Exhibit City News - November/December 2019

ECN’S 2020 I&D ACE Awards! Submissions Deadline is Jan. 30

November/December 2019 • VOL. 25 • ISSUE 6

DETROIT’S COBO CENTER RENAMED TCF CENTER

PLUS

ECN HONORS 40 UNDER 40 IN DEPTH LOOK AT LABOR/UNIONS SPOTLIGHT ON DETROIT

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TABLE OF CONTENTS On our cover, TCF Center’s executive team, L-R: Mary Klida, senior marketing & communications manager, Greg DeSandy, director of sales and event services, Diane Calliway, director of human resources, Claude Molinari, general manager, Sharon Schuster, director of finance, Cedric Turnbore, director of operations

ECN’S 2020 I&D ACE Awards! Submissions Deadline is Jan. 30

November/December 2019 • VOL. 25 • ISSUE 6

25

DETROIT’S COBO CENTER RENAMED TCF CENTER

32-41

ECN’s 40 Under 40

Featuring the Industry’s Up-and-Coming Young Professionals

43

Shop to Showfloor Section I&D and Event Labor

PLUS

44-46

ECN HONORS 40 UNDER 40 IN DEPTH LOOK AT LABOR/UNIONS

Four Ways to Ruin Your Relationship with Labor Unions

SPOTLIGHT ON DETROIT

EXHIBITCITYNEWS.COM

Feature Stories 10/27/19 6:51 PM

48-49

24

The Wow Booth

CORT Events Hosts Sensory Event Experience

Spotlight on the TCF Center

Cobo Becomes TCF in Unprecedented Naming Rights Partnership

48-49

25

No Luck Needed When You Rig It Safe & Rig It Right

TCF Center: Then & Now

26

Analyzing What Went Wrong Last May in Las Vegas

10 Years of Financial Improvements

27

58

TCF’s Technology Services Dept.

28-29

Tradeshow Strategies

TCF’s Sustainability Program

How to Effectively Engage Attendees Face-To-Face

30

CSR Initiative Is Rebranded TCF Impact

62

31

Detroit’s Comeback

Columns 12

48

As The Saws Turn What Are You Leaking?

14

Andy’s Apps Essential Communications Apps

16

The Digital Frontier Sounds Good… Or Does It? How Audio Can Make (or Break) Your Marketing

18

The International Man Doing a Tradeshow in Italy

Departments 8 Editor-in-Chief’s Corner 10 Convention Center Snapshot 20 Airport Snapshot 55 International Focus 56 AIPC 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

EDPA Regional Club Roundup

EDPA Club News from SoCal to Boston, Chicago to Atlanta, and more!

64

Stories from the 25th Randy

Jim Obermeyer on How the Randy Transforms Competitors into a Family

68

Highmark TechSystems Stages Best Block Party Ever Pat Friedlander Checks Out the Highmark Outdoor Line

70

The Don & Mike Show Goes Golfing & Bowling

72

Corporate Profile: SMT expo Smart Modular Technology is Changing the Industry

74

In Memoriam

Robert “Bob” Daniel Betzel (Consolidated Freightways)

6 November/December 2019 Exhibit City News

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

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10/20/19 PM 8/8/19 4:01 11:22 AM

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF’S CORNER

D

on invited me to write from the “editor’s corner” this issue to celebrate my two-year anniversary as editor-in-chief (hopefully, it’s not in lieu of a performance review and a raise!)

I’m truly enjoying editing and creating a high-quality, tradeshow-centric B2B magazine and I hope you enjoy having a magazine you can read and turn the pages. Of course, many enjoy reading our flipbook online as well as receiving our weekly newsblasts and visiting our website, which is updated daily with industry news and features.

We also produced the first-ever ECN I&D ACE Awards this year, with help from our many sponsors. We thank all the nominating companies and all the companies that assisted in creating such a beautiful event at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas. And we look forward to the 2020 ACE awards—Don is talking about taking the show “on the road” starting in Chicago in February—so be sure and get your nominations in early.

Submissions begin this month!

This year, I attended my first Randy in Georgia and it’s truly heartwarming to see how this industry comes together as a family (albeit, one with intense sibling rivalry!) as they share their stories and discover their competitors not just offering help, but actually presenting checks.

Coming up next is our focus on Project 25 and producing our 25th anniversary keepsake book. We’ve already begun with a monthly “Throwback Tuesday” e-newsletter celebrating our industry’s history—and companies are lining up to sponsor a significant year in their company’s history so that we can produce a book you’ll want to keep on your bookshelf and treasure.

I try to make every issue a “keeper” and

CSAL

CONVENTION SERVICES ASSOCIATION

AS VEGAS

this issue is no exception. I’m grateful to such wonderful staff writers as Cynthya Porter (check out p. 44 on “Four Ways to Ruin Your Relationship with Labor Unions,” her regular international column (this month on China) and her help selecting the industry’s 40 Under 40 upand-coming industry professionals), as well as Haley Wilson, who co-compiled the 40 Under 40, the EDPA chapter news roundup and our Project 25 newsletter.

And, of course, I’m grateful to our fabulous columnists such as Andy Taylor (who tries out every app he recommends) and Amadeus Finlay (who makes our wonderful ACE videos that we feature on our website, on Facebook and soon on our YouTube channel). Industry veterans such as Jim Obermeyer and Larry Kulchawik bring a wealth of knowledge of the industry history as do our wonderful contributors like Pat Friedlander and Mike Morrison. And speaking of Mike, we’re grateful for all he does in producing the weekly Don & Mike Show podcast and inviting me to podcast ECN’s newsblast headlines.

Be sure to check out our special section on Detroit’s newly renamed TCF Center.

Thanks to Mary Klida and Visit Detroit for their hospitality and great writing.

There’s so much and so many to be thankful for when creating a magazine, website, podcast, newsblasts, e-newsletters, awards shows and social media— from our enthusiastic publisher, Don, and fabulous art director, Tom, to our wonderful staff (Ray, Lisa & Roxanne), writers, proofers & printers, to all of our readers and contributors—thank you all!

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and a beautiful holiday season—hope to see you at ACCESS, Expo!Expo or on the show floor! — Jeanne Brei, Editor-in-chief

PUBLISHER Donald V. Svehla Jr. (702) 309-8023 ext. 102 DonS@exhibitcitynews.com 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 Amadeus Finlay Larry Kulchawik Jim Obermeyer Cynthya Porter F. Andrew Taylor CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lee Ali Aloysius Arlando Vince Battaglia Kevin Dana Pat Friedlander Andrew Fulton Mary Klida Deanna Majchrzak Mike Morrison H.K. Wilson NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Roxanne Tomko (702) 309-8023 ext. 107 RoxanneT@exhibitcitynews.com CIRCULATION Manny Chico Barbara French Mike Morrison Vol. 25, issue 6, 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.

Photo by Allison Earnest

Greetings to our readers!

8 November/December 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 the past 25 years, ECN has become 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.

News Editor/Website Art Director

Thomas Speak

Ray Smith

RayS@ExhibitCityNews.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 Las Vegas.

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

Staff Writer

Roxanne Tomko

F. Andrew Taylor

RoxanneT@ExhibitCityNews.com

FAndrewT@ExhibitCityNews.com

Born in Istanbul Turkey, raised in the SF Bay Area, Panama and NYC, she’s also lived in Miami Beach, Cyprus and Las Vegas while doing sales, marketing and tradeshows for companies including MetroPCS, a graphics firm and a security firm. She’s built, worked and modeled for tradeshow booths and loves the industry!

F. Andrew Taylor has been in the journalism field for 23 years working for alt-weeklies, tourism publications, hyperlocal papers and others. He illustrated “Christmapus,” the tale of the Christmas Octopus and his first fiction prose story, published in 2018, was featured at the Vegas Valley Book Fair.

Tom@Speak-Design.com

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

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CONVENTION CENTER SNAPSHOT

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TCF Center (formerly Cobo Center) Location: One Washington Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226 Year Opened: August 15, 1960 Square Footage: With 723,000 sq.ft. of exhibit space, the TCF Center boasts one of the largest contiguous exhibit floor spaces in North America and is the 17th largest U.S. convention center. The 40,000 sq.ft.

Grand Riverview Ballroom has a stage lift and 100+ meeting and banquet rooms comprising 225,000 sq.ft. meeting space.

Parking: There are 2,596 parking spaces attached to TCF Center: 1,250 at the Roof Deck, 406 in the TCF Center Congress St. garage, 640 in Washington Blvd. garage & 350 at the new Atwater Street Garage.

Hotels: There’s approximately 6,000 hotel rooms in downtown Detroit, with the 1,328-room Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, the largest. The downtown renaissance has brought several boutique hotels downtown including The Foundation Hotel, the Siren, the Shinola, the Element at the Metropolitan and the 367-room Crowne Plaza Detroit Downtown Riverfront.

Airport Info: The Metro Airport is located approximately 22 miles from TCF. In addition to Uber, Lyft, taxis and PLUS! shuttle buses, Fast Powered by Where to eat, Smart is a new reliable, high fresleep and play quency bus service that connects near TFC on the city and suburbs. FAST Michip. 60 gan runs from Detroit Metropolitan Airport to downtown daily.

Transportation: A Detroit People Mover station is located inside TCF Center on the fourth floor near Congress Street. And the Detroit Q-Line Rail which connects the downtown area with Midtown is close by.

Website: TCFcenterDetroit.com ExhibitCityNews.com November/December 2019 11

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COLUMN As the Saws Turn

What Are You Leaking?

do on a daily, weekly, monthly basis to continue to grow—intellectually and spiritually? Do you have a growth plan for yourself?

Flexibility: Be honest with yourself here; are you open, recently attended a leaderflexible and creative? Are you

By Jim Obermeyer ship session led by one of my open to change? Are you optifavorite speakers on the topic. In this mistic? Are you creative when it comes to session he was talking about how leaders solving problems? All of these charactermust learn to lead in all directions: “up” istics say something about the way you (those you report to); “down” (those who approach problems and solutions. They report to you); “around” (your peers) and say something about your ability to deal most importantly, “in” (yourself). His with the change that will inevitably come take on this subject is that a good leader your way. needs to spend at least as much time on Honesty: Can you have honest, helpself-leadership as they do on the other ful and healing conversations? Are you three. However, this is the area most more about helping than about hurting? leaders neglect.

This has to do with how you deal with How a leader is perceived by the other conflict and conflict resolution. It’s about three constituents is largely based on not letting conflict go underground— how well a leader approaches leading about going directly to the person and untheir own life—how they manage their derstanding where the conflict came from lives. And how they manage their own rather than flaming out and being ugly. lives plays out in their actions, words and Joy: This may sound a little odd deeds—what is seen by others. Or, said up front, but humor and laughter are another way: what they leak. extremely important in building strong Here are seven areas he suggested teams. Teams that accomplish huge goals we check to see how we are doing in are teams that can be equally serious and self-leadership: funny. Do people smile and laugh in your Growth: This is all about the growth meetings? Do people take you too seristrategy you have for yourself. And it’s ously? Do you take yourself too seriously? not just about the next promotion or the Passion: Do you have a strong pasnext job. This is about what you do on sion, energy and intensity about what an on-going basis to improve your mind. you are doing? Do you work hard beWhat books have you read, or do you cause you are impassioned about what plan to read? Who do you listen to—your you are doing? Would you do it regardmentors, advisors, friends? What do you less of how you are compensated? Do

I

people see you as being passionate about life? And when you do work that hard, do you take time to let it go—to relax, spend time with friends and family?

Humility: Believe it or not, you cannot conquer the world on your own.

It doesn’t matter how hard you work; you have to have a team around you.

When you get humble and realize that, you get the confidence in what you are wired to do, and in what your team is wired to do. Surround yourself with people smarter than you in some area of your life.

Vision: Keep the big picture in mind.

Whether it’s the vision for your company or department, or the vision for your life, you have to keep checking that you are still moving in that direction. And that helps you to realize that you are not crazy for doing it. You have to live it out.

The reality is that we could have a long discussion about each one of these seven points. But if you take a few moments right now to rate yourself on each of these areas, and honestly think about how you would respond to each of these questions, you can get some idea of what messages you are sending to those around you.

Is this the stuff you are leaking?

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 November/December 2019 Exhibit City News

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COLUMN Andy’s Apps

Essential Communications Apps

I

t’s good to talk. Studies have proven myriad benefits of frequent, meaningful conversation, with the art of relationships and the success of business resting upon the ability to communicate effectively. Today, the market is swamped with a multitude of apps designed to facilitate just that, equipping professionals with the technology to maximize these benefits on a gargantuan scale.

The world is a big place, but people demand efficient and easy communication that can go beyond the limits of email.

Want to make a call to Sweden, or maybe text a partner in Japan without sending Verizon (or the company’s phone bill) spinning? Then get WhatsApp Messenger, a freeware, cross-platform communication service owned

by Facebook. Running off WiFi or roaming data, WhatsApp not only allows users to call other users, send text and voice messages, make voice and video calls, but also share images, documents, user locations, and other media in a single easy-touse, all-in-one design. In 2019, WhatsApp should really be considered a must have.

Keeping with the international flavor, Google Translate is a veritable Rosetta Stone of the modern day, and when it comes to translations, it really does allow you to do it all; supporting 103 languages with an additional 59 available offline. In a rush? Users can utilize touchscreen capabilities to draw text or characters in 93 languages. Even funkier is

camera translation function and it really is as magical as it sounds; point a cellphone camera at a sign and snap for an instant translation in any one of 37 different languages.

Ever been the minute taker in a meeting? How about the journalist at the receiving end of an enthusiastic interview?

Whatever the reason, transcription is a common occurrence in the professional realm, but it’s not always the easiest of tasks. Enter Otter. Small but mighty (just like its zoological namesake), Otter records and transcribes conversations in real time, and includes snazzy features such as individual

By Amadeus Finlay

speaker IDs, searchable key phrases and the ability to share, collaborate and edit both the written transcripts as well as the audio recordings. Like WhatsApp, Otter will literally change your life for the better.

Last, but by no means least, LinkedIn. A dependable friend of professionals the world over, in recent years LinkedIn users have added a slight social element to this strictly business platform through increased use of the app’s in-built messaging system. When email feels stuffy or slow, but you want to get a message across appropriately without the formalities and the wait time, shoot a quick note across on LinkedIn. You’ll be surprised how effective it is.

Taken together, WhatsApp, Google Translate, Otter and LinkedIn are essential tools in the arsenal of any professional wanting to be heard in a global market. Because, as the Chinese saying goes, when it comes to conversations and making a mark that lasts, “the road is by your mouth.”

Columnist Amadeus Finaly has worked with Groupon, IBM, Nordea, and others, and he is pinch hitting for Andy Taylor this issue. Amadeus 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/

14 November/December 2019 Exhibit City News

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COLUMN The Digital Frontier

Sounds Good… Or Does It? HOW AUDIO CAN MAKE (OR BREAK) YOUR MARKETING

produced poorly. The lose your eyes. ear leads the eye, and Take a moment if the aural experience and escape the is lacking, the visual day. Now listen intentwill always suffer, no ly; search for somematter how well shot.

By Amadeus Finlay thing to tune into. As Permit me another you listen, think about what you moment of zen. Close your see in your mind’s eye. Does eyes and imagine yourself on it match the reality of what a busy show floor in Vegas. you are hearing, or have you, What do you hear? Hustle, behind closed eyes, conjured a bustle, excitement. Convertangential image? Keep looking sations about the latest and at it, remember it; because the greatest, maybe music, maybe fact that you are able to do so sound effects. Now imagine speaks to the deeply influential you’re shooting a marketing and limitless provocative nature video at your beautiful custom of sound. Sound gets you right exhibit (complete with all the in the heart. It causes the brain coolest new ideas), only to get to create vistas and emotions. back to the office discover that Just think about the power of the audio track behind your music. Just think about what conversation with an influencyou just experienced. er or thought leader sounds Communication, whatever like words in a blender. Why? the industry, is about conveying Cameras are not audio tools. a message with the appropriate Audio recording is a particuemotional tone, and sound is lar art in its own right. Profesone of the most effective ways sionals spend entire careers of getting a message across. perfecting the skill, but audio After all, keynote speakers can be managed in house. can captivate a room with just Step one: select a recorder. their mouth, lungs and larynx.

There are many contenders But that’s a limited audience, in the market, but Zoom and and brands need to speak to Tascam have spent the past millions, if not billions. Video decade battling it out to be the marketing is the most popular premier “everyman, but really form of communication on the good” recording device, and planet and is one the best ways both merit the claim. Whichto get in front of your audience. ever one of the two brands Yet without audio, it is all but you decide to go with, ensure useless. Worse still are vidthat the particular model has eos that have sound but were inputs for XLR and 3.5mm aux

C

cables, but more on that later.

Step two: Microphones come in all shapes and sizes, and have a variety of purposes. However, unless you are planning to go Hollywood, there are just three mics you should have. First-up; lavaliers.

Named after an item of jewelry, lavaliers are the little bugs that sit on the lapels of news readers and capture localized audio (such as an influencer on a tradeshow floor). These can either be radio transmitted (more difficult), or direct input with a 3.5 aux cable (preferable).

Direct input is easy to work with, but the cable should be a decent length for ease of use.

Next, get a handheld mic, AKA the classic stick with a muff on top. These are great for on-the-spot interviews, can be used immediately (unlike a lavalier, which requires application) and captures sound in a way that allows the audience to also get a sense of what’s happening in the background.

Finally, if you want to go all in and make a step towards production quality, grab a shotgun condenser mic (complete with deadcat protector; the grey fluff you see on mics). Shotgun condensers are great for capturing audio in a controlled setting where you want controlled ambient noise layered beneath the main focus, but can also be used for rich tones such as voi-

ceovers (such as podcasts). And get a boom pole while you’re at it; that way you can attach the condenser to the end of the pole and suspend it above whatever is being recorded.

Now that the audio is safely recorded, it’s time to mix it.

Audacity is an exceptional free mixing software that can do just about anything. Once the sound files are mixed, match them with the corresponding video in Adobe Premiere by stacking the relative audio and video tracks, selecting both (including the camera scratch audio), right clicking and selecting “Synchronize.” Then, unlink the video and scratch tracks, delete the scratch, and link the remaining files. Voila, beautiful sound and beautiful video.

Why is sound so important?

Perhaps it comes down to the old adage; we are born with two ears and one mouth, so we should do twice as much listening as we do talking.

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 November/December 2019 Exhibit City News

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COLUMN The International Man

Doing a Tradeshow in Italy

O

f all the countries in key to providing a positive Europe, I have had exhibitor experience. more tradeItaly ranks as one of show experiences in the top five tradeshow Italy than any other active countries. country. In 1989 I There are several had worked directlarge venue locations ly with the Italian in Italy (Milan,VeBy Larry Kulchawik Trade Commission to rona, Bologna) but coordinate pavilion exhibit most of the major shows and spaces for tradeshows held in events in Italy take place in the U.S. I traveled to Milan Milan. Fire Milano hosts most once every quarter for three of the major events, usually years to meet with the exhibmore than 60 events a year in itors who were participating its two exhibition venues. Its in an Italian pavilion space at exhibitions attract more than shows in the U.S. We usually 30,000 exhibitors and more spent the first 20 minutes of than 5 million visitors. A our meetings discussing our newer exhibition center, Fire American work rules and why Milano Rho, has been open they were not allowed to do since 2007 and covers apmany things. These discusproximately 2 million square sions wasted a lot of valuable feet for exhibition space. The time, but nevertheless were new fairground of Milan is necessary to avoid conflict at in Rho Pero, nine miles from the U.S. show site. For many, Milan’s city center. this first exposure to a U.S. In Italy, France, and Spain, show resulted with Italian English is not spoken as exhibitors deciding to exhibit commonly as in Germany, independent of the Italian paSweden and the Netherlands. vilion. Like the Italians in the With this said, working with ‘90s, American companies are an Italian exhibit partner for now looking to expand their a show in Italy would sureproducts and services in Italy ly make the exhibit set up and the rest of Europe. As experience less stressful. Most exhibit suppliers, our ability exhibit design and fabrication to recalculate our approach in Italy is custom. Wooden within each world region is walls are grouted and painted

on site. Aluminum systems are used, but are less popular. Most exhibit design will include a raised floor, a bar area for catering and private meeting spaces. Lighting and AV services available are state-of-the-art provided by subcontractors. Design and style matter.

In the world of Italian business relations, practicing proper business etiquette is essential, as many Italian businesspeople place great value on first impressions.

The Italian business culture and etiquette simply cannot be ignored at tradeshows and other business encounters.

Italians are famous the world over for their sense of family, and it could be said that this strongly relationship-oriented approach has been taken into the world of commerce.

Indeed, it is true to say that the Italian economy has a greater percentage of smalland medium-sized, family-run businesses than any other European state (with the possible exception of Spain.) This is not to say that all companies are riddled by nepotism and old-style cronyism, but the idea of an enterprise being an arrangement of strongly

Five countries account for 60 percent of total indoor exhibition space dedicated to tradeshows and events: Germany, U.S., China, France and Italy. felt relationships is still very much in evidence.

“When in Rome do as the Romans” or anywhere else in Italy. When planning your exhibit in Italy, check with IFES to introduce you to a reliable and trusted supplier to work with. Also, when requesting exhibit services in Italy, I am happy to give you a copy of the Italian version of my RFP template for free. The template translates 150 key industry words English to Italian.

It’s not what you say but what you mean that matters.

Arrivederci — until we see each other again!

Larry Kulchawik is the head of Larry Kulchwawik Consulting and author of Trade Shows from One Country to the Next. This column is an excerpt from his book. He plans to share highlights about doing tradeshows in select countries for upcoming ECN issues. For more info, visit www.larrykulchawik.com

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Employco USA is the official payroll and HR service provider of the EACA and ESCA 018_Col_LarryK_1119.indd 2

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AIRPORT SNAPSHOT

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Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport IATA airport code: DTW Location: 11050 Rogell Drive #602, Detroit, MI 48242 Year Opened: First plane landed on Feb. 22, 1930 and it was dedicated on Sept. 4, 1930.

Size: The airport covers 4,850 acres with four main runways and two crosswind runways. It has 129 gates split between two terminals; McNamara with three concourses and North Terminal with one.

Transportation: For $2 travelers can take the 261, aka FAST Michigan, a limited-stop service that connects both the McNamara and North Terminals to the Rosa Parks Transit Center in downtown Detroit and points in between. The route is operated by The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation, or SMART and travels twice per hour. Rideshares and limoservices are available.

Fun Facts: At nearly a mile long, Concourse A in McNamara Terminal is the longest in the U.S. and the world’s second-longest. The ExpressTram, a people mover that transports passengers between each end of Concourse A in about three minutes, is located there.

The Light Tunnel (pictured), an elaborate multi-colored light show behind sculpted glass panels, extends the entire length of the walkway connecting the B and C concourses to the main terminal. The light patterns are synchronized to an original musical score, and goes nearly 30 minutes before repeating. A button on both ends of the tunnel allows visitors to turn the display off for five minutes if desired.

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Unprecedented Naming Rights Partnership

BY MARY KLIDA, SENIOR MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, TCF CENTER

August 27, 2019 marked a significant moment as Detroit’s world-class convention center, Cobo Center, was officially renamed TCF Center. Announced by TCF National Bank, a subsidiary of TCF Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: TCF), and the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA), this unprecedented naming rights partnership is a 22-year deal worth $33 million. Chemical Bank, now a division of TCF Bank following its successful merger of equals on August 1, was selected and awarded naming rights earlier this year by the DRCFA following a comprehensive, competitive process.

“This naming rights agreement has been a goal of the DRCFA since it was formed in 2009 and TCF Bank is the perfect partner,” says Larry Alexander, chairman of the DRCFA and president and CEO of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Our partnership with TCF Bank will help to cement the convention center’s strong financial future. We continue to dedicate ourselves to providing world-

class service to our customers, maximizing positive economic impact, creating region-wide jobs and expanding business opportunities for the benefit of business stakeholders and the local community.”

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Detroit Police Chief James Craig joined officials from TCF Center and TCF Bank to announce the venue’s new name.

“This is exciting news for the city of Detroit and the whole state of Michigan,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “The new name demonstrates TCF’s strong commitment to the future of our state, and their investment sends a powerful message to the whole country that Michigan is the home for opportunity.”

The venue’s new naming rights sponsor, TCF Bank, hosted a block party on the 27th and invited everyone in Detroit to eat coney dogs, Slow’s BBQ, Detroit-style pizza and listen to the distinctive sounds of local Detroit music. The evening of the

block party ended with the world-famous Motown sound of the Temptations who shook hands among the crowd and then wowed everyone with a sunset concert.

“The center brings enormous value to the TCF brand,” says Claude Molinari, general manager TCF Center/ASM Global. “The name will be used by our marketing team, our customer’s marketing of their events, the media that covers the facility news and the entire event industry that currently knows the brand of this venue as representing world class service. Everyone wins in this deal.”

The partnership will also provide the local Metro Detroit community with expanded community service under the joint corporate responsibility programs.

TCF Bank is planning to offer free financial management training and financial assistance opportunities to local residents in TCF Center. This will add to the free health and wellness sessions, job fairs, job training and medial services already offered by the center to the local community periodically throughout the year.

TCF Bank is the 27th largest in the United States with $47 billion in assets and $35 billion in deposits. TCF Center is the country’s 17th largest convention center.

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Photos courtesy of Detroit Free Press

Spotlight on TCF CENTER

Spotlight on TCF CENTER

TCF Center: Then and Now

BY H. K. WILSON

Photos courtesy of Detroit Free Press

Known originally as Cobo Hall, then Cobo Center, this glittering gem in the heart of Detroit was renamed TCF Center in 2019, after the DRCFA awarded venue naming rights to TCF Bank. With the venue’s change of identity came the largest convention center naming rights deal in history. The 22-year, $1.5 million annual contract will enable the Center to meet state mandates and operate without state subsidies by 2024.

Former Detroit Mayor Albert E. Cobo (1950-1957) conceived a mega-convention center for the city, and his vision finally came to fruition in 1960, when both Cobo Hall and the 12,000-seat Cobo Arena opened. The center and attached arena initially cost $56 million and took four years to complete. From its vantage point on the Detroit River, which flows for 24 nautical miles from Lake St.Clair to Lake Erie and forms a natural border between Canada and the U.S., TCF Center offers visitors stunning views of the wa-

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terway and city skylines of both Detroit and Windsor, Canada. The site is where French colonist Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac first landed on the banks of the river in July 1701 and claimed the area for France in the name of King Louis XIV. Notably, the first event ever staged at Cobo Hall was the 43rd Auto Industry Dinner on Oct. 17, 1960. President Eisenhower was the keynote speaker, and the ceremony aired live on WXYZTV. Since that time, virtually every U.S. President has addressed a convention or attended an event at the facility.

In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his original “I Have a Dream” speech in the Cobo Arena.

Already one of the nation’s largest convention centers, Cobo Hall became even larger in 1989, with a $225 million expansion that doubled its size to 2.4 million

square feet. In October 2010, ASM Global was awarded the contract for operations management of the facility, and in 2015, the DRCFA completed the Center’s most recent expansion totaling $279 million in upgrades.

Now, TCF Center offers 723,000 square feet of prime exhibit space in five exhibit halls ranging in size from 100,000 to 200,000 square feet. The venue’s flexible design allows the adjoining four exhibit halls on the main floor to form 623,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space. As the 17th largest convention center in the U.S., it’s the meeting point for 1.5 million global visitors each year.

The Center’s legacy of hosting the world’s auto industry elite continues, as it remains the site of the annual North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), a tradition begun in 1965. This prestigious event is the TCF Center’s largest function, drawing 800,000 attendees and hundreds of international press for its spectacular Charity Preview party the evening before the public opening. Since 1976, the Charity Preview has raised an average of $2.6 million yearly for southeastern Michigan children’s charities.

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Spotlight on TCF CENTER

TCF Sees 10 Years of Financial Improvements

BY MARY KLIDA

Since its creation in 2009, the DRCFA has worked diligently to meet its obligation to the legislative act and fulfill its responsibility to the taxpayers of the State of Michigan in making the current convention center a financially self-sustaining facility by 2024.

In 2018, the convention center had 244 events and saw a 564 percent increase in revenue since 2009.

Through the DRCFA’s effective management of financial resources, the DRCFA is ahead of schedule and has saved the state’s taxpayers an estimated $74.7 million since its inception in 2009.

The City of Detroit and individual municipalities across the state are also benefitting from this financial structure, saving them millions of dollars.

“The Authority takes the legislative mandate seriously and has implemented strategies, procedures and quality standards to ensure growth and prosperity of the Center,” says Larry Alexander, chairman of the board, DRCFA. “Our goal is to ensure we have a convention center that meets the demands of our customers, provides a sense of pride for our residents and ensures a return

on the investment made by the taxpayers of the state and our bondholders.”

Over the past two years, the state of Michigan’s Convention Facility Development Fund (CFDF) has generated excess funds that are dedicated to the early retirement of debt according to the terms of the DRCFA’s enabling legislation.

The DRCFA used $32.45 million in excess CFDF proceeds to retire $30,375,000 in outstanding bond principal, saving state’s taxpayers $22.66 million. Combined with the estimated $30 million saved by the financing structure employed for the capital program and the $22.1 million saved from the defeasance of the 2003 bonds that were inherited from the City of Detroit, the DRCFA has saved state’s taxpayers an estimated $74.7 million just from financial management.

This financial structure is saving state taxpayers $22.66 million and individual municipalities across the state are also benefitting, receiving their liquor tax back with an additional one percent interest premium.

“We are pleased by the progress that is being made toward paying down the

bonds and the tremendous value it is bringing to taxpayers,” says Patrick Bero, CEO/CFO, DRCFA. “It is important for the DRCFA to continue to adequately respond to market demand. Our focus continues to be on saving taxpayers money and providing a world-class convention center for all of our visitors.”

The DRCFA completed a $279 million renovation and upgrade to TCF Center on time and within budget in August 2015.

As a result of the renovation, TCF Center has become more accessible, spacious and efficient in its use of space. The world-class convention center now offers spectacular views of the Detroit River and Canada, multiple new entrances, increased parking, public art and improved traffic flow to enhance visitor experience.

The DRCFA estimates they’ll spend an additional $30 million in capital projects towards maintenance and facility improvements at TCF Center. These costs will be paid for through operating funds.

A Michigan state statute established the DRCFA in 2008, which assumed control of TCF Center from the City of Detroit in September 2009, the beginning of a sustained effort by the state, the City of Detroit, and surrounding counties to renovate and expand the facility. The DRCFA has continued to log notable successes since then, completing the planned expansion and renovation of TCF Center and attracting more shows over time.

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Spotlight on TCF CENTER

Top of the Line TCF’s Technology Services Department

BY MARY KLIDA

TCF Center’s Technology Services Department manages a turn-key operation where the show manager, or their vendor, provides the content, and TCF Center technicians broadcast it through the network’s infrastructure. Center technicians can, and often do, create the content on of behalf of users.

“Our Technology Services Department is an area that will always require ongoing upgrades,” says Larry Alexander, chairman of the DRCFA, the governing body of TCF Center. “We are constantly analyzing the industry for current trends and making every needed adjustment to stay ahead of the curve.”

The in-house team gives @ExhibitCityNews

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customers access to the facilities digital signage, robust WiFi network and an extensive fiber network for broadcasting, and internet connections that can upgrade customers to 10 gigabyte (Gb), depending on the needs of their event.

The venue’s broadband supplier, Rocket Fiber, is Detroit’s newest broadband company, and boasted the fastest Internet in the world when it launched in 2015. It is owned

by Dan Gilbert, one of Detroit’s most notable private investors. The company created a hub on TCF Center’s property during the initial build-out of its fiber infrastructure.

The TCF Center hub creates a fiber pipeline into the facility that offers 10Gb broadband, enough for any high-tech event in operation currently.

The 60 IDFs (intermediate distribution frames) throughout the building allow for a more complex, flexible, fully customizable and robust system. Bandwidth usage up to 40Gb is now built into the system for future adaptation.

“We are creating a network that will accommodate the largest technology power-using events in the industry,” says Claude Molinari, general manager of TCF Center/ ASM Global.

The extensive offering of technology services can provide new revenue streams for events: livestream from anywhere in the building over the full facility fiber network; live feed streaming to digital signs; and webcasting and videoconferencing for hybrid audiences. Along with 100 interior digital signs, the 3,000 square-foot digital sign that wraps around the northeast corner of the building and the 4,800 square-foot marquee digital sign on the venue front face offer unique opportunities to advertisers and sponsors.

A WiFi system that is free to guests supports users throughout TCF Center.

Pre-planning is recommended to customers to minimize cross-channel interference and allow for a high-speed user experience. If an event

indicates high usage, TCF technicians can design a custom wireless array based on anticipated traffic patterns and frequent congregation areas, to manage the network during events and insure a smooth WiFi experience in the event location. The 4G WiFi network can handle 30,000 simultaneous users and is customizable to accommodate events for higher usage.

A splash page on the WiFi system can highlight event sponsors when users sign on to the network. The feature is activated that allows users to see logos and other visual graphics from sponsors. The enhancement has been used to boost event revenue for the North American International Auto Show, the SAE WCX World Congress Experience 2018 and the FIRST Robotics Championship in TCF Center.

“I did not get one single complaint of the WiFi”, says Ally Jenkins, ASAE manager-conferences after the event in TCF Center. “This is unprecedented.”

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Spotlight on TCF CENTER

TCF’s Sustainability Program Makes Great Strides in 2019

BY MARY KLIDA

TCF Center was honored to participate in the UFI study conducted by Greenview, on how the exhibition industry contributes to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) along with a handful of other convention centers across the globe and myriad tradeshow industry companies.

To date 13 of 17 of the goals are applied to TCF Center green initiatives in everyday operations. These include: »» #1 No Poverty »» #2 Zero Hunger »» #3 Good Health & Well-being »» #5 Gender Equality »» #6 Clean Water & Sanitation »» #7 Affordable Clean Energy »» #8 Decent Work and Economic Growth »» #9 Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure »» #11 Sustainable Cities & Communities »» #12 Responsible Consumption & Production »» #13 Climate Action »» #16 Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions »» #17 Partnership for the Goals Because this current direction in the event industry to align to the U.N. goals is so important, starting in 2020 the TCF Center sustainability program has created its annual goals and objectives based on them.

Many of these goals relate to the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). On October 9, 2019 the TCF Center became the largest LEED certified building in the state of Michigan with 2.4 million square feet in the venue. The venue received a LEED Gold Certification with a score that was one point away from LEED Platinum, the highest category. LEED congratulated the venue for being maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.

“By prioritizing sustainability, TCF Cen-

TCF Center’s Executive Green Team L-R: Klye Kalis, director of operations, Centerplate; Claude Molinari, general manager TCF Center/ ASM Global; Anthony Thomas, general manager Centerplate; Mary Klida, senior marketing & communications manager TCF Center/ ASM Global; Cedric Turnbore, director of operations TCF Center/ASM Global; Emmanuel Muckle, chief steward, Centerplate

ter is leading the way in its industry,” says Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO, USGBC. “It is moving beyond construction and efficiency and finding ways to help us improve our quality of life by creating spaces that prioritize health and well-being.”

Several facility features that create positive social and environmental influence and qualify TCF Center for LEED Certification are: »» The glass-enclosed concourse area on the main level, the three-story glass atrium and the third floor corridor glass ceiling provide enough natural light during daytime hours to minimize main hallway daytime lighting throughout the center. »» Exhibit halls are equipped with induction lighting that uses 50 percent less electricity. »» TCF Center is air conditioned by pumping grey water from the Detroit River through chillers that then send the cool water to various air handlers, providing cooling to zoned areas in the building.

This system uses considerably less electricity than conventional air conditioning units. »» All main hall lighting and heat/cool settings are

computer programmed and managed. »» Paper, aluminum can and plastic bottle recycling containers are placed in all office areas and high traffic meeting areas throughout the center for aggressive recycling. »» Escalators in the building are energy efficient, Kone EcoMod units. All escalators run based on occupancy and event needs. »» All in-house contractors participate in center recycling and green initiatives. »» The recent $279 million facility upgrade incorporates numerous green building components including low-flow restroom and kitchen equipment, energy efficient HVAC equipment and a living green roof. »» Housekeeping staff uses products that are environmentally safe and non-toxic. »» All pallets are recycled to a local area vendor. »» My Green Michigan provides complete composting services to TCF Center.

On June 4, TCF Center hosted the Events Industry Council’s (EIC) training for the Sustainable Event Professional Cer-

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Spotlight on TCF CENTER

tificate (SEPC) for the second time during the Sustainable Brands 2019 conference.

Last year, on Sept. 11-12, the venue hosted the training for first time in the state of Michigan. Many TCF Center employees were among the 52 event professionals to receive the certificate at that time.

Sustainable Brands, an association of global brand leaders, held its first event at TCF Center in 2017 where it recorded a 92 percent waste diversion rate. Sustainable Brands once again selected TCF Center for its SB ’19 Conference because of the venue’s commitment to sustainability and efforts in encouraging suppliers to follow best practices. The conference held June 4-6 this year achieved zero waste status by recording a 100 percent diversion rate.

“TCF Center’s commitment to sustainability and reducing its environmental impact was an important factor in why we wanted to bring our global event to Detroit,” says David Fiss, director of business development, partnerships and event strategy for Sustainable Brands.

In March, TCF Center achieved recertification to the EIC’s Accepted APEX/ ASTM Sustainable Meeting Standard for

venues. It was initially certified in 2015 and was the ninth U.S. facility to do so.

“Each year, the TCF Center Green Committee makes great strides in expanding our program,” says Claude Molinari, general manager TCF Center/ASM Global. “We will continue to implement sustainable programs while we create new community partnerships that expand our efforts.”

The TCF Center Green Committee was established in 2011 and meets several times monthly to implement sustainability practices in the venue. It has members from every department and in-house contracting company.

Sales and event services managers work with customers to customize green event goals and objectives to meet their company requirements. These may include recycling, composting, post event materials donations, use of digital signage instead of printed material, use of live streaming and webcasts, and communication strategies for exhibitors, decorators and attendees to promote green event practices. Post event reports to show managers can include waste diversion data, green event practices, food efficiency practices,

post event donation data, energy usage data, and greenhouse gas emissions calculations with offset recommendations.

Centerplate is the exclusive caterer for TCF Center and works closely with customers to apply their food efficiency protocol to each event. Customers are given opportunities for local food sourcing, specialty menus, attendee education on food waste, limited single use plastics, unserved food donations and composting programs.

The TCF Center website has a “Sustainability” webpage filled with documents and information designed to help customers understand the green initiative in the venue, and work with exhibitors and attendees to achieve their own zero waste event.

Through these many efforts, TCF Center has received several community awards for sustainability, including the EcoWorks Sustainable Communities Champion Award, the Keep Michigan Beautiful President’s Plaque, the Detroit Free Press Green Leader Award and most recently, the Detroit Green Task Force Earth Day Business Award.

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Spotlight on TCF CENTER

Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative Is Rebranded TCF Impact

BY MARY KLIDA

Since 2016 the corporate social responsibility initiative in TCF Center has developed community alliances to provide events that are free to the public and promote health, fitness, well-being, safety and social awareness to people in the Detroit area and guests in the center. Last month, the initiative was rebranded “TCF Impact� to signify the expanded opportunities now available through the program to the local Detroit residents after the finalization of the partnership between the convention center and TCF Bank.

The TCF Center naming rights sponsor, TCF Bank, is committed to helping Detroit communities and residents develop good money management skills that allow them to

make informed financial decisions, empowering them to take control of their financial future. Four times a year, TCF Center holds financial education programs that are free to the public and take a holistic approach that not only addresses immediate needs but long-term goals for families.

Information on banking and home ownership are given to residents during these events, along with opportunities for lines of credit, home buyer funding and property rehabilitation with cost assistance.

All this is in addition to the annual schedule of no cost services that TCF Center provides to Metro Detroit residents, often in collaboration with an event in the facility.

Free community programing

including job fairs, job training and free medical services are offered in the center periodically throughout the year.

Roughly 15 on-site health and wellness activities like yoga and Zumba are offered to workers, center guests and residents in the downtown area every year. An extensive network of non-profit agencies partner with TCF Center on the TCF Impact Initiative, providing free access to information and services vital to health, well-being and life that can flourish. Each TCF Impact event features a local non-profit partner that is free to interact with attendees. Each partner extends the culture of community to local residents and visitors in TCF Center, offering different opportunities to reduce inequality and spur economic growth.

Human trafficking is an enormous problem, particularly for the event industry. Knowing the importance to identify warning signs of people caught in human trafficking rings and contributing to the eradication of the problem, the Anti-Human Trafficking Program in

TCF Center provides education for employees, suppliers and guests in the venue.

TCF Center leadership rigorously engages the Detroit law enforcement task force and downtown Detroit hoteliers in identifying and apprehending human trafficking activity during events. All information and reports are immediately turned over to the local FBI office for further investigation. To date, these efforts have resulted in arrests and disruption to the human trafficking organizations.

While the FBI will not disclose the details of the arrests, they let TCF Center security know when the center’s efforts have resulted arrests.

To round out the initiative, the Pure Detroit Shop on the TCF Center concourse next to the business center offers guests a retail space offering a full range of Detroit-made products, music and art. The shop connects guests from around world to the culture and hospitality of Detroit, and supports local Detroit artists and businesses.

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Spotlight on TCF CENTER

Detroit’s Comeback

BY JEANNE BREI

At one time, Detroit ruled the airwaves with the Motown sound, it filled the roads with Fords, GMs and Chryslers, and the city was a jewel of Art Deco buildings, Victorian residences and skyscrapers.

But by 2013 it hit bottom when the City of Detroit filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection with more than $18 billion in debt. It shed about $7 billion in debt when it exited the bankruptcy.

Enter the community-minded businesses and residents who decided it was time to restore Detroit to its former glory, including Dan Gilbert, founder of Quicken Loans and owner of the NBA’s Cleve-

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land Cavaliers, Monsters (minor league hockey) and Gladiators (arena football) and the late Mike Ilitch, founder of Little Caesars pizza and owner of the Detroit Tigers (MLB) and Red Wings (NHL), Fox Theatre and Olympia Entertainment.

Their private investments in downtown infrastructure and buildings sparked the metamorphosis. Gilbert even moved Quicken Loans’ headquarters to downtown Detroit in 2010 employing 17,000.

In 2017, ECN put Detroit’s Cobo (now TCF) Center on our cover as Detroit’s renaissance was flowering. Claude Molinari, general manager of the TCF Center, said then that “Detroit is an amazingly diverse city with a great, never-quit attitude. The downtown is booming with new construction and Detroit is the only place in North America where all four major sports teams are located in the city center integrated within office buildings, restaurants, clubs, parks and

a new streetcar system. The turnaround and change in perception of Detroit has been remarkable.”

A CVB rep said back then, “you can see the changes in the city and the services and the attitudes of the people. Detroit folks are really proud of their city now.

We offer site trips for meeting planners so they can touch and see the difference— the Q-Line, the Riverwalk and Little Caesars Arena (home of the Red Wings and Pistons) within the District Detroit.

People are pleased and surprised. We really raised their expectations and they leave totally wowed,” adding, “We’re attracting more meetings here now, as well as leisure visitors.”

And in the two years since then, Detroit’s resurgence has grown even stronger. From Michigan Central Station to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, from the Motown Museum to new boutique hotels, Detroit is enjoying its comeback.

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Emma Bica

Event Marketing Manager, Trimble Transportation Ellie Walradth, Trimble’s marketing communications director, says, “Emma has been a shining star who has navigated through a great deal of change over the past few years. She is strategic, thoughtful, organized and driven to deliver results.” Her organizational skills have helped Trimble elevate the planning and measurement of a division-wide tradeshow and event strategy.

In addition to managing their presence at more than a dozen key events each year, Bica leads planning for the organization’s annual user conference, which has become the largest tech event in the transportation industry. She also manages their social media accounts as well as a customer advocacy program and has been on the speaking faculty for EXHIBITORLIVE since 2013.

Lashanda Blake

Account Sales Rep, Signature Systems Group At just 25, Blake burst onto the events scene three years ago with Signature Systems Group. A Mass Communication and Law and Society double major at Frostburg University, her ability to listen to concerns of her clients, and to

COMPILED

BY CYNTHYA PORTER, H.K. WILSON SUBHEADLINE & JEANNESPACE BREI

gather the information needed for them to tackle any project head on is much appreciated.

SSG marketing specialist Donna Stokes says she is “warm, friendly and enthusiastic in helping customers find just the right solutions for their events,” and though she may specialize in assisting customers with their flooring and fencing needs, it’s her passion for helping people make their event come to life that sets her apart. “There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing that I had a hand in someone else’s creative vision,” she says.

David Brueck

Tradeshow carpenter, Tru Service Group Brueck has shown incredible professionalism, ingenuity and leadership since he began his career with Tru Service Group in 2011 as a Chicago tradeshow carpenter. He immediately dazzled management and was quickly promoted to lead man, then field supervisor in fall of 2013, traveling across the country supervising employees, providing top-notch customer service and overseeing complex and exciting projects with an intrinsic excellence and maximum dedication. By March 2016, he was city manager for the Las Vegas division, where his phenomenal work in the mecca

of tradeshows shone brightly and not only helped build his own reputation, but greatly assisted the growth of Tru Service Group as well. He has recently found himself promoted again, being named West Coast Regional Manager, a position well-deserved through his thoughtful work and leadership.

Kelsey Calasi

Director of Sales & Marketing, Mirror Show Management With a B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing from the University at Buffalo, Calasi began her career in account management at MSM. She says that she fell in love with the event marketing industry, citing her passion for “the collaboration, the creativity and the energy that surrounds this fast-paced industry.” She is a wizard at bringing creative solutions to her clients’ needs, exceeding their expectations and helping them see their tradeshow dreams come to fruition. Now, as sales and marketing director, she leads MSM’s efforts in market positioning and driving new business, but it’s her previous experience as an account manager that gives her an edge in personalized customer service and solutions. Donna Schultz, president of MSM, heaps praise on her employee, saying that “Kelsey is smart, creative, always positive, and super organized,” adding that every project and challenge she brings to her is met with a “yes.”

Kevin Carney Sales Engineer, Display Supply & Lighting, Inc. Carney is known as a dedicated and hard-working individual who

is always willing to go the extra mile to make sure the customer experience is exactly right. “I have had the opportunity to work with Kevin for many years on a variety of projects,” says Stephen Pinette, president, Pearl Studio 82, Inc. “In his role as a sales engineer, Kevin always goes the extra mile, using his technical lighting expertise to recommend the right projects for me and my clients, explain in detail the functionality of those products and to advise on the best products for the application at hand. Kevin is not only a loyal employee of DS&L, always representing the company in the best possible manner, but he is dedicated to making sure that my customers are pleased with the outcome of his and DS&L’s services.”

Lucy Chatterjee

Founder & CEO, Imperial Exhibits Born in India and having lived in Denmark, Spain, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, London and Singapore, Chatterjee has a distinctly global perspective.

With a B.A. in sociology and a double master’s degree in International Security and Events Management with a specialization in Airline and Airport Management, she was drawn to the tradeshow industry and knew she had the skillset to start her own company. Her five-year-old firm, Imperial

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SUBHEADLINE SPACE HIGHLIGHTING INDUSTRY UP-AND-COMERS Exhibits, has customers from 42 countries and is operational in 24 countries, and nominator Chris Griffin calls her the best of the best. “Lucy has more drive and commitment to her clients’ success than 99 percent of the exhibit and event professionals out there. She’s definitely a top 1 percenter,” Griffin says. “She is a global operator—she goes where her clients need her most, wherever their events are. Whatever the country, whatever the variables, Lucy just plain DELIVERS for her clients. Every. Time.”

Ryan Chen

Sales Manager, MatrixSystems USA Chen, a semipro baseball player and active coach who is on an extended rehab leave, joined MatrixSystems as manager of its sales and distribution center in early 2019. He has eight years of prior experience at The Design Factory, where he became proficient in supervising installs of Matrix Frame modular system projects. “Ryan, who just turned 25, is an amazing young man who takes ownership of his responsibilities with a commitment and drive that cannot be taught,” says Don Lyon, president, MatrixSystems USA. “Starting part-time in the industry at an early age—his mother was co-owner of The Design Factory—Ryan completely understands the demands on our services and insists on producing a high-quality product and excels at providing customer satisfaction.” @ExhibitCityNews

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Andrew Childers

Market Manager, Steelhead Exhibits Garnering lots of frequent flyer miles, Childers spent a large portion of his career working for an exhibit house based in Germany, bridging cultural and logistical gaps between U.S. exhibitors and European production teams. Now, he is working in business development for Steelhead Productions. With more than 10,000 connections on LinkedIn, he is a self-described “people lover.” You’ll frequently find him connecting with exhibitors on tradeshow floors and via LinkedIn videos with insightful tips for veteran and novice exhibitors.

“Andrew is such a huge asset to our organization,” says Rhiannon Andersen, Steelhead’s co-owner and CMO. “He brings a level of experience and ambition that’s unmatched—and even better is his personality! He brings joy and laughter into the office every single day. We are a better organization with Andrew on our team.”

TripAdvisor’s Top 3 tours in Las Vegas and ranked the number one tour on Yelp. He was named a 2018 Meetings Trendsetter by Meetings Today, and his company has been recognized by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, The World Food Travel Association, INVEGAS magazine and Thrillist.

“Lip Smacking works closely with us at IMEX—providing great experiences to our attendees each year—giving them a chance to network in a totally different environment, at the same time as doing what everyone loves—trying fabulous food,” says Carina Bauer, CEO, IMEX Group. “It’s been a pleasure to watch their business grow and thrive, and I can’t recommend them enough for groups, couples and individuals.”

Robyn Davis

Exhibitor Education, Booth Staff Training, & Strategic Consultant As a tradeshow strategy specialist and owner of consulting firm When I Need Help, Davis has a lot of people singing her praises.

Calling her visionary, professional, innovative and an irreplaceable asset, her fan base includes past clients, colleagues and people who have attended sessions she presents to help tradeshow managers improve their craft. “Robyn is a powerhouse of creative ideas

Donald Contursi

President, Lip Smacking Foodie Tours A Chicago native, Contursi moved to Las Vegas to earn a business management degree from UNLV. He began working in the city’s finest restaurants on the Strip, acquiring the contacts that would help build Lip Smacking Foodie Tours into one of ExhibitCityNews.com November/December 2019 33

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and non-stop energy,” says her nominator, Tom Poalinelli, aka Tradeshow Tom. “She continually seeks to improve and help others improve.” She has a B.A. in aerospace engineering, and before launching her own consulting firm, she spent a number of years in the industry working with brands on promotional events.

Bailey Dowdy

Project Manager, Mecca Design & Production Bailey Dowdy joined Mecca Design & Production three years ago after a time working with the Westin hotel brand on reservations and large group logistics.

According to her boss, Kenneth Mecca, she is something of a Wonder Woman, juggling client expectations, budgets, movement of properties, fabrication deadlines, shipping deadlines and more. Managing details is one of her super powers and at Mecca, she works with clients to assess all of their needs to create a seamless exhibition and event strategy year-round.

She has a direct, no-nonsense approach that clients appreciate because they know she is a solutions person and will deliver what she promises.

Shane Drummond

Midwest Sales Manager, Display Supply & Lighting, Inc. Drummond joined the DS&L sales team a year

and a half ago and quickly proved his dedication to providing exemplary customer service and learning the various applications for use of DS&L’s products. His willingness to listen and understand customer needs helps him to always meet or exceed client expectations.

“Shane understands what going the extra mile means in order to provide an exemplary customer service experience,” says Jason Weddle, COO, Hamilton Exhibits.

“Shane stays in touch with our design and estimating team to ensure they are always up to date on product offerings and their needs are being met, if not exceeded. Shane knows how to properly represent DS&L in the marketplace and how to be an extension of our team to help find the right products for the application at hand. He is dedicated to making sure that our customers are pleased with the outcome of both his and DS&L’s services…He truly represents the way our industry needs to deliver customer service.”

Chelsea Fernandez

Account Manager, The Inside Track Fernandez has been an account manager with The Inside Track since 2017, and their relationship can only be described as a perfect match.

This North Georgia University marketing department graduate is a natural when it comes to working with clients, building strong relationships and assisting them in developing and executing plans to make the flooring

HIGHLIGHTING INDUSTRY SUBHEADLINE UP-AND-COMERS SPACE component of their tradeshow needs come to life. She finds great satisfaction in the fastpaced nature of the industry, as well as in the bonds that she’s created with her teammates in the office. Prior to coming to The Inside Track, she was a standout employee with Enterprise car rental, where she developed the skill-set that she uses every day: multi-tasking, customer service, detail orientation, and logistics problem-solving. Her clients are apt to heap praise on her, frequently commenting on her “amazing,” “life-saving” work.

Dave Garcia

Teamster, Eagle Management Group, Inc. Garcia has made a name for himself as a member of the Eagle Management team for the past four years.

He possesses the skill, ingenuity and sense of urgency required to bring the largest and most complex projects to seamless completion. Garcia has the distinction of being the most requested lead for projects within his region. He always comes equipped with his quiet intensity and abundant knowledge and is prepared to tackle any task, from the largest booth to assisting a first-time exhibitor with a 10x10 exhibit. “I have had the pleasure of working with David Garcia from Eagle at the AWFS show in Las Vegas,” says Lushell Floyd, Apple Rock Displays. “Mr. Garcia went above and beyond the call

of duty during our set. Most jobs do not go off without a hitch, so to have someone of his caliber to problem solve and implement the right solution on the show floor is priceless. His professionalism and dedication are truly outstanding. He was able to work with the rest of the team to provide top-notch customer service.

Thank you for providing an outstanding labor team for Apple Rock.”

Katie George

Union Carpenter, Momentum Management Katie George is a union carpenter in Chicago working for Momentum Management, and her nominator, Joe Esposito, says she is one of the most requested leads at the company. The reason is clear: Clients cannot say enough good things about her fantastic interpersonal skills, inspiring work ethic and meticulous approach to each job. Her colleagues say they feel lucky to have her on their crews because the praise pours in after each job she participates in. In an industry dominated by men, Esposito says he would put her skills up against any of the men on the floor. She started her career as a carpenter and booth supervisor 13 years ago—and what started as a part-time job to help support her family blossomed into a meteoric rise into lead positions because of her approach to work.

Lea Lana Gutierrez Frozen Bananas on a Stick Gutierrez, aka Lea Lana Banana, spent

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SUBHEADLINE SPACE HIGHLIGHTING INDUSTRY UP-AND-COMERS her entire life knowing that she wanted to spread happiness, she just didn’t know how she was going to do it. When she realized that a banana is the only fruit that smiles back at you, she knew that it would become integral to making her dream a reality. It just needed some chocolate and flavorful toppings. And since her name also rhymed with banana, she was confident that the fates had aligned. Lea Lana’s Bananas now delivers 200-300 dozens per month, and the banana cart is booked almost every day of the month. A second cart, Banana Cart 2.0, has been added and attends larger Las Vegas events like food festivals and music events.

“Lea delivered these to us at The Smith Center yesterday, and they were such a BIG hit!” says Tonya Sclafani, artist services manager at The Smith Center.

then moved into design with a freshly minted degree in multimedia. She quickly learned project management, sales, estimating and production through her job as a designer. In 2013, Hake founded Lighthouse Exhibits and has earned the trust and business of more than 20 companies. She remains calm under pressure and makes sure that her clients are well taken care of. Her clients say Jackie has an eye for detail and is exceptionally organized, making the tradeshow process as painless as possible for them. “I can’t emphasize enough how Jackie always goes above and beyond in her role,” one says. “Her competencies make me comfortable leaving the entire show in her hands.”

creativity shines brightly. She also has a special flair for building strong relationships in her career, citing meeting new people and carefully curating new bonds as an important interpersonal component of her professional life. Straightforward, personable, and a quick decision maker, she possesses a great knack for making and realizing goals.

Chris Hughes

Warehouse & Logistics Manager, The Inside Track A former executive chef, Hughes has impressed and inspired his co-workers, management and clients for five years at The Inside Track—rapidly working his way up from team member to manager.

His experience in the fast-paced,

high-stress world of the restaurant industry provided him with the tools he needs to be an allaround rock star in the tradeshow industry. Describing himself as a “jack-of-all-trades,” his responsibilities range from production to logistics, to custom fabrication, to site work and supervision, to general management. His colleagues describe him as the “Mary Poppins of the tradeshow industry,” saying that, besides putting 120 percent into every job, he also has a bag of tricks that seems to contain solutions to every potential problem.

This proven go-getter also owns a seasonal business that sells produce during the summer and trees during the Christmas season. He is even building out a custom food truck.

Christian Hawkins

Jackie Hake

President-Creative Director, Lighthouse Exhibits, Inc. Jackie Hake has been in the exhibit industry for more than 16 years professionally, originally introduced to it by her father in the 1980s. Hooked on the excitement the industry provides, she began her career with an internship at a large exhibit house, @ExhibitCityNews

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Tradeshow & Events Specialist, Lumenis Before joining Lumenis, a medical device and laser technology company, Hawkins was the senior marketing specialist at TVU Networks, concentrating specifically on tradeshows and events, building their program from scratch. She began her career as a wedding planner and events coordinator after graduating from San Francisco State University, where she obtained a B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing, and a minor in Hospitality and Tourism. She has a passion for staying on top of the ever-changing trends in the tradeshow and events industry. From weddings to medical devices, her ExhibitCityNews.com November/December 2019 35

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Shannon Kelly

President, Choura Events Nominator Gauro Coen of Signature Systems Group calls Kelly a “rock star.” After joining Choura Events in 2013 as VP of sales and marketing, she has ascended to company president and is widely acclaimed for facilitating explosive growth for the full-service event firm. Besides growing the company’s revenue more than 500 percent, she has also helped it be named a Top 100 Fastest Growing Private Company for three years in a row in the L.A. area. Among the 4,000 annual events that she and her 200 fulltime staff help service are The Grammys, the U.S. Open Championships, the BNP Parabis Open, Coachella and Stagecoach. She is a two-time inductee to the Athletics Hall of Fame at her alma mater, Columbia University, for her days as a soccer player there, and she says she loves using her competitive spirit to inspire her professional teams to never settle for less than the best.

Tammy Leranth

Event Sales Rep, Signature Systems Group Leranth has more than two years of experience in event sales with

Signature Systems Group, a Texas company specializing in custom flooring, staging and barricades. Kenneth Mecca of Mecca Design & Production praises her as a company liaison, saying, “It doesn’t take long for you to see Tammy’s greatest strengths—it’s her attention to detail combined with a fantastic memory.” The first time he met with her, he noticed her natural leadership and uncommon knowledge of products that she always had right at her fingertips. She earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Texas A&M, Corpus Christi, where she also was a stand-out volleyball player. Now she’s a stand-out expert in her industry, working with and leading groups of people, meeting deadlines with ease, and designing Signature’s brand displays and booths. Donna Stokes, marketing specialist for Signature Systems Group, says, “Tammy is always in the center of the action solving problems in the blink of an eye, making complex tasks seem like a walk in the park.”

Scott Lebwohl

VP of Industrial Product Sales Group, SMT Expo/Glenmore Industries, LLC Lebwohl brings eight years of experience in direct management of manufacturing at the factory level, something seldom seen in the events industry. From early on, his experience in growing the Industrial Products Group let him focus on fostering the growth and development of SMT expo.

In addition to bringing the EXPOKNIT (Softwall) Booth System to mass market,

HIGHLIGHTING INDUSTRY SUBHEADLINE UP-AND-COMERS SPACE he has been spearheading the expansion of SMT expo’s product line to areas in the event industry in need of updating, from corporate events and custom booths to pavilions and full floorplans.

“Scott has been raised within the Glenmore family business with the full knowledge of manufacturing and sourcing products that are progressive and intuitive,” says Joseph D. Cascio, SVP Sales & Marketing, SMT expo, a division of Glenmore Industries.

“With this background in textiles, the evolution of SMT expo has begun to take shape in providing solutions for a stagnant events industry. Scott has surrounded himself with industry professionals to ensure SMT expo stays ahead of the curve in assisting our partners and their clients.”

Stuart “Ty” Macaulay

East Coast Operations Manager, On Location Macaulay is a Florida native who grew up in the events industry and would often accompany his dad on the tradeshow floor. He joined On Location in April 2016 and spent his first two years with the company managing all Florida-based projects following his previous 13-year stint as an industry leadman on client-specific jobs. Through his dedication and strong work ethic, he quickly expanded his oversight. He demonstrated exceptional leadership from day one, pitching in and helping to plan shows outside of his area. As a result, he was promoted to East Coast operations manager

in August 2018. He is currently responsible for cities from New York to Florida and as far west as Chicago. In this role, he works closely with a team of regional managers and traveling leadmen to ensure client success. He takes a client-focused approach to enhancing service throughout the region and continually exceeds customer expectations.

Macaulay is also actively involved in recruiting top talent in other areas, which has further strengthened the On Location team.

Emily McDillon

Office Manager, Tru Service Group Working behind the scenes, office managers sometimes get overlooked when accolades are being handed out, but McDillon’s outstanding work ethic and proficiency in her field stands out in the crowd.

Her colleagues at Tru Service Group call her the “oil that keeps the wheel moving,” citing the cool and calm way in which she keeps the office on track, often times through a deluge of daily tasks in their fast-paced environment. She began her career in management at Lowe’s Home Improvement before coming to Tru Service Group in August of 2016. She has since taken on a multitude of responsibilities including: accounting, payroll, billing, program implementation, client relations, trainings, account management, contracts, and communications and coordination with various city and regional managers. In the exciting, ever-changing world of the exhibit industry, McDillon thrives, as her fast-thinking, problem-solving aptitude is a genuinely perfect fit.

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SUBHEADLINE SPACE HIGHLIGHTING INDUSTRY UP-AND-COMERS

Rob Morrison

Nevada Regional Manager, On Location Inc. Morrison began his career with On Location in April 2018 as regional manager, Nevada. A seasoned tradeshow professional, he brought more than 14 years’ experience to the team. He grew up in the exhibit industry, working the tradeshow floor beside his father throughout high school in SoCal before moving to Las Vegas.

Over the years, he has held various field and managerial positions with both I&D companies and full-service exhibit houses. Today, he oversees all Las Vegas-based projects and lends support to teams along the West Coast and throughout the region, including Arizona and Utah. His days are filled with resource planning, job reconciliations and communication with the field, account executives and clients. He also spends considerable time on the show floor making sure all clients’ needs are met. Known for his organizational skills and infectious positivity, Morrison is an integral part of the On Location team and shares the company’s commitment to delivering success.

Antonia Nuzzolo Account Executive, Eagle Management Group, Inc. Nuzzolo was recruited by Eagle Management Group, Inc. two years ago as an

@ExhibitCityNews

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account coordinator. She began learning how the company functioned and, while managing client requests, identified and evolved business processes that she automated with technology. Impressed with her personal drive and ability to engage with clients, Eagle promoted her to the position of account executive and relocated her to Orange County, Calif., in July of this year. Nuzzolo now serves the region, splitting her time among convention centers from L.A. to San Diego. In September she was appointed vice president of the EDPA Southern California chapter. “We are so excited to have Antonia serve as our vice president,” says Vince Battaglia, EDPA Southern California president emeritus.

“We recruited her to our board because we identified her as a young professional who is enthusiastic, hard-working and welcoming to others. She is bringing fresh ideas and excitement to our programs and events for 2020.”

Pedro Ortiz

Lead Man, Eagle Management Group, Inc. Since joining the EMG team in 2016, Ortiz has demonstrated

consistency, calm and competence that grace his approach to every project. Whether a 10x20 exhibit or a complex double-deck structure, his ability to walk into a venue, meet a new crew and rally them into a responsive and productive labor force are hallmarks of his leadership. “I first started working with Pedro at SXSW in 2017, and he frankly bailed me out of a very tough situation,” says Ralph Engel, senior account executive, Rogers. “Pedro took over as lead and we got it done. I have used him at SXSW ever since. Just recently, he was the lead for both exhibits for me at SPI in Salt Lake City, where again he did an awesome job for us and delivered excellent customer service. Not only do I really like him, but my clients want to use him in the future as well. Pedro is a keeper.”

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McKenzie Price

Corporate Events Manager, NVIDIA McKenzie Price is an established mover and shaker in the industry, having recently accepted the position of corporate events manager for NVIDIA. Her aptitude for managing events has earned her glowing praise and recognition from many leaders in her field.

With more than five years of experience, she recently held the title of manager of global events at Maxim Integrated, where she managed largescale tradeshows. James Chang, senior principal field applications engineer at Maxim Integrated, calls her a valuable member of the team.

“McKenzie has the innate talent of being able to anticipate customer requests before they arise. This ability has proven invaluable in sourcing and managing the right vendors for a smooth and visually appealing production at all of our events,” he says. Nominator David Hackman of Nebula Exhibits praises her dedication and says everyone around her can trust her to get the job done, and done right.

Nick Provini,

Regional Manager, Florida, On Location Born and raised in the Orlando area, Provini

joined On Location in January 2017 as a lead man and traveled nationwide managing crews. This was his first position in the tradeshow industry and, during his first 15 months with the company, Provini proved himself a quick learner. It was clear that he has a can-do attitude and an unwavering commitment to the company’s client-centric culture. He continued to take on more responsibilities and grew into his new role by ensuring customer satisfaction throughout his region. In August 2018, Provini was promoted to regional manager, Florida, and he currently oversees 5-40 staff members at rotating concurrent shows.

Provini has built a strong team in Orlando, one of the nation’s busiest convention cities. He is well known for staying calm under pressure and working handin-hand with the On Location account teams to consistently deliver success for clients.

Samantha Riley

Senior Field Marketing Manager, Glint Riley is Glint’s senior field marketing manager, and nominator David Hackman of Nebula Exhibits says she packs a lot of expertise into her short time in the industry. She is responsible for defining and executing Glint’s global field marketing strategy of more than 100 events including the annual Glint Summit, conferences, tradeshows, regional seminars and local face-toface marketing programs.

Additionally, now that Glint is a part of LinkedIn, she helps drive collaboration on industry events amongst the two teams. She has

HIGHLIGHTING INDUSTRY SUBHEADLINE UP-AND-COMERS SPACE extensive experience as an event coordinator and has previously been a conference consultant for a local non-profit. Prior to Glint, she worked at TVU Networks, a broadcast equipment manufacturer, as their marketing and product management specialist.

At TVU, she managed numerous projects including the events strategy and execution, email marketing, content writing for data sheets and user guides, and social media marketing. She earned her B.A. in Communications from Santa Clara University.

player and willing to support the team in various areas of the business to ensure that our teams have the tools to provide the best service to our clients.”

Will Rodriguez Shannon Rosenberg

Senior Director of ethnoMetrics Rosenberg is the senior director of ethnoMetrics, a division of GES, and is responsible for managing client engagements, providing fact-based, data-driven analyses that improve ROI for both show organizers and exhibitors. Prior to managing ethnoMetrics, Shannon worked in finance at GES, improving internal business processes and providing financial and pricing modeling. “Shannon is an innovative thinker who has helped our clients understand the complexity of how attendees consume their events and what value the investments in key activations are returning to their organization,” says GES EVP of Exhibitions, Jeff Quade.

“Additionally, Shannon is a team

Client Services Supervisor, Orbus Exhibit & Display Group Rodriguez has been an integral part of the custom booth build team at Orbus Exhibit & Display Group for many years. No matter whether he is 30 feet in the air working on a graphic install, chest deep in a shipping crate packing up a booth, or on his way to another set up, he always has a smile, a greeting and a helping hand for others. He never hesitates to take on more work and goes above and beyond what is expected of him. “Will has always been someone who is prepared to go the extra mile to ensure that our clients, and their clients, have the best possible experience,” says John Warman, senior VP, Orbus Exhibit & Display Group.

“Will handles his position with an always positive attitude and spot-on solutions to the challenges that are present daily in our business. I often think of a past company Halloween, where Will came as Clark Kent. That was a very fitting costume, as he truly is a Superman for our company.”

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HIGHLIGHTING SUBHEADLINE SPACE INDUSTRY UP-AND-COMERS

Haley Sanders

Floor Manager/Assist. Midwest Operations Manager, Renaissance Management, Inc. Upon joining Renaissance four years ago, Sanders traveled in different capacities, including desk manager and floor supervisor. Last year, she moved to Chicago to work as a 3D Exhibits account liaison, floor manager and assistant Midwest operations manager, and she spends time in the client’s Schaumburg office responsibly overseeing on-site installations and dismantles of exhibit properties for 3D Exhibits.

“Haley is what we call a ‘lifer,’” says Adam Stone, Renaissance GM Midwest Operations. “She loves being on the show floor, troubleshooting the numerous problems that can arise and securing the trust and confidence of our exhibit house clients and exhibitors. She has gained the respect of her fellow employees, trusting their expertise in booth building and asking them questions to better understand the technical aspects of the I&D industry. Haley is an ambitious, competitive, and dependable employee, and she is more than deserving of recognition for her hard work and continuing willingness to adapt and evolve.”

Amy Sondrup-Yag

President, Access TCA As president of Access TCA, Sondrup-Yag has enhanced both the culture and profitability of the company.

Her passion

and style of leadership have made strategic and creative thinking synonymous with the Access TCA Brand, where she oversees the day-today management of the company, its clients and 130 employees. On the EDPA board of directors and their executive committee, she has been the committee chair of the EDPA ACCESS conference for five years. She has served on the board of HCEA, and she has spoken at EDPA ACCESS, HCEA, ExhibitorLive and the Bryant University Women’s Summit. “Amy is changing the way we view our industry,” says Brendan Emerson, Access TCA. “Young, and motivated, she has pushed Access to look beyond the standard exhibit partnership and encourage all of our teams to support our clients as consultants within an ever-changing marketing environment. She is a leader, coach, role model and has her sights set on re-shaping our industry as we know it.” She holds a B.A. from Westminster College, an M.A. from the University of Utah and was a professor of U.S. history and western civilization at Westminster College before joining Access TCA.

Alyssa Sterioti

Sales manager, GES Sterioti’s dedication to excellence and ability to apply what she learns to new opportunities are the foundations for her success at GES. For the past three years, she has served as a mentor for the GES Account Associate program in Chicago, where she is assigned a protege and trains them on sales and account management. She has also been a strong participant in IAEE’s Mid-

INTERIOR SH ELF

western chapter and the Young Professionals Committee since joining GES in 2014. “I’ve worked with more senior/tenured vendors, and she surpasses them by leaps and bounds,” says Colette J. Apke, CMP, asst. dir., exhibits & sponsorship, American Veterinary Medical Association. “She always keeps perspective, patience and creativity at the forefront when working through challenges or negotiations, and just an aura of overall positivity. As a client, Alyssa makes us feel 100 percent comfortable because I know the level of detail, effort and communication she has gone through to ensure that our exhibitors will have the best show yet. I have no doubt that Alyssa will be a positive force of energy in the industry, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes her.”

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HIGHLIGHTING INDUSTRY SUBHEADLINE UP-AND-COMERS SPACE Vegas while doing sales, marketing and tradeshows for several companies including MetroPCS, a graphics/printing firm and a security firm. She’s built, worked and modeled for tradeshow booths and loves the industry. She’s looking forward to helping Exhibit City News, Project 25 and the upcoming ACE awards continue to grow.

Allison Trost

Tim Sullivan

Co-founder, ExhibitMatch Sullivan is regarded by colleagues as a game changer and a leader—having melded his background in finance, business development and global experiential marketing into a Yelp-style company that helps companies locate quality suppliers around the world.

ExhibitMatch, Sullivan says, grew out of his sense that there was a need for supplier accountability and transparency in the events industry, and providing a platform that pairs clients with well-reviewed suppliers is poised to revolutionize the way companies locate providers. “Our company has worked with Tim for many years, and we cannot speak highly enough about his level of service, dedication, and knowledge when it came to our tradeshow needs,” says Steven Naugle at Megatrax. “Tim held

our hand all levels of our tradeshow experience and we knew if we were working with him on a project, that we would always have what we needed, when we needed it, with no surprises and within budget. It is a joy to work with him.”

Roxanne Tomko

New Business Development, Exhibit City News magazine Tomko, who joined Exhibit City News just over a month ago, has been proving just how invaluable it can be to have a young professional in the office. She hit the ground running, fearlessly set up the new computer equipment, writing macros for frequent tasks, servicing existing advertisers and brainstorming ways to find more. Born in Istanbul, Turkey, raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Panama and New York City, she’s also lived in Miami Beach, Cyprus and Las

Int’l. Business Manager at CEP Int’l., a div. of CEP Exhibit Productions, Inc. Trost possesses a keen understanding of industry trends, both domestically and abroad, as well as cultural, political and operational challenges of foreign markets, ensuring that CEP International is meeting all needs and expectations of the global exhibition industry. “Today’s exhibit industry calls on leaders capable of working in concert with others, able to collaborate on creative endeavors, a customer-centric mentality and the innate ability to think outside of the box to solve any challenge,” says Michael Ebert, CEP president. “Allison continues to bring these skills to each project that she undertakes. CEP’s international sales have grown threefold under her direction, by her steadfast commitment and impactful relationships in the international community.

Allison exemplifies a dedicated leader, possessing integrity and business savvy, with her ongoing

commitment to personal and company development. I have witnessed her poise and dedicated attitude, no matter how demanding or pressing a situation may become.”

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SUBHEADLINE SPACE HIGHLIGHTING INDUSTRY UP-AND-COMERS

Mitch Tyson

Account Manager, AVDIRECT As a national account manager for AVDIRECT, Tyson manages audio visual needs for clients at more than 75 conferences each year, and he says the fast-moving, high-demand environment is a perfect fit for him.

Nominator Tim Sullivan of ExhibitMatch says, “Mitch is that impossible blend of tech-savvy and exceptional customer service—the guy you want to march into battle with.” Operating under the company motto “Teamwork makes the dream work,” Tyson says, “When everyone else says no, we say yes. We take the impossible and make it possible. At the end of a long day, I find no greater satisfaction than knowing we were able to make a client’s visions come to life,” adding, “I view each client as someone who took a chance on me and my company and it is the ultimate honor to serve them to the best of my abilities.” @ExhibitCityNews

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Spencer Vacula

Sales Associate, Signature Systems Group Vacula has a particular knack for logistics, problem solving and finding just the right suggestion for his customer’s challenges. In just two years as a sales associate with Signature Systems Group he has earned the respect from his management and colleagues and has had plenty of opportunity to shine on big and exciting projects in his job providing flooring and portable fencing. One of his strengths is staying cool under the pressure of this fast and furious business, and he enjoys coordinating client and vendor needs in a tight window, ensuring to all parties that the perfect product will be delivered on time.

He also has the unique ability to help his clients paint a picture of their entire event, discovering the different ways to assist them that might not have been thought of previously, his colleagues say.

ExhibitCityNews.com November/December 2019 41

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

The Gemstone Lounge at CORT Events’ Pop-Up Grand Reveal Party

Four Ways to Ruin Your Relationship with Labor Unions Pp. 44-46

CORT Events Hosts Sensory Event Experience Pp. 48-49

No Luck Needed When You Rig It Safe & Rig It Right Pp. 50-52

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SHOP to SHOWFLOOR I&D and Event Labor

1

FOUR WAYS TO RUIN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH LABOR UNIONS

by Cynthya Porter

A

t venues in which labor unions have jurisdiction for the lion’s share of work surrounding a tradeshow, the way those unions are viewed by exhibitors and exhibit house managers can be a mixed bag. Some revere them as competent, committed workers essential to pulling off a successful show.

Others view them with an air of disdain, recounting times when work wasn’t done properly or cost far more than anticipated, wasn’t completed in what they considered to be a timely manner or wasn’t done with an attitude remotely approaching cheerful.

But while union workers are sometimes blamed for all manner of disappointments, inconveniences and failures on the show floor, the reality is that a great deal of the time, exhibit managers had it within their power to create a better outcome. For the

person in charge of the exhibit, lack of experience, poor planning and a bad attitude can start a ball rolling the wrong direction, and at the end of the day when an exhibitor is pointing at a union with blame, there are three fingers pointing back at them.

Fortunately, the industry is filled with wise souls who understand the ropes for working with unions well, and they are willing to share their insight to help others navigate union waters with more savvy. With collectively more than 100 years of union labor experience between them, these gentlemen know the ins and outs when it comes to determining whether your relationship with a union will be a good one or a bad one. Here, according to them, are the top four ways you can screw up your working relationship with union labor.

Submit your orders and drawings late.

“Late orders are really a killer,” says Joe Esposito, the Chicago city manager for Tru Service Group, a nationwide I&D firm.

“It’s the biggest issue I see over the past five years. If there is a big show in Chicago, and you get a call for six guys tomorrow, it’s a tough spot.” Chris George, director of operations for Tru Service Group, agrees.

“There’s an old saying—the early bird gets the worm. In our business that means the early bird gets the best labor,” he says.

The reason, says Frank Bernstein, division manager for experiential design firm MC2 in Orlando, is that the best laborers will have already been hand-picked long before setup begins. When you call the day before install or, worse, walk up to the exhibitor services desk the day of, you are going to get whatever guys are standing around without something to do. That creates an untenable situation sometimes, he says, because those guys standing around might not have the skill set you need at all, which sets up the possibility that your work might not be done as quickly or as precisely as desired.

Dealing with variables like late orders is a fact of life in the exhibit industry, says Chris Griffin, a business leader at Tradeshow Supply and the vice president of the Experiential Designers & Producers Association, but seasoned professionals are better able to anticipate where things might go awry and mitigate damage before it actually occurs. “Exhibit house account executives, designers, project managers, production personnel and freight carriers are all knocked off balance by these variables,” he says. “In the end, the world conspires to destroy the beautiful things we are all trying to build—from the minute it leaves the production dock,” he jokes.

In all seriousness, though, late orders or drawings that don’t show up until the crew is already on the show floor are at the root of a lot of strife when it comes to working with union laborers. Besides the fact that you don’t get the best crews, they often don’t even have the right tools with them when plans are made last-minute—all of which make the labor time clock start spinning.

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2

Try to do union work yourself.

“The fastest way to get on the union’s sh*t list is to ignore their jurisdictional rules and try to shortcut the system,” Griffin says. “Every city has different union rules. In some cities, the rules even vary by venue. Understanding the rules by venue and by union is an important part of keeping your exhibit and event moving smoothly.”

Granted, with venue rules in a state of flux over recent years and with “right-towork” states compounding the confusion, knowing what’s permitted and what’s not isn’t so simple. “The simplest way I can say this is that if your paycheck has the name of the company that is hanging on the sign over the exhibit, then in most cases you are allowed to handle the work that otherwise you would hire a union employee to do,” George says. However, there will be times when union labor is required whether it is a “right-to-work” state or not, he adds.

Also, be prepared to have all of the supposed “employees” working in an exhibit

@ExhibitCityNews

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checked out. “In Chicago, exhibitors are allowed to set up their own booth, but they need to have six months of paychecks with their name on them,” Esposito says.

Many of the arguments on the show floor generate from exhibit house employees trying to pass themselves off as staff for their exhibitor client, but there are some tell-tale signs that they’re not, he says.

“When we are setting up a medical show, odds are no exhibitor is going to be setting up their own booth, so when they see someone running up and down a ladder, it’s a red flag.”

Ignorance about the rules is not a defense because someone is always available to answer the question if it’s asked. “When I go to a new city,” says Bernstein, “I say to the crew, ‘I am not an expert on your contract,’ and I ask for more information.”

For exhibitor appointed contractors (EACs), clients that overstep their I&D rights on the show floor cause problems for the firms that last far down the road.

“It’s a huge issue and I think that what

they don’t understand is that they get to get on a plane in three days and I have to work with the unions going forward,” Esposito says.

Too often, exhibitors are purposely overstepping because they didn’t plan or budget well enough to get the work done by union staff. “I get more requests than I should for one guy and three ladders,” he says. “It puts me in a bad spot. I don’t want to have to keep telling my client to stop, but my next client can suffer if I don’t.” And by suffer, Esposito means suffer. “There are a million ways on the floor to make your life hell or make it as easy as it can be,” he says.

3

Don’t supply appropriate supervision during I&D. Usually, the men say, a labor crew is seeing an exhibit for the first time when it comes out of the crates on a show floor, and like a blue-collar symphony, every installation needs a conductor. The comContinued on p. 46

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SHOP to SHOWFLOOR I&D and Event Labor Continued from p. 45 pany can either send their own knowledgeable supervision or pay a fee—usually 20 to 30 percent of the labor tab—to have a supervisor provided by the I&D provider. “Many exhibitors see a 30 percent labor supervision fee as outrageous, as price gouging,” Griffin says. “They resist paying it at all costs. But this fee can be avoided by sending in a knowledgeable operations person from the company or the exhibit house who can talk the labor crew through the setup.”

But “knowledgeable” is the operative term there. “Want to piss off the union?”

Griffin says. “Send in a 24-year-old ‘marcomm’ (marketing/communications) coordinator two years into their first job who knows nothing about the exhibit properties, and call them a ‘supervisor’ just to avoid paying the 30 percent fee. It’s a guaranteed, surefire way to ensure that everyone has a miserable experience.”

Besides, Griffin adds, your bill will still be higher because the unskilled supervisor can’t shepherd the project through an efficient installation.

And everyone on the floor will know in about a minute whether the person is experienced or not, Bernstein says, adding that people without experience would do well to ask questions rather than pretend they know what’s going on.

Esposito agrees. “Account managers are getFrank ting younger and younger Bernstein and they don’t seem trained,” he says. “It’s not their fault—they get thrown into it, and they don’t know what they don’t know.” From labor crews ordered for the wrong times to gaffes in setup to not having the kinds of relationships that get a project that is stalled moving forward, an unskilled supervisor can have the labor meter running far longer than it should be.

In fact, there are so many ways that inexperience can cost money on the show floor that the men all agree an EAC is usually a far better way to go. “EACs work in these union cities weekly and

understand the rules of play,” Griffin says. Besides being able to hand-pick work crews and understanding intimately the processes in a show hall, they have the experience and network needed for smooth I&D in that city.

“If someone doesn’t have a relationship with unions, and they don’t have an EAC, they should hire an independent project manager who works in that city,” Bernstein says. “They will save money in the end. Really.”

4

Assume that union workers are going to take advantage of you so cop an attitude out of the gate.

If readers take just one thing from this article, the men say, let it be this: Being nice and respectful to union workers goes farther than anything else an exhibit manager can do to strengthen or kill their working relationships on the show floor.

“It’s like what Grandma says, ‘Treat people the way we like to be treated,’ ” says Bernstein.

“The only thing more contagious than enthusiasm is a lack of it,” Griffin says.

“You can remind your union labor crew that ‘it’s your pail and shovel, and they better do it the way you say or else!’ But the union brethren have 100 ways to ensure your show budget suffers a death-by-a-thousand-cuts outcome. Why pick that fight?”

Everyone who has ever worked with unions understands the amount of power they have on the show floor and that they could make an exhibitor’s experience…stressful—if they wanted to. But that shouldn’t be the impetus for being nice, Esposito says.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about unions, but honest to God, these guys are not out to screw people,” he says.

“They are just out there trying to take care of their families. They aren’t crooks, they are just hard working guys trying to make a living. Be nice to them.”

“Sure, there’s always a bad apple out there somewhere,” Bernstein says, “but when that happens, give them a separate assignment, or go to the supervisor and say you want him released from that job.”

But for the most part, he says, union workers are dedicated to their jobs, good at them and inspired by respect that comes their direction.

Griffin says that respect should start from the minute someone walks onto the show floor. “Have a day-one start-of-day meeting with your assigned labor team,” he says. “Ask who the lead man is. Shake his hand. Introduce yourself. Ask your lead man respectfully what the rules are in this city and what you and your company workers can and cannot do. Let the other workers hear this conversation.

Communicate your expectations about the progress you would like to see on the build by lunch time, by the end of day one, the end of day two, and so on. Ask if this is possible. Listen to any ‘concerns’ they have about accomplishing these things (oh, there will be concerns). Thank them for their input, and tell them you feel better already.”

Treat the crew like they are part of your team, Griffin says, and you can build strong allies for future events in that city. When appropriate, even reward them to further strengthen that bond, he says.

But whatever you do, don’t try to bribe workers to get cooperation—unless it’s with food. “If they do well on day one, offer to bring in and pay for lunch on day two on the company,” he suggests.

The other men agree that, along with professional courtesy, there is something powerful in a kindness as simple as a snack. “A lot of times, a dozen doughnuts in the morning goes a long way to saving on union labor,” Bernstein says. Yeah, Esposito agrees, doughnuts never hurt. But doughnuts aren’t everything. “If you give them doughnuts at 8 a.m. and are yelling at them at 10,” Bernstein adds, “those doughnuts are going to be forgotten about pretty quickly.”

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10/27/19 7:28 PM

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Photos by Cortni Shelton, PWP Studio

SHOP to SHOWFLOOR I&D and Event Labor

The Botanical Garden

CORT EVENTS HOSTS SENSORY EVENT EXPERIENCE

By Kevin Dana

T

he CORT Events team recently treated the greater Philadelphia area to a sensational pop-up Grand Reveal Party to unveil their latest collections. The event featured five distinct areas, each with a unique theme inspired by a new product release and incorporating elements to appeal to all five senses: Botanical Garden, Day in the Life, Space, Earth and Gemstone.

“We wanted each area to have its own sensory experience—from the visual appeal of the décor, to the textures of the furniture and drape, to the taste of the food, and even the smell,” says Kellie Mayrides, district account executive for CORT Events Pennsylvania and host of the Grand Reveal Party.

“We piped different scents into each area.

For example, we used a leather scent in the Earth Lounge as an additional subconscious cue to evoke the feel of the room.”

“As we plan our events, we ask how we can incorporate the five senses—taste, sight, touch, smell and sound—to create an engaging experience that will leave a lasting impression on our guests,” she

explains. From the texture of the furnishings, to the scent of a room, every little detail matters in event design.

Guests entered the event through a tent reminiscent of a botanical garden, complete with a “living bar” where they ordered herb-infused cocktails and relaxed on the new sage green Capri Collection. Laguna chairs surrounded café tables with custom decals, and personalized Marche ottomans were made to look like tree stumps.

The Day in the Life Lounge featured White Baja seating and new Posh Bar Tables with touches of gold as an ode to a beautiful midsummer day. Choreographed lighting and music transitioned the room from a gradual sunrise to sunset, and florals cleverly soaked in a solution to make them glow in blacklight shifted the room to “after dark.”

For an other-worldly experience, the Space Lounge utilized dry ice for a fog effect that transported guests to an icy planet. By projecting stars onto free-standing whiteboards, the room felt as though it were

moving through space. Ochre Bowery and charcoal gray LaBrea chairs provided a futuristic element, and as the final touch, guests enjoyed freeze-dried treats like Astronaut Ice Cream.

When guests were ready to return to solid ground, the Earth Lounge was waiting for them with on-trend velvet seating in coffee brown and spice orange tones. For those looking for a more glamorous experience, the Gemstone Lounge displayed fine jewelry by Milanj Diamonds for guests to try on while enjoying cheese and prosecco provided by Di Bruno Bros Catering & Events.

Every moment of the pop-up Grand Reveal Party was curated to leave guests inspired and wanting more. Introducing creative sensory elements in each lounge truly made for a memorable event experience.

Kevin Dana is executive director of marketing and product development at CORT Trade Show & Event Furnishings. For more info about CORT’s exhibit and event rental collections, visit www.cortevents.com.

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SHOP to SHOWFLOOR I&D and Event Labor

I

Andrew Fulton at Silver State Wire Rope & Rigging holding a massive 2-inch turnbuckle with a working load limit of 37,000 lbs

NO LUCK NEEDED WHEN YOU RIG IT SAFE, RIG IT RIGHT & RIG FOR SUCCESS

by Andrew Fulton

n May of 2019, a suspended 6,000+ lb.

LED wall fell to the concrete floor in a prominent venue in Las Vegas. Luckily, no lives were lost, and no one was injured.

Why did the LED wall fall? The overall likely cause was lack of knowledge and inattention to detail, specifically, to how wire rope (which suspended the LED wall) would behave when a certain type of adjustable device was overloaded.

Unbeknownst to the rigging crew, the wire rope adjustable devices were severely overloaded and applying unacceptable amounts of pressure on the wire rope.

Eventually, one of the overloaded adjustable devices severed one of rigging points supporting the LED wall. One failure led to another, and the LED wall came crashing down. Luck was definitely on the side of this production rigging company for the obvious reason—no lives were lost, and there were no injuries.

This accident presents a powerful case for why rigging training and requiring ETCP (Entertainment Technician Certification Program) supervisors to be ETCP Certified Technicians are crucial to our industry. Knowledge is power and, correctly applied, knowledge is protective.

Certification and thorough entertainment rigging training have much in common, but perhaps most importantly—they both create a safer work environment, which should be the goal of every venue/project manager out there. Those who commit to safety by seeking out quality training and then, when ready, pursuing certification successfully, should expect to see the following happen to their career:

»» More consistent employment »» Competitive advantage gained over candidates applying for the same job

»» Potential to earn higher wages »» Career advancement opportunities which, in turn, could lead to promotions (i.e., becoming a production rigger, supervisor, or manager) Choosing to pursue professional certification shows employers, clients and peers that you are committed to your profession and went the extra mile to show it. It gives them confidence in your abilities, knowing your skills have been evaluated by a well-regarded professional organization

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that took the time to create examinations that strictly adhere to certification standards. Professional certification enhances innate initiative and talent, shows that you are at the top of your game and that you have earned the opportunity to go even further. You know what else? It is important to say that the ETCP Council was right-on when they built educational credits into the recertification process.

Continuing education keeps us informed; it keeps us up to date on industry changes, and new operating standards and procedures. Taking courses to up our game keeps us sharp, which keeps us in tune with our rigging environments and technology. I don’t know about you, but I get busy and think, “oh, I will take that course later.” Having to have those 10 points worth of education gives me a reason, but, more importantly, I have a deadline. I must get those 10 credits before my five-year renewal period is up.

Sometimes we all need that little push to learn something new, right?

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Greater awareness of accidents, goals of certification and people seeking renewal credits have generated an increased interest in training, which is nothing short of terrific for our industry. The demand for training has increased (both from employers and those seeking education credits).

Education helps things run more smoothly, helps people stay safe, and everybody wins.

The longer these certifications are attained, the more the “basic everyday rigging training” just won’t cut it anymore. ETCP Certified Technicians are the cream of the crop, and they want opportunities to build upon advanced skills and tackle subjects they often do not have the chance to, but would like the opportunity to learn and practice.

As riggers, we see challenges most days at work, but remember that some are more advanced than others, and, if you are in over your head, STOP what you are doing and take the time to find someone who has the answer. For example, when lighting trusses or projection screens must be placed over the “lower bowl” seating,

outside the perimeter of an arena floor, a technique which can be employed is something commonly referred to as a “motor bridle,” pairing up multiple chain hoists to “lift and drift” these lighting trusses or screens into place. This advanced rigging technique requires solid pre-planning and a thorough understanding of the reaction forces being created. The rigging designer needs to understand every part of this process and have a well thought out rigging plan (in writing) that the project leader thoroughly understands and can communicate effectively to the team. Load drifting is an advanced rigging skill that needs to be taught and practiced, so riggers have a playbook for when these needs arise.

Let’s imagine this scenario: you have rigged a booth at a tradeshow where all the combined theatrical elements are already up, in place, and at trim. Then you get word that one of those elements (such as the LED wall) needs to move; your layout was correct, you rigged the LED wall Continued on p. 52

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SHOP to SHOWFLOOR I&D and Event Labor

Continued from p. 51 where it was originally intended, but someone with bigger pockets than you decided they wanted it somewhere else. Thankfully the rigging department is not to blame, but it still has to move.

Now you have a dilemma because there is a booth structure underneath, and I can tell you from many years of experience that there are a couple of things that won’t happen: 1. The exhibit company definitely does not want to go backward and take meeting rooms down. They took a lot of time to put up, and that is manpower and money.

2. The LED wall crew certainly does not want to bring that very expensive wall down and take it apart. Again, time and money.

You could, though, as the rigging leader for the project, save the day (and time and money) because you are smart enough to have a couple of tricks up your sleeve. You know that you can access the top of the LED wall where the chain hoists attach to the bumper and that the support beams holding the LED wall are also accessible with your boom lifts. You know exactly what to do.

Maybe just last year, you did some continuing education for your ETCP renewal credits and learned the techniques and skills of “load drifting.” Because you now understand the critical nuances associated with such a technical rigging maneuver, you can offer up the solution of “drifting” the LED wall in the air to the new position over the top of the booth, which, ultimately, helps everybody. Sometimes it takes

thinking outside of the box to come up with a time-saving solution.

None of the booth structure had to be dismantled, nor did the LED Before wall need to be lowered and taken apart.

After you have After saved the day, you must put away your cape, and put on your hardhat.

You have responsibilities to develop a safety protocol for the rest of the production team because safety is the biggest concern, no matter what. So, you establish a boundary underneath the LED wall, mark it off and make it very clear to all associated parties that no one can come within “X” amount of feet while this work is taking place. If work stops, safety comes first.

At the end of the day, you and your rigging team congratulate one another for a great rigging plan, making it happen, and everyone is relieved to have a trained, certified and/or professionally mannered rigger leading the project. You know what else? There is a good chance that your ability to problem-solve and create a safe, well-planned economical rigging solution just scored you a very happy client.

Once properly trained and then taking the steps to become ETCP certified, you no longer need luck to have a safe, timelyexecuted, cost-controlled rigging experience. Your clients can trust that you will deliver what you’ve promised (all hinged on the safety-time-money triangle), insurance companies (the underwriters) can look forward to working with you, and your boss(es) can count on your excellent performance bringing in future business.

So, back to the LED wall rigging failure.

Does having the training and certification prevent all accidents? No, but certified rig-

gers provide experience, fine-tuned skills and enhanced technical training on the job. In hindsight, if there had been a clear understanding of the characteristics of the equipment and materials used to hang that LED wall, and an awareness of how these pieces and parts could detrimentally affect each other, there is a strong likelihood that this accident would not have happened.

If you are just beginning in the industry, make sure you take the time to invest in training to be sure you know exactly what you are doing. Do some research on the trainers and courses you’re considering. Are they an ETCP Recognized Trainer or Training Provider, or do they have a reputation in the industry for providing quality training? You might just be starting your rigging career, but take the education that prepares you for the exam.

I became ETCP Certified in Arena Rigging in 2013, often work as a Rigging Accidents Investigator and have a Master Rigger Certification for heavy industrial rigging.

Believe me, I have seen days where luck did not prevail. What we do is dangerous business, and comparing those “near-misses” to those “not-so-near misses” is frightening.

My colleague, Jason Sellmann, and I have had many conversations about what mishaps could have been avoided if properly trained technicians had been on the job. We feel so strongly about encouraging training, that we have developed an entertainment rigging school in Las Vegas. ETCP Certified Technicians have told us that they are looking for new and more challenging courses; we are rising to that challenge by developing advanced topics that will now count for full renewal credits as Rig for Success was just approved to become an ETCP Recognized Training Program.

More and more clients and venues want to work with certified riggers who understand and maintain high rigging standards.

This article first appeared in the Summer 2019 issue of Protocol, the journal of ESTA. www.esta.org Andrew Fulton is a longstanding member of IATSE Local 720 and is the lead production rigger at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center. He was the lead rigger for PRG at the Sands Expo, Venetian and Palazzo Hotels for PRG from Sept. 2012-Aug. 2015.

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TRADESHOW/EVENT SOLUTIONS

The Aluvision Hi-LED 55: Wowing audiences made easy Aluvision’s Hi-LED 55 is the most awarded, system-compatible LED tile on the market, and for good reason.

The 2.8 or 2.5 pixel pitch Hi-LED 55 tile, developed in collaboration with Absen, is a truly multi-application solution; the same LED tile can be integrated in walls, ceilings and floors. The range of options was made complete with curved tiles (concave & convex), 2D and 3D corners as well as LED hanging cubes. The tool-free connection and seamless integration of the LED tiles into Aluvision’s frame system make it a revelation for any exhibit house, event producer or company providing other experiential environments.

AV and tradeshow industry profession-

als recognize the innovative engineering and amazing versatility of the Hi-LED 55 tile. This recognition has already resulted in multiple prizes and awards this year, including the Portable Modular Award for Best Use of Technology at ExhibitorLive, the Stand Design Award at ISE and the AV Technology Best of Show at InfoComm.

Thinnest LED tile The Hi-LED 55 tile is the thinnest system integrable LED tile, meaning it can be mounted flush to any type of aluminum frame with holes, both 55mm

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Certified Aluvision Partners Aluvision started its Certified Aluvision Partner (CAP) network this year. One division of the CAP program is dedicated to AV companies with a vast stock of the Aluvision Hi-LED 55 tiles available for rent. For a list of all the CAPS, or for more information, please email info@ aluvision.com or call the Aluvision HQ in Duluth, GA at 470-252-3500.

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China

INTERNATIONAL FOCUS

U.S. Exhibitors at Chinese Show to Grow by

by Cynthya Cynthya Porter Porter

@ExhibitCityNews

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Officials say there were more than 150 countries present at the show, with many of the buyers coming from state-owned companies and regional governments throughout China.

Modeled specifically as an import show, the event is part of China’s effort to be viewed as a consumer of global goods, and officials say 2018 saw just shy of $58 billion in purchase orders originate from the show floor. Advocates call it a good effort by China to improve its trade relationships, but continued banter between White House officials and Chinese leaders has sparked a growing number of trade tariffs along with an edict from President Trump that American companies stop doing business with China.

But show organizers for this year’s expo say even more U.S. companies are exhibiting than last year on a show floor that will grow to 3.87 million square feet. According to organizers, more than 250 of the world’s top 500 companies will be in attendance, many of them from the U.S. The type of goods being exhibited include high-end equipment, consumer electronics and appliances, apparel, automobiles, food and agricultural products, medical

equipment and medical care products, service industry suppliers, emerging technology, education, tourism and more.

With a blossoming middle class, China represents one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and despite tariffs and demands from President Trump to stop doing business there, it is a lucrative marketplace for U.S. companies to do business in.

In the U.S., the Center for Exhibition Industry Research says the tradeshow industry is expected to grow by approximately 1.6 percent in 2019, down from the significantly more optimistic 2.5 percent projected at the end of last year.

For many, the outcome of the trade talks between the U.S. and China will have a strong impact on the health of the exhibition industry for the foreseeable future, as well as on the U.S. economy as a whole.

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 since 2011 and, though she makes her home in the Midwest, she travels the world in search of interesting stories and photographs.

Photo courtesy of AmCham Shanghai

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ension and uncertainty provoked by a tariff war between the U.S. and China has kept the economy, and the tradeshow marketplace in particular, off balance for the better part of 2019, at least in the U.S. Anecdotal evidence from shrinking show floors, canceled events and sluggish growth seems to point, at least in part, to the strained relationship with China, with events like the Seafood Expo North America noting a decrease in Chinese exhibitors and Interbike being canceled this year, citing, among other things, increased tariffs on Chinese bicycle parts.

But the same strain may not be true for exhibitions in China, where officials are saying they expect better attendance from U.S. companies for at least one event than ever before.

The China International Import Expo held its inaugural event in 2018 in Shanghai and came out with a bang: An estimated 800,000 attendees visited 3,617 exhibitors on a show floor of nearly 3 million square feet. Among them were approximately 170 companies from the U.S., with giants like 3M even launching some of the newest products to the show’s audience.

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AIPC

U.N. Sustainable Development Goals a Powerful Way to Tell Our Story

BY ALOYSIUS ARLANDO, PRESIDENT OF AIPC

For a number of years the meetings industry—and convention centers as their most visible representatives at the destination level—have been looking for appropriate vehicles to document and illustrate the broader benefits they generate for both global and local community development. The reason: Because for too long the only measure applied to this sector was delegate spending—really just a by-product of these events, rather than the real and varied reasons they were taking place. This simply wasn’t good enough in the face of the kind of ongoing support we all need to do our jobs properly in an industry when much of the required investment is public money and must be seen to offer good and publicly-relevant returns.

The search wasn’t easy.

Faced with as diverse a range of outputs as the events themselves—everything from professional development and medical advancement to knowledge transfer and positioning a city or country

in a particular sector—many simply fell back again on things like hotel room nights and spending by organizers on things like dining, event services and local transportation for the simple reason that these were readily measurable and could be extrapolated into things like tax revenues and other benefits of particular interest to local and national governments.

Enter the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, or UNSDGs. These broad statements of intent were developed in order to create a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.” They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, peace and justice. The goals interconnect, and in order to leave no one behind, it’s important that we achieve each goal and target by 2030 but as general as

they are they are particularly relevant to telling the story of our industry and our facilities—for a number of very important reasons: First, they are global— and globally recognized.

That meant that instead of coming up with something industry-specific, and having to promote adoption by a wide range of interests, they are widely recognized and come from a highly credible source. For an industry that remains largely a mystery to the world as a whole, this is a huge benefit.

Secondly, they are as diverse as our industry—recognizing and addressing many different kinds of both social and commercial development and the many different forms these take in various parts of the world.

Again, this is a big bonus for an industry whose work facilitates such a wide range of subject areas and forms of communication.

Third, they acknowledge the long-term nature of benefits development—an issue that has haunted the business events sector for as long as new forms of value measurement have been pursued.

The reality is that the specific benefits arising from a particular meeting, convention or exhibition don’t arise all at once, even though surveys and value calculation tend to represent a “snapshot” at a particular moment in time. They rather occur as part of a continuum, where the accomplishments

and legacies of an individual event are part of a process that will play out over many years— exactly the kind of time-frame the UNSDGs address.

Fourth, they are not “owned” by anyone in particular—which means they cannot be put to exclusive use by any single interest to the exclusion of others. The process of demonstrating how particular SDGs are addressed by certain events or activities is a process that can take many different forms, each as valid as the others, and individual case studies can be assembled in any number of different ways to illustrate the principles we all want to show the importance—and the relevance—of what we do.

Finally, the ability to apply and use such measures as SDGs needs and encourages collaboration—and collaboration is what our industry can and should be all about. The organization and delivery of a successful event needs to be based on a partnership where all parties recognize that everyone has a role to play in shaping the outcome, and will succeed or fail together.

These are all good reasons why the UNSDGs have been adopted as a value statement by so many in our industry—and why they can serve us well in our ongoing effort to clarify the value of what we do in support of global development.

AIPC members, along with industry colleagues, are now engaged in a process of documenting their most important achievements in a UNSDG context. But the bottom line is that because this needs to be a

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collaborative effort, there is a role for everyone to play, from centers and other suppliers to event organizers and the communities that host these events. That’s a good thing— because it gives us something we can focus on to demonstrate why a healthy meetings industry and competitive convention centers are good not just for their respective communities but for society as a whole.

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. He is also the president of the Singapore Associ-

ation for Convention and Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (SACEOS), organizer of Singapore MICE Forum.

AIPC represents a global network of more than 190 leading centers in 64 countries with the active involvement of more than 1,000 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.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs)...were developed in order to create a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.”

They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, peace and justice...

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TRADESHOW MARKETING STRATEGIES

How to Effectively Engage Attendees Face-To-Face

BY LEE ALI, EXPO STARS MANAGING DIRECTOR/FOUNDER

Taking part in exhibitions is key for many businesses looking to create new leads, nurture relationships and promote their products or services. But with some of the biggest exhibitions attracting thousands of attendees, it can be difficult for exhibitors to stand out from their competitors and liaise with attendees in a meaningful and authentic way. But by understanding some psychology behind effective face-to-face engagement, you can plan an effective strategy to help maximize your results at exhibitions.

Grabbing Attention Have you ever been to an event and found yourself walking up and down the aisles aimlessly and not really taking anything in? You’re not alone.

As both consumers and business people we’re bombarded

every day with marketing and sales messages. And on top of that we have our own worries about work and our personal lives to contend with. Because of this, we may find ourselves not really engaged or mindful of our current situation.

Now, let’s look at it from the other side. As a business exhibiting at an event, you want to get the attention of the attendees. But as we’ve already alluded to, there can be a lot of factors affecting their Lee Ali mindset. They might be tired, pre-occupied with things going on at home, or have a constant stream of calls from the office to deal with.

On top of that, they’ve made the

time to visit an exhibition to learn about new innovations and inspiring ways of improving how they work. Instead, all they’re getting is the hard sell from businesses offering products or services they’re not interested in.

If you can understand the state of mind your potential customers are in, plus appreciate what they want to get out of the tradeshow, you can start to tailor your approach to suit their needs while meeting your own objectives.

A strategy for effective face-toface engagement So much of current exhibition discussions are

around technology such as virtual reality, interactive displays or other design features.

But with these trends, many businesses have lost sight of those all-important, one-toone interactions.

To plan effective exhibition strategies that focus on faceto-face communication, you need to consider: »» Your objectives: What do you want to get out of the exhibition? »» Understanding your audience: How can you show empathy to your audience and make them feel comfortable? »» Educate and inform: Don’t go for the hard sell, aim to educate, inform and inspire »» Tap into emotions: Consider all the senses and build an emotional connection with attendees »» Build energy: You want positive energy on stand and to find ways to encourage attendees to take action By mapping out your plan for each one, as well as getting the whole team on board with this approach, you’ll find you start getting better results from events and tradeshows.

Start at the end Never underestimate the importance of planning. It’s one of the top priorities when it comes to maximizing results at exhibitions, so make sure you have a clear understanding of what your objectives are.

As well as setting clear goals, you need to make sure the exhibition is the right fit for what you’re trying to achieve and that it will give you the best opportunity to reach your target audience.

You’ll need to determine how you’re going to measure success as part of your goal setting.

Remember, more often than not

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exhibitions are a way to introduce your brand to potential customers, or to remind them of what you offer. So rather than resulting in sales there and then, you might want to set objectives and ways of evaluating the success of the show based on lead generation, meetings booked or sign ups of free trials.

Understanding your audience To really connect with a potential lead, you need to put yourself in their place and understand why they are there, what you can offer to help their business, any cultural differences, or any challenges they face.

Rather than diving straight into your sales pitch, take a moment to identify and mirror their communication style. This helps to connect with them and make them feel comfortable. Do they seem direct and conscious of time?

Keep it concise. Perhaps they prefer to chat and want the smaller details? You can find out more about personality types to maximize your connections with our iMA communication styles quiz here.

Having trained promotional staff who know their own communications style and can identify other people’s is a great investment. You should also make sure your team has the relevant skills and experience for the particular event, for example you might need some people on the stand to speak certain languages.

While you’re greeting attendees on your stand for the first time, this is the perfect time to qualify your leads.

Start your interactions with natural conversations to make visitors feel at ease. Use open @ExhibitCityNews

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questions such as, “What brings you to the show?”

It’s important, however, you don’t spend too much time talking to unqualified leads.

Use these questions to filter for high-value prospects: »» Determine their buying authority: “Are you a part of the buying team?” »» Identify their key buying reasons: “What is the main objective you are trying to achieve?” »» Discover their buying time frame: “When do you need a solution by?” »» Find out what their budgets are: “What budget do you have allocated for the project?”

Aim to give no more than two minutes to unqualified visitors, but make sure you dismiss them politely to stay professional.

Educate and inform Focus on educating and helping your prospects when you’re at exhibitions—not purely selling. Your aim should be to inform and help your target audience so you can begin building that trust.

To educate well, you need to really understand your customers. What are their worries or concerns? What problems can you help them solve? Do they have any preconceived beliefs you can discuss?

As well as thinking about the messages you want to communicate as part of the education process, you should also consider how you’re going to deliver the information in the most engaging way possible. Will you present to large groups, or keep it one-on-one?

Can you let your prospects try the product for themselves, or is there a way you can bring a service to life by making the presentation interactive?

Whichever way you decide to educate, remember to remain empathetic and adapt your communication style to your audience.

Tap into emotions Not only do we want to make your interactions with attendees at exhibitions informative and engaging, but we want them to be memorable and inspire action too. You need to consider what emotions you’re conveying and how you can positively affect the way your prospects are thinking and feeling.

To do this, think about the customer journey around the booth not just in terms of what people can see, but what they can hear, feel, smell or even taste. You have to create a compelling reason for people to stop by and speak to your team, and adding something that is immersive or experiential—such as a live demonstration—can help to achieve this.

Another effective tactic is to give some attendees privileged access. For example, you could hold a VIP drinks reception or have a special roped-off lounge area for special guests. Scarcity often makes people want something more, so you could use this psychological trick to your advantage and create a buzz around your stand.

Build energy and encourage action When it comes to energy, it’s important to create a positive environment that creates a good atmosphere at events. Thinking about your stand, this can be achieved with the design, color schemes and signage, as well as making sure it’s easy to get around and clutter free.

When it comes to people, make sure your team’s body language is positive and welcoming. We don’t want to see people hiding at the back of the stand, looking uncomfortable and staring at their phones all day.

You also need to find ways to encourage your prospects to take action. What is it you want people to do, and how can you make them do that?

Whether it’s signing up for a webinar, taking advantage of a free trial or scheduling a follow-up meeting, make the process is as easy as possible and ensure your prospects are clear about the next steps.

Generating genuine leads at exhibitions can be tricky, so it’s essential to have a clear strategy in place. With upfront planning and understanding of the mindset and motivations of attendees, you can develop an effective face-to-face engagement strategy to start building meaningful, profitable longterm business relationships.

For more info about how to plan your exhibition engagement strategy using our free calculator, visit https://www. expostars.com/calculator-2 Lee Ali is founder and managing director of the global exhibition engagement company Expo Stars, based in Manchester, U.K. Founded in 2007 to help large, international organizations get the most out of exhibitions and events, they’ve managed more than 3,000 projects, in 100+ cities across 53 countries. They have built up a worldwide network of more than 2,500 professional promotion staff trained in proactive engagement and delivering measurable results to global brands such as BMW, SEMRush and a number of pharmaceutical companies. For more info, visit www.expostars.com.

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CONVENTION CENTER SPOTLIGHT

EAT

BY DEANNA MAJCHRZAK, MEDIA RELATIONS MGR., VISIT DETROIT

TCF Center (formerly Cobo Center)

by Jeanne Brei

SLEEP makes 13 stops around downtown including Greektown, the Renaissance Center and Grand Circus Park, which you can use to quickly get to a Q-Line station. Nearly three miles of uni-directional elevated track, the People Mover has a top speed of 56 miles per hour, looping downtown in about 1520 minutes for 75 cents.

In 2018, the convention center hosted 244 events including the North America International Auto Show, the FIRST Robotics Championship, Autorama and the Detroit Boat Show. It boasts 1.4 million visitors annually.

Although they’re demolishing the adjacent Joe Louis Arena (the Red Wings hosted their final game there in 2017 and now play at Little Caesars Arena); there’s plenty of tributes to Joe Louis inside the TCF including a bronze of his boxing globe, a bust in the lobby area and inclusion in a second floor mural (pictured) paying tribute to homegrown celebrities Stevie Wonder, Eminem, hockey Hall of Famer Gordie Howe and baseball Hall of Famer “Mr. Tiger” Al Kaline.

Also, Detroit artist Hubert Massey was commissioned to create a large fresco at TCF Center. Dedicated in Sept.

2018, it’s a signature piece in Detroit’s collection of public art and depicts a panoramic view of Detroit’s historical legacy dating back 300 years.

Boutique hotels abound downtown from the 100-room Foundation Hotel (opened May 2017) in the historic Detroit Fire Department headquarters, the 106-room Siren Hotel (opened Spring 2018) in the Wurlitzer Building with dining options from James Beard nominees Chef Garret Lipar and Chef Kate Williams; the 129room Shinola Hotel (opened Jan. 2019) featuring dining from award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini and the 110-room Element Detroit at the Metropolitan Building (opened Dec. 2018) which is the only extended stay property in downtown Detroit. The adjacent Crowne Plaza Detroit Downtown CC, formerly the Hotel Pontchartrain, opened in 2013 after a $5 million renovation. The 25-story hotel has 367 guest rooms, an indoor pool and 10,000 sq.ft. of meeting space.

PLAY There’s The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation (with a big Marvel exhibit coming next year), Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, Detroit Institute of Arts (with a Van Gogh exhibit coming next year), Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Motown Museum, Detroit Historical Museum, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park, Ford Field and the Detroit International RiverWalk and more!

Photo by Jeanne Brei

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ocated along a beautifully restored international riverfront in the heart of a vibrant downtown Detroit, the iconic venue is the 17th largest convention center in the U.S. It opened in 1960 and was originally named in honor of former Detroit Mayor Albert Cobo, whose vision to build a convention center was realized only after he died in office in 1957.

Earlier this year, Detroit-based Chemical Bank bought the naming rights in a 22-year deal for $1.5 million annually.

A $279 million upgrade was completed in 2016 that transformed TCF into a state-of-the-art facility including an 8,000 sq.ft. kitchen with a tasting room, a new 40,000-sq.ft. ballroom, a 30,000sq.ft. three-story glass atrium; and 200,000 sq.ft. of flex space including exterior terraces. TCF Center has free, ultra high-speed Wi-Fi available throughout the facility, two giant exterior video screens to promote events, programmable video displays outside every meeting room and hospitality services including information and business service center, full service executive meeting, conference and banquet rooms. Food and beverage service is provided by Centerplate and TCF is an Event Industry Council APEX/ASTM-certified facility.

There’s a Detroit People Mover station located inside TCF Center which

Across the street from TCF is the wonderful Apparatus Room run by Michelin-starred chef Thomas Lents inside the Foundation Hotel; Brome Modern Eatery is a popular casual spot about a block away with salads, sandwiches and a juice bar; Town House is good for larger groups, just a few blocks over on Woodward. There’s a Plum Market down the street that’s a great fast, casual spot to pick up healthy meals, with coffee and a wine and beer bar. Prime + Proper is an upscale steakhouse where you can see the aging room and butcher counter.

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Installing and Dismantling Exhibits Throughout California

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

EDPA Chapters Heat Up as ACCESS 2019 Approaches

By H. K. Wilson

EDPA Las Vegas Holiday Food Drive

EDPA Midwest Strikes & Scares Bowling Event

CONCERTS CONVENTIONS DINING ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT SHOPPING SPORTING EVENTS

ROSEMONT’S IMPACT FIELD

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he weather may be turning colder, but activity in EDPA chapters is heating up as ACCESS 2019 draws closer.

Executive Director Dasher Lowe invites industry professionals to attend the EDPA’s annual event, ACCESS 2019, to be held Dec. 4-6 at J.W. Marriott Starr Pass in Tucson, Ariz. With the theme, “What’s Your Formula?” ACCESS 2019 will focus on creating branded experiences and environments for memorable face-to-face engagement. Lowe promises an unforgettable 65th anniversary experience. Event tickets are available now online.

EDPA Northeast On Sept. 16, more than 75 participants hailing from as far away as Florida and Maine turned out for the fifth annual EDPA Northeast “The Classic” Networking Golf Tournament at the beautiful Shaker Hills Country Club in Harvard, Mass. The chapter raised $2,500 for the EDPA Foundation to support scholarship programs for the next generation of industry professionals.

Their fall chapter meeting was held in NYC at the Fashion Institute of Technology Oct. 24. Industry professionals and FIT students gathered to network and engage in a feature presentation by the award-winning author and speaker Gregg Lederman.

EDPA SoCal On Oct. 23, EDPA SoCal joined with sister associations IAEE, ESCA, EACA and IAVM to sponsor an educational event about venue safety. Convention center facility managers, general contractors, exhibition organizers and suppliers from around the region gathered at the Anaheim Convention Center to hear guest speaker Mark Herrera, director of education for the International Association of Venue Managers, speak about the topics of venue security and safety.

EDPA NorCal On Oct. 17, EDPA NorCal invited members to the International Hotel, Manila Town Center in San Francisco to learn the secrets behind creating and producing experiences for such blockbuster brands as Harry Potter, Frozen, Cars and Game of Thrones. Preeminent creative director Eddie Newquist lifted the veil on what makes each of these franchises so alluring to consumers in his presentation, Magic by Design, Part II of “E” is for Experiential. The event was an experiential one that included a design workshop, magical food and prizes.

EDPA Upper Midwest The EDPA Upper Midwest Chapter convened for its Oct. 15 meeting with a tour of the new $80 million Bell Muse-

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um on the raise money University for the of MinnesoAlzheimer’s ta campus.

Association,” EDPA Midwest The facility says Hake. The Exhibit4Smiles Recipients features a planchapter raised etarium, high-tech $5,000 for Alzheiexhibits, dioramas and mer’s this year. outdoor learning experience.

Next on the roster is the After the tour, the 15 attend- chapter’s annual Design ees made their way to Stout’s Challenge featuring industry Pub, where they fortified their professionals who will design bonds with colleagues over a for a real client with a fictiselection of local and exotic tious RFP. The designmicrobrews. ers will showcase their best work EDPA Midwest with the hopes According to EDPA Midwest of winning Chapter President Jackie Hake, over a panel the third annual Strikes and of judges. The Scares bowling event on Oct. 10 event is slated was a smashing success. “More for Nov. 14 at than 70 bowlers came out to the Itasca Coun-

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try Club in Itasca, Ill. On Dec. 19 the chapter will host Exhibit4Smiles at UIC Children’s Hospital.

EDPA Las Vegas On Oct. 30, EDPA Las Vegas staged its annual Tim Provo Memorial Blood Drive. Once again, chapter member, Las Vegas Expo, hosted the event at their offices in Las Vegas.

In November and December, the chapter will continue with holiday food drives for Whitney Elementary School. The drives provide meals for the Jane Gentry, school’s low-inEDPA Southeast come families.

Speaker Last year

they delivered a total of 200 turkeys, 200 pies along with 400 food bags with their holiday food drops, answering a call to double the previous year’s donations.

EDPA Southeast Chapter members gathered for a presentation and networking luncheon on Sept. 12 at the beMatrix offices in Norcross, Ga. Under the banner, “Leveraging the One Question that Will Change Every Sales Conversation to a Sales Conversion,” Jane Gentry, CEO at Fusion Event Staffing, illuminated the importance of listening and asking great questions in order to get to the heart of what’s important to prospects and clients.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

Back row L-R: Stephen Douglas, Jake Simmons, Aaron Smith Front row L-R: Anna Caroline Watson, Wynn Watson, Maci Meeks and Braydon Meeks

Stories from the 25th Randy

by Jim Obermeyer

W

hen our publisher asked me to write an article on this year’s 25th anniversary of the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic—The Randy—I was a bit hesitant. I have been to this event many times and am a steadfast supporter of what this event stands for—helping exhibition industry families who have suffered severe tragedies or face insurmountable medical expenses. And that was the issue—I felt I was too close to this to provide an objective, journalist’s viewpoint. That didn’t seem to bother Don. So, what is it about this event that has allowed it to sustain this momentum for 25 years,

in an industry that changes so rapidly? And how do you describe what it is like to attend this particular “golf outing?”

Yes, it is a golf outing. If you are a golfer, this is a great event with lots of opportunities for fun on the course. But you don’t have to be a golfer to be a part of it. And it is an industry event; in fact, one of the best opportunities to talk business with some of the most influential people in our industry. And it is a networking event. There are literally hundreds of people from our industry here to connect with, talk with and hang out with.

Call it what you want, but when it all comes down to it,

it is really all about the stories, the stories of our industry, the stories of our people’s lives: Stories of people and companies touched by having one of their own suddenly become a recipient and then committing to becoming involved in supporting this cause.

Stories of people showing up each year and seeing each other for the first time since last year—with hugs and handshakes—coming from all over the country to “lay down their swords” and spend a day in 96-degree heat for this cause.

Stories of volunteers—lots of volunteers—committing to a day in the heat to make sure

this event—and the people participating—have the most successful one yet.

Stories of the leaders of this event—Rich Johnson, Robert Laarhoven and Sandra Braun—who continue to amaze me with their passion and commitment to this.

Stories of golfers contributing to everything—donating their own cash for mulligans, move it on ups, raffle tickets by the thousands, cigars, food and drinks—all to support the cause.

The story of this year’s Don Drew Sponsor of the Year Award winner—Les Bunge—and his undeniable commitment to this event and its recipients. And the reason behind it—his own wife a recipient in 2010 following a long battle with cancer.

Stories of past recipents—25

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Above L-R (back row): Nick Friedrich, LB Owens, Jay Subers, (front row): Lynn Reeves and Anita Bugg in front. Pictured right: Clockwise from top, Rich Johnson, Sandra Braun, Alisha Williams, Jenny Ward and Ginger Wulff.

years’ worth—more than 170 years’ worth—more than 170 in all, remembered by tribute videos and stories told in conversations throughout the day. And some of them who still come here to participate every year.

Stories of this year’s 11 recipients, each one presented on a graphic panel for the audience to read, and three of them who stood in person in front of this group during the evening banquet and told their own stories.

The story of the original recipient, Randy Smith, told through a very well-produced video created by his son, interviewing Rich Johnson and Ted Peterson who started this all 25 years ago. And then told in person by Randy’s wife and two sons during the banquet.

And stories of the next

generation, preparing to take this event into the future— Randy’s and Ted’s and Rich’s adult children, and all the new young participants here creating stories yet to be told as this industry and this event continues to support those in need.

Yes, it is a golf outing, and it is an industry event and it is a networking opportunity. But it really is all about the stories of our industry and our people. You cannot attend this event and not be drawn into the stories.

Unlike so many other charity events where the proceeds go to un-named and unknown recipients, the receipts from The Randy go directly to people in our industry. People whose stories are told. People we know personally.

Let’s just say it like this: “once you go, then you’ll know.”

Together we have provided nearly 100 scholarships.

Together we have helped support the future.

Together we have helped more than 170 industry families in need.

Join us on the ‘Road to One Million’

Together, We Are Making a Difference.

Now You Can Donate Online At www.edpa.com/edpafoundation

Be Part of the Story. Visit www.edpa.com/edpafoundation to see how.

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CORPORATE NEWS

Highmark TechSystems Stages Best Block Party Ever

BY PAT FRIEDLANDER

Summer in Chicago is world-famous for its festivals and fairs. From Lollapalooza to the Taste of Chicago and all the free music at Millennium Park and in venues around the city, summer is one of the best reasons for living here.

However, there is one summer occurrence that stirs some ambivalence in me—and that is the block party. I think it’s terrific that neighbors want to get together, share potluck and have some family fun. On the other hand, turning a corner

to find a street blocked off, particularly a one-way street, and seeing the lone rental bouncy house amid long tables and folding chairs, well, it all gets to be a bit much.

So when Highmark TechSystems staged a block party in its parking lot, that was the first piece of good news. The second piece was instead of the bouncy house, the structures on display were part of Highmark Outdoor, the line of event products the company introduced in 2017.

When Highmark launched the outdoor line, the company not only expanded its offerings, but it also expanded its market reach. For 20 years, Highmark has been the go-to extruded aluminum modular system for discerning exhibit producers and designers.

Highmark’s ExpoDeck is in a class by itself, definitely the choice of not only builders and designers but certainly those involved in exhibit installation and dismantle.

With an eye toward creating better solutions for the outdoor market and expanding its reach to event and experiential agencies, Highmark created EventMAX, an on-demand, premium architectural solution that can serve as an open-air or closed, single or multi-level temporary building. EventMAX is perfect for VIP hospitality, outdoor tradeshows, showrooms, festivals, brand activations and pop-up retail.

EventMAX is deployed in modules approximately 16’x 16’ and can be set up either as an individual unit or expanded (several in a row to form a 16’ x 32’, 32’ x 32’, 16’ x 64’ and beyond) as large as necessary.

In some cases, a single-story building might be a perfect fit, but EventMAX components can be used to create multi-story pavilions as well, using the same 16’x16’ architecture. Set-up is straightforward: post and beam construction without cranes.

At the same time that Highmark launched its outdoor line, the company entered a distribution agreement with mo systeme of Berlin, which designs and manufactures premium indoor/outdoor mobile products for faceto-face marketing activities.

Their mobile products—including Modulbox, Modulbox MAX, and the Mo5—are easy to brand and transport,

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L-R: Highmark’s Matt Andrews and Paul Ameye from Matrex Exhibits

L-R: Joe Franklin and Erik Johnson

these products is to see them first hand—at a Block Party!

For Highmark’s September Block Party attendees traveled from near and far—literally—and enjoyed weather that could not have been better.

With a DJ providing music, a professional photographer

Pat Friedlander is an accomplished marketer, published writer and speaker in the exhibit industry, particularly in the healthcare segment. She has developed programs; marketing strat-

egies and campaigns, websites and social media tools; sales aids; product introductions; and branding/corporate identity initiatives for clients—many of them award-winning—over the past 25+ years. She has participated in many industry associations including TSEA, CEIR, EDPA, HCEA, E2MA and BMA as a speaker and the author of content.

She has received HCEA’s Distinguished Service Award as well as EDPA’s highest honor, The Hazel Hays award.

Game Changer

perfect for temporary experiential activities.

Consistent with Highmark’s long-standing policy, these structures aren’t available for end-users, but for agencies and other event producers.

And the best way for the market to experience the power of

doing headshots, a spot where you could tie-dye a Highmark T-shirt, and of course, a food truck, the Block Party had something for everyone—as the photos show.

SuperMAX Rental PLUS-SIZE, plug-n-play, contemporary architecture.

Ready to drop in, and create.

Rental has never been this cool (or big. or fast. or easy). www.highmarktech.com @ExhibitCityNews

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INDUSTRY NEWS

THE LATEST DON & MIKE SHOWS

The “Don & Mike Show” Goes Golfing & Bowling

BY MIKE MORRISON

The Don & Mike Show was busy during the last couple of months with ancillary events for The Randy Smith Foundation including participation in The Classic Golf Tournament held by The Northeast Chapter of EDPA at Shakers Hill Golf Club outside of Boston, The Get Out of the Gutter Bowling event in Atlanta put on by the Southeast Chapter of EDPA and then the big event recently with “The Randy,” the 25th annual Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic in Braselton, Ga., at Chateau Elan Golf Resort. Hundreds of golfers and guests filled the resort for the day’s events which included golf, a silent auction to raise monies for recipients, and the end-of-day dinner and recognition for the past and current recipients. The event celebrated its 25th year with the event and Don and Mike interviewed several people including co-founders of the event Rich Johnson and Ted Peterson, Steve Johnson from Renaissance Management, EACA executive director and Foundation member Jim Wurm, Bernie Massett from MC2, and Tony Rissley from Expo Auctions who provided the silent auction to raise funds for the event.

At the time of publication, The Don & Mike Show has had more than 55,000 listens and is growing with amazing momentum. The show has boast-

ed some great interviews as of late with information-packed guests lined up for future shows as the calendar creeps closer to two live events that Don and Mike will be broadcasting from.

The Expo! Expo! show in Las Vegas with IAEE and EDPA ACCESS will be important conferences that Don and Mike will be creating On-Demand interviews for future shows.

The website, TheDonAndMikeShow.net, has been visited many times by listeners to vote on weekly polls, submit ideas and topics for discussion for each show as well as seeing important information regarding the tradeshow, event and experiential industries.

The Don & Mike Show Website Morrison is still extoling the features of the www.TheDonandMikeShow.net website and says, “The Don & Mike Show website has a lot of varying features where our listeners can participate. 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 & 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 & 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.”

Don and Mike celebrated their second anniversary of podcasting the show on July 5 with 118 episodes available on their website. They did two podcasts a week for nearly six months starting in 2019—keeping their original Friday podcasts and adding a Tuesday Don & Mike Show– Extra. They put the Tuesday shows, which highlighted organizational and association news with interviews from EDPA, ESCA, IAEE, EACA and many more organizations related to tradeshows, events and experiential marketing, on hiatus several months ago.

Brought to You

by SMT expo The podcast is “Brought to You by SMT expo,” its first sponsor. A division of Glenmore Industries, an OEM 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.

Candy Adams and Scott Craighead, The Randy wrap up and more The 25th Annual Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic ... The Randy Show CEIR’S Nancy Drapeau Survey Results and Tariffs and Rob Cohen from the EDPAF Candy Adams/ RFP,RFI,RFQ differentiation, Jen Houston/ California Independent Contractor Law Road Rage, Poll Results, Cobo Center Renamed, SO CAL Bowling EDPA and Dorian Disruption with Dorian and China Tariffs, Ryan Schefke and Tony Rissley interviews Atlanta EDPA event, The Art of Trolling, Diane Conklin on Marketing and more!

PCC Exhibitor Rights Changes, 40 under 40, Gun Control Poll Results, James Wagoner and Danny Orleans Shootings, Safety, Schools, Side Hustles, Mark Zimmerman and Brandon Arvizu on the show!

The Chicago Randy Smith Memorial Show and MT Hickman from Richland College Facebook Group for Tradeshows, Disney Permitting and Canwil Textiles Disney Permits Explained, CES Sex Toys and The Randy and much more!

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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 EXHIBITORLIVE 2019, and

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

The Don & 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 »» Mitt Arnaudet and Julie Kagy - ESCA »» Sam Lippman - Lippman Connects »» Tim Searle - DEX Exhibit Systems »» Kraig Shetler - Booth Traffic »» Kelli Liles - Old Dominion »» Dave Sterne – The Inside Track »» Russ Klein - American Marketing Association

L-R: Tony Rissley and Mike Morrison at The Randy in Georgia

»» Chris Kappes - Exhibitshub.com »» Candy Adams - The Booth Mom »» Glenn Diehl - Genesis Exhibits »» Julie Pazina and Zach Wetterling Edlen Electric »» Reid Sherwood – RSMGC »» Rich Johnson – RSMG »» Ray Baum - Core Apps

»» Steve Golden - CORT Events »» James Zacharias – Brumark »» Steven Hacker - Consultant, SMT EXPO

»» Tom Clark - Game Buzz »» Vince Battaglia TheTradeShowCalender.com

»» and many more!

Show. Better.

Our revolutionary modular fabric booth system helps you perfectly execute your vision. The tool-less EXPOKNIT™ system assembles and disassembles in a breeze, and is perfectly scalable for everything from See the tool-less EXPOKNIT™ system in action at smtexpo.com

The nation’s leading scalable booth manufacturer. ®

732-395-4032 x121 @ExhibitCityNews

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Z

Product launch for the EPiQ Custom in-line booth stystem

SMT expo: Smart Modular Technology is Changing the Industry

BY AMADEUS FINLAY

SMT expo has been specializing in the design and manufacture of modular fabric booth systems since 2013. Headquartered in Edison, N.J., SMT expo is a division of Glenmore Industries, who has, over the last four decades, prided itself on being a leading international manufacturer of home, institutional and automotive products, among various other categories. SMT expo has proven itself to not only be the industry leader, but

also a progressive hub of innovation.

It’s all in their name; the acronym SMT stands for Smart Modular Technology, and their intuitive, tool-less designs make for lightning quick systems that require minimal labor. Most of SMT’s exhibit products have only two basic parts, with their specialist approach to modular exhibit technology being so unique that many of the company’s designs are patented. All this comes together under the term, the

“SMT expo Advantage,” which not only highlights the flexibility of the company’s products, but also their market exclusivity and direct-from-manufacturer approach.

“All of our wall products mesh with the use of our patented gravity lock system,” explains Joe Cascio, SMT expo’s SVP of sales and marketing, “whether our system is replacing pipeand-drape or hard-wall shows, the sleek and upgraded look brings a higher perceived value to the show floor.”

SMT expo booth systems are more than just hassle-free. The system is designed to facilitate rapid construction, in turn keeping the high costs traditionally associated with large scale I&D to a minimum. Cascio notes, “The larger the show, the more efficient our system becomes.” In addition, the lightweight and transport-friendly nature of the product converts into efficient shipping and handling, which is just one of the benefits that was designed into the DNA of this genius booth system. The speed at which the SMT crates can be loaded and unloaded into show-site trailers is unprecedented.

Show-site speed is not the only area where SMT expo excels. Scott Lebwohl, the executive vice president, states, “with our extensive experience—including boots on the ground in multiple countries

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throughout Asia—we are able to act on a moment’s notice to help navigate these waters and provide stress-free, direct-from-manufacturer pricing to our partners. Being responsive is key.”

“Traditionally,” notes Lebwohl, “the pre-show exhibitor space budget has been allocated to a table and chairs, with the booth system itself being the loss-leader. Our show systems enable exhibitors to market their company in a museum-like environment.

What we mean by that is the exhibiting company should have the ability to convey their brand experience and message in the same manner that the art, displayed on stark walls in a museum, is the focal point of the exhibition.”

Lebwohl continues, “One of our slogans we communicate to our customers is “Your show.

Your way!” Upgrading companies from a loss-leader booth of drape with a tired table and chairs to a “museum-like” booth, SMT expo believes it has created a paradigm shift in the way tradeshows will be experienced. Of course, no innovative company worth their salt will be found resting on their laurels, and Cascio reveals that the firm is in the process of developing “some major, industry-changing products.”

“We are constantly evolving to provide our clients powerful solutions,” he explains, “and in addition to our current fabric and hard-wall solutions, we have developed key products to increase the @ExhibitCityNews

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The Exhibition Industry’s First Exhibitor Lightwall Pavilion

ROI for everyone from our clients (the Joe Cascio general service contractors), to the show organizers, exhibitors and venues. These new products fully integrate with our current systems and will be showcased at the upcoming IAEE Expo!

Expo! event in Las Vegas.”

At Expo!

Expo! 2018, SMT debuted two new prototype systems, and the feedback was, to quote Cascio, “off the charts.” Fueled by this success, over this past year the company has been developing a system designed to ultimately replace pipeand-drape exhibits with something even more user-friendly.

What’s more, this innovative new system will also allow the individual exhibitor to show-

case completely customizable graphics, all at a price point competitive to drape. It would seem that another patent application is on the horizon for the SMT team, with many more yet to come.

So, what’s the secret sauce?

Fortunately, Lebwohl is not shy about pulling back the curtain on what makes SMT Scott expo so difLebwohl ferent: global sourcing. “In addition to our own facilities in China, Taiwan, and Vietnam we work tirelessly at vetting and maintaining our supplier network. As an experienced OEM manufacturer, we source custom solutions for our clients that a traditional supplier may not have the capacity for.

The expanse of private label product that we design and manufacture is second to none. Providing us with the

advantage of being scalable while maintaining the strictest QC standards.

Over the past five years we have found that a common misconception in the market is the price of our products.

We challenge prospective partners to task us with a new product, an opportunity, or a floorplan, so that we can come up with a collaborative approach to improve upon conventional offerings and win your business.”

From innovation to design and execution, SMT expo is the industry’s leader in scalable full-floorplan booth systems.

SMT Expo, a division of Glenmore Industries, an international manufacturer of home, institutional, and automotive products, is based in Edison, N.J., and has been designing and manufacturing modular fabric booth systems since 2013. Their patented full-floorplan booth system is designed to facilitate efficient show builds and shipping. For more info, visit www.smtexpo.com.

ExhibitCityNews.com November/December 2019 73

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IN MEMORIAM

Bob Daniel Betzel

November 23, 1940-May 21, 2019

R

obert “Bob” Daniel Betzel passed away on May 21 in Marietta, Georgia.

He was born on November 23, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Edward and Beatrice Betzel. Bob retired as a manager for Consolidated Freightways. He was a loving husband of 30 years, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Bob enjoyed cooking and spending quality time with his family. He also served in the United States Navy.

Along with his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his son, Robert Betzel and brother, Edward Betzel. He is survived

by his wife, Nancy Betzel; sons, Gary Betzel and Bruce Myers; daughters, Lori (Tom) Page and Pennie Nichols; sister, Marie Betzel; grandchildren, Michael, Nicholas, Taylor, and Madison; and great grandchild, Aria.

A memorial service to honor him was held on May 28 in Kennesaw, Georgia. Those who wish may send flowers or make a donation in Bob’s name to the Kidney Association or American Cancer Society.

For those would like to write in his guestbook or leave a memory, visit https://www.dignitymemorial.com/ obituaries/kennesaw-ga/ robert-betzel-8719893

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

People on the Move Lori Healey (right), CEO of the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, submitted her resignation, effective Oct. 18.

The agency, generally known as McPier, runs McCormick Place.

Healey, 59, was a top lieutenant to former Mayors Richard M. Daley and Rahm Emanuel. Among other jobs, she was the city’s planning director and became McPier CEO in April 2015. McPier Chief Financial Officer Larita Clark will take over as acting CEO while the agency looks for a permanent successor.

AEG Facilities, a stand-alone division of AEG, the world’s leading sports, venue and live entertainment company, has appointed Rob Hampton (right) as general manager of the Palm Springs Convention Center. Additionally, Hampton and his team will oversee venue management operations for the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism, the Palm Springs Visitor Center and the Welwood Murray Memorial Library.

In international news, Reed Exhibitions Americas, one of the world’s leading events organizers, has announced a change to the leadership structure in the Mexico business unit. Michael Mandl, currently group VP of Reed Exhibitions U.S., has been appointed CEO, Reed Exhibitions Mexico.

Anja Loetscher has joined IAEE’s team as an international consultant to assist the Partner Relations team in global growth. Over the past 20 years she has worked as regional director, Europe for hospitality technology provider TravelClick, and as vice president of EMEA sales Kempinski Hotels & Resorts, an international luxury hotel group. In 2007, she moved to Geneva, Switzerland, where she launched the Geneva Convention Bureau.

The International Congress and Convention Association has appointed Anju Gomes as their new Middle East direc-

by Exhibit City News

tor to take the helm of the global meetings industry trade association’s fastest-growing region.

Gomes, based in Dubai, UAE, since 1996, has more than two decades of experience in the international events sector in the Middle East.

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, recently welcomed Justine Evans (right) as the new marketing and communications manager to the UFI team in Paris, France. Evans takes over the role from Monika Fourneaux-Ceskova who managed UFI’s marketing and communications activities for the past year and a half, before relocating to Dubai.

The Association for Women in Events, a non-profit organization dedicated to the professional advancement of women in all facets of the events industry, has announced its 2020-2021 board members and 2020 executive committee. The 2020 incoming board members (beginning a two-year term in 2020): Jeanne D. Procope, CMP, MTA, senior director, conference strategy with The American Institute of Architects; Kiki J. Fox, senior manager, national sales with Core-apps by Community Brands; Brad Weaber, principal of Brad Weaber Consulting Group, LLC; Jamie Bohner Shelley, VP, business development and partnerships of Events and Transportation Associates; Paige Cardwell, president of CSG Creative; Aaron Lewis, CMP, executive assistant to chief medical officer & chief quality officer with Kettering Health Network; Rachel Sheerin, CPBA, keynote speaker and team trainer with RachelSheerin.com;

and Kirsten Treadwell, CMP, meetings manager with ASIS International.

The 2020 incoming executive committee members: President Marie-Claire Andrews, co-founder of Event Tech Tribe; Vice President Jenn Artura, head of global events, incentives & executive briefing programs with Veritas Technologies, LLC; Treasurer Johnnie White, MBA, CAE, CMP, CEO/executive vice president at American Society of Appraisers; Secretary April Walsh, manager, brand experience marketing at Freeman; Past President Julie Sullivan, CMP, CEM, CTA, event sales manager at ASIS International; and Executive Director Carrie Abernathy, CMP, CEM, CSEP, lead meeting planner, industry engagement at Altria.

In company news, Lanham, Maryland-based Hargrove has hired industry veteran Tara Higgins as president of the growing experiential events, exhibits and expositions company. Higgins brings to Hargrove more than 20 years of experience leading results-driven teams and spent most of her career with George P. Johnson where her last role was executive VP of global operations.

Exhibit City News has hired Roxanne Tomko in sales/new business development. Her previous marketing experience includes working with MetroPCS clientele, tradeshow modeling and being a small business owner. beMatrix USA, the Atlanta-based U.S. manufacturer of the original “big hole” frame system, hired Kent Agramonte (left) in October as the new marketing manager overseeing North America marketing. Agramonte, who previously worked in the association marketing space, brings with him more than a decade of B2B marketing, demand generation and brand

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

management expertise.

Highmark TechSystems, along with Highmark Outdoor, announces Jeff Fortmann (right) has joined the company as VP, business development and marketing. Fortmann joins Highmark from Access Intelligence, where he most recently served as business director, Brand Activation Group. Fortmann will work from Highmark’s East Coast office located in the Greater New York City region.

Milestone Equipment Holdings, a national leader in transportation equipment leasing, has hired three national account managers to continue driving the growth of its Mobile Warehousing and Storage (MW&S) trailer solution that was launched in December 2018. New National Account Managers Josh King, Brian Tyrrell and Ronnie Hynes bring extensive knowledge and a proven track record of customer service to the Milestone MW&S business.

Sho-Link Inc., a premier I&D service company, has promoted Rob West to VP of operations. West started his career as a union carpenter in 1995 with West Displays and Sho-Link, Inc. He relocated to Orlando where he worked initially as a lead man and was quickly promoted to assistant city manager, and then city manager, all within the same year. In 2006, he was promoted to regional manager for Sho-Link and in 2017 he was named senior director of field operations.

Sho-Link also named Jesse Amador (right) as Atlanta city manager. Amador is originally from Gainesville, Fla., and he started in the industry 12 years ago working as a lead to travel lead for eight years with Realtree, CDW, Maxar and Acumed. He was an Atlanta city manager for the past three years with a company out of Chicago.

Momentum Management hired Mike Pugrad as their new city manager in San Diego, Calif. He brings years of

experience as a traveling lead for an I&D company and lead supervisor for an exhibit house.

Prior to joining the tradeshow industry, he was a rescue swimmer in the U.S. Navy.

They also hired Adam Heffner as a new account manager to the sales team led by Glen Ruggiero, Kasey Montonini to their Las Vegas team as a floor manager, Aaron Long to their growing account coordinating team and Laura Wahlbom (right) to their growing account team. Heffner was an associate producer with ESPN 1230 The Fan 2 in Marrietta, Ga., Montonini worked for five years as a landscape technician, Long attended the University of North Georgia and Wahlbom is currently working on her bachelor’s degree in business management.

Mirror Show Management has hired four new employees: Jason Jipson as a minibooth specialist, Erin Molloy as an associate account executive, Nicole Bourdon as a market research specialist and Joseph Reazor as chief enterprise architect.

Eagle Management Group (EMG) named Brian Fischer (right) as the new city manager of Miami. Fischer first started with Eagle in 1987 as the city manager of the Baltimore/D.C. region.

Since then he has served in many different roles such as project manager and West Coast regional manager. Antonia Nuzzolo is joining Eagle’s California team as an account executive and MaryRose Rogers is relocating to Las Vegas. Prior to joining the Eagle team a year ago, Rogers worked for a prominent flooring company and Nuzzolo began working with Eagle nearly two years ago as an intern.

EMG’s VP of operations, Don Minot, begins to prepare for retirement after 30+

years with EMG as Arthur Ximenes begins to take over some of his responsibilities. Minot began working for Eagle as a carpenter in the D.C. area. He’s not yet ready for full retirement and will remain on the Eagle team as the Philadelphia city manager. Ximenes started at Eagle in 1994 as a lead carpenter becoming city manager for Dallas and Houston. For the past several years, he has served as the manager of operations. He began as VP of operations in August. And Kerry Kieper is retiring after 20 years with the company.

She first started as a show-site customer service rep, then assistant city manager and became Chicago city manager in 2011.

Industry veteran and creative thought leader Brian Baker has joined Exhibitus as partner and VP, creative & strategy. With more than 25 years of experience, first as an exhibit designer, then a creative team leader, in 2017, he was named EDPA’s Michael R. Westcott Designer of the Year. Most recently, he was VP at Highmark TechSystems and for 17 years, he was the creative director at MC² Atlanta.

Expolinc Corp. has increased its west region sales presence by adding George Morse as a regional sales consultant based in the Phoenix area and covering multiple states. Morse formerly owned his own insurance agency, worked at a custom exhibit house and for a manufacturer of LED displays specializing in the retail/POP sector.

SourceOne Events, a general service contractor, is proud to announce three new hires to the team: Beth Anne Falco, director of human resources, Cara Paijan, exhibitor services representative and Stephany Oceguera, graphic designer.

Atlanta-based ON Services, a GES company and leading full-service audio visual provider, has hired experiential experts Craig Pemberton as national sales manager for corporate business and Matt McGraw as account man-

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

ager for corporate tradeshow accounts.

Pemberton brings more than 20 years of experience having held leadership positions at H.B. Stubbs Company, EWI Worldwide and The George P. Johnson Company. Prior to joining ON Services, Pemberton was head of business development for One Group. With more than 10 years of experience, McGraw joins ON Services from SmartSource Rentals.

Exhibitpro CEO Lori Miller (right) was selected as a Columbus Smart50 2019 honoree for her achievements building and leading Exhibitpro to its’ current success. The Columbus Smart50 awards select 50 top executives from companies with offices in Central Ohio.

Fremont, Calif.-based Electronics For Imaging, Inc., has named Grant Fitz as its new chief financial officer. Fitz replaces long-time EFI executive Marc Olin, who will assume the COO role at EFI. Fitz brings nearly 30 years of financial and operational experience overseeing accounting, business support, and financial planning and analysis.

The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association has appointed Amanda L. Kliegl to the position of VP of public relations. Kliegl spent more than 10 years with HSPR, representing a wide range of printing and graphic arts clients.

Frank Tueckmantel (right) has joined the NAPCO Media team as executive VP of business development. Tueckmantel brings extensive strategic marketing and business development experience to the role from his previous long-standing tenure as EFI’s VP of corporate marketing. Steve Duccilli joined NAPCO Media’s Printing and Packaging Group as VP, brand director, wide-format and industrial printing. Duccilli previously served as the editor and/or publisher

of Big Picture, Screen Printing, VMSD (Visual Merchandising & Store Design), and other media brands serving the specialty printing field.

The International Market Centers (IMC) announced changes to its furniture and home décor leasing team, with one new hire—Dale Schmidlin, director of home décor leasing—and two internal promotions: Chris Amos, director of home décor leasing; and John Dwiggins, director of furniture leasing. They also hired Kaela Simeonoff as sales manager for The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas, a $90 million, 315,000-sq.ft. exposition center set to open in July 2020 during IMC’s semi-annual Las Vegas Market.

Elizabeth Moss, a 17-year industry veteran, has also joined the Las Vegas Market tradeshow leasing team and two existing members of the team—Priscila Gilburg and Michelle Karol—will assume additional category responsibilities.

Dana (Collins) Kramer has been named SportsPITTSBURGH’s senior development manager and will be responsible for promoting Pittsburgh to sports event and meeting planners. Kramer joins SportsPITTSBURGH with more than 13 years of hospitality, events and sales experience. Most recently, she served as a sales manager for the Omni William Penn Hotel.

The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) announced the promotion of Charlene Lopez to director of citywide sales, effective Oct. 1; a new role for

Megan Wilkinson as manager, convention services and the promotion of Joseph Henry as manager, technology.

Meet Chicago Northwest, the official destination marketing organization for Chicago’s northwest suburbs headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., welcomes Roz Dixon and Sarah Bessler (above left) as account executives. Dixon, a hotel professional, most recently spent five years with First Hospitality Group and Bessler most recently held leadership positions with Pinstripes.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority recently welcomed three new members to its board of directors including MGM Resorts Int’l. President and COO of Portfolio Properties Anton Nikodemus; Kiernan McManus, Boulder City Mayor; and Boyd Gaming Corporation’s Executive VP Operations, Steve Thompson (left). The Board also approved President of Wynn Las Vegas Marilyn Spiegel as vice chair; City of Henderson Councilman John Marz as secretary; and Chairman and CEO of Eureka Casino Resort Gregory Lee as treasurer.

Jim Wood, president and CEO of Meet AC, has announced he will depart from the organization at the end of 2019. Wood will be returning to Kentucky so that he can care for his wife while she rehabilitates from a severe fall she suffered earlier this year.

Associated Luxury Hotels International​(ALHI) is honored to announce that President and CEO Michael Dominguez​has been named to the Events Industry Council’s prestigious Hall of Leaders.

Sigurjóna Sverrisdóttir has taken over as managing director of Meet in Reykjavík–Reykjavík Convention Bureau. She succeeds Thorsteinn Orn Gudmundsson, who led the bureau from its foundation in 2012.

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chicago 847.671.5494 | las vegas 702.798.6433 | www.anglesondesign.com @ExhibitCityNews

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

Dining, Entertainment, Attractions & Lodging

Downtown Detroit Is a Foodie’s Delight Deanna Majchrzak from Visit Detroit sent me so many recommendations for dining, attractions and lodging in downtown Detroit that I gave her the byline for the “Eat, Sleep and Play” section on p. 60. And here she is with even more suggestions!

“Another new concept in Detroit is the food hall: Fort Street Galley opened last year and they have four different restaurants. Also big news, opening this month (scheduled for Nov. 15) is the Highlands, a group of four restaurants from James Beard Award-winning chef Shawn McClain that will be in the space at the top (floors 71 and 72) of the Renaissance Center,” says Majchrzak. There will be a casual open-fire cooking spot called Hearth 71 and a whiskey spot called

High Bar filling the old Coach Insignia space in the Renaissance Center. The Highlands will also dedicate substantial square-footage to events space with an extraordinary view.

Other award-winning chefs working downtown include Michelin-starred chef Thomas Lents (Apparatus Room in Detroit Foundation Hotel), James Beard nominees Chef Garret Lipar and Chef Kate Williams (Siren Hotel in Wurlitzer Building); and Andrew Carmellini (Shinola Hotel), among others.

Chef Lents earned two Michelin stars as executive chef at Sixteen at the Trump Tower in Chicago, and he’s also worked in Ireland and San Francisco. But he returned to his home state after a battle with cancer and an offer to oversee food and beverage at the vintage Detroit Foundation Hotel. The Chef’s Table above the Apparatus Room, limited to only 12 diners, offers a family-style multi-course dining experience that was recognized as the Detroit Free Press’ Restaurant of

the Year in 2018. And Lents was a James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2018 and 2015.

For more casual dining, Majchrzak says, “Buddy’s Pizza (Detroit style-pizza) is opening a downtown location near the ballparks this fall.” Buddy’s got its start on Conant Street in Detroit and has several suburban locations; the upcoming 200-seat location near the M@dison Building downtown will feature dine-in seating and a grab-andgo area with square pizza by-the-slice.

She adds, “There’s a cool new beer bar called the Brakeman over near the Shinola Hotel, inside is Penny Red’s, a fried chicken counter, with delicious food, open for dinner.

“There’s a good Italian restaurant called La Laterna over in Capitol Park, near the Westin Book Cadillac,” she continues. “That area has a few new spots, Eatori has a basic menu with an outdoor patio, and a little market in the back for grab and go.”

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Photo courtesy of The Whitney Mansion

DINING

Photo by ©Joe Vaughn courtesy of Detroit Foundation Hotel

The Apparatus Room in the Detroit Foundation Hotel

ENTERTAINMENT

Just present a convention industry I.D. Promotion ends December 31, 2019.

Limit one per customer per visit.

Photo courtesy of The Whitney Mansion

Photo by ©Joe Vaughn courtesy of Detroit Foundation Hotel

Faithful readers know how partial I am to historical Art Deco architecture, live music featuring the Great American Song Book and all things swanky.

In downtown Detroit, nothing comes swankier than the Whitney mansion, one of the last standing of the many impressive homes on Woodward Avenue.

The structure, completed in 1894, was designed for lumber baron David Whitney Jr. and described by one newspaper account at the time as “the most elaborate and substantial residence in this part of the country.” Built in a Romanesque style of South Dakota Jasper, a rare variety of pink granite that originally provided the outside of the house with a striking rose hue, the exterior features a multi-gabled roof and arched windows that add drama to the already luxurious facade. The 21,000 square foot home originally had 52 rooms, 10 bathrooms, 218 windows, 20 fireplaces, a secret vault in the original dining room and an elevator. Construction took four years at a cost of $400,000.

With its gorgeous granite arches, crystal chandeliers and stained glass windows, the Whitney now has a new life

@ExhibitCityNews

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Photo by Jerilee Bennett

The Whitney Mansion: Time-Traveling Glamour

The Whitney Mansion bathed in purple light

full of grandeur as a fine dining restaurant and upscale lounge. Traditions of elegant tea parties and dinners, as well as sightings of David Whitney Jr.’s ghost, are alive and well. The third floor Ghostbar’s eclectic spirits make any evening spent in the dining rooms or garden an enchanting one—and possibly haunted one as well.

From the painted glass windows done by Mr. Tiffany himself to the light fixtures created and signed by Thomas Edison, it truly is a historic masterpiece.

They offer free guided tours of the mansion throughout the night to learn more about what went into making this home.

There are several parlors with beautiful

fireplaces and fabulous mantles. One of the parlors has a collection of tapestries of mischievous cherubs, and there’s also a dramatic stairwell that harkens a Hello Dolly or Gone with the Wind moment.

Tucked in on the top floor next to the Ghost Bar, The Woodward Room is a hidden gem in the restaurant. A small room facing Woodward (hence the name), it offers an intimate spot to dine. And many online reviewers mention that the live pianist is one of the highlights of an evening spent at the mansion.

The Whitney Mansion, 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201, (313) 832-5700, thewhitney.com.

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

Dining, Entertainment, Attractions & Lodging

Belle Isle Park’s Aquarium and Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory

ATTRACTIONS

Detroit Is a Dynamo of Attractions Detroit is a dynamic urban destination and whether you’re a sports fan (all four sports teams are within a five-minute walk of each other); outdoor enthusiast (Walk Detroit Riverfront/Riverboat tours, MoGo bikes, Robert C. Valade Park/ Atwater Beach on the Riverfront and Belle Isle will delight you); neighborhood aficionado (be sure to check out Greektown, Corktown, Midtown, West Village, Eastern Market and Hamtramck (PolishTown); theatre lover (you’ll want to tour the Fox Theatre and Fisher Theatre); a music lover (from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to the Masonic Theatre to the Magic Stick—a pool hall/small concert venue with lots of history and where lots of Detroit originals got their start); a gambler (check out Greektown Casino, the Motor City Casino or the Vegas-style MGM); or a museum lover (the Motown Museum, Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, [Edsel & Eleanor’s] Ford House, the Detroit Institute of Arts, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and Dossin Great

Lakes Museum are all must-sees); Detroit has something for everyone.

We haven’t even mentioned the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, the downtown parks, like Beacon Park, Campus Martius Park and Capitol Park, or a day trip to Windsor, Canada—which is just the other side of the river and is a 15-minute drive by bridge or tunnel. Shoppers will enjoy getting great deals with the exchange rate and duty free items in Canada or, if staying in the U.S., shopping on the revitalized Woodward Avenue, checking out Campus Martius square for food truck eats and treats, and partying at The Belt, a street art-lined alley with outdoor bars that draw lively crowds.

Campus Martius Park is located in the center of downtown. In the summer there’s bands and orchestras performing and you can relax in a beach area and enjoy cocktails from the beach bar. In the winter it’s transformed into a winter wonderland with an ice rink. And it’s only a 10-minute walk to the convention center.

Belle Isle Park is also just a short bike ride or Uber ride from the TCF Center. The breathtaking 983-acre island park looks like a 1930s summer camp—pack a picnic lunch and enjoy some fishing and nature.

You can visit the nature center, historic aquarium and gorgeous conservatory, play tennis or visit the beach area that is com-

plete with a waterslide and playgrounds.

And Detroit has lots of projects opening and in development. In September the Motown Museum broke ground on the first phase of its $50 million expansion: Hitsville Next, 50,000 sq.ft. of new exhibit space, a theater and recording studio that will be home to the museum’s series of youth and community programs. Scheduled to open by August 2020, it will link three houses east of the famed Hitsville building that served as Motown founder Berry Gordy’s original headquarters and studio, now the heart of the museum.

Robert C. Valade Park (formerly Atwater Beach) opened this fall along the Detroit Riverfront, featuring a large, sandy beach; an imaginative children’s playscape inspired by a West Coast lifeguard station; a musical garden; a large shed structure for programs and retail; and opening in Spring 2020, a colorful and unique floating barge for food and drink.

And the Dossin Great Lakes Museum has broken ground on a $4.9 million enhancement project to be completed in 2021. Enhancements include an upgrade to the museum’s outdoor maritime artifact displays, new riverwalk and observation telescope, new kayak launch, new pedestrian lighting, bike racks, benches and a cycle service station.

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LODGING

Boutique Hotels Blend History with Service Downtown Detroit has been blessed with a boutique hotel boom in the last few years and the best part is many of them are in beautifully renovated and restored historic buildings. First, directly across the street from the TCF Center is the stunning Detroit Foundation Hotel, which transformed Detroit’s former Fire Department headquarters (built in 1929) into a 100-room luxury hotel with a gorgeous dining area (the Apparatus Room), a mini-museum of fire dept. hats and gear on the fourth floor, a reading room on the third floor and one of the finest staffs guests could ask for. From the front desk clerks to the valet to the concierages, every employee goes above and beyond to ensure that you have the best possible stay. They even provide a complimentary

car and driver if you’d like a ride or pickup within a three-mile radius of the hotel.

Also adjacent to the TCF Center is the former Ponchartrain Hotel, now the Crowne Plaza Detroit Downtown Riverfront, a 367-room, 25-story high-rise hotel that opened in 1965. It was built on the site of Fort Pontchartrain, Detroit’s first permanent European settlement, built in 1701, which later became known as Fort Detroit.

The hotel was named for the fort and for an earlier Hotel Pontchartrain, which was located on Cadillac Square at Woodward Avenue, before it was demolished in 1920.

And around the corner is the gorgeous Detroit Club, a private social club. The building was constructed in 1891 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. The Romanesque Revival-styled building has 10 luxurious suites that have been opened to the public.

The Inn on Ferry Street, located in the East Ferry Street Historic District of Midtown Detroit, consists of four restored Victorian homes and two carriage houses.

Detroit Club

Guests of its 40 elegant Victorian rooms enjoy many complimentary amenities such as shuttle service to/from The Inn (within five miles), parking, WiFi, a bountiful breakfast buffet, a welcome cookie and water, PressReader digital newspaper and magazine access. Just steps from the state’s finest museums, the Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University, the Inn has been a member of Historic Hotels of America since 2009 and dates back to 1886. The property won a National Trust Honor award in 2002 for its remarkably detailed restoration with $12 million in neighborhood improvements.

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205 FLANDERS ROAD WESTBOROUGH, MA 01581 INFO@CORP-EVENTS.COM - (508) 366-8594 WWW.CORP-EVENTSID.COM @ExhibitCityNews

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Tradeshow Calendar TRADESHOW RECAPS AND PREVIEWS

by Amadeus Finlay

SOUTHEAST SOUTHWEST

Marijuana Business, MJBizCon, Dec. 11-13, Las Vegas Convention Center Prohibition is long over in the Wild, Wild West of American weed, and MJBizCon is the big kahuna when it comes to all things ganja. However, don’t be misled; this isn’t a Hunter S. Thompson rampage through downtown Las Vegas with a face-full of THC. MJBizCon is a sophisticated gathering of the thought leaders and entrepreneurs pioneering a vast and lucrative industry that goes far beyond getting stoned in a basement. Non-psychedelic medicinal cannabis is big business, while the reawakened hemp market is starting to blossom, with financial projections for 2020 ranging anywhere from $12 to $30 billion. Little wonder that the Vegas leg of this national touring show is set to see more than 44,500 attendees and 1,200 exhibitors descend on Sin City just before Christmas. Expect the latest developments in cannabis licensing laws, as well as insights, trends and more on the never-ending debate surrounding CBD. For more info, visit mjbizconference.com/vegas/

International Association of Amusement Parks Expo, Nov. 19-22, Orange County Convention Center IAAPA is a whole lot of fun (sorry CES). An action-packed showcase of the latest, greatest and coolest ideas in the world of amusement park entertainment, IAAPA will bring more than 35,000 attendees and a staggering 1,000 exhibitors to downtown Orlando for a four-day soiree of excitement and discovery. Expect augmented reality in all its forms, as well as the opportunity to embark on a guided tour of the show floor (tailored by industry) to ensure an optimum visitor experience. Get some real-world experience with field trips to the city’s leading amusement parks, as well as the chance to visit Legoland and Sesame Street. Want to give back? Embark on a motorbike exploration of central Florida in aid of Give Kids The World Village, a nonprofit resort for children with critical illnesses. Some notes for exhibitors: drape is not provided for island booths, while exhibitors planning to use drones must contact exhibitors@IAAPA.org in advance. Install must be completed by 5 p.m. on Nov. 18, with the floor cleared by midnight on Nov. 24. For more info, visit www.iaapa.org

NORTHWEST

National Science Teaching Association Area Conference on Science Education, Dec. 12-14, Washington State Convention Center

Celebrating its 75th birthday, NSTA is bringing its A-game to this year’s annual meeting. More than 4,000 STEM professionals from across the nation are predicted to attend, with a show floor populated by 180 exhibitors from across the industry. Educational seminars are at the heart of the NSTA offering, with an extensive range for all disciplines and career paths. Don’t miss the three-dimensional teaching and learning discussion where attendees will be presented with new opportunities to build assessments that move student learning forward. Finally, a tasty top tip. Use Code 5FOR4 when registering and bring five attendees for the price of four. Note: In a departure from past events, helium balloons are not permitted anywhere on the show floor. For more info, visit s6.goeshow.com/nsta/area/2019seattle

NORTHEAST

Greater New York Dental Meeting, Dec. 1-4, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center With more than enough bite to match the bark, GNYDM is the undisputed king of dental conventions, and if last year’s reports are anything to go by, it is going from strength to strength. 2018 was, by far, the largest to date,.

52,320 attendees descended on downtown NYC, of which 20,187 were dentists from the U.S., with 6,743 coming in from overseas. And this year promises to have an even bigger turnout. Move-in begins at 10 a.m. on Nov. 29, with all exhibits set to be dismantled and packed by 11 a.m. on Dec. 5. Note: Exhibitors requesting an island must rent additional space to create the configuration. i.e., if the exhibitor requests a 20’ x 30’ island (six booths), a 20’ x 40’ space (eight booths) will be needed to meet the demand.

For more info, visit www.gnydm.com

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

MIDWEST

Radiological Society of North America Annual Meeting, Dec. 1-6, McCormick Place Wrapping-up the year in style, RSNA returns to Chicago for another four days of innovation, exploration and discussion in all things radiological. More than 52,000 attendees and 692 exhibitors are expected to attend this six-day deep dive in early December, with 400 educational courses running throughout the event. Be sure to check out the expanded AI Showcase, expanded for this year’s show, as well as the wealth of seminars being offered. Of course, all work and no charity makes for a self-involved conference. Race your fellow attendees and support radiology research and education by participating in the RSNA 5K Fun Run. Need to keep track of all the moving parts? Utilize the My Show Planner function on the RSNA site.

For more info, visit rsna.org/annual-meeting

CENTRAL

Outdoor Retailer Snow Show, Nov. 5-7, Colorado Convention Center Want to look cool while staying warm this winter? Then make a trek to the Mile High City and uncover the snappiest and snazziest designs the world of winter fashion has on offer. And with the industry bringing in more than $830 million per year, there is nowhere else to be this late fall.

The sharp-eyed attendees will certainly notice some changes for this year’s show. First, the event has moved to November to be the launch event for the season, with the focus being on “how” retailers buy, rather than “when” retailers buy. Looking ahead, the 2020 Winter Market and Snow Show will be united as Outdoor + Snow Show, running Jan. 29-31, so keep those diaries handy. Note: move-in and move-out times have not been announced at time of print.

For more info, visit outdoorretailer.com/home-fall/ @ExhibitCityNews

086_Tradeshow_Calendar_1119.indd 2

CANADA

The Buildings Show, Dec. 4-6, Metro Toronto Convention Centre The year’s end is slow in Canada, with the notable exception of TBS, North America’s largest event for products, services, educational programming and professional networking.

And with 700 exhibitors on the bill and more than 35,000 attendees anticipated to make the trek to southern Ontario, it’s set to be a big one, even by TBS standards. What’s new?

Buildings Connect, presented by Colliers Proptech Accelerator powered by Techstars, will showcase all market sectors featured in the show, while attendees will have the opportunity to explore the latest technological innovations and connect with transformation influencers at Construct Canada and PM Expo in the South Building, and HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo and World of Concrete Toronto Pavilion in the North. Move-in commences at 4 p.m. on Dec. 2, with all materials to be removed from the show floor by 9 p.m. on Dec. 6. Note: check the color-coded floor plan to determine scheduled move-in time.

For more info, visit thebuildingsshow.com

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Tradeshow Calendar U.S. CENTRAL Show IARP Forensic Conference - International Assoc. of Rehabilitation Professionals American Physical Therapy Association - APTA National Student Conclave American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians - ACOEP Scientific Assembly Water Quality Technology Conference & Expo - AWWA American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences - AAPS PharmSci 360 American Association of Cereal Chemists - AACC Safety & Health Summit ASCP Annual Meeting - American Society of Consultant Pharmacists American Association of Hip & Knee Surgeons - AAHKS National Association for Gifted Children - NAGC International Dyslexia Association - IDA American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology - ACAAI Texas Academy of Family Physicians - TAFP Fort Worth Auto Show National Agriculture Bankers Conference - ABA Texas Managed Care Conference & Expo - TAHP National Association for Interpretation - NAI The Gerontological Society of America - GSA Mid-Continent Dental Congress - GSLDS American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation - AAPM&R AFCEA ALAMO Chapter Supercomputing - SC InnoTech Austin Kansas Agri Business Expo National Council for the Social Studies - NCSS International Association of Fairs & Expositions - IAFE USAF Aircraft Structural Integrity Program - ASIP The Running Event - IRRA Amarillo Farm & Ranch Show

You Built It!

Start 10/31 10/31 11/02 11/03 11/03 11/03 11/06 11/07 11/07 11/07 11/07 11/07 11/08 11/08 11/10 11/11 11/12 11/13 11/14 11/14 11/18 11/18 11/19 11/20 11/22 12/01 12/02 12/03 12/03

End 11/02 11/02 11/06 11/07 11/06 11/05 11/06 11/10 11/10 11/10 11/10 11/11 11/10 11/10 11/13 11/13 11/16 11/17 11/15 11/17 11/21 11/21 11/19 11/21 11/24 12/04 12/05 12/05 12/05

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

Venue Hilton Portland Downtown Albuquerque CC JW Marriott Sheraton Dallas Hotel Henry B. Gonzalez CC Sheraton Denver Downtown LaVista CC Gaylord Texan Hilton Anatole Albuquerque CC Oregon CC George R. Brown CC Woodlands Waterway Marriott Ft. Worth CC Hyatt Regency Dallas Hilton Austin Sheraton Denver Downtown Austin CC St. Charles CC Henry B. Gonzalez CC La Cantera Resort & Spa Colorado CC Austin CC Hyatt Regency Austin CC Henry B. Gonzalez CC Downtown Hyatt Regency Austin CC Amarillo Civic Center

All Information Is Subject to Change*

City Portland Albuquerque Austin Dallas San Antonio Denver La Vista Dallas Dallas Albuquerque Portland Houston Houston Ft. Worth Dallas Austin Denver Austin St. Charles San Antonio San Antonio Denver Austin Wichita Austin San Antonio San Antonio Austin Amarillo

St OR NM TX TX TX CO NE TX TX NM OR TX TX TX TX TX CO TX MO TX TX CO TX KS TX TX TX TX TX

Att 350 300 1300 8500 1000 1200 2000 3000 3500 3647 450 600 300 600 6000 2000 2000 2500 13.5K 1800 1100 3500 5000 400 600 30K

Exh 21

Nsf

Industry Healthcare Healthcare 25 Healthcare 82 Water 600 130K Healthcare Food & Beverage 100 8640 Healthcare 44 11200 Healthcare Healthcare Education 120 Healthcare 100 24995 Healthcare 135 24000 Healthcare Automotive & Trucking 90 45 3600 Banking 50 Healthcare 75 Associations 100 Healthcare 100 6000 Healthcare 100 Healthcare 371 95 150 175 300 29 250 500

149K 2200

Computers & Apps

Agriculture & Farming 35000 Science 35000 Gaming & Entertainment 2900 Aerospace & Aviation 22500 Sporting Goods & Rec. 115K Agriculture & Farming

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

88 November/December 2019 Exhibit City News

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

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

U.S. MIDWEST Show National FFA Convention - Future Farmers of America National Student Nurses’ Association Midyear Conf. - NSNA American Academy of Periodontology - AAP Midwest Design-2-Part Show Association of Rehabilitation Nurses - ARN Door & Hardware Institute - DHI CoNEXTions CAEL International Conference - Council for Adult and Experiential Learning Illinois Nursing Home Administrators Association - INHAA FABTECH International/AWS Welding Show/Metalform Midwest Healthcare Engineering Conf. & Trade Show - MWHCEC FLAVORCON - Perfumer & Flavorist Path to Purchase Expo - P2PX LED Specifier Summit National Science Teachers Association - NSTA Bands of America Grand National Championships National Association of Biology Teachers - NABT Private Label Manufacturers Association - PLMA OCALICON - Autisum & Disabilities Conference Automation Fair - Rockwell Automation Illinois Association of School Boards - IASB Radiological Society of North America - RSNA Dental Implant Conference - AAOMS SharePoint Fest Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo Performance Racing Industry Show - PRI The Midwest Clinic - International Band & Orchestra American Beekeeping Federation - ABF Conference & Tradeshow Chicago Boat, RV & Strictly Sail Show Archery Trade Association - ATA

All Information Is Subject to Change*

Start 10/30 10/31 11/02 11/06 11/06 11/06 11/06 11/07 11/11 11/11 11/11 11/13 11/13 11/14 11/14 11/14 11/17 11/20 11/20 11/22 12/01 12/05 12/09 12/10 12/12 12/18 01/08 01/08 01/09

End 11/02 11/03 11/05 11/07 11/09 11/08 11/08 11/08 11/14 11/13 11/12 11/14 11/13 11/16 11/16 11/17 11/19 11/22 11/21 11/24 12/06 12/07 12/13 12/12 12/14 12/21 01/11 01/12 01/11

Venue Indiana CC Hyatt Regency O’Hare McCormick Place Indiana CC Greater Columbus CC Huntington CC Palmer House Hilton Crowne Plaza McCormick Place Indiana CC Duke Energy CC Hyatt Regency Chicago Navy Pier Duke Energy CC Lucas Oil Stadium Sheraton Grand Chi. Donald E. Stephens CC Greater Columbus CC McCormick Place Hyatt Regency Chicago McCormick Place Sheraton Grand McCormick Place Devos Place Indiana CC McCormick Place Renaissance Schaumburg CC McCormick Place Indiana CC

City Indianapolis Chicago Chicago Indianapolis Columbus Cleveland Chicago Springfield Chicago Indianapolis Cincinnati Chicago Chicago Cincinnati Indianapolis Chicago Rosemont Columbus Chicago Chicago Chicago Chicago Chicago Grand Rapids Indianapolis Chicago Schaumburg Chicago Indianapolis

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

Att 70K 1500 2500 750 1000 1600

Exh

200 48K

70 7000 1.7K 650K 104

125 150 110 70 107

Nsf 130K 11000 35000 11500 7200 110K

Industry Agriculture & Farming Healthcare Healthcare Manufacturing Healthcare Building & Construction Education Healthcare Welding Healthcare Beauty & Healthcare Advertising & Marketing

100 120 4000 150 25000 Education Art, Music & Culture 85K 12900 Education 10K 1.1K 229K Apparel 1955 94 Healthcare 15K 150 62500 Manufacturing 10K Education 53K 692 422K Healthcare 1500 90 11000 Healthcare 500 30 2000 Computers & Apps 4000 380 74800 Agriculture & Farming 44.5K 1.2K 274K Automotive & Trucking 350 45000 Art, Music & Culture Agriculture & Farming 900 80 54K 297 Boats 9261 659 221K Sporting Goods & Rec.

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

Exhibit City News, of Course!

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GO TO EXHIBITCITYNEWS.COM/SUBSCRIBE OR CALL 702.309.8023

@ExhibitCityNews

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Tradeshow Calendar U.S. NORTHEAST Show American Public Health Association - APHA Kidney Week - American Society of Nephrology Society For Immunotherapy Of Cancer - SITC ArchitectureBoston Expo - ABX New Jersey Education Association Convention - NJEA The Liver Meeting - AASLD BDNY - Boutique Design New York HX: The Hotel Experience Kosherfest New York Library Association - NYLA SMX - Search Marketing Expo East National Communications Association - NCA American Heart Association - AHA Scientific Sessions Ocean City Resort & Gift Expo VEITHsymposium New Jersey League of Municipalities - NJLM American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene - ASTMH ISE East - Security Solutions National Council of Teachers of English - NCTE Materials Research Society Fall Meeting & Exhibit - MRS Greater New York Dental Meeting - GNYDM AMSUS - The Society of Federal Health Professionals Pri-Med East American Epilepsy Society - AES American Society for Cell Biology - ASCB Triple Play REALTOR Convention & Expo International Council of Shopping Centers/New York - ICSC Massachusetts Conference for Women PostGraduate Assembly in Anesthesiology - NYSSA

Start 11/02 11/05 11/06 11/06 11/07 11/08 11/10 11/10 11/12 11/13 11/13 11/14 11/16 11/17 11/19 11/19 11/20 11/20 11/21 12/01 12/01 12/02 12/04 12/06 12/07 12/09 12/10 12/11 12/13

End 11/06 11/10 11/10 11/07 11/08 11/12 11/11 11/11 11/13 11/16 11/14 11/17 11/18 11/19 11/23 11/21 11/24 11/21 11/24 12/06 12/04 12/06 12/07 12/10 12/11 12/12 12/12 12/12 12/17

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

Venue Pennsylvania CC Walter E. Washington CC Gaylord National Boston CC Atlantic City CC Hynes CC Javits Center Javits Center Meadowlands Expo Center Saratoga Springs City Center Javits Center Baltimore CC Roland E. Powell CC N.Y. Hilton Midtown Atlantic City CC Gaylord National Javits Center Baltimore CC Hynes CC Javits Center Gaylord National Boston CC Baltimore CC Walter E. Washington CC Atlantic City CC Javits Center Boston CC Marriott Marquis

All Information Is Subject to Change*

City Philadelphia Washington Washington Boston Atlantic City Boston New York New York Secaucus Saratoga Springs New York Baltimore Philadelphia Ocean City New York Atlantic City Washington New York Baltimore Boston New York Washington Boston Baltimore Washington Atlantic City New York Boston New York

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

Att 12K 13K 2700 9586 40K 8000 6922 15K 6000 1000 2000 5000 18K 1600 2000 11K 4600 10K 6500 5000 53K 4000 5000 5000 6000 3000 10K 10K 3700

Exh Nsf Industry 422 60000 Healthcare 185 44700 Healthcare Healthcare 409 57600 Architecture 600 70000 Education 80 25000 Healthcare 534 81155 Home Furn. & Int. Design 455 73850 Hotels & Resorts 350 33000 Food & Beverage 150 12000 Libraries 70 12000 Computers & Apps 50 10000 Communications 217 129K Healthcare 150 20000 Gifts Healthcare 725 110K Government Healthcare 225 72000 Security 120 12000 Education 275 27500 Chemical 704 141K Healthcare 400 30000 Healthcare 215 65600 Healthcare 82 17040 Healthcare 350 50000 Healthcare 205 30000 Real Estate 530 210K Real Estate 250 105 12640 Healthcare

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 November/December 2019 Exhibit City News

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

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

U.S. NORTHWEST Show American Urological Association Western Section - WSAUA Professional Association for SQL Server - PASS SecureWorld Expo California Transit Association Fall Conference & Expo American Society of Criminology - ASC Coffee Fest Dreamforce - Cloud Expo Printed Electronics USA Wearable USA Sensors USA Energy Storage Innovations USA Washington State School Directors’ Association - WSSDA World Vaccine & Immunotherapy Congress West Coast BIOMED Device San Jose - MDM North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WINexpo) American Geophysical Union - AGU The Almond Conference - Almond Board of California National Science Teachers Association - NSTA Modern Language Association - MLA Silicon Valley International Auto Show The Alliance for Continuing Education in Health Professions - ACEhp Western Fairs Association Convention & Trade Show - WFA Winter Fancy Foods Show - NASFT Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium - American Society of Clinical Oncology Association For Research In Otolaryngolgy - ARO InnSpire Conference & Trade Show DesignCon Worldwide Spring Trade Show - Independent Retailers’ Buying Group Nevada Independent Insurance Agents - NIIA InsurTech Tradeshow

@ExhibitCityNews

086_Tradeshow_Calendar_1119.indd 6

All Information Is Subject to Change*

Start 11/02 11/05 11/13 11/13 11/13 11/15 11/19 11/20 11/20 11/20 11/20 11/21 12/02 12/04 12/05 12/09 12/10 12/12 01/09 01/09 01/09 01/19 01/19 01/23 01/25 01/26 01/28 01/28 01/30

End 11/07 11/08 11/14 11/15 11/16 11/16 11/22 11/21 11/21 11/21 11/21 11/24 12/05 12/05 12/05 12/13 12/12 12/14 01/12 01/12 01/11 01/22 01/21 01/25 01/29 01/28 01/30 01/30 01/30

Venue Monterey Conference Center Washington State CC Meydenbauer Center Monterey Conference Center Marriott Marquis

City Monterey Seattle Seattle Monterey San Francisco Tacoma San Francisco Santa Clara CC Santa Clara Santa Clara CC Santa Clara Santa Clara CC Santa Clara Santa Clara CC Santa Clara Hyatt Regency Bellevue S.F. Airport Marriott Waterfront San Francisco San Jose CC San Jose Sonoma County Fairgrounds Santa Rosa Moscone Center San Francisco Cal Expo Sacramento Washington State CC Seattle Seattle San Jose CC San Jose San Francisco Marriott Marquis Grand Sierra Resort & Casino Reno San Francisco Moscone Center San Francisco San Jose CC San Jose Monterey Marriott Monterey Santa Clara CC Santa Clara Reno-Sparks CC Reno Atlantis Reno Reno

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

Att

Exh

5000 500 700

50 65 100

8000 3500

1000 3014 3300 24K 4000 7000

1200 24K

6000 300

Nsf

Industry Healthcare 10770 Computers & Apps 6500 Security

Police 400 41500 Food & Beverage 350 Computers & Apps Electrical & Electronics 270 Electrical & Electronics Electrical & Electronics Energy 48 Education Healthcare 406 48993 Healthcare 187 31600 Science 180 45000 Education Associations Automotive & Trucking Healthcare 100 20000 Associations 1.5K 230K Food & Beverage Healthcare Healthcare 135

Electrical & Electronics Insurance

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Tradeshow Calendar U.S. SOUTHEAST Show Society of American Foresters National Convention - SAF Florida Chiropractic Association - FCA Southwest Regional Convention & Expo HEALTHCARE DESIGN CONFERENCE American Ambulance Association - AAA Industry Summit - F&I and Showroom Association of Air Medical Services - AMTC Georgia Educational Technology Conference - GaETC Remodeling Show & DeckExpo Association for Middle Level Education - AMLE American College of Rheumatology - ACR/ARHP American Association of Respiratory Care - AARC Southeast Design-2-Part Show Intl. Council of Shopping Centers - ICSC Southeast Conf. & Deal Making Athletic Business Show Diving Equipment & Marketing Association - DEMA Amer. Soc. of Reg. Anesthesia & Pain Medicine - ASRA Ann. Pain Medicine Meeting Southern Association of Orthodontists - SAO International Association of Emergency Managers - IAEM Greenbuild International Conference & Expo POWER-GEN International International Association of Amusement Parks - IAAPA National Association for the Education of Young Children - NAEYC American Speech-Language-Hearing Association - ASHA International Jewelry Fair/General Merchandise Show I/ITSEC Craft Beverage Expo - CBExpo International Work Boat Show SOHO Expo - Southeast Natural Products Association - SENPA American Society of Hematology - ASH

Start 10/30 10/31 11/02 11/04 11/04 11/04 11/06 11/06 11/07 11/08 11/09 11/13 11/13 11/13 11/13 11/14 11/14 11/15 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/20 11/21 11/21 12/02 12/03 12/04 12/05 12/07

End 11/03 11/03 11/05 11/06 11/06 11/06 11/08 11/08 11/09 11/13 11/12 11/14 11/15 11/16 11/16 11/16 11/16 11/20 11/22 11/21 11/22 11/23 11/23 11/24 12/06 12/05 12/06 12/08 12/10

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

Venue Kentucky International CC Naples Grande Beach Resort Morial CC Gaylord Opryland New Orleans Marriott Georgia World Congress Ctr. Georgia International CC Kentucky International CC Gaylord Opryland Georgia World Congress Ctr. Morial CC Charlotte CC Georgia World Congress Ctr. Orange County CC Orange County CC New Orleans Marriott Rosen Shingle Creek Resort Savannah Intl. Trade & CC Georgia World Congress Ctr. Morial CC Orange County CC Music City Center Orange County CC Morial CC Orange County CC Omni Louisville Morial CC Gaylord Palms Orange County CC

All Information Is Subject to Change*

City Louisville Naples New Orleans Nashville New Orleans Atlanta Atlanta Louisville Nashville Atlanta New Orleans Charlotte Atlanta Orlando Orlando New Orleans Orlando Savannah Atlanta New Orleans Orlando Nashville Orlando New Orleans Orlando Louisville New Orleans Orlando Orlando

St KY FL LA TN LA GA GA KY TN GA LA NC GA FL FL LA FL GA GA LA FL TN FL LA FL KY LA FL FL

Att 2000 1000 2170 750 1300 2330 2500 6170 4600 17K 6000 800 1700 2400 9815 1100 1594 2000 19K 22K 35K 7000 15K 19K 16K 1300 15K 1700 21K

Exh 100 63 268 75 80 120 225 325 280 156 100 175 161 251 644 40 80 200 548 1.3K 1K

Nsf 10000 8000 51840 10000 19000 60000 30000 88951 47000 70400 24000 18000 31700 53240 146K 5100 6400

Industry Forest Products Healthcare Healthcare Healthcare Financial & Legal Aerospace & Aviation Education Building & Construction Education Healthcare Healthcare Manufacturing Real Estate Sporting Goods & Rec. Sporting Goods & Rec. Healthcare Healthcare

144K 382K 560K

Building & Construction Energy Gaming & Entertainment Education 300 Associations 442 101K Jewelry 485 186K Military 160 Food & Beverage 1K 218K Boats 375 35000 Food & Beverage 272 117K 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 November/December 2019 Exhibit City News

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

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

U.S. SOUTHWEST Show Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers - SHPE Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery - SMISS Annual Forum Infusion Nurses Society Fall National Academy - INS Big R Show - Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery - ASMBS ObesityWeek Energy Storage North America - ESNA National Workers’ Compensation & Disability Conf. & Expo American Vein & Lymphatic Society - AVLS Congress Society of Women Engineers - SWE Association of American Medical Colleges - AAMC Annual Meeting California Association of Health Facilities - CAHF TEAMS Conference & Expo - Travel, Events And Management in Sports American Society of Landscape Architects - ASLA NAMA Coffee Tea & Water LDI - The Entertainment Technology Show TechNet Indo-Pacific - AFCEA Los Angeles Auto Show - LA Auto Show American Academy of Religion - AAR Irrigation Show & Education Conference AWS re:Invent - Amazon Web Services Expo!Expo! - International Association of Exhibitions & Events - IAEE Ground Water Expo - NGWA Experiential Designers and Producers Association - EDPA Association for Career & Technical Education - ACTE International Council of Air Shows Annual Conv - ICAS Baseball Winter Meetings American Society of Health-System Pharmacists - ASHP Midyear Fetch, a dvm360 conference Construction SuperConference

All Information Is Subject to Change*

Start 10/30 10/31 11/01 11/01 11/03 11/05 11/06 11/07 11/07 11/08 11/10 11/11 11/15 11/18 11/18 11/19 11/22 11/23 12/02 12/02 12/03 12/03 12/04 12/04 12/09 12/09 12/09 12/12 12/16

End 11/03 11/02 11/03 11/02 11/07 11/07 11/08 11/10 11/09 11/12 11/13 11/14 11/18 11/20 11/24 11/21 12/01 11/26 12/06 12/05 12/05 12/05 12/06 12/07 12/12 12/11 12/11 12/15 12/18

Venue Phoenix CC Aria Hotel & Casino Manchester Grand Hyatt Caesars Palace Mandalay Bay San Diego CC Mandalay Bay JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort Anaheim CC Phoenix CC Palm Springs CC Anaheim CC San Diego CC Anaheim Marriott Las Vegas CC Hilton Hawaiian Village Los Angeles CC San Diego CC Las Vegas CC Venetian Hotel MGM Grand Westgate Hotel & Casino JW Marriott Starr Pass Anaheim CC Paris Las Vegas San Diego CC Mandalay Bay San Diego CC Terranea Resort

City Phoenix Las Vegas San Diego Las Vegas Las Vegas San Diego Las Vegas Phoenix Anaheim Phoenix Palm Springs Anaheim San Diego Anaheim Las Vegas Honolulu Los Angeles San Diego Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Tucson Anaheim Las Vegas San Diego Las Vegas San Diego Rancho Palos Verdes

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

Att 6000

Exh

Nsf

500 1400 4000 2000 4200 600 14K 4600 1800 1300 5000 767 13K 4036

25 600 120 40 260

2600 17500 26300 7800 38500 6720

180 385 450 125 365 158 150 200 300 112 269 325 90 300 325 254 350 200 25

24000

10K 5000 1449 5000 400 5000 1500 3500 25K 4000

86000 125K 21411 1M 20000 90000 39100 69000 40000 26000 38000 110K 23000 2500

Industry Engineering Healthcare Healthcare Automotive & Trucking Healthcare Energy Insurance Healthcare Engineering Healthcare Healthcare Sporting Goods & Rec. Building & Construction Food & Beverage Lighting Military Automotive & Trucking Religious Agriculture & Farming Computers & Apps Exhibition & Meeting Ind. Water Exhibition & Meeting Ind. Education Aerospace & Aviation Sporting Goods & Rec. Healthcare Healthcare Building & Construction

• 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_1119.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 November/December 2019 93

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Tradeshow Calendar CANADA Show Thompson Okanagon Dental Society Canadian Association of Aesthetic Medicine - CAAM American Dental Congress Pharmacy U Society of Actuaries Annual Meeting & Exhibit - SOA The Convenience U CARWACS Show Family Medicine Forum - FMF Woodworking Machinery & Supply Expo - WMS Buildex, Construct & Design Trends Calgary Salon Vision The National Franchise & Business Opportunities Show Global Congress of Gynecology - AAGL Green Industry Show & Conference - GISC Psychonomic Society Annual Scientific Meeting CONTEC - Montreal The National Franchise & Business Opportunities Show Air Transport Association of Canada - ATAC American Anthropological Association - AAA Annual Meeting Canadian Western Agribition The Buildings Show Landscape Ontario Congress The National Franchise & Business Opportunities Show Truck Loggers Association Annual Coastal Forestry Convention & Trade Show - TLA Montreal International Auto Show Western Retail Lumber Association Prairie Showcase - WRLA Canadian Gift Association - Toronto Gift Fair Canadian Gift Association - Toronto Spring Gift Fair

Start 10/24 10/25 10/25 10/26 10/27 10/29 10/30 10/31 11/06 11/08 11/09 11/09 11/14 11/14 11/14 11/16 11/18 11/20 11/25 12/04 01/07 01/11 01/15 01/17 01/22 01/26 01/26

End 10/26 10/26 10/26 10/26 10/30 10/30 11/02 11/02 11/07 11/09 11/10 11/13 11/15 11/17 11/14 11/17 11/20 11/24 11/30 12/06 01/09 01/12 01/17 01/26 01/24 01/30 01/30

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

Venue City Delta Grand Okanagan Resort Kelowna Markham Suites Conf. Centre Toronto Vancouver JW Marriott Parq Vancouver Metro Toronto Congress Centre Toronto TRADEX Abbotsford Vancouver CC Vancouver International Centre Toronto BMO Centre Calgary Palais des Congress Montreal TELUS CC Calgary Vancouver CC Vancouver BMO Centre at Stampede Park Calgary Palais des Congress Montreal Palais des Congress Montreal Palais des Congress Montreal Hotel Queen Elizabeth Montreal Vancouver CC Vancouver Evraz Place Regina Metro Toronto Congress Centre Toronto Toronto Congress Centre Toronto The International Centre Toronto Westin Bayshore Vancouver Montreal BMO Centre Calgary Toronto Toronto Congress Centre Toronto

All Information Is Subject to Change*

St BC ON BC BC ON BC BC ON AB QC AB BC AB QC QC QC QC BC SK ON ON ON BC QC AB ON ON

Att 1000 1200

Exh 71

1700

80

2000

150 15280 150 225 25000

4000 1500 2000 2600

Nsf 7000

60 22500 90 23300 154 25400

5000 600

95 50

25000 6300

145K 35K 13K 5000 2000 196K 2800 20K 22K

450 700 600 150 60

800K 110K 35000 22000

265 61000 1K 421K 1.1K

Industry Healthcare Healthcare Healthcare Healthcare Insurance Stores & Store Fittings Healthcare Woodworking Building & Construction Healthcare Business Healthcare Home Furn. & Int. Design Healthcare Building & Construction Business Aerospace & Aviation Science Agriculture & Farming Building & Construction Landscape & Garden Business Forest Products Automotive & Trucking Building & Construction Gifts Gifts

*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 November/December 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 99 ABCOMRENTS 96 BWC Visual Technologies 96 CDS (Corporate Display Specialties) 100 CEP (Chicago Exhibit Productions, Inc.) 97 Champion Logistics 100 Clementine Creative Services 96 Corporate Communications 97 Corporate Events 97

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

101 101 98 100 97 100 99 98 96

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

98 101 99 99 97 101 100 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_1119.indd 1

ExhibitCityNews.com November/December 2019 95

10/27/19 7:54 PM

INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE

BWC Visual Technologies BWC is the leading supplier of Science On a Sphere technology and an authorized distributor for Topobox, Inside Explorer, Liquid Galaxy and backlit trade show exhibits. At BWC, we also offer personal signage, pop-up displays, banners, and much more. Do you have a new store opening up? Or your first tradeshow? Take a look through exhibitor catalog and let us know how we can help with the displays at your next event. For more info, visit www.bwcviz.com

Audio Visual Technology

Consulting

Creative Design Services

Digital Signage/AV Production/IT

ABCOMRENTS is your premier source for Digital Signage, AV Production and IT needs for events and tradeshows NATIONALLY! LED Tile | Interactive Kiosks | Transparent Displays | Digital Signage

96 November/December 2019 Exhibit City News

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INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE

CEP CEP has been transforming our clients’ sales and marketing objectives into award winning three-dimensional environments for over 30 years. We focus on you—your needs, strategy and objectives. CEP provides full service production and storage facilities in the three largest tradeshow venues in the U.S.: Chicago, Las Vegas & Orlando. We are positioned to provide cost effective and unique solutions from start to finish for any exhibit challenge, from design & fabrication to complete on-site install & dismantle services. For more info, visit www.cepexhibits.com

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

Creative Entertainment Services

Creative Entertainment Services NVMT 4993

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

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.

www.QualityEFX.com

Exhibit Management

Call or Text (702) 336-9362

Exhibit Production

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

Montpelier, VT

Concord, NH

Boston, MA Worcester, MA Springfield, MA

Hartford, CT

@ExhibitCityNews

095_ServiceGuide_1119.indd 3

Providence, RI

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

ExhibitCityNews.com November/December 2019 97

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INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE

KKOM Our marketing services provide an integrated approach which allows us to build responsive and effective programs that combine our in-house digital, print, web, video, and creative capabilities. With user experience (UX) at the forefront of our strategy, we offer integrated marketing that works: Digital Marketing (a combination of SEO, pay-per-click, social media, display advertising and email marketing), Creative Services (graphic design, photography, and video), Website Development (online presence for your business that displays beautifully on any device) and Printing Services (our in-house design and print team will distribute your company’s message from business cards to banners). Visit https://milwaukeemarketingservices.com/

Enhance your look.

BOOTH DESIGN & RENTALS PORTABLE SIGNAGE & HARDWARE BRANDED PREMIUMS VIDEOS & PRESENTIONS SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTIONS PRINT & DESIGN SERVICES 262-250-2060 EXT 232 | RKOHL@KKOMINC.COM

Exhibits

Exhibits

www.exhibitsourceinc.com

Elaborate.

Collaborate.

Initiate.

Exhibit Source, Inc. 708/798-9000 Chicago, Las Vegas

Exhibit Services

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

98 November/December 2019 Exhibit City News

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INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE

King Size LED Displays Our passion gives us the vision to create the experience of your dreams and make it a reality! No matter how small or King Size your vision is--we will make it happen! We provide the highestquality LED Video Walls that the world desires! Our services range from Rentals, Sales and Custom Installations to full on turnkey productions. We can provide you with amazing LED walls along with high-quality sound systems and awesome lighting packages. All the services you need for creating an extraordinary experience with one call at King Size LED. For more info, visit http://www.kingsizeled.com/

Food Tours

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

Graphics

The Attention You Deserve Displays Starting at $69.95

Lighting

EYE-CATCHING LIGHTING SOLUTIONS •Perfect Lighting for Exhibits, Retail Environments & Special Projects

941-758-8444 866-239-8056

Visit us online for more of our products & services

AadvantageDisplays.com @ExhibitCityNews

095_ServiceGuide_1119.indd 5

•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

ExhibitCityNews.com November/December 2019 99

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INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE 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.

Champion Logistics Unique in the industry, Champion has a transportation division specializing in the coordination of tradeshows and special events. Founded in 1980, with the commitment to exceptional service, Champion Logistics Group has grown to become a logistics leader. By using the Champion fleet and network of specialized trade show carriers, we provide the most reliable trade show transportation services in the industry. For more info, visit www.champlog.com.

Chicago | Atlanta | Boston | Dallas | Las Vegas | Los Angeles | New Jersey

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

Logistics

Logistics

Printing

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.

WHOLESALE Warehousing, Storage, Prep, Delivery Graphics, Supervision, & Rentals 800-367-2531

r e v l i S Color Printing • Rack cards • Brochures • Booklets • Everything else

• 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

CDSpartner.com

We Can Provide You A Local Presence 100 November/December 2019 Exhibit City News

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INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE

Exhibitrac Direct Marketing The Exhibitrac tradeshow exhibitor database is updated daily by our staff of researchers. This list of over 750,000 tradeshow exhibitors and over 10,000 shows is one of the most comprehensive, up-to-date B2B lists available anywhere.

If you supply products or services to companies that exhibit in tradeshows, you cannot find a more targeted list of prospects!

Our lists may be tailored exactly to your needs. Exhibitor records may be selected and sorted to your exact specifications: by show, by exhibiting frequency, by zip code, area code, even by booth size. For more info, visit https://exhibitrac.com/

Tradeshow Furnishings

Training

FIXTURE & DISPLAY COVERS TRADE SHOW DISPLAY COVERS COMMERCIAL FURNITURE

EQUIP YOUR SPACE inc

BEST QUALITY. BEST RATES. CALL TODAY!

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

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

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_1119.indd 7

ExhibitCityNews.com November/December 2019 101

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Exhibit City News Congratulates the 2019 I&D ACE Award Winners Submissions Opening for 2020 on Nov. 1

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10/20/19 7:42 PM 6/17/19 10:13 AM

Classifieds

Stevens Exhibits, a Chicago-based Exhibit Designer/ Producer, with more than 50 years of family tradition, is seeking: • Exhibit/Experiential Account Executive with at least 3 years experience...located in Chicago. Not interested in satellite location unless you have a client base.

• Shop Foreman/Union Carpenter with at least 5 years of experience as Foreman. Must be able to estimate custom components.

• E stimator/Purchasing agent. Prefer that this person can also act as Shop Foreman. Must have at least 5 years of experience working for custom exhibit builder.

Applicants should submit their resumes and qualifications to: juliem@stevensexhibits.com

Sales / Equity Position Available CB Displays International, the oldest licensed tradeshow contractor in Las Vegas, is an OSPI (Octanorm Service Partner International) with a substantial inventory of Octanorm materials as well as booth furnishings and decorating equipment for event contracting. We also provide local warehousing, freight logistic services, labor services and work as a general contractor providing services in the Las Vegas market for private and small to medium events.

We are looking to enter into a relationship with a proven performer who would be interested in earning an equity position with our 50-year-old company. Cross-selling opportunities in event contracting, domestic labor and international Octanorm exhibit rentals and services.

Interested parties please respond in confidence to Dennis C. Birsa, president, CB Displays International, at DCBIRSA@CBDISPLAYS.COM or (702) 858-6890 direct.

@ExhibitCityNews

103_Classifieds_1119.indd 2

HIRING ADDITIONAL STAFF?

Need an administrative clerk, project manager, CAD detailer, account executives? Exhibit City News Classifieds can help fill your positions with our popular digital and print postings.

To place a classified ad: Call (702) 309-8023 or e-mail to: Sales@ExhibitCityNews.com ExhibitCityNews.com September/October 2019 103

10/20/19 7:42 PM

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

• Feature: NAB ShowCares • Women in the Industry • 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: Corporate Social Responsibility • General Contractors • Giveaways/Incentives • International Focus: London

• Feature: Spotlight on TCF Center & Detroit • 40 Under 40 Up-and-Comers • Labor/Unions International Focus: China

• 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 • Rigging Certification 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

13

4Productions.com

EACA

ABCOMRENTS

75

ABComrents.com

EDPA Foundation

75/108

Aluvision.com/us

Employco

65

81

AnglesOnDesign.com

Experience Transport Agency

19

2

beMatrix.us

Brumark

49

Brumark.com

Camden Tradeshow Furnishings

51

CamdenTradeshow.com

Carpenters Union

47

CarpentersUnion.org & BuiltToLastTV.com

ChampionLogistics

74

ChampLog.com

Clementine Creative Services

91

ClementineCS.com

ColorReflections

107

77

Oscar & Associates Photography & Video Services

88

Oscarandassociates.com

ExposuresLtd.com

RSMGC - The Randy

Full Circle Events

Exposures Ltd. Photography

35

RSMGC.org

FCELV.com

Rosemont – RES

GraphiColor Exhibits

31

Rosemont.com/DESConvention

GraphiColor.com

Sho-Link Inc.

Highmark Tech

69

Sho-link.com

HighmarkTech.com

ShowNets, LLC

Hill & Partners

33

ShowNets.net

HillPartners.com

SMT expo

Horizon Print Solution

93

SMTexpo.com

PrintEfficiency.com

Storage West

Laborinc.

54

StorageWest.com

Sunset Transportation

57

Las Vegas Mannequin/ Las Vegas Store Supply

Sunset-LV.com

85

LVMannequin.com & LVStoreSupply.com

Corpcom-Events.com

Corporate Events Corp-Eventsid.com

MatrixSystems USA

CORT Events

MatrixSystems.us

7

Cort.com

Momentum Management

83

MomentumMgt.com

Facebook.com/CrownAndAnchorVegas

NewGen Business Solutions

D.E. McNabb

22

NewGenNow.com

Crown & Anchor Pub

Orbus

LaborInc.ca

ColorReflections.com

Corporate Communications

OnSite Exhibitor Service

Nolan Advisory Services (NAS) NolanAdvisory.com

61 4

Orbus.com

ETALV.com

beMatrix

5

OnSiteExhibitorService.com

Employco.com

Angles On Design

Octanorm Octanorm.com

EDPA.com/edpafoundation

Aluvision

DEMcNabb.com

45

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10/27/19 7:57 PM

Let

showNets your next event

With fast, secure and reliable internet solutions showNets designs, deploys and supports custom Internet solutions for events and venues across the world. Cisco-certified professionals manage your network requirements every step of the way. showNets engineers the fastest, most secure, and most reliable networks and backs them up with responsive, professional, and client based services.

The showNets stress free conference and trade show internet solution includes: Redundant, fault-tolerant designs High-density, reliable wireless service Network Operations Center monitor 24/7/365 Dedicated teams of certified professionals • Flexible service offering includes: • Web casting • Automated access portal • Secure VPN • RFID

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showNets is the premier provider of high-density wireless and Internet. Our technical experts design and implement a state of the art network for your trade show. Let us show you why clients trust us with their Internet needs.

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10/20/19 7:38 PM

@ExhibitCityNews

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ExhibitCityNews.com JULY 2015 2

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