a $5 live entertainment charge). Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint’s spacious private dining room offers guests a VIP view of the stage and live musical performances and is the perfect location for any type of special event.

Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint, 180 Peachtree St. (cross street Ellis), Atlanta, GA 30303, (404) 230-5853, www.sweetgeorgiasjukejoint.com

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ENTERTAINMENT

Walk the Red Carpet at “Fabulous Fox” Theatre The Atlanta CVB recommends the Atlanta Movie Tours and GameX (with more than 60 state-of-the-art arcade games) for entertainment, but I’m partial to palatial and historic grand theatres—and Atlanta is home to not just the “Fabulous Fox” Theatre but also the beautiful Tabernacle concert hall (originally a church built in 1910, which became a House of Blues during the 1996 Olympics and is now a LiveNation concert hall).

Theatre, concert and art lovers in Atlanta are blessed with world-class options, from the Alliance Theatre’s Coca-Cola Stage at the Woodruff Arts Center (with its dazzingly beautiful, steam-bent oak) to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the High Museum of Art—but it’s the grandeur of the Fox Theatre that I consider to be a must-see for visitors. @ExhibitCityNews

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Influenced by the Alhambra in Spain and Egypt’s Temple of Kharnak, The Fox was originally conceived as a home for Atlanta’s Shriners in 1928. From its soaring domes, minarets and sweeping archways to the stunning gold leaf details and exquisite trompe l’oeil art (which uses realistic imagery to create optical illusions) inside, it’s easy to see how construction cost $3 million in 1928 (equal to nearly $40 million today). The Fox opened on Christmas Day in 1929 to a sold-out crowd, premiering Steamboat Willie, Disney’s first cartoon starring Mickey Mouse. Its striking red-carpet entryway and ornate gilt work, soaring turreted ceilings and stained glass windows, all leading to a vast cobalt “sky” with a sea of twinkling stars, is just not to be missed.

Today, the exotic-styled downtown landmark brings Atlanta the best in performance entertainment including Broadway shows, the Atlanta Ballet, Billboard’s concert tours, and classic feature films.

Travel back in time to 1929 as you ascend

stone staircases or ride steel freight elevators, and gaze up as “clouds” drift across an Arabian night sky to see why The Fox is #2 on Trip Advisor’s list of “Things To Do” in Atlanta. If you’re an interior design aficionado, a fan of globally-inspired architecture, or interested in historical buildings, take a guided hour-long tour through this magnificent theatre and see the world’s second-largest theatre organ, Mighty Mo with its 3,622 pipes, as well as men’s and women’s lounge areas straight out of the Jazz Era. Nominated for Theatre of the Year by Billboard and Pollstar magazines, and awarded the Outstanding Historic Theatre of the Year award in 2011 by the League of Historic American Theatres, the Fabulous Fox was most recently given the distinction by Rolling Stone magazine as one of “The Best Big Rooms in America.” It consistently ranks in the top three theatres in North America for gross ticket sales.

The Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, (404) 881-2100, www.foxtheatre.org ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2019 83

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THE D.E.A.L. By Jeanne Brei

Dining, Entertainment, Attractions & Lodging

ATTRACTIONS

The Bucket List of Must-See Atlanta Attractions Atlanta has attractions for every interest: sports fans, for starters, should visit the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. You can immerse yourself in must-see exhibits with content personalized to your favorite team, historical artifacts, a three-story helmet wall (see p. 70 for picture) and the rotunda, which memorializes college football legends. Or catch an NFL Falcons game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, an NBA Hawks or WNBA Dream game at State Farm Arena, or an MLB Braves game at SunTrust Park.

Pop culture fans? Check out the World of Coca-Cola, where you can learn the story of the world’s most famous beverage brand in a multimedia attraction with more than 1,200 never-before-displayed artifacts. There’s Coca-Cola memorabilia and a tasting room where guests may sip more than 60 varieties of Coca-Cola from around the world. Or take a CNN Studio Tour to go behind the scenes and through the halls of CNN Center.

History buffs? Take a journey through Martin Luther King Jr.’s life as the leader of the civil rights movement at the MLK Jr. National Historic Site.

Start with a guided tour of his birth home, then see the original Ebenezer Baptist Church and the theater where visitors

can view Civil Rights films. Or watch the past come to life at the Atlanta History Center, with the largest collection of Civil War memorabilia in the Southeast and acres of gardens.

Outdoorsy types? Stone Mountain Park is the most-visited attraction in Georgia. Go hiking, biking or jogging, play 18 holes of golf, complete the ropes course, catch a movie projected onto the mountain and enjoy the spectacular nightly laser show.

Or visit Centennial Olympic Park, the lasting legacy of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games with the iconic Fountain of Rings. Or experience a lush, urban oasis at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Enjoy walking through the Orchid Display House or across the Canopy Walk, a 600-foot suspension bridge. Special events include Cocktails in the Garden, the summer music series and holiday lighting displays.

Love to learn? Mingle with the masters at the High Museum of Art, the foremost art museum in the Southeast. Or escape into an underwater paradise at Georgia Aquarium, the nation’s largest with 10 million gallons of fresh and salt water and more aquatic life than any other aquarium in North America. Indulge in one of the animal encounters, where you can swim with the whale sharks, pet a beluga or get up close with a penguin.

Big kid at heart? Ride the SkyView Atlanta for a oneof-a-kind view of downtown from atop a 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel overlooking Centennial Olympic Park.

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LODGING

The Georgian Terrace Hotel: The Grand Dame of Atlanta About 15 minutes from the GWCC, in Midtown (the first neighborhood north of downtown), stands the esteemed Georgian Terrace Hotel, built in 1911. Constructed in a Beaux Arts style by architect William Lee Stoddart, the concept was a Southern interpretation of a Parisian hotel and cost a mere $500,000 to build. Classic details such as turreted corners, Palladian-style windows, decorative terra cotta, crystal chandeliers and wrap-around terraces are featured throughout the hotel.

Located across the street from the iconic Fox Theatre, the four-star, very highly rated historic hotel is known as the Grand Dame of Atlanta and offers plenty of charm and luxury. Famous for hosting the 1939 opening gala for the Gone with the Wind premiere, this beloved Atlan-

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ta hotel has been a tremendous patron of the performing arts.

In 1913, tenor Enrico Caruso and the rest of the Metropolitan Opera used the hotel as their home base when in town. In the 1920s, Arthur Murray started teaching dance lessons in the Grand Ballroom. Other notable guests include Calvin Coolidge, Helen Keller, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tallulah Bankhead, Walt Disney, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier and Elvis Presley. In the 1970s, concert promoters Alex Cooley and Mark Golob turned the Grand Ballroom into the Electric Ballroom and brought famous acts such as Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, Patti Smith and the Ramones.

In April 2007, the hotel was used to film a Bacardi Global Brands commercial starring George Clooney, Jamie King and Leonor Varela for the European market. In the fall of 2010, the hotel’s Grand Ballroom was used for the Jason Bateman and Ryan

Reynolds film The Change-Up. In the 1980s, the hotel was condemned; fortunately it was listed as part of the historic Fox Theater District, which saved it from being demolished. In the 1990s, a 19-story wing was added to the building and it became a luxury apartment house for six years; the hotel underwent renovations in 2000 and 2009. A member of Historic Hotels of America since 2001, the hotel is now as spectacular and elegant as it was back in its heyday of movie stars and elegance. The bedrooms offer sleek, stylish accommodation while the communal areas have a traditional Southern dĂŠcor. Guests can take a swim in the super lush rooftop pool with panoramic city views and dine at the Livingston Restaurant and Bar that serves up award-winning cuisine.

The Georgian Terrace, 659 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308, (866) 845-7551, www.thegeorgianterrace.com

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Tradeshow Calendar TRADESHOW ROUND-UPS NORTHWEST SOUTHWEST

National Hardware Show, May 7-9, Las Vegas Convention Center

Pacific Northwest Dental Conference, June 20-22, Meydenbauer Center

The hardware industry has been growing consistently year-over-year since 2015, and the advances are certainly reflected in the scope of this year’s NHS. Attracting more than 19,000 attendees over just three days, NHS is as much a statement of strength as it is an opportunity for professional networking and education. One of the event’s many highlights is the Lancaster Buying Show, a two-day showcase where some of the industry’s leading players, including Gorilla Glue and WMBarr, lay out their latest inventions and wares. But that’s not all. As reflected in the Lancaster Buying Show, NHS prides itself in innovation, and the New Product Launch section enables attendees to access the hottest new products without the hassle of pre-negotiations, pre-sales or exclusives. For more info, visit nationalhardwareshow.com

The biggest show to hit the region in early summer, PNDC is set to see more than 9,000 dental professionals from across the country congregate in the bustling hub of Bellevue, Wash. The three-day event will be sponsored by MNI Practice Group, The Dentists Insurance Company and Washington Dentists’ Insurance Agency, with big players such as Hiossen, Burkhart Dental and Henry Schein Dental on show on the exhibit floor. Of course, a dental conference wouldn’t be a dental conference without a raft of education sessions.

Workshops will include dental photography, BLS for healthcare providers, and marketing strategies in the dental industry, with keynote speeches covering practice management, implants and dental materials. Be sure to check out the Speaker Ambassador Program, designed to provide WSDA members a way to get involved with the conference. Speaker Ambassadors get to attend the show for free, as well as a host of other perks. For more info, visit prereg.net

CENTRAL

NORTHEAST

Offshore Technology Conference, May 6-9, NRG Park

BIO International Convention, June 3-6, Pennsylvania Convention Center

The Lone Star State isn’t known for doing things by half, and this year’s OTC will ensure that the Texan reputation for all things big is left very much intact. 2019 marks the OTC’s 50th anniversary, and the show is pulling out all the stops as more than 118,000 attendees descend on downtown Houston for four days of conferences, networking with international brands and product launches. And seeing as it was a special occasion, an exciting new program called the “Around the World Series” will be launched on the morning of the first day. Attracting industry leaders from across the globe—including Australia, Norway and Guyana—the Around the World Series will allow attendees to discuss new licensing and business opportunities, as well as the chance to get to grips with recently introduced technologies. Interested in getting in on next year’s show? Registration is already underway at 2019.otcnet.org/exhibit/2020-booth-application For more info, visit 2019.otcnet.org

The big one. A leading player in the global biotech and pharma industries, BIO is the must-attend show this summer.

And with reason: 47 percent of BIO attendees are in senior management, and with more than 7,000 companies represented throughout the event, the opportunities for growth are many. Talk about getting business done on the exhibit floor (and it’s a monster this year). As expected, BIO has attracted an impressive keynote speaker in the shape of Pulitzer Prize winner Siddhartha Mukherjee. Named one of Time 100’s most influential people, Mukherjee will talk on genetics, oncology and his career as a whole, as well as a raft of other related topics. But the action isn’t just restricted to the convention center.

Attendees can take advantage of Biotech Ecosystem Tours to a number of off-site locations, including the Princeton Innovation Center, gsk and Philadelphia’s “Cellicon Valley.” For more info, visit convention.bio.org

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See complete listing of shows online at ExhibitCityNews.com/tradeshow-calendar

SOUTHEAST

MIDWEST

Florida International Medical Expo, June 26-28, Miami Beach Convention Center

American Society of Clinical Oncology, May 31-June 4, McCormick Place

After a brief excursion to Orlando, the ever-popular FIME will be relocating back to a permanent home in sunny Miami Beach, Fla. Not that there will be much time for attendees to see the sun-soaked sights, however. As the largest medical trade fair in the Americas, this year’s new-look FIME is set to see more than 14,119 medical professionals walk through the doors of the MBCC, with more than 1,200 exhibiting companies coming in from across the world. The show floor will be divided into Platinum, Gold and Silver categories, with the big names up at the front, including extensive pavilions given over to exhibiting countries. In addition, FIME has a reputation of being the place where Latin American healthcare companies can meet with American counterparts, and given the growth being seen across the region, the time is right to enter positive conversations with our southern neighbors.

FIME isn’t short on hard-hitting education either. Conferences and seminars will include discussions on sterilization, international trade and healthcare supply chains in China.

For more info, visit fimeshow.com

CANADA

Global Petroleum Show, June 1113, Calgary Stampede Park If ever there was a show to get the batteries charged, it would be GPS. As North America’s largest energy conference, GPS is set to attract more than 21,000 international and domestic companies from 115 countries to downtown Calgary this June. And it’s growing. Expect one of the largest exhibit floors of the summer, with a @ExhibitCityNews

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With more than 31,250 oncology professionals from across the world set to spend five days in the company of more than 500 exhibitors, ASCO has long established itself as the planet’s leading cancer-focused conference, and it shows. Operating under the mantra, “Every patient deserves equal access to the highest quality care and the opportunity to participate in research,” this year’s ASCO will focus on the global exchange of information, and how to drive progress and expand the reach of quality care for all patients in the mass media era. Returning this year is Interact, powered by Sync, the highly popular app that enables attendees to view session slides on personal devices, take notes and pose questions to speakers all in real time.

All work and no chat make for a dull event, so a number of breakout areas are also open for business, including the Women’s Networking Center and Publishing Lounge, where industry writers can meet and interact with fellow professionals. Thinking of attending as press? Final deadline for pre-registration closes on May 17. For more info, visit meetings.asco.org

slew of 60 x 50 and 60 x 100 booths, as well as a fair share of 50 x 70s spread over five hall spaces. GPS also promises to be a highly active online occasion.

Last year saw 377,755 media impressions related to the show, with 194,000 visitors landing on the show’s website; a 25 percent increase over 2017. Also, 40 percent of GPS attendees are C-level executives and decision makers. Of course, such impressive growth can only be attained by looking forward, and “Young GPS: The Future of Ener-

gy” achieves just that. Designed to inspire the industry’s future leaders, local top performing STEM students aged 12 to 17 will participate in a program where they will meet industry experts and discover how the latest technological advancements are influencing the industry. For more info, visit globalpetroleumshow.com ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2019 87

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Tradeshow Calendar U.S. CENTRAL

Att = Attendance | CC=Convention Center | Exh = Exhibitors | Nsf = Net Square Feet

Medical & Healthcare Pri-Med Southwest Annual Conference NWFA Annual Wood Flooring Convention & Expo Texas Dental Association - The TDA Meeting Offshore Technology Conference - OTC SAWC Spring - Symposium on Advanced Wound Care Building Owners & Managers Association - BOMA Dallas Southwest Fuel & Convenience Expo American Thoracic Society - ATS Texas Medical Association - TexMed American Academy of Physician Assistants - AAPA LeadingAge Texas North American Snow Conference - APWA AAPG - American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Conf. & Exhibition World Conference on Quality and Improvement - ASQ American Industrial Hygiene Association - AIHce EXP WINDPOWER Geoint Symposium Independent Liquid Terminals Association - ILTA Upper Midwest Design-2-Part Show International New Age Trade Show - West - INATS Associated Professional Sleep Societies - APSS American Water Works Association - ACE - AWWA NFPA - National Fire Protection Association Conference & Expo Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals - HITEC Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Western & English Sales Market - WESA Building Owners & Managers Association - BOMA National Apartment Association - NAA Apartmentalize Energy Exposition & Symposium

You Built It!

Start 05/01 05/01 05/02 05/06 05/07 05/09 05/14 05/17 05/17 05/18 05/19 05/19 05/19 05/20 05/20 05/20 06/02 06/03 06/05 06/07 06/08 06/09 06/17 06/17 06/18 06/19 06/22 06/26 06/26

End 05/03 05/03 05/04 05/09 05/11 05/09 05/16 05/22 05/18 05/22 05/22 05/22 05/22 05/22 05/22 05/23 06/05 06/05 06/06 06/09 06/12 06/12 06/20 06/20 06/20 06/21 06/25 06/28 06/27

Venue George R. Brown CC Ft. Worth CC Henry B. Gonzalez CC NRG Park Henry B. Gonzalez CC Dallas Market Hall Ft. Worth CC Kay Bailey Hutchison CC Hilton Anatole Colorado CC Renaissance Hotel Salt Palace CC Henry B. Gonzalez CC Ft. Worth CC Minneapolis CC George R. Brown CC Henry B. Gonzalez CC George R. Brown CC Minneapolis CC Crowne Plaza Hotel Henry B. Gonzalez CC Colorado CC Henry B. Gonzalez CC Minneapolis CC Colorado CC DenverMart Salt Palace CC Colorado CC Wyoming Center

All Information Is Subject to Change*

City Houston Ft. Worth San Antonio Houston San Antonio Dallas Ft. Worth Dallas Dallas Denver Austin Salt Lake City San Antonio Ft. Worth Minneapolis Houston San Antonio Houston Minneapolis Denver San Antonio Denver San Antonio Minneapolis Denver Denver Salt Lake City Denver Gillette

St TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX CO TX UT TX TX MN TX TX TX MN CO TX CO TX MN CO CO UT CO WY

Att 2600 3000 12K 119K 2000 1500 723 16K 1500 8500 500 1500 8446 2500 4375 7600 4199 4500 1056 1500 5000 6654 7531 4500 43K 4500 2300 9892 4500

Exh 165 280 370 2.5K 200 200 250 226 125 250 120 120 217 100 246 403 251 340 163 250 110 541 293 300 1.2K 250 300 513 250

Nsf 38900 52000 50000 641K 20000 32600 71427 50000 10400 28000 71180 30000 39400 107K 30000 16700 35000 113K 64200 65000 492K 47500 118K

Industry Medical & Healthcare Building & Construction Medical & Healthcare Energy Medical & Healthcare Real Estate Food & Beverage Medical & Healthcare Medical & Healthcare Medical & Healthcare Medical & Healthcare Government Petroleum, Oil & Plastics Education Manufacturing Renewable Energy Science Petroleum, Oil & Plastics Manufacturing Gifts Healthcare Water Fire & Fire Protection Hotels and Resorts Sporting Goods & Rec. Apparel Real Estate Housing Energy

Now Flaunt It! SHOW OFF YOUR GREATEST EXHIBITS WITH THE GREATEST PHOTOGRAPHY!

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See complete listing of shows online at ExhibitCityNews.com/tradeshow-calendar

Att = Attendance | CC=Convention Center | Exh = Exhibitors | Nsf = Net Square Feet

U.S. MIDWEST Show Ohio Health Care Association Annual Conv. & Expo - OHA EXPONENTIAL - Unmanned Systems North America - AUVSI INFORMEX Michigan Dental Association American Urological Association - AUA National Postal Forum - NPF Food Safety Summit and Expo Electrical Manufacturing & Coil Winding Expo - EMCW National Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo Greater Chicago Design-2-Part Show National Restaurant Association - NRA Show RAPID - Advanced Product Development Solutions - SME Sweets & Snacks Expo American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Annual - AAPD American Society of Clinical Oncology - ASCO American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons - ASCRS Sur/Fin - NASF Electronic Security Expo - ESX - NBFAA Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation - AAMI United Fresh Marketplace Neocon & Buildex Chicago Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo - FEW American Physical Therapy Association - APTA NEXT Conference & Exhibition Rapid Excavation & Tunneling Conference & Exhibit - RETC American Association of Nurse Practitioners - AANP Abilities Expo - Chicago The Energy Fair IRCE @ RetailX - Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition Global Shop @ RetailX

All Information Is Subject to Change*

Start 04/29 04/29 04/30 05/01 05/03 05/05 05/06 05/08 05/08 05/08 05/18 05/21 05/21 05/23 05/31 06/01 06/03 06/03 06/07 06/10 06/10 06/10 06/12 06/16 06/18 06/21 06/21 06/25 06/25

End 05/02 05/02 05/02 05/04 05/06 05/08 05/09 05/09 05/09 05/09 05/21 05/23 05/23 05/26 06/04 06/05 06/05 06/06 06/10 06/12 06/12 06/12 06/15 06/19 06/23 06/23 06/23 06/28 06/27

Venue Greater Columbus CC MCCormick Place McCormick Place Cobo Center McCormick Place Indiana CC Donald E. Stephens CC Wisconsin Center Wisconsin Center Schaumburg CC McCormick Place Cobo Center McCormick Place Hilton Chicago McCormick Place Huntington CC of Cleveland Donald E. Stephens CC Indiana CC Huntington CC of Cleveland McCormick Place The Mart Indiana CC Hilton Chicago Indiana CC Renaissance Schaumburg McCormick Place McCormick Place

City Columbus Chicago Chicago Detroit Chicago Indianapolis Rosemont Milwaukee Milwaukee Schaumburg Chicago Detroit Chicago Chicago Chicago Cleveland Rosemont Indianapolis Cleveland Chicago Chicago Indianapolis Chicago Chicago Indianapolis Schaumburg Custer Chicago Chicago

St OH IL IL MI IL IN IL WI WI IL IL MI IL IL IL OH IL IN OH IL IL IN IL IL IN IL WI IL IL

Att 3200 8000 3675 5000 16K 4500 1400 2800 2900 2000 62K 1800 16K 4300 31K 2563 1200 2206 2592 4500 41K 2000 2376 1500 3000 5000 15K 6958 12K

Exh 300 600 489 150 385 127 152 140 118 270 1.9K 100 750 294 500 95 180 169 200 325 700 300 221 180 200 100 200 598 760

Nsf 118K 69450 18000 122K 35000 21000 24500 24800 28000 543K 16000 165K 14600 217K 25000 17000 28830 25100 72000 152K 31200 24000 50000 25000 98400 215K

Industry Healthcare Aerospace & Aviation Chemical Medical & Healthcare Medical & Healthcare Government Food & Beverage Wire Electrical & Electronics Manufacturing Food & Beverage Manufacturing Food & Beverage Medical & Healthcare Medical & Healthcare Medical & Healthcare Building & Construction Security Medical & Healthcare Food & Beverage Home Furn. & Int. Design Renewable Energy Medical & Healthcare Building & Construction Medical & Healthcare Medical & Healthcare Renewable Energy Computers & Apps Stores & Store Fittings

Where Can You Find Industry Features, Maps, Insider Information, Shop Talk And Free Stuff?

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GO TO EXHIBITCITYNEWS.COM/SUBSCRIBE OR CALL 702.309.8023

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Tradeshow Calendar U.S. NORTHEAST

Att = Attendance | CC=Convention Center | Exh = Exhibitors | Nsf = Net Square Feet

Show Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. - RIMS SpeechTEK & CRM Evolution Abilities Expo - New York Metro American Academy of Neurology - AAN Association for Iron & Steel Technology - AISTech Satellite EASTEC - Society of Manufacturing Engineers BIOMED Device Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Exposition Infusion Nurses Society Annual Meeting & Exhibition - INS American for Talent Development - ATD International Contemporary Furniture Fair - ICFF Lightfair International - LFI BookExpo America - BEA IEEE MTTS International Microwave Symposium - IMS PPAI Expo East Trade Show Bio International Convention NY Tech Summit ASTRA Marketplace & Academy - American Specialty Toy Retailing Assn.

HBA Global Expo - Health & Beauty Medical Design & Manufacturing - MD&M East Northeast Security & Systems Contractors Expo - NEACC Society for Vascular Surgery - SVS Vascular Annual Meeting New York State Association of Fire Chiefs - Fire Industry, Rescue & EMS Expo DUG East - Developing Unconventional Gas American Library Association Annual Conference - ALA Maryland Municipal League - MML Annual ISTE - International Society for Technology in Education - NECC Summer Fancy Food Show - NASFT

Start 04/28 04/29 05/03 05/04 05/06 05/06 05/14 05/15 05/17 05/18 05/19 05/19 05/21 05/29 06/02 06/03 06/03 06/05 06/09 06/11 06/11 06/12 06/12 06/12 06/18 06/20 06/23 06/23 06/23

End 05/01 05/01 05/05 05/10 05/09 05/09 05/16 05/16 05/18 05/21 05/22 05/22 05/23 05/31 06/07 06/05 06/06 06/07 06/12 06/13 06/13 06/12 06/15 06/15 06/20 06/25 06/26 06/26 06/25

Venue Boston Conv. & Exhibition Center Renaissance Washington New Jersey CC Pennsylvania CC David L. Lawrence CC Walter E. Washington CC Eastern States Exposition Boston Conv. & Exhibition Center Cross Insurance Center Baltimore CC Walter E. Washington CC Javits Center Pennsylvania CC Javits Center Boston Conv. & Exhibition Center Atlantic City CC Pennsylvania CC Turning Stone Resort David L. Lawrence CC Javits Center Javits Center DCU Center Gaylord National The Oncenter David L. Lawrence CC Walter E. Washington CC Roland E. Powell CC Pennsylvania CC Javits Center

All Information Is Subject to Change*

City Boston Washington Edison Philadelphia Pittsburgh Washington Springfield Boston Bangor Baltimore Washington New York Philadelphia New York Boston Atlantic City Philadelphia Verona Pittsburgh New York New York Worcester Washington Syracuse Pittsburgh Washington Ocean City Philadelphia New York

St MA DC NJ PA PA DC MA MA ME MD DC NY PA NY MA NJ PA NY PA NY NY MA DC NY PA DC MD PA NY

Att 10K 3000 6500 10K 8000 15K 11K 4462 7159 1000 10.5K 17K 24K 9846 8000 2739 16.5K 500 1315 16.4K 33K

Exh 403 100 159 150 413 340 499 337 172 100 375 465 550 525 600 327 2K 40 246 600 1.1K 100 2705 144 10K 400 2800 315 16K 697 1500 200 16K 485 35K 2.7K

Nsf 104K 12000 35000 45600 63200 90000 114K 38880 271K 20000 65000 123K 207K 129K 94000 39100 180K 20000 27000 75000 201K 15000 25500

Industry Insurance Communications Medical & Healthcare Healthcare Metalworking Communications Manufacturing Medical & Healthcare Agriculture & Farming Medical & Healthcare Associations Home Furn. & Int. Design Lighting Publishing Science Advertising & Marketing Medical & Healthcare Computers & Apps Education Beauty & Healthcare Medical & Healthcare Security Medical & Healthcare Fire & Fire Protection 45800 Petroleum, Oil & Plastics 124K Libraries 21500 Government 132K Education 366K Food & Beverage

PUT YOUR BUSINESS ON THE MAP! Showcase your regional services with a calendar sponsorship.

Contact Sales@ExhibitCityNews.com For Rates and Details. (Design Services Available) 90 May/June 2019 Exhibit City News

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See complete listing of shows online at ExhibitCityNews.com/tradeshow-calendar

Att = Attendance | CC=Convention Center | Exh = Exhibitors | Nsf = Net Square Feet

U.S. NORTHWEST Show ABC Spring Educational Conference & Trade Show American Geriatrics Society - AGS CLEO - Laser Science to Photonic Applications AeroMat Conference & Exposition Association of California Water Agencies Heart Rhythm Society - HRS Scientific Sessions Internet of Things World Society for Information Display - SID Display Week Northwest Fire & Rescue Expo American Psychiatric Association - APA Aging Services of California Connections: The Digital Living Conference & Showcase CNP Expo - Security & e-commerce Northern California Design-2-Part Show Augmented World Expo - AWE USA CMSC - The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers Pacific Coast Builders Conference - PCBC California Society of Plastic Surgeons - CSPS SMX - Search Marketing Expo Advanced American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions - ADA Women in Technology International - WITI O’Reilly Velocity Conference National Council of State Housing Agencies - NCSHA’s Housing Credit Connect American Society for Microbiology - ASM Microbe Pacific Northwest Dental Conference - WSDA American Society of Echocardiography - ASE CloudExpo Sensors Expo American Society for Artificial Interal Organs - ASAIO

@ExhibitCityNews

086_Tradeshow_Calendar_0519.indd 6

All Information Is Subject to Change*

Start 04/30 05/02 05/05 05/06 05/07 05/08 05/13 05/14 05/16 05/18 05/20 05/21 05/21 05/22 05/29 05/29 05/30 05/30 06/03 06/07 06/09 06/10 06/11 06/20 06/20 06/21 06/24 06/25 06/26

End 05/02 05/04 05/10 05/08 05/10 05/11 05/16 05/16 05/17 05/22 05/22 05/23 05/23 05/23 05/31 06/01 05/31 06/02 06/05 06/11 06/11 06/13 06/14 06/24 06/22 06/25 06/26 06/27 06/29

Venue Grand Sierra Resort & Casino Oregon CC San Jose McEnery CC Nugget Casino Resort Monterey Conference Center Moscone Center Santa Clara CC San Jose McEnery CC Portland Expo Center Moscone Center Monterey Conference Center Hyatt Regency SFO Marriott Marquis Santa Clara CC Santa Clara CC Washington State CC Moscone Center Sacramento CC Bell Harbor Int. Conf. Center Moscone Center DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose McEnery CC Marriott Marquis Moscone Center

City Reno Portland San Jose Reno Monterey San Francisco Santa Clara San Jose Portland San Francisco Monterey San Francisco San Francisco Santa Clara Santa Clara Seattle San Francisco Sacramento Seattle San Francisco San Jose San Jose San Francisco San Francisco Bellevue Oregon CC Portland Santa Clara CC Santa Clara San Jose McEnery CC San Jose Hilton SF Union Square San Francisco

St NV OR CA NV CA CA CA CA OR CA CA CA CA CA CA WA CA CA WA CA CA CA CA CA WA OR CA CA CA

Att 667 2700 4400 2000

Exh 86 83 200 70

Industry Apparel Medical & Healthcare Electrical & Electronics Aerospace & Aviation 8500 Water Medical & Healthcare 12K 130 Computers & Apps 7600 43000 Electrical & Electronics Fire & Fire Protection 16.3K 193 59000 Medical & Healthcare 700 100 8000 Medical & Healthcare 850 60 1100 Electrical & Electronics Security 1602 64 17400 Manufacturing 6000 250 50000 Medical & Healthcare 2000 70 20K 690 195K Building & Construction Medical & Healthcare 900 Computers & Apps 18K 171 87400 Healthcare Computers & Apps Computers & Apps 10K 9000 3000

275 50000 Medical & Healthcare 150 80000 Medical & Healthcare Medical & Healthcare 50 Computers & Apps 300 21640 Manufacturing 18 2400 Healthcare

7000 715

Nsf 10700 18000 59500

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Tradeshow Calendar U.S. SOUTHEAST

Att = Attendance | CC=Convention Center | Exh = Exhibitors | Nsf = Net Square Feet

Show American Gas Association Operations Conf. & Exhibition American College of OB & GYN Annual Meeting - ACOG INFO*FLEX - Flexographic Technical Association National Congress for Manufactured & Modular Housing Sapphire & ASUG Annual Conference - SAP Automotive Oil Change Association - iFlex - International Fast Lube Expo Interwire - IFE The Car Wash Show American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery - ASAPS International Jewelry Fair/General Merchandise Show American Jail Association Annual Conf. & Jail Expo - AJA MuseumExpo - AAM American Association of Critical Care Nurses - NTI American College of Sports Medicine - ACSM Premiere Orlando - Beauty Show IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo - Institute of Food Technologists Dairy-Deli-Bake Seminar & Expo - IDDBA Fiber Connect - Fiber Broadband Association Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nurses - AWHONN American Society of Safety Engineers - ASSE National Lawn & Garden Show InfoComm National Sheriffs’ Association Annual Conference - NSA International Floricluture Expo League of Southeastern Credit Unions LSCU Annual Convention The Clean Show - World Educational Congress for Laundering and Drycleaning National Assoc. of Student Financial Aid Admin - NASFAA FIME Show - Federation of International Medical Equipment Suppliers Florida Dental Convention - FDC

Start 04/30 05/03 05/06 05/06 05/07 05/13 05/13 05/13 05/16 05/16 05/18 05/19 05/20 05/28 06/01 06/02 06/02 06/03 06/08 06/09 06/11 06/12 06/15 06/18 06/19 06/20 06/24 06/26 06/27

End 05/03 05/06 05/07 05/08 05/09 05/15 05/16 05/15 05/21 05/19 05/22 05/22 05/23 06/01 06/03 06/05 06/04 06/05 06/12 06/12 06/12 06/14 06/19 06/20 06/21 06/23 06/27 06/28 06/29

Venue Gaylord Opryland Music City Center Morial CC Hyatt Regency Orange County CC Music City Center Georgia World Congress Center Music City Center Morial CC Morial CC Kentucky Int. CC Morial CC Orange County CC Orange County CC Orange County CC Morial CC Orange County CC Gaylord Palms Georgia World Congress Center Morial CC Hilton St. Louis Ballpark Orange County CC Kentucky Int. CC Miami Beach CC JW Marriott Grande Lakes Morial CC Disney World Swan & Dolphin Miami Beach CC Gaylord Palms

All Information Is Subject to Change*

City Nashville Nashville New Orleans New Orleans Orlando Nashville Atlanta Nashville New Orleans New Orleans Louisville New Orleans Orlando Orlando Orlando New Orleans Orlando Orlando Atlanta New Orleans St. Louis Orlando Louisville Miami Orlando New Orleans Orlando Miami Orlando

St TN TN LA LA FL TN GA TN LA LA KY LA FL FL FL LA FL FL GA LA MO FL KY FL FL LA FL FL FL

Att 13K 2000 800 12K 2300 5000 8700 2200 5280 2200 5000 11.5K 6000 66.5K 23K 10K 2500 3200 8545 180 44K 4000 1752 1100 126K 2500 14K 7201

Exh 250 325 240 120 220 90 550 400 200 272 275 300 393 135 850 1.2K 891 102 240 600 65 1K 347 192 130 481 80 1.2K 324

Nsf 50000 200K 30000 40000 70000 92000 125K 160K 36200 59480 30000 70000 100K 24805 289K 222K 500K 31000 80000 75600 25000 487K 155K 60250 28000 221K 47000 150K 37100

Industry Petroleum, Oil & Plastics Healthcare Printing Building & Construction Computers & Apps Automotive & Trucking Wire Automotive & Trucking Healthcare Jewelry Government Government Medical & Healthcare Healthcare Beauty & Healthcare Food Proc. & Distribution Food & Beverage Communications Medical & Healthcare Engineering Landscape & Garden Audio Visual Police Landscape & Garden Banking Laundry & Dry Cleaning Financial & Legal Medical & Healthcare Medical & Healthcare

Where Can You Find Industry Features, Maps, Insider Information, Shop Talk And Free Stuff?

Exhibit City News, of Course!

Sign up for six stunning, full-color issues of ECN and get our very special 20th anniversary edition, 52 weekly digital updates and free stuff to wear proudly!

GO TO EXHIBITCITYNEWS.COM/SUBSCRIBE OR CALL 702.309.8023

92 May/June 2019 Exhibit City News

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See complete listing of shows online at ExhibitCityNews.com/tradeshow-calendar

Att = Attendance | CC=Convention Center | Exh = Exhibitors | Nsf = Net Square Feet

U.S. SOUTHWEST Show TRANSACT - Electronic Transactions Association - ETA WasteExpo Electronic Distribution Show - EDS National Hardware Show American Payroll Association Hospitality Design - HD California Dental Association - Spring - CDA Digestive Disease Week - DDW RECon - ICSC Leasing Mall & Trade Expo Interop ITX JIS Exchange - Jewelers International Showcase JCK Las Vegas IPW - U.S. Travel Association Insurance Accounting & Systems Association - IASA Design Automation Conference - DAC Licensing International Expo Vegas Cosmetic Surgery AIA Conf. on Architecture - American Institute of Architects NRF PROTECT - National Retail Federation - NRF Loss Prevention Conference World Tea Expo & Healthy Beverage Expo E3 - Electronic Entertainment Expo Nat. Independent Auto Dealers Assoc. - NIADA Used Car Industry Conv. & Expo PowderMet - MPIF Drug Information Association Annual Meeting - DIA United States Bowling Congress - USBC & BowlExpo National Athletic Trainers Association - NATA IDEA World Fitness Convention International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers of America - IPCPR Electrical Apparatus Service Association - EASA

All Information Is Subject to Change*

Start 04/30 05/06 05/07 05/07 05/14 05/15 05/16 05/18 05/19 05/20 05/30 05/31 06/01 06/02 06/02 06/04 06/05 06/06 06/11 06/11 06/11 06/17 06/23 06/23 06/23 06/24 06/26 06/28 06/30

End 05/02 05/09 05/10 05/09 05/18 05/17 05/18 05/21 05/22 05/23 06/03 06/03 06/05 06/05 06/06 06/06 06/08 06/08 06/13 06/13 06/13 06/20 06/26 06/27 06/27 06/27 06/30 07/02 07/02

Venue Mandalay Bay Las Vegas CC The Mirage Las Vegas CC Long Beach CC Mandalay Bay Anaheim CC San Diego CC Las Vegas CC The Mirage Sands Expo Sands Expo Anaheim CC Phoenix CC Las Vegas CC Mandalay Bay Bellagio Las Vegas CC Anaheim CC Las Vegas CC Los Angeles CC The Venetian Sheraton Grand San Diego CC Las Vegas CC Mandalay Bay Anaheim CC Sands Expo Mandalay Bay

City Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Long Beach Las Vegas Anaheim San Diego Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Anaheim Phoenix Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Anaheim Las Vegas Los Angeles Las Vegas Phoenix San Diego Las Vegas Las Vegas Anaheim Las Vegas Las Vegas

St NV NV NV NV CA NV CA CA NV NV NV NV CA AZ NV NV NV NV CA NV CA NV AZ CA NV NV CA NV NV

Att 4000 12K 2700 19K 2000 13K 21K 19K 35K 7408 12K 37K 6423 2600 6519 19K 1287 18K 2500 5838 46K 1670 1000 4325 5000 9929 14K 6000 2000

Exh 200 556 255 2.7K 100 765 590 291 1K 252 550 2.5K 881 200 193 420 158 750 228 275 203 173 100 443 300 350 140 300 217

Nsf 40000 237K 180K 559K 50000 272K 130K 105K 810K 64890 95000 498K 145K 34000 85340 205K 52000 170K 39300 48000 401K 12000 45000 78900 150K 53000 28000 150K 39600

Industry Business Waste Management Electrical & Electronics Building & Construction Business Home Furn. & Int. Design Medical & Healthcare Healthcare Real Estate Computers & Apps Jewelry Jewelry Travel Industry Accounting Electrical & Electronics Business Healthcare Building & Construction Stores & Store Fittings Food & Beverage Gaming & Entertainment Automotive & Trucking Manufacturing Healthcare Sporting Goods & Rec. Sporting Goods & Rec. Sporting Goods & Rec. Stores & Store Fittings Electrical & Electronics

• Delivery in Las Vegas, FedEx/UPS to all cities • Be a HERO use Horizon Print Solutions and make it EZ • Everything for your show or event from a top quality 25 year supplier!

Color Printing • Rack cards • Brochures • Booklets • Everything else @ExhibitCityNews

086_Tradeshow_Calendar_0519.indd 8

Meeting & Event Supplies • Lanyards & Credentials • Binders, Tabs and inserts • Tote Bags & Inserts • Tickets & Programs

Promotional Products • Giveaways • Table Drapes & Signage • Branded Apparel • Gifts & Awards ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2019 93

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Tradeshow Calendar CANADA

Att = Attendance | CC=Convention Center | Exh = Exhibitors | Nsf = Net Square Feet

Show Canadian Institute of Mining - CIM SIAL Montreal - SET Canada Partners in Prevention - Health & Safety Ontario Bakery Showcase Pri-Med Canada Solar Canada Ontario Dental Association - Annual Spring Meeting Int. Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine - ISMRM Recovery - Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists - CSPG/CSEG International Anesthesia Research Society - IARS Canadian Society for Medical Lab Science - LABCON - CSLMS Canadian Furniture Show Project World & Business Analyst World CANSEC Pharmacy Experience Pharmacie (PxP) Canadian Pharmacists Association - CPhA Western Manufacturing Technology Show - WMTS International Association of Business Communicators - IABC Alberta Pork Congress Global Petroleum Show Meeting Professionals International - MPI - WEC Clean Pacific Conference & Exhibition Canadian Gaming Summit Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show Canada’s Farm Progress Show - WCFPS Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society - CAS Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police - OACP

Start 04/28 04/30 04/30 05/05 05/08 05/08 05/09 05/11 05/13 05/16 05/24 05/24 05/27 05/29 06/03 06/04 06/09 06/11 06/11 06/15 06/18 06/18 06/18 06/19 06/21 06/23

End 05/01 05/02 05/01 05/06 05/11 05/09 05/11 05/16 05/15 05/20 05/26 05/26 05/30 05/30 06/05 06/06 06/12 06/13 06/13 06/18 06/20 06/20 06/19 06/21 06/24 06/26

Venue Palais des Congress Enercare Centre Inthernational Centre Palais des Congress International Centre BMO Centre Metro Toronto CC Palais des Congres Telus CC The Queen Elizabeth Hotel Fredericton CC The International Centre Metro Toronto Congress Center EY Centre Metro Toronto CC Edmonton EXPO Centre Hyatt Regency Westerner Park Stampede Park

City Montreal Toronto Mississauga Montreal Toronto Calgary Toronto Montreal Calgary Montreal Fredericton Toronto Toronto Ottawa Toronto Edmonton Vancouver Red Deer Calgary Toronto Hyatt Regency Vancouver Edmonton Mile One Centre St. John’s Evraz Place Regina Telus CC Calgary Westin Harbour Castle Toronto

All Information Is Subject to Change*

St QC ON ON QC ON AB ON QC AB QC NB ON ON ON ON AB BC AB AB ON BC AB NL SK AB ON

Att 5000 14K 6000 2200 3400 3000 10K 7100 4000 1000 7000 3500 11K 650 2828 1200 1000 51K 4000 1000 2000 2000 45K 1500 2250

Exh Nsf 450 831 239K 400 40000 200 22000 200 300 58000 80 20700 100 28 2800 63 13289 245 70 331 70000 80 100 4000 150 29600 1K 568K 77300 75 10000 130 18000 160 715 1.8M 75 100 20000

Industry Building & Construction Food & Beverage Healthcare Food & Beverage Healthcare Renewable Energy Medical & Healthcare Healthcare Science Healthcare Healthcare Home Furn. & Int. Design Business Military Medical & Healthcare Manufacturing Communications Agriculture & Farming Petroleum, Oil & Plastics Exhibition & Meeting Ind. Pollution Control Gaming & Entertainment Petroleum, Oil & Plastics Agriculture & Farming Healthcare Police

*DISCLAIMER: Please note that tradeshow information is provided as a resource only. All show information is subject to change. Please check show dates and venues with official show organizers and producers. For updated show and event listings, visit www.exhibitcitynews.com/tradeshow-calendar.

PUT YOUR BUSINESS ON THE MAP! Showcase your regional services with a calendar sponsorship.

Contact Sales@ExhibitCityNews.com For Rates and Details. (Design Services Available) 94 May/June 2019 Exhibit City News

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INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE Where to Find Professional Services, Products and Supplies—a Companion Directory to Our www.ExhibitCityNews.com/Service-Guide

Aadvantaged Displays 98 BWC Visual Technologies 96 CDS 100 CEP (Chicago Exhibit Productions, Inc.) 97 Champion Logistics 99 Clementine Creative Services 96 Corey Johnson Photography 100 Corporate Communications 97 Corporate Events 97

Equip, Inc. Exhibitrac Direct Marketing Exhibit Source Inc. Horizon Print Solutions Jami as Marilyn Monroe Tribute Artist KB Lines King Size LED Displays KKOM Larry Kulchwik Consulting

101 101 98 101 97 100 99 98 96

Las Vegas Power Professionals Last Minute Venues LipSmacking Foodie Tours Prism Lighting Quality EFX Massage TSEMA.org TWI Group YOR Design Your Event Audio

98 101 99 99 96 97 100 98 96

For Service Guide information and rates, call sales at (702) 309-8023. Inclusive categories are available for all your company advertising needs. @ExhibitCityNews

095_ServiceGuide_0519.indd 1

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INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE

NVMT 4993

Chair Massage Foot Massage Stress Release Massage and More...

QualityEFX Massage Therapy Quality EFX Massage Therapy provides Premium Chair Massages for your business, tradeshow or corporate event at optimal savings.

Massage therapist Roy Duncan has been in the hospitality industry for 20+ years. He has a real desire to provide the true commitment of quality service with grace and kindness through the healing process of massage. A former athlete, he knows the importance of attention to detail and quality customer service. It is his promise to fulfill your massage and bodywork needs while upholding the highest values of quality service, professionalism and personalized attentive care. Enhance the Quality of Your Life! www.qualityefx.com

Convention Chair Massage Services We use massage techniques & tools that surpass services provided by the competition.

Massage services range from 5 minutes to 30 minutes.

Advanced massage services that engage the highest level of convention services.

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Call or Text (702) 336-9362

Audio Visual Technology

Audio Visual Technology

Consulting

Creative Design Services

96 May/June 2019 Exhibit City News

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INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE

CorpCom Exhibits and Events

Exhibit / Trade Show Displays | Event Planning | Sporting Event Décor

CorpCom Exhibits and Events, is a tradeshow & event management organization that specializes in custom exhibits, rental properties and full service logistics coordination including installation & dismantle in Boston & New England—including upstate New York. Since 1986, we strive to find the best resultdriven solutions to improve our clients’ marketing efforts and develop stronger brands.

Exhibitor Education

Creative Entertainment Services

Exhibit Production

Exhibits

Upstate NY

Montpelier, VT

Concord, NH

Boston, MA Worcester, MA Springfield, MA

Hartford, CT

Providence, RI

@ExhibitCityNews

095_ServiceGuide_0519.indd 3

(508) 366-8594 info@corp-eventsne.com

6 30.378.4 8 4 8 w w w.cepexhibits.com

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2019 97

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INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE

YOR Design YOR Design Group’s mission is to create tradeshow exhibits and environments that convey your brands image cohesively.

We offer Freelance Design ∙ Design Consultants ∙ On-Site Design Service Available. Established in 2005, we have more than 24 years’ experience in local and national markets. Customer testimonials include: “Excellent design and communication, easy to work with, flexible, reliable,” “We use YOR when we need highly polished creative design” and “Deano Pappas of YOR Design Group is highly professional, creative & honest. He understands core advertising/marketing concepts which is an enormous strength.” Got Design? We Got YORS! (708) 598-8100 | www.yordesigngroup.com

Exhibits

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Enhance your look.

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262-250-2060 EXT 232 | RKOHL@KKOMINC.COM

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Graphics

The Attention You Deserve Displays Starting at $69.95

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Visit us online for more of our products & services

AadvantageDisplays.com 98 May/June 2019 Exhibit City News

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INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE

Lip Smackin Foodie Tours Honored as “Best Tour,” “Best Fine Dining,” and “Best Brunch”

by LV’s Review-Journal, awarded “Best Food/Beverage Tour Operations (Land)” by The World Food Travel Assoc., awarded “Best Tour” by InVegas magazine and “Best New Tour” by Thrillist—the Lip Smacking Foodie Tours is the premier walking tour company exclusively geared toward those craving the ultimate tastes of Vegas. They have several types of tours, daytime or evening at up to five top restaurants, on the Strip or downtown—including the elegant Savors of the Strip, the Downtown Lip Smacking Tour or Boozy Brunch, Vegas Sights & Worldly Bites and more! www.vegasfoodietour.com

Lighting

Lighting

EYE-CATCHING LIGHTING SOLUTIONS •Perfect Lighting for Exhibits, Retail Environments & Special Projects •Full Line of Innovative LED Products; Flexible Strip Lighting, Recessed Lights, Arm Lights, LED DMX and so much more!

•Fast Connect Cable System Saving Time and Labor •Eco-Friendly Battery Solutions •Easy to Install, Plug And Play Lighting Solutions

PRISM – INNOVATION LIVES HERE!

WWW.PRISMLIGHTINGGROUP.COM | 1.866.620.1380 | SALESUSA@PRISMLIGHTINGGROUP.COM

Logistics Champion Logistics Group has a transportation division specializing in the coordination of trade shows and special events. Champion provides the most reliable and flexible trade show transportation in the industry.

ADVERTISE IN THE SERVICE GUIDE •Added value with your ad in print and on our website.

•Engage a captive audience with 38,000 readers every month!

•Increase revenue and gain marketshare!

Print and Digital Distribution (Ads in print issues will run concurrently online.)

1 Issue: $500 per month 3 Issues: $400 per month 6 Issues: $300 per month 12 Issues: $200 per month Chicago | Atlanta | Boston | Dallas | Las Vegas | Los Angeles | New Jersey

800.323.5401 | info@champlog.com | www.champlog.com

@ExhibitCityNews

095_ServiceGuide_0519.indd 5

Contact sales for details: 702-309-8023 or sales@exhibitcitynews.com ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2019 99

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INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE

TWI Group TWI Group Inc., the premier specialist in domestic and international tradeshow shipping and exhibition logistics, is an all-in-one destination for any type of industry and is the official exhibitor’s transit company of 100+ tradeshows. The hallmark of our service is the personal attention and on-site support we provide. Specializing in exhibition freight forwarding, transportation and arranging customs requirements worldwide, TWI provides managers the luxury of not worrying about freight shipments at 15,000+ exhibitions in 60+ countries. If your exhibiting plans include an international venue, give TWI an opportunity to prove that Delivering First-Class Service Every Time is not just a concept for us, it’s a reality.

Logistics

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exhibit and event experience photography

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Printing

Attention Exhibit and Event Companies Local Service for Trade Shows and Events In: Washington D.C. - Baltimore - Atlantic City Philly - NYC - Hartford - Boston All in same-day driving distance from us.

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We Can Provide You A Local Presence

Question: Where Can You Find Industry Features, Maps, Insider Information, Shop Talk And Free Stuff?

Answer: Exhibit City News, of course!

Sign up for six stunning, full-color issues of ECN and get our very special 20th anniversary edition, 52 weekly digital updates and free stuff to wear proudly!

VISIT US ONLINE:

SUBSCRIBE@EXHIBITCITYNEWS.COM OR CALL:

702.309.8023

100 May/June 2019 Exhibit City News

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INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE

Equip Inc. Equip Inc. has been manufacturing custom covers for retail displays and equipment as well as delivering commercial furniture, fixtures and equipment nationwide since 1999. All of our furniture and site amenities are commercial grade and built for years of service in high traffic public spaces with 1-10 year warranties. All custom covers are designed and manufactured in Colorado Springs, CO (no outsourcing!) and ship worldwide with an industry-leading, two-year product guarantee. We have supplied custom sized covers to over 600 shopping malls, 200 retailers, 40 airports and thousands of customers. No minimum orders required. Qty pricing available for wholesalers. www.equipinc.com

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W W W. E Q U I P I N C . C O M

7 1 9. 5 9 9. 0 3 0 0

Tradeshow Lists

• Delivery in Las Vegas, FedEx/UPS to all cities • Be a HERO use Horizon Print Solutions and make it EZ • Everything for your show or event from a top quality 25 year supplier!

Meeting & Event Supplies • Lanyards & Credentials • Binders, Tabs and inserts • Tote Bags & Inserts • Tickets & Programs

Promotional Products • Giveaways • Table Drapes & Signage • Branded Apparel • Gifts & Awards

Venues

ADVERTISE IN THE SERVICE GUIDE •Added value with your ad in print and on our website.

•Engage a captive audience with 38,000 readers every month!

•Increase revenue and gain marketshare!

Print and Digital Distribution (Ads in print issues will run concurrently online.)

1 Issue: $500 per month 3 Issues: $400 per month 6 Issues: $300 per month 12 Issues: $200 per month Contact sales for details: 702-309-8023 or sales@exhibitcitynews.com @ExhibitCityNews

095_ServiceGuide_0519.indd 7

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Exhibit City News Congratulates the 2019 I&D ACE Award Winners Look for Part II’s Winners in the July/August Issue

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Classifieds

Trade Show Floor Manager (I&D) - New York On Location, Inc New York, NY Benefits Offered: Vision, Medical, Life Insurance, 401k, Dental Employment Type: Full-Time On Location, Inc. a nationwide provider of Labor and Management for Exhibits, Events and Environments is looking for a Trade Show Floor Manager. Due to continual growth, the organization is seeking a hands on person that is willing do what it takes to get the job done. For over 25 years we have provided personalized service that resulted in a positive ROE (Return on Experience) for our clients. We are looking for an ENERGETIC, CUSTOMER FOCUSED, and LOGISTICAL MINDED individual that will help us continue to grow.

The right person will be able to travel up to 50 – 60% of the year. Should have a few years “Real Life” experience in Face 2 Face Marketing or Customer Service. Ideally, the right candidate will reside in New York area.

Working closely with On Location’s Northeast Regional Manager the individual will perform the following duties:

PRE SHOW Provide pre-show planning assistance for our larger shows which includes: • Coordinating and scheduling lead travel • Perform pre-show calls • Assist with scheduling local labor • Help determine equipment and supplies requirements • Work with Account Managers to ensure that ALL pertinent job information is received.

• Assist Regional Manager with ordering tools, equipment, and supplies.

• When available assist Regional Manager with delivering tools, equipment and supplies to show site.

• Assist Operations Managers and Account Managers with job estimates.

ON SITE Travel to show sites to provide: • Document daily booth cards (payroll) and ensure boothcards have meaningful documentation • Manage onsite equipment and resources • Managing labor (additions and cutbacks) • Monitor budgets vs actuals, continually evaluate team performance • Ensure continual communication with clients regarding any onsite issues • Assist in coordinating third party vendors (riggers, electrations, etc.)

• Monitor onsite customer satisfaction.

• Ensure proper brand identity in designated region.

• Ensure ALL projects are documented via photos and photos and finished photos are sent to client.

POST SHOW • Ensure proper job recaps • Ensure all that On Site Purchases have been documented.

• Help resolve any onsite issues (internal and external) • Make recommendations for operational improvements both Regionally and Nationally.

• Assist with Account Teams with any client disputes.

ABOUT ON LOCATION, INC: On Location, Inc. is a growing provider of labor for exhibits, events, and enviroments nationwide. For over 25 years we have provided personalized service that resulted in a positive ROE (Return on Experience) for our clients. On Location, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/job/ff418e5f

National Trade Show & Event Labor provider seeking Atlanta, GA Manager

National I&D labor provider is seeking a talented and experienced professional for the position of city manager for the Atlanta, GA area. Candidates should be motivated self-starters and possess good communication skills in dealing with exhibitors, clients, crew members, general contractors and show management. Responsibilities include but are not limited to labor calls, pre-show planning, on-site show management, hands-on abilities. Office duties involve receiving orders, payroll, invoicing and submitting post show reports. Knowledge of Microsoft Office and smart phone usage (i.e. sending pictures via text, email) is required.

If you are interested in joining this leading organization and possess the desire to succeed, please forward your resume to blindbox@exhibitcitynews.com. Must include “Atlanta City Manager” in the subject line. @ExhibitCityNews

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2019 EDITORIAL CALENDAR* *Content is subject to change

JANUARY-FEBRUARY

MARCH-APRIL

January (print & digital)

March (print & digital):

February (digital only)

April (digital only):

• Feature: Year in Review • Transportation/Warehousing/Material Handling • Vendors International Focus: Thailand

• Feature: EXHIBITORLive Preview • Furnishings • New Product Showcase International Focus: Chile & Argentina

• Exhibit Building & Design • Show Management/Kits • Corporate Social Responsibility Regional Focus: Southwest U.S.

• Technology Show/Products • AV/Lighting/Graphics/Photography • Corporate Social Responsibility Regional Focus: Northeast U.S.

MAY-JUNE

JULY-AUGUST

May (print & digital):

July (print & digital):

June (digital only):

August (digital only):

• Feature: Museums/Exhibits • ECN’s 2019 I&D Ace Award Winners • EXHIBITORLive Post Recap International Focus: Australia

• Feature: Women in the Industry • ECN's 2019 I&D ACE Awards Part II • Industry Salespeople International Focus: Dubai

• Insurance/Legal/Contracts • Floor Coverings/Flooring • Tension Fabric Regional Focus: Midwest U.S.

• Mobile Exhibits • Warehousing/Material Handling • Extrusions Regional Focus: Central U.S.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER

September (print & digital):

November (print & digital):

October (digital only):

December (digital only):

• Feature: Labor/Unions • Associations •Healthcare • Booth Staff/Talent/Brand Ambassadors International Focus: China

• Feature: Giveaways/Incentives • General Contractors • ECN’s 2019 Convention Center Parking Survey International Focus: London

• Lead Retrieval v. Data Matching/CRM • Tradeshow Marketing/Traffic • Social Media Regional Focus: Northwest U.S.

Content covered digitally and in print Jan., March, May, July, Sept. and Nov. Other months, digital coverage only.

• Special/Corporate Events • Hybrid/Co-location Events • Corporate Social Sustainability Regional Focus: Southeast U.S.

Deadline / Space reservation: 8th day, or closest business day, of month prior to print issue.

We would love to hear from you! Share the coverage you would like to see in future issues at newsdesk@exhibitcitynews.com 3

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Advertiser Index 4 Productions

19

4Productions.com

D.E. McNabb

7

DEMcNabb.com

Aluvision

67/108

Aluvision.com/us

Design to Print

67

AnglesOnDesign.com

EACA

75

2

beMatrix.us

EDPA Foundation

43

51

Brumark.com

EDPA Randy

63

84

CnAEmbroidery.com

Employco

65

27

CamdenTradeshow.com

Exhibit Technology

5

73

CBDisplays.com

Experience Transport Agency

13

79

ChampLog.com

Exposures Ltd. Photography

77

81

CharliePalmer.com

Full Circle Events

88

91

ClementineCS.com

Highmark Tech

69

61

CoboCenter.com

Hill & Partners

49

107

ColorReflections.com

Horizon Print Solution

65

53

Corpcom-Events.com

Laborinc.

93

85

Corp-eventsid.com

Las Vegas Store Supply

28

53

Cort.com

Momentum Management

ShowNets, LLC

106

SMT Expo

59

Somers Furniture Rental

77

Storage West

57

Sunset Transportation

17

Superior Logistics

51

Total Show Technology (TST)

45

TotalShowTech.com

69

LVStoreSupply.com

CORT Events

49

ShipSuperior.com

LaborInc.ca

Corporate Events

Sho-Link Inc.

Sunset-LV.com

PrintEfficiency.com

Corporate Communications

62

StorageWest.com

HillPartners.com

ColorReflections

Rosemont – RES

SomersFurniture.com

HighmarkTech.com

Cobo Center

39

SmtExpo.com

FCELV.com

Clementine Creative Services

Renaissance Management

ShowNets.net

ExposuresLtd.com

CharliePalmer

4

Sho-link.com

ETALV.com

ChampionLogistics

Orbus

Rosemont.com/DESConvention

Exhibit-Technology.com

CB Displays

61

RenMgmt.com

Employco.com

Camden Tradeshow Furnishings

Onsite Exhibitor Service

Orbus.com

RSMGC.org

C & A Embroidery

15

OnsiteExhibitorService.com

EDPA.com/edpafoundation

Brumark

Octanorm Octanorm.com

EACA.com

beMatrix

79

NolanAdvisory.com

DesignToPrint.com

Angles On Design

Nolan Advisory Services (NAS)

Willwork

40

Willworkinc.com

3

MomentumMgt.com

Crown & Anchor Pub

82

Facebook.com/CrownAndAnchorVegas

NewGen Business Solutions

27

NewGenNow.com

FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES Contact sales: 702-309-8023 ext. 105, sales@exhibitcitynews.com @ExhibitCityNews

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