Exhibit City News May/June 2021

AN INDUSTRY WORTH FIGHTING FOR: THE EDPA LEADS THE CHARGE FOR ADVOCACY

May/June 2021 • VOL. 27 • ISSUE 3

THE POWER OF ADVOCACY

THE SHUTTERED VENUES GRANT PROGRAM FOCUS CITY: CHATTANOOGA, TN

DAILY UPDATES AT EXHIBITCITYNEWS.COM

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TABLE OF CONTENTS AN INDUSTRY WORTH FIGHTING FOR: THE EDPA LEADS THE CHARGE FOR ADVOCACY

May/June 2021 • VOL. 27 • ISSUE 3

THE POWER OF ADVOCACY

On our cover: Advocacy in action on Exhibitions Day 2019—going into a meeting with the U.S. Dept. of Labor, clockwise L-R: Chris Griffin, EDPA VP and CREW XP CEO; Dave Flory, formerly Cort Furnishings and then-president of EDPA; David Dubois, IAEE president/CEO and ECA co-chair; Marsha Flanagan, IAEE VP Learning Experiences; and Chris Lake, former director of manufacturing BeMatrix USA and EDPA board member.

THE SHUTTERED VENUES GRANT PROGRAM

10

FOCUS CITY: CHATTANOOGA, TN

27

First-to-Close, Last-to-Reopen

Kevin Binger on how business event builders and suppliers are seeking entry into the Shuttered Venues Grant Program

28

EDPA & Advocacy

DSL’s Rob Cohen on the power of advocacy and associations

DAILY UPDATES AT EXHIBITCITYNEWS.COM

29-31

Feature Story

Future Success of Tradeshows

24-26

The Exhibitor Advocacy Group White Paper on “Working Together for Change”

An Industry Worth Fighting For—The EDPA Leads the Charge for Advocacy

Shop to Showfloor Section

31

I&D and Event Labor

Advocacy is a new word in tradeshow parlance, but the industry is learning how vital and powerful it is

34-35

The Power of Tradeshows

Columns

Willwork Global Event Services’ Bob McGlincy on the power of tradeshows

10 Convention Center Snapshot

36-38

Chattanooga Convention Center

Musings on the Return to the Showfloor

12

ECN Publisher Don Svehla reports on the showfloor buzz

As the Saws Turn On The Road Again

14 The Tradeshow Times The Invisible Industry

16 Ask an Expert

LVCC West Hall Now Open

18

Chattanooga Convention Center

42 People on the Move

43-45

International Focus: AIPC

In Memoriam

19

Scott Clemons, McNabb/Freeman, West Bloomfield, MI

Paco Collazo’s Global View

The Global View

Kenny Merrill, Laser ES, Denver, CO

20

Michelle Sanford, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Greenfield, WI

The Future is Ours to Shape

The Don & Mike Show

Open the Doors & Let Business Resume!

22 Airport Snapshot Chattanooga Airport

Departments 8 40 46 51 53 61

49

40

Convention Center Spotlight

Publisher’s Words Eat, Sleep & Play The D.E.A.L. Regional Show Calendar Industry Service Guide Advertiser Index

6 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

Michael Hart, Tradeshow Week, Tucscon, AZ Condolences to the families of: Michael Eulin, Nth Degree and Atlanta Carpenters Local 225 Jerry Boecher, D.C.-Baltimore Carpenter/Rigger Local 197 Tanu Mamea, San Francisco Teamsters Local 85

PUBLISHER'S WORDS

Greetings to our readers!

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

N

earing 14 months of near comthe "Goose that Lays The Golden Eggs?" plete shutdown for thousands WHAT NOW? NOW WHAT? of small businesses that exist to Will General Service Contractors need serve this unique industry. What now? to increase exhibitor costs to meet the This issue highlights and honors those cost pressures from show organizers? reaching "outward" for assistance to get Currently, the data provided for the great tradeshow machine's many evaluating events and measuring ROI is parts up and running again. It is reasbased on "volume" rather than "value." suring to know that additional help is on Exhibitors often experience a lack of the way, and we now have a permanent support in finding cost savings opporseat at the government table. tunities. Many practices and fees are But what about looking "inward?" outdated and need to be reviewed.

Perhaps one of the most important As our beloved tradeshow industry things in this issue is on struggles back to its feet NEW FOR 2019: UNLIMITED MAHANDLING•EXHIBITOR there will be less revenue pages 29-31, the White Pa- TERIAL ADVOCACY GROUP•NAB SHOW per from the Exhibitor Ad- CARES PACK EXPO FLAT RATES FOR for most everyone. EspeHANDLING•ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING SERVICES•UNLIMITED DRAY cially in the short term. vocacy Group on the Future SHOW A SEA CHANGE IN THE INDUSTRY? AGE AT $3.85 VBUDGETABLE EXPENS ES•SIMPLIFIED SHOW BILLING•SELL This at a time when evSuccess of Tradeshows.

GOODS FROM SHOW FLOOR•AC CESS CLOUD•WI-FI INCLUDED• eryone is looking for more In ECN's cover article in NO SURPRISE ELECTRICAL OUTLET CHARGES NEW FOR 2019: UNLIMJuly/August 2019, writITED MATERIAL HANDLING•EXHIBI- revenue. Overall costs to TOR ADVOCACY GROUP•NAB SHOW er, Cynthya Porter wrote, CARES / PACK EXPO FLAT RATES FOR exhibitors were already HANDLING•ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING "Confusing and exhorbitant SHOW SERVICES•UNLIMITED DRAY- stretched to the extreme AGE AT $3.85 VBUDGETABLE EXPENSdrayage calculations. Hidden ES•SIMPLIFIEDSHOWBILLING•SELL before the lockdowns.

GOODS FROM SHOW FLOOR•ACCES electrical charges. Mystifying Let us be grateful to those rigging expenses. These are some exhibiin the industry who are working with the tor pain points—and there are more causgovernment to help get the industry back ing a considerable amount of agony. Many on its feet and also be grateful to those exhibit managers, often those at larger in the industry who are looking within to companies, have reluctantly swallowed help make the changes that will allow the the bitter pill and adjusted their budgets tradeshow industry to thrive and prosper upward year after year. But for some, the again. We want everyone—those who exballooning costs and frustations are just hibit, those who create the exhibits, those too much to choke down, so they abandon who build the exhibits, those who provide tradeshows and take their budget dollars the exhibit space and materials, and those to road shows, customer events, or other who attend the exhibits—the whole inface-to-face opportunities." dustry eco-system—to thrive and prosper Our industry had ongoing mounting again as soon as possible. pressure to deal with higher and higher costs while ROI was/is hard to gauge.

What can a talented group of well-meaning volunteers without a staffed effort or war chest do to protect Don Svehla, Publisher ECN’s 2019 I&D ACE Awards Part II Honoring Our Industry ACES!

July/August 2019 • VOL. 25 • ISSUE 4

PLUS

THE POWER OF CUSTOM FLOORING SPOTLIGHT ON NASHVILLE

DUBAI PREPARES FOR 2020 WORLD’S FAIR

EXHIBITCITYNEWS.COM

001_Cover_noSpine_0719.indd 1

CSAL

CONVENTION SERVICES ASSOCIATION

AS VEGAS

8 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

6/19/19 3:29 PM

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jeanne Brei (702) 309-8023 ext. 103 JeanneB@exhibitcitynews.com MANAGING EDITOR/GAL FRIDAY Lisa Abrams (702) 309-8023 LisaA@exhibitcitynews.com ART DIRECTOR Thomas Speak Tom@Speak-Design.com NEWS EDITOR Emily Olson EmilyO@exhibitcitynews.com COLUMNISTS / WRITERS Calanit Atia Paco Collazo Bob McGlincy Mike Morrison Jim Obermeyer F. Andrew Taylor CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AEM.org Vince Battaglia Kevin Binger Sven Bossu Les Bunge Rob Cohen Warwick H. Davies Symeria Palmer The Exhibitor Advocacy Group PROOFREADER Emily Olson NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Christy Giambattista (702) 309-8023 ext. 111 ChristyD@exhibitcitynews.com CIRCULATION Manny Chico Mike Morrison Vol. 27, issue 3, copyright 2021 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.

Meet the Staff Publisher

Editor-in-Chief

Don Svehla

Jeanne Brei

Don Svehla has been in the tradeshow industry his entire life, beginning as the son of a tradeshow trucker. He began by working at Giltspur, and coming from the show floors of Chicago, he realized the need for an industry news source back in 1993. With the support of industry friends, he began putting his 20+ years of tradeshow experience down on paper. The result was the first Exhibit City News, which launched in June 1994 and was a small eight-page newsletter for Chicago’s tradeshow workers and 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 24 years, ECN has evolved into an indispensable resource for industry news and information — both online and in glossy magazine print.

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 tenth year. She’s spent many years working in the tradeshow industry, writing proposals and producing events and entertainment for PGI/ Safaris DMCs, doing transportation for PTI, and as a tradeshow rep who would build a 10x10 booth, work the booth and tear it down for several VNU magazines. She’s a published author on Amazon and has written/ narrated and co-produced five TV documentaries that have aired on PBS Las Vegas as well as hosting/producing one season of The Vintage Vegas Variety Show, which aired on VegasTV in 2012.

DonS@ExhibitCityNews.com

JeanneB@ExhibitCityNews.com

Business Development/Sales

News Editor

Art Director

Christy Giambattista

Emily Olson

Thomas Speak

Christy brings more than 15 years of experience in tradeshows and events, from creating events to sales and staffing. She began her career in Atlantic City creating unique artisan wine and fine dining events hosted by celebrity chefs and The Food Network. In 2008 she worked with the Philadelphia Eagles to create a wine labeled “Happy Tails” to benefit the ASPCA. She’s also a youth group counselor at her church and works closely with organizations that help homeless teens in Las Vegas.

With more than 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, Emily has written for the international trade publications Pen World International and InSync, as well as local publications in Rhode Island. She was the managing editor for Ave. magazine, a R.I.-based publication on public art, and editor-in-chief for the weekly A&E Motif magazine. She has also edited four novels and works part-time as an educator at a children’s museum.

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, NV.

ChristyD@ExhibitCityNews.com.

EmilyO@ExhibitCityNews.com

Tom@Speak-Design.com

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

CONVENTION CENTER SNAPSHOT

Photo courtesy of Chattanooga CVB

Chattanooga Convention Center Location: 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN Year Built: Opened in 1985 Square Footage: The CCC has 100,800 sq.ft. of column-free exhibit space (four halls), 21 meeting rooms & 19,000 sq.ft. of divisible ballroom space on one level.

Parking: The CCC’s garage has 1,200 spaces and 3,500 spaces are connected to the CCC by bridges.

Wi-Fi: The CCC claims it has the “fastest internet in the western hemisphere.”

Chattanooga became the first U.S. city to have a citywide gigabit network in 2010, earning it the nickname “Gig City.” The city-owned fiber internet reached 10 gigabit speeds in 2015.

Hotels: There are more than 2,500 hotel rooms in downtown Chattanooga.

Airport Info: 10.4 miles from the Chattanooga Airport, about an 18-minute drive

PLUS!

Where to eat, sleep and play near CCC on p. 40

Fun Fact #1: The CCC is one of the nation’s top 10 green CCs.

Fun Fact #2: In 2009 the CCC committed to an in-house, locally-sourced, customizable F&B offering for groups, and it was the first CC in the country to incorporate a farmto-table program.

Fun Fact #3: The CCC is designed to use natural light throughout the exhibition area. The CCC is the nation’s first to incorporate “photovoltaic” lighting; this technology allows sunlight to filter in through 30-foot ceiling openings and complement the building’s artificial light. This lighting has proven “mood-enhancing” capabilities.

URL: ChattanoogaConventionCenter.org ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 11

COLUMN As the Saws Turn

On the Road Again

By Jim Obermeyer

On the road again I can’t wait to get on the road again Goin’ places that I’ve never been Seein’ things that I may never see again And I can’t wait to get on the road again… Willie Nelson

B

y the time you read this, it will all be over.

But right now, two weeks before I head to my first client tradeshow since March of last year, the anticipation is growing steadily, and the excitement is definitely building.

In an industry that has been decimated by this pandemic we are all living through, even small signs of life bring hope. I have had two clients who planned to exhibit in shows this spring before their shows were cancelled. Well, technically not “cancelled,” just “pivoted to virtual.” Yeah, whatever.

We have all read about cities and venues starting to open, smaller shows starting to happen and larger shows moving from spring to fall in anticipation of the world being fully open by then.

But this show is happening. This one is real. I will be on a real show floor supervising installation of an actual exhibit with a team of live people for a client who will be there in person. There is nothing virtual about this one.

I can’t wait to find my way through a show hall full of crates, smell the forklift exhaust, dine at a food truck and sweat like a dog in the humid conditions of an un-airconditioned convention center.

I can’t wait to have live conversations with my crew, catch up with industry colleagues and spend time with my clients without having to log on to a Zoom call.

Of course, I will have to be fully dressed and clean-shaven for the first time in a very long time. I can’t wait to have a

12 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

drink and dinner with people I haven’t seen in a year or more, to catch up on their families, to share stories of the past and revel in the promises of the future.

And then to smell the fresh scent of just-laid aisle carpet and watch as throngs of attendees enter the show on opening day to start doing face-to-face business with exhibitors who have waited a very long time to do this again. I expect there will be a renewed energy in this audience.

A lot has been written in the last year about us humans and our need for social interaction and exploration. We are social animals, and we are explorers. We need to be with people, and we need to discover. And I think those of us who have dedicated our careers—our lives—to this industry are probably some of the most social and most dedicated explorers.

We are not made for sitting still in a small room by ourselves in front of a computer screen. We are made to be with people in our offices, in our shops, in presentations at our clients’ conference rooms, on convention center floors and hotel ballrooms. We are made to move from city to city, hotel to hotel and airport to airport. And to discover that amazing out-of-the-way local restaurant that we will remember and recommend for the rest of our lives.

I have heard it said that what we do for a living is not really a job, it is more of a lifestyle. A way of living that once you’re in it, it is hard to give up. The unpredict-

able and irregular hours, the 24/7/365 need for availability, the consistent travel. The fact that every project is different with changing requirements and expectations. Perhaps there is some truth to that.

Perhaps it really is a lifestyle. I know an awful lot of us have certainly missed it.

But perhaps we are finally getting ready to get back to it. I know I can’t wait.

See you on the show floor … for real!

Jim Obermeyer has been in the exhibits and events industry for 39 years, both as a corporate tradeshow manager and exhibit house owner. He can be reached at jobermeyer903@gmail.com

@EXHIBITCITYNEWS

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 13

COLUMN The Tradeshow Times

Meetings & Events: The Invisible Industry

E

» 251,236,000 attendees traveled

» » »

to business meetings in 2016, which would make it the fifth largest country in the world 81.3 million people attended more than 11,400 business events in the U.S. in 2019 The U.S. tradeshow industry is larger than the U.S. auto industry The convention industry lost at least 2.8 million jobs in 2020

California lost billions of dollars of convention spending monthly as a result of the

14 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

...events create jobs, produce sales and generate tax revenues. lockdowns. In 2019, Calievents industry contributed fornia attracted 12.9 million $130 billion in federal, state convention visitors, and each and local tax revenues in 2019. one spent, on average, It’s not just the $1,744 for their economic impact— multi-day stay (in tradeshows create addition to the conother benefits. vention itself, money Companies display is spent locally on products, develop lodging, food, enterbusiness and promote

By Bob McGlincy brands. Attendees tainment, and travel—both within, and to gather to network, and from—the city). Spending learn and evaluate products. creates jobs, which creates Tradeshows transform an additional spending, which empty convention center into helps to support additional a marvelous marketing exjobs. And all of that creates travaganza, and can even help additional tax revenues. The change the world we live in.

Think of any invention—any prominent brand—and chances are it’s been displayed and promoted at a tradeshow. Photography, movies, elevators, electricity, bicycles, automobiles, telephones, typewriters, repeating revolvers, nylon, plastic, rubber, washing machines, sewing machines, flush toilets, computers and more.

All of these were displayed and promoted at tradeshows.

Tradeshows are immense and long-lasting. Half of the top 40 tradeshows in 2019 have been in existence for at least 50 years. One of the

oldest, the National Association of Music Merchants, held its first show in 1901. In 2019, in Anaheim, NAMM was the 19th largest tradeshow in the country: it covered 616,065 net square feet, had 1,917 exhibitors and attracted 115,303 attendees. The summer 2020 show and the winter 2021 show were cancelled due to the lockdowns. Summer NAMM 2021 will be in Nashville in July.

CES, in its 52nd year in 2019, had 2.9 million net square feet of exhibit space, 4,550 exhibiting companies, and 175,212 attendees. Think about the size of those numbers.

Meetings mean business— big business! The industry is an economic engine that drives corporations, creates jobs and fuels local economies. But like the air around us, its importance and impact is often unnoticed and unappreciated.

It is time for this industry to be invisible no longer.

Bob McGlincy is director, business management at Willwork Global Event Services. Willwork creates engaging, energized and exceptional event experiences. Contact him at Bob.McGlincy@willwork.com.

Graph Credit: Oxford Economics

xcept for those who work in it, few understand the importance of tradeshows and events. They create jobs, produce sales and generate tax revenues.

The Events Industry Council, in 2018, released an analysis of business meetings.

The summary (to the right) clearly proves the industry’s extraordinary impact—these are huge numbers!

Some additional statistics and observations from other studies state:

“2020”

“Would Not Recommend!”

#VEGASSTRONGER

Have your reviews of 2020 been?

Missing our TradeShow Brothers and Sisters Hope we can all be together soon. Until then, know we’ll be here for you when you return.

888.674.4033 • 702.534.6995

@EXHIBITCITYNEWS

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 15

COLUMN Ask an Expert

LVCC West Hall Now Open for Business

T

he Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall expansion was completed in time for CES in January (which was postponed), but fortunately the Nevada governor says the state will open up to 600,000-square-foot

By Calanit Atia 100 percent capacity as exhibit hall features of June 1, just in time for World power and data from floor of Concrete to put it to work. boxes, overhead and around It was exhilarating walking the perimeter of the hall, as into the new hall’s large openwell as more than 4,000 hang air design with an abundance points for rigging light. It also of natural light in the atrium. A includes 150,000 square feet magnificent, large 4.0mm Pixel of meeting room space, equatPitch LED Samsung video wall, ing to 80 additional meeting spanning 10,000 square feet, rooms. One added bonus, greets everyone, making it the which show management will largest digital experience in a appreciate, are meeting rooms U.S. convention center. overlooking the entire exhibit The $980 million west hall. And one of them has a hall expansion added 1.4 window that opens so a cammillion square feet, including era may take an aerial shot of 600,000 square feet of new the show floor. leasable exhibit space and a The 1.4 million-square-foot 14,0000-square-foot outdoor addition joins the existing 3.2 terrace able to accommodate million-square-foot campus. receptions with up to 2,000 Finishing touches continue on attendees in the grand atrium. the Convention Center Loop, The terrace view of the Las an underground tunnel system Vegas Strip is truly spectacuthat will transport meeting lar, making the experience in attendees throughout the entire Las Vegas more memorable. campus in all-electric Tesla veThe LVCC also features the hicles, free of charge. The LVClargest column-free space in VA also recently acquired the North America. The West Hall Las Vegas Monorail, preserving includes 328,000 square feet this important transportation of column-free space. The new solution for meeting attendees.

16 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

Both systems will be operational for events beginning in June and will adhere to strict health and safety protocols.

“We’re extremely excited to debut the Las Vegas Convention Center’s new West Hall and the Convention Center Loop with Informa Markets’ World of Concrete in June,” says Laurie Clifford, senior director of convention sales for the LVCVA. “This year’s Global Meetings Industry Day events were particularly meaningful to us because we were able to offer a sneak peek of the West Hall, as well as the Convention Center Loop project by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company, and the response has been amazing.

We can’t wait to get back to business, and we’re encouraged

by Gov. Sisolak’s confidence in Nevada counties getting to 100 percent capacity by June 1.”

The Las Vegas convention industry is getting back to business, and the destination is gearing up to host its first major tradeshow in more than a year, Informa Markets’

We can’t wait to get back to business...

World of Concrete 2021. This show will mark the debut of the LVCC new West Hall expansion and the innovative Convention Center Loop.

Las Vegas is ready for convention and tradeshows to come back. The excitement is in the air. For more info about Las Vegas as a business destination, visit VegasMeansBusiness.com.

Calanit Atia is an award-winning event planner and entrepreneur, Air Force Veteran, founder and president of A to Z Events, Las Vegas DMC and entertainment agency, and 2021 MPI advisory board member and speaker.

She can be contacted at (702) 2122500, Info@AtoZevents.com.

@EXHIBITCITYNEWS

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 17

COLUMN International Focus: AIPC

The Future is Ours to Shape

by Sven Bossu, CEO AIPC I’m a survivor (what), I’m not gon’ give up (what) I’m not gon’ stop (what), I’m gon’ work harder (what) I’m a survivor (what), I’m gonna make it (what) I will survive (what), keep on survivin’ (what)

Y

ou will (probably) recognize the lyrics. Until very recently, I did not know that at the time the song was created, the group that would make it a global hit was at a low point in their career. And that it took a spark of inspiration from a semi-funny remark to make this success happen.

As I mentioned on these pages before: I truly believe the future of organized events 18 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

is a bright one. At the same time, we need a few sparks, just like Destiny’s Child did.

First, we need to be allowed again to host organized events.

Second, we need to convince our customers to come back.

And third, we need to profoundly rethink how to create value for all parties involved.

Advocacy will be key for all three steps, and a lot of great work has been done over the last year. At the same time, it will take true leadership to create that bright new future ahead of us. That leadership will embrace the changes the event industry is going through and will transform the current business challenges into new and exiting ventures. A key success factor will be attracting and retaining talent to make it all happen.

Therefore, AIPC is launching its Future Shapers program: a 12-month, free of charge, elevated management program, with a maximum of 20 participants.

The Future Shapers program supports the development of the high performers within the

AIPC community to think and act like leaders.

Participants will be senior managers on a path to the highest leadership roles within their organizations. Through education, a community of peers and mentors, and a platform to perform, the program will support these future leaders to become future shapers of our industry.

To be perfectly clear: this is not a management course.

This is an interactive roadmap toward excellence in convention center management, requiring commitment and engagement of the participants. In exchange, we offer the candidates the opportunity to help shape the future of the AIPC community.

As you can see, the ambitions are high and the result of a very focused team effort. The Task Force, which pulled all this together in record time, is composed of four members: Kathleen Warden of the Scottish Event Campus, Elain Wan from the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center, Samantha Glass from ICC Sydney and Kareem Salvant from the

Javits Center in New York. It is a truly diverse and global team (finding the right time to meet can be a bit of a challenge) and all the members are on a shared mission. They want to shape the future of convention centers by embracing Peter Drucker’s motto: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

The joint effort and output are a great reminder of what our industry is about: bringing people together around shared objectives, Sven Bossu enabling trade, innovation and collaboration. The careful re-opening for organized events and the transformation of convention centers into multi-channel platforms allow for optimism. The creation of programs like the Future Shapers, by a small team of great people, provides energy. The combination of both is the key to a bright future.

Sven Bossu was appointed as AIPC’s first CEO last May. Prior, he was the managing director for innovation at ESTRO, the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology. He also has eight years of experience in the meetings industry at SWIFT and its world-renowned SIBOS conference. Contact him at sven.bossu@aipc.org.

AIPC, the International Association of Convention Centers, represents a global network of more than 190 leading centers in 64 countries with the active involvement of 1,000+ management-level professionals worldwide. It is committed to encouraging and recognizing excellence in convention center management, and maintains a variety of educational, research, networking and standards programs.

For more info, visit aipc.org.

The Global View COLUMN

Paco Collazo’s Global View Exhibit City News welcomes EDPA Board of Directors member and Happy Projects CEO Paco Collazo to our family of columnists with his new column, The Global View.

H

i, my name is Paco Collazo, a design, travel and food lover.

And I want to share with you a little bit about me, my history and the paths that led me to the events world.

I describe myself as a very creative, curious, friendly and detail-oriented man, searching for new experiences and learnings.

This driven personality is maybe the reason why I have made my work my passion. It was a natural call since I come @EXHIBITCITYNEWS

from an event production family, a business that started with my grandfather and continues with my father.

My journey began when I was 14 years old, when my dad assigned me to the graphic department of our family’s stand building company, moving me into different areas until eventually, I earned the position of sales director.

During this period, I had the opportunity of traveling a lot and meeting people from all over the world, which gave me a different perspective, not only on life, but as a professional on how to conduct business in my country and bring the good from other partners’ companies into ours.

By Paco Collazo

So, as restless as I was in 2019, I realized it was time to start my new adventure, I already had the knowledge, the experience and maturity to run my own business. I knew the market and was aware of the current needs of the industry, and I had a clear idea of how I could fulfill those areas of opportunity.

Happy Projects was born to offer a comprehensive solution to help our partners and clients develop their event in the best way. Everything they need—we will get it no matter which part of the world they are.

Every project, every challenge has become a lesson.

That has encouraged my team and me to do our best

every day. For us, the best reward is to see the smile of our clients when they receive their stand, and it surpasses their expectations; this is our greatest motivation.

Hope you enjoy reading my new column!

Paco Collazo is the owner & CEO of Atlanta-based Happy Projects, where their passion is “to collaborate with the planet’s top standbuilders, event production companies, agencies and brands to solve all your face-to-face marketing needs from concept to seamless execution.” He worked 13 years in the family business, ending as a sales and project director at SISTEXPO (Sistemas de Exposicion), a full-exhibit/event house based in Mexico. Contact him at paco@ happyprojects.us.

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 19

INDUSTRY PODCAST

Open the Doors and Let Business Resume!

by Mike Morrison

T

he second quarter of 2021 is under way and The Don and Mike Show is certainly on top of the news and happenings within the tradeshow, event and experiential marketing endeavors as the nation begins its reopening of allowing events to take place. However, as we have said and seen to this point, the event footprints, show hall plans and visuals for all of them will certainly look different than what has been seen in the past. With vaccines rolling out at an unbelievable pace, the wearing

of masks at these re-openings will not only be expected, but required. All involved will most likely see masks that are logo-affiliated with their organizations, which is another way to promote a product or service, just as much as we will see small hand sanitizer bottles stamped with a company’s logo in just about every booth or stand. One-way traffic directionals with dedicated entrance and exit doors will become a new norm as well.

But... so what? FINE! Just open the doors and let business resume! I received vaccination

shots and I’m feeling fine and ready to get back to the show floor. Many others feel the same way. The return to face to face will not happen without the attendees and exhibitors feeling safe to go to these events. An example must be set to show everything is good to go for the industries. That’s why Don and Mike went to Orlando for the Aviation Week MRO Americas Show... walked the floor... took in the details and will share them on a dedicated show to reveal the reality that shows can happen safely in the U.S. Let’s get back to work!

The Don & Mike Show is thrilled to welcome Circle - Omnichannel Guest Experience Agency as a sponsor. Pictured above are shots from their newest office in Las Vegas, including the studio for video and sound recording and the guest lounge. The Don & Mike Show looks forward to doing live remotes and working closely with Shawn, Mike, David, Adrian and Alicia as the tradeshow and live events industry goes back to work!

20 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

The Don & Mike Show can be heard on Fridays at TheDonAndMikeShow. net; ExhibitCityNews.com; Facebook (www.facebook.com/DandMshow); LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/ groups/12096643/); Twitter (twitter.com/DonAndMikeShow1) and most all podcast platforms including iTunes, Google, Spotify and more.

Mike Morrison is the national sales director for WS Displays as well as co-host and producer of “The Don & Mike Show” podcast, now closing in on 200,000 listens. Contact him at thedonandmikeshow@gmail.com or mike@wsdisplay.com. For more info, visit TheDonAndMikeShow.net

The Omnichannel Guest Experience Agency

THE DON & MÌKE SHOW

Hosted at Circle Las Vegas Broadcast Studio

E1

Maÿ 14

Omnichannel vs Hybrid

E2

June 18

Branding via broadcast

E3

Julÿ 16

Introducing ESG (Environmental and Social Governance) Measuring sustainability, societal impact and corporate governance

E4

August 13

How to grow revenue in the retail experiential sector

E5

September 10

How technology, engagement and measurement are redefining live events

E6

Octòber 15

Redefining the architecture of large scale events

The Don & Mike Show can be heard on Fridays at: TheDonAndMikeShow.net; ExhibitCityNews.com; and most podcast platforms including iTunes, Google, Spotify and many others.

E @DandMshow C groups/12096643 D @DonAndMikeShow1 MINNEAPOLIS, LAS VEGAS, SAN FRANCISCO, LOS ANGELES, MIAMI, BOSTON, NEW YORK

@EXHIBITCITYNEWS

WEARECIRCLE.COM

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 21

AIRPORT SNAPSHOT

Photo courtesy of Chattanooga CVB

Chattanooga Airport IATA airport code: CHA Location: 1001 Airport Rd, Chattanooga, TN Year Opened: The airport broke ground in 1929 and officially opened as Lovell Field in 1930. The dirt runways were expanded and paved in 1936 by the WPA. Like most U.S. airports, it became a military facility during WWII, serving as a military training facility. In the ‘50s airport operations were transferred to the city. The original terminal building was expanded in 1950 and ‘55 and replaced in 1964. The airport’s ownership was transferred to the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority in July 1985. In 1992, the current terminal was built.

Size: The airport covers 950 acres with two runways. It has five gates in a two-level terminal.

Transportation: CARTA local buses serve the airport. Taxis, rideshares and limousine services are available.

Fun Facts: It’s the world’s first aviation terminal to be LEED Platinum Certified.

The airport was spearheaded by John Lovett, manager of the Patton Hotel. He was an early advocate of airplane flight and the first passenger to fly out of Chattanooga in a kit plane made by the pilot.

Officially it is Chattanooga Airport, but many still add “Lovell Field.”

A one megawatt solar farm was built in 2011 on the southwest corner of the airfield that was doubled in 2013 and completed in 2019. It currently provides enough power to meet all of the airport’s energy needs.

Website: www.ChattAirport.com ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 21

THE POWER OF ADVOCACY

Chris Griffin

The Power of Advocacy AN INDUSTRY WORTH FIGHTING FOR— THE EDPA LEADS THE CHARGE FOR ADVOCACY

BY H. K. WILSON

Chris Griffin is an advocacy warrior, and as a member of the EDPA executive board, he is spearheading the organization’s advocacy initiative. Griffin is also an industry entrepreneur who has 24 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

made a lifetime investment in tradeshows. As owner of Crew XP, Griffin maintains exhibit fabrication facilities in Orlando and Las Vegas, as well as builder sites in 10 more key convention cities across

the country. That is, until the industry was, in his words, “vaporized last March.” He recently shuttered his Las Vegas facility and moved equipment and supplies into storage in hope of better days to come.

Once an employer of more than 100 people, he maintains a skeleton crew with the help of Paycheck Protection Program funds while giving 60-plus hours a week of his own time to championing the cause of the meetings and exhibitions industry.

Advocacy is a new word in tradeshow parlance. Never before has there been a cooperative effort to craft a universal message and (gasp!), hire professionals to lobby for the industry’s interests—until now.

“The idea of industry advocacy took on a whole new meaning in 2020,” Griffin says.

“When business stopped, we threw ourselves into government affairs and advocacy with the other associations in our ecosystem. The silver lining is how well all the associations are working together right now to save our industry.”

Last year, a coalition of industry partners organized the Go LIVE Together campaign to begin getting the message to Capitol Hill that tradeshows are crucial to American business and deserving of government support. Go LIVE has now evolved into a formal entity, the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance. Griffin emphasized that the ECA is not another association, rather, it is a coalition of associations—SISO, IAEE, CEIR, EACA, ESCA, IAVM and Destinations International—all working together in the common cause of industry advocacy. Although each segment of the industry has its own agenda, Griffin says the magic is that for the first time, they’re “all rowing in the same direction.”

It hasn’t been all smooth sailing, however. Along the

way, it became apparent that the industry was not skilled in statecraft. There was no unified message, advocacy efforts were scattershot and some opportunities to bend the ears of elected officials were bungled.

“For the first time, the EDPA decided to hire professionals,” Griffin says. “The EDPA Foundation has built an endowment that we normally use to help families. It is now contributing to our advocacy cause to help employees get those jobs back.”

EDPA engaged Cassidy & Associates, a leading bipartisan government relations firm based in Washington, D.C. Griffin explains, “There’s an expression in the service side of the industry, ‘When you work on a show, it’s not what you know or who you know, but what you know about who you know.’ In the case of Cassidy, some people had worked with them before and had personal experience with the firm. The advocacy effort for us was really started by Tim Heffernan and T3 Expo. He worked in government affairs before, and T3 was funding the advocacy effort by themselves. We moved in as the contract holder, and through private donations and our association, we were able to carry the cost of that.”

The Mission The EDPA has clearly defined its advocacy mission: To create an ongoing advocacy culture within the EDPA community, members and affiliates supporting the experiential, exhibit and event industry. The broader Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance will do this by delivering @EXHIBITCITYNEWS

Global Exhibitions Day 2019

consistent and compelling messages about the industry’s positive impact on the U.S. and global economies.

The advocacy focus in 2021 will focus on four key areas: Industry Government Affairs, Association Alignment & Relations, Workforce Development and Exhibitor Advocacy.

By creating a structure for ongoing advocacy, the ECA will seek to move away from temporary, stop-gap federal programs to help the industry create a more permanent infrastructure with a reliable funding source. It will continue to assess the legislative proposals of the new administration and House and Senate majorities; identify legislative and administrative measures that provide assistance to the events industry; guide members in advocating directly for assistance; assess the impact of advocacy efforts; and share intelligence and updates with members.

Kevin Binger is senior vice president at Cassidy & Associates and a key representative for the EDPA. During an advocacy webinar hosted

by EDPA Texas on April 15, he pointed out that a crisis is not the ideal time to start a government relationship.

“Our view is if organizations are going to be successful, it’s good to have some of those relationships ahead of time with people who know and

understand you.”

He and his firm, however, have jumped in mid-crisis to begin relationship building and educating officials about the tradeshow industry. “As we have talked to multiple House and Senate offices across several states, it has become clear that Congress isn’t very familiar with our industry. Before we started, Congressional aides had no idea there was this large network of small businesses that make industry events possible. Thanks to the efforts of a lot of people delivering the same message, Congress is learning that this industry employs more than 2 million people, and it is still feeling a lot of pain. Nothing is quite as effective for a Congressional office as hearing directly from a small business person in their home district, and that’s the power of this advocacy effort.”

There are many issues competing for attention in Washington—immigration, China policy and a $15 minimum wage, to name a few. There are also many industries competing for pandemic relief funds, many of which have been well-represented in Washington for decades. The industry has some catching up to do in terms of educating elected officials about its $101 billion annual contribution to the U.S. GDP through the production of 9,500 events per year.

We have all learned we can no longer be the quiet giant...

“About 95 percent of participants are small businesses,” Griffin says. “Many go to one event a year and write the lion’s share of their business there. Every tradeshow is its own small business incubator.

And for every dollar spent on a tradeshow exhibit, there is another spent on flights, hotels, food and other items. This industry collects money and distributes it throughout the economy. I don’t know of another that amplifies the overall economy like ours does.”

The EDPA and its partners will continue to advocate for a legislative or regulatory proposal that will help small businesses in the tradeshow/industry-conference sector bridge the gap between the end of the PPP’s second-draw loans and the easing of government restrictions that will allow industry events to resume. Possible avenues include:

» Small business programs identified in the Biden-Harris $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan » Congressional proposals drafted in response to the Biden-Harris plan » An expansion of the Shuttered Venue Operator Grant Program (Save our Stages) » An updated version of the Restart Act » A longer-term “Recovery Sector ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 25

THE POWER OF ADVOCACY Business” loan program, as outlined in the 2020 Rubio-Collins bill » Administrative actions through the Agriculture Department, Treasury Department or other federal agency “I believe we have the potential to be a group that helps write policy in the future and not have to be reactionary for our future causes,” says Matthew Little, president of the EDPA Texas chapter.

Your Mission If You Choose to Accept It According to Rob Cohen, vice president of Display Supply & Lighting, Inc., the industry must maintain an ongoing and unified message. “Continuity is a critical aspect to advocacy. An industry’s voice must sing the same song to get heard loud and clear. This

includes continuity in content and messaging as well as being a continuous voice. Advocacy is not an activity that our industry can afford to jump in and out of. We are an important part of the economy and must be a recognized voice at all times going forward.”

EDPA Executive Director Dasher Lowe adds, “As we move forward, we must continue our unified work and not let the foot off the gas. We have all learned that we can no longer be the quiet giant. We need to continue our efforts to bring the awareness and recognition the industry needs and deserves. We need the world to understand how meetings, events and exhibits drive the global economy. If our industry is strong, we can provide a

critical piece to the success of the global economy.”

While leaving frontline engagement to the professionals, what can advocacy warriors at home do? Griffin outlines a few simple action items: “Support your associations and re-up your membership. It’s never been more important. Reach out to your local press and tell them about the industry.

Tell the story of family-owned businesses and how they’re struggling or what they’ve pivoted to. Blog about it. And stay in touch with your local elected officials. When you see them doing something right, tell them. That’s an important part of building relationships.”

The tradeshow industry has seen three significant disruptions in the last 20 years: 9/11,

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.

26 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

The Great Recession and what Griffin is calling “The Great Disruption of 2020.” This time around, he says, we don’t know how long the runway to recovery will be. “It took four years to recover from 9/11 and 10 years to recover from the recession.

Tradeshows have been denied federal recovery dollars. This is the year we’ve decided to stop being invisible. We need to be recognized for who we are and our value to the U.S. economy.”

The human condition is such that people want to meet faceto-face. Companies are beginning to measure lost sales of the past year and truly quantify the value in-person tradeshows bring to their businesses.

Griffin sums it up well when he says, “This is absolutely an industry worth fighting for.”

THE POWER OF ADVOCACY

First-to-Close, Last-to-Reopen BUSINESS EVENT BUILDERS AND SUPPLIERS SEEK ENTRY INTO THE SHUTTERED VENUES GRANT PROGRAM

BY KEVIN BINGER, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES

Following Congressional passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, Congress and the Biden Administration are left to ponder an important question: Are we out of the woods now, or do we still have work to do to keep the economy afloat?

Congress has approved more than $5 trillion in emergency assistance for everything from schools to hospitals to airline workers.

Roughly 20 percent of that has gone to hard-pressed small businesses in the form of Paycheck Protection Program loans, EIDL loans and shuttered venue grants.

Are there any gaps left to fill? Yes, there are.

The business events industry is still hanging on by a thread. The first to shut down and the last to reopen, tradeshows have borne the brunt of pandemic-related restrictions on public gatherings. The convention centers and hotel ballrooms that are normally bustling with activity have gone quiet. The multitude of small businesses that do all the unseen work for these events are hemorrhaging cash and struggling to keep their doors open. And the reopening is still months away.

That’s why industry leaders are plying (virtually) the halls of Congress asking for one last injection of funding to sustain @EXHIBITCITYNEWS

a $100 billion industry that employs 2.8 million people in normal times. Our request to Congress: Expand the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program to include business events and the indispensable small businesses that make them hum.

Industry associations like the Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) and the Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Association (EACA), led by Chris Griffin, Dasher Lowe and Jim Wurm, are organizing a lobbying campaign targeting House and Senate Small Business Committee members. Industry stalwarts like Rob Cohen of Display Supply & Lighting, Tim Heffernan of T3 Expo and dozens of others are making the case for action one Congressional office at a time.

The message is starting to sink in. Congressional aides from business event hotbeds like Los Angeles and Chicago now know that more than 9,000 events have been cancelled in the last year, and contractors from their states have lost 90 percent of their revenues. Small Business Committee members from Minnesota now know that Bemidji State University has a leading college program in tradeshow design, and its graduates are losing jobs at unprecedented rates.

Little by little, knowledge is being turned into action:

» In early

»

March, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) filed an amendment to the American Recovery Plan to make “tradeshow service providers” eligible for Shuttered Venue Grants. Industry leaders rallied around this amendment.

Unfortunately, out of more than 500 amendments filed, only 13 were approved.

In late March, Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV-2) introduced a bipartisan bill (H.R. 2120) to make tradeshow organizers, among others, eligible for Shuttered Venue Grants.

Great progress, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.

With the Shuttered Venues Grant Program and the Restaurant Revitalization Program just getting off the ground, there’s a good chance Congress will consider more legislation in this area. Both programs, along with PPP, will probably need more funding and some fine-tuning. The business events industry needs to keep sounding the horn that our industry will be the last to fully reopen, and that service providers have been severely

damaged. Congress needs to hear that business events that fill hotel rooms and restaurants in cities Kevin across the Binger country will struggle if too many small businesses that are the backbone of the industry wither away.

There’s no guarantee that the Shuttered Venues Program will be expanded to include business events, but there is a chance. EDPA and EACA will continue to lead the charge and make sure our industry is heard amid the clamor of urgent requests for help during this pandemic. Hopefully this sustained effort will get us the help we need to make sure business events come roaring back as soon as possible.

Kevin Binger is a senior vice president at Cassidy & Associates, and a former long-time Congressional aide. Cassidy & Associates is one of the leading bipartisan government relations firms in Washington D.C. As advocates and strategic advisors, they educate and empower federal decision makers with the facts, insights and strategies to make well-informed decisions that will advance their clients’ business goals.

For more info, visit www.cassidy.com ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 27

THE POWER OF ADVOCACY

The EDPA & Advocacy

BY ROB COHEN, VP DISPLAY SUPPLY & LIGHTING

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit everyone hard and in so many different ways. Too many people became ill, some very seriously ill, and far too many have died. Families have been left suffering, not even being able to grieve properly and mourn the losses of loved ones.

All of this is nothing but tragic.

On the business side, and particularly in the experiential markets, we have seen some companies close their doors for good, others shut their doors temporarily to wait and see what happens and some have found creative ways to stay afloat. Through it all, the EDPA and the EDPA Foundation has taken the lead to advocate on behalf of our industry. Through the dedication and leadership of Dasher Lowe and countless hours of volunteer work by our members on both the national and local levels, we have made our collective voices heard in a unified way. We are pleased that the EACA has joined in our efforts to work together toward achieving collective benefits for our industry.

Advocacy has been embraced by members of our industry in a way that we have never imagined. Under the passionate leadership of Chris Griffin, and with the guidance of the government affairs team at Cassidy & Associates, which was retained by the EDPA, the eight-letter word, A-D-V-O-C-A-C-Y, has become our rallying point. With the strong financial support of 28 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

the EDPA Foundation committing resources at a great time of need for our members, the additional financial commitment of the EDPA Board and the numerous contributions received from our members, our industry story is strategically being told and well represented in the professional way that we all expect.

One of the first lessons of advocacy is that you must tell your own story, because others cannot tell it properly for you. This has never been more true than during these times of COVID. Our members have come forward to join in over 40 calls (to date) with offices of U.S. senators and members of Congress to deliver their first-hand stories. We can never thank those people enough for their time and support! What has the EDPA done in its advocacy efforts on behalf of its members and the industry at large?

EDPA has been able to get people in D.C. to recognize three words strung together that it did not know before: Trade Show Industry.

EDPA was able to provide input on the original language in the first PPP to improve the program for our members.

EDPA has been working tirelessly on efforts to get the definition of who is eligible to apply for and receive grants under the Shuttered Venue Oper-

ators Program. This work is ongoing and a top priority at this time.

EDPA has worked on examining a large number of potential pieces of legislation, programs and relief packages to determine where the best opportunities lie for success, and strategically followed that plan with our government affairs team.

Advocacy is and must continue to be an ongoing effort that must stay embedded in our culture. We must remain engaged in advocacy efforts 365 days a year. Another lesson learned is that you can’t jump in and ask elected officials for help only when you need it. You need to always be working on building these relationships and be there when they need our support as well.

Advocacy is more than working with the people in D.C. EDPA members need to be working with local officials on issues relevant to our industry, local venues and local economies. At the same time, we need to be working with local and national media to keep up the awareness for our industry, and the benefits it delivers for the overall economy, as a front-page story.

Advocacy means working with other groups within our industry to raise a collective voice, and the EDPA is doing that. Exhibitions and Conferences Alliances is an organiRob Cohen

You can't ask elected officials for help only when you need it... zation that was formed out of the Go LIVE Together movement. ECA is working on tax incentive, travel-related issues and other matters that would encourage business travel as the industry recovers. EDPA is a member of this alliance, has a seat on its governing body and supports its efforts.

Although many do not see it, while advocating for pandemic relief, some members are also spending time on the ongoing issues related to tariffs on goods coming into this country from China. Through these efforts, the EDPA is working with a number of other trade associations on 232 and 301 tariff issues, including associations in the aluminum industry, the National Federation for Tariff Reform and the Americans for Free Trade.

Your EDPA is hard at working bringing attention to matters that affect our industry now and going forward. Thanks to the support of the EDPA, EDPA Foundation, EACA and a number of individual EDPA companies, the advocacy efforts will continue. If you are interested in helping with financial support of EDPA’s advocacy efforts, contact Dasher Lowe (dlowe@edpa.com) for more information. Just more reasons why the EDPA needs your ongoing support and why you need the EDPA!

THE POWER OF ADVOCACY

Trade The Future Success of ther for Shows: Working Toge Change The Exhibitor Perspect

ive

April 2021

The Future Success of Tradeshows: Working Together for Change THE EXHIBITOR PERSPECTIVE APRIL 2021

WHO WE ARE The Exhibitor Advocacy Group is an ad hoc group whose members come from the corporate exhibitor community, exhibitor-appointed contractors, unions, show management and general service contractors. Our mission is to ensure the successful future of tradeshows, conventions, congresses and other face-to-face business events. Our focus is on promoting transparent and reputable business practices, consistent standards and new business models. We encourage all tradeshow industry constituents to join us in identifying best practices and helping to build a profitable and equitable industry for all constituencies.

BACKGROUND Before COVID-19, the exhibitor experience on the show floor was deteriorating.

Every year, exhibiting costs increased, and issues around transparency, metrics and cost savings became more problematic. Exclusive show site services from the general contractor, like material handling, electrical and rigging became more complex and expensive, creating a lack of transparency for these services and the associated costs. Leads and @EXHIBITCITYNEWS

data from attendees became proprietary information of show management, and the data was rarely shared so that exhibitors could calculate a meaningful ROI. Most importantly, there was a significant lack of support from most show management organizations to find cost savings for exhibitors. Instead, the general contractors’ cost savings went to show management and were subsequently recovered through higher costs to exhibitors. Expenses continued to increase without added value. The industry had become stuck in a rut and very hesitant and reluctant to change. Many shows found themselves in a “business as usual” scenario that added no value to anyone—organizer, attendee or exhibitor.

The dissolution of TSEA (Trade Show Exhibitors Association) left a void for exhibitors to talk openly about their pain points, and therefore, the exhibitor’s voice had no platform. The industry focus has shifted to an attendee-centric model. Regardless of this fact, exhibitor needs are as essential to the ecosystem as the attendee. The entire industry benefits when exhibitors have a voice at the table. For this

reason, industry associations like the EDPA (Experiential Designers and Producers Association) have embraced advocating for exhibitors. Just as we reached an inflection point in realizing the need to address the exhibitors' concerns, COVID-19 shut down the world.

One year later, the exhibit industry recovery appears to be months away. Most predictions give late summer/ early fall 2021 as the period of reawakening. As exhibitors, we are thrilled at the prospect of leveraging the advantages of face-to-face marketing to create opportunities that can only be achieved through this medium. At the same time, these lingering exhibition production and business model failures are still evident within our industry—the exhibitor/ sponsor segment—and still need resolution. Before returning to the show floor, we believe that now is the time to address these failures to make a better business case in the future for everyone involved.

ISSUES STATEMENT As the tradeshow and event industry recovers, exhibitors cannot accept a “return to normal” for tradeshows to

be included in their postCOVID-19 marketing mix. The pre-COVID-19 environment was already declining and was not working for exhibitors due to a lack of transparency, poor metrics and inflated show service costs. For this industry to be successful, change must happen. Exhibitors are at the center of the ecosystem and typically fund much of the show, so their needs must be recognized and addressed to secure a future for our industry. It is essential that show organizers reevaluate the exhibitors' role and be open to a dialogue with exhibitors, to understand their needs and concerns.

Transparency is a significant issue for corporate exhibitors. Scrutiny from finance departments can only be answered with vague, “this is how it is” responses.

Costs are increasing yearly without transparency to the causes. Services like material handling and booth space costs may double in one year, creating unexpected challenges to an exhibit program and corresponding budget. A small number of shows have started to address these issues (NAB and IMTS in particular), but there is a need for ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 29

THE POWER OF ADVOCACY

sweeping changes to improve this situation.

Additionally, there is concern about how COVID-related costs for health and safety protocols may affect exhibitors and exacerbate transparency and drive costs for all stakeholders to a significant issue and perhaps even impasse. Exhibitors may bring fewer booth components (less weight) to respond to safety concerns.

There is concern about how this will impact the pre-COVID business model. Will general service contractors need to increase exhibitor costs to meet the cost pressures from show organizers? Rising costs to an already broken model will not work—exhibitors are at a tipping point with budgets slashed and a funding shift to focus on digital. The tradeshow business model must change for its future success.

Metrics have long been the currency that allows exhibitors to return to their events year after year. With data becoming more widely available in all business areas, the desire for comprehensive data points specific to each exhibitor’s objectives is a critical need to justify the expense of an exhibit program…Currently, the data provided for evaluating events and measuring ROI is based on volume rather than value. Exhibitors are provided data points, such as the number of attendees, clickthroughs, etc. These volume metrics do not prove a value case to the exhibitor. Exhibitors must have access to data aligned to their objectives.

Cost Savings will always be a focus for all stakeholders. Exhibitors often experience a lack 30 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

of support in finding cost-savings opportunities. Many practices and fees are outdated and need to be reviewed. Exhibitors are often footing the bill for the bulk of the event costs without a partnership with show management to identify ways to cut unnecessary costs and focus spend in areas that achieve their objectives.

Additionally, we can’t go back to “the way things were” and then add more costs for the new safety measures needed post-COVID, or to make up for the lost revenue of the vendors of these events.

In 2017, the NAB show went through an extensive two-year process to review where exhibitors were spending money and what they are choosing to eliminate due to cost overruns. One of the items uncovered was that exhibitors were starting to shrink space due to the exorbitant costs from exclusive services. The result of the changes they were able to make showed a minimum of 40 percent savings on exclusive services. Show organizers should consider this type of initiative or risk losing exhibiting companies and/or square feet of space purchased/rented.

As part of our industry’s recovery, these issues need to be addressed. The world has changed forever because of COVID-19, and tradeshows and events must change as part of an overall industry and economic recovery. Here’s what the Exhibitor Advocacy Group proposes: THE WAY FORWARD First and foremost, exhibitors request open, transparent

communication with show management. Exhibitors must have a voice in the recovery of events and cannot be left out of the conversation. There shouldn’t be fear when coming to your exhibitors with the challenges your organization faces. We are partners, and we want to be viewed as such.

Exhibitor advisory committees should be part of every tradeshow event that has exhibiting companies and exhibitor outreach; these committees should not be limited to a single meeting once a year. The pandemic has taught us that situations can change, and adaptation is a new fact of life.

Allow exhibitors to define the value of their industry event and the metrics for success.

We can't go back to "the way things were" and then add more costs for the new safety measures needed...

» Talk to your exhibitors and

»

determine how they define exhibiting success: number of visitors, qualified leads, social media followers, etc. Then develop ways to help them achieve that success. Remember, exhibitors are not merely paying for space; they pay for access to their markets, to people/buyers, and help with marketing for event attendees. For organizers, this means providing direct and equitable access to the data and making it available preshow, post-show and on-show site.

This should be the foundation for the event itself, not an opportunity provided at an additional cost.

Generic data about the success of an event isn’t enough. Exhibitors need specific data to help engage active buyers and better evaluate participation in an event. » Exhibitors need all demographic data related to the buyers interacting in the virtual event.

Ie., Exhibitors need

»

» »

to understand which visitors (data points) are from active buyers, our own employees, show management, etc.

"Sometimes, the numbers were not adding up, and the amount of ‘leads’ we got was not worth the dollars we are spending.

[There were a] lot of multiple entries in the numbers.”

Exhibitors need to see all data from each visitor, including name, company, contact info, decisionmaker level, etc.

Exhibitors need behavioral metrics such as dwell time spent interacting with their brand per attendee.

Exhibitors want to have access to the specific needs, objectives, requests, etc., from buyers so that exhibitors have the same opportunity to research attendees as the attendee has to research exhibitors. “Show organizers and associations feel that they “own” the data. But as an exhibitor, I think that data should be shared since exhibitors are paying to participate. If we can’t

get the data, then what are we receiving [for our investment]?”

As an industry, we need to be vigilant about finding cost efficiencies associated with our events. Exhibitors can no longer absorb the costs of outdated practices and fees.

All stakeholders need to review their pricing models and provide a clear and consistent rationale for these fees.

» Ensure exhibitor show service

»

costs are transparent and fair and don’t include buried charges for non-related services.

Ensure suppliers and their associated costs are in sync with your vision. They, like you, need to be ready to admit to new realities

and align their pricing structures.

» Evaluate the types of protections

you include for exhibitors in case of cancellation. Although we anticipate that COVID-19 will not be a factor in the future, we’ve seen the effects of a global pandemic on the economy. We need to be prepared for the possibility of future crises. We are all affected by pandemics, terrorism and natural disasters.

Let’s work together to determine how we manage costs associated with the cancellation of events outside our control.

THE BOTTOM LINE Our industry will survive this bump in the road, but we are highly dependent on each other and need to work together to ensure our in-

dustry’s future. If anything, this pandemic has created an appreciation for all the stakeholders who make this industry work. Now is the time to collaborate and brainstorm a better way forward that meets all the stakeholders’ needs.

It only works when we work together. Let’s not waste this opportunity to reevaluate and re-imagine our industry. We know we will come out stronger in the end.

Companies with representatives in the Exhibitor Advocacy Group include the following as of April 2021: Bradley Corporation, Carpenters Union, Ever Epic LLC, ExhibitForce, HD Supply, HP, Lower Mountain Consulting, Marvin, Medtronic, Nuvista

Event Management, Tradeshow Logic, Tyler Technologies and additional anonymous companies.

Research and data points to support the perspectives outlined in this document were drawn from the following resources: 1. Tradeshow Logic: 10 Vendor Strategies to Bring Exhibitors Back the Right Way 2. CEIR 2021 Global Virtual Event Trends Report One: Anatomy of Virtual Events and Financial Outcomes 3. Tradeshow Logic: Redefining Value for Today’s Exhibitors & Sponsors, Volume 3, March 2021

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ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 31

Willwork Global Event Services is proud to support COVID-19 recovery efforts with our resources and solutions

www.willwork.com | 508.230.3170

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

The tradeshow industry is looking forward to going back to work!

Pg. 34-35

Musings on the Return to the Showfloor Pg. 36-38

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

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

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 33

Photo by Corey Johnson

The Power of Tradeshows

SHOP to SHOWFLOOR I&D and Event Labor

The Astonishing Power of Tradeshows

By Bob McGlincy

T

radeshows create jobs and impact local economies. They entice targeted buyers and sellers into a stimulating 3-D sales, marketing and educational environment. Technology and product displayed at shows establish brands, enrich sales and energize corporations.

Below are four examples of how unknown companies benefited enormously from exhibiting at tradeshows.

1.

34 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak drew up a parntership agreement on April 1, 1976. At the time, they were working out of a garage in Los Altos, Calif.

On Jan. 1, 1977, their company was valued at $5,309.

On December 12, 1980, they took the company public.

Just 19 days later, on December 31, the company was worth $1.79 billion. How did this happen?

Apple showcased their first “computer” on Aug. 28, 1976, at the Personal Computer Festival in Atlantic City. They displayed a microprocessor system; it lacked an enclosure, keyboard and power source. Apple did not close a sale or write a single order at the show. Jobs walked the show floor and realized they would have to build a complete, ready-to-run machine.

The Apple II, with color graphics, debuted at the First

West Coast Computer Faire in San Francisco on April 17, 1977. Understanding the importance of marketing, and wanting “a big launch,” Jobs secured a prime space at the front of the exhibit hall. The pipe-and-drape show had 175 booths, and attracted 12,652 people over the two-day event.

Apple was the only company with a hard-wall exhibit. Despite having just three working computers, Apple wrote 300 sales orders, and would sell 2,500 units in the next eight months. In 1977, Apple’s revenue was $773,977. The company continued to exhibt at tradeshows; their revenue increased ten-fold in 1978, improved to $47.9 million in 1979, and was a staggering $117.9 million in 1980.

Apple helped launch the personal computer market, but they were not alone. Altair exhibited at the PC Festival in 1976. Commodore unveiled their PET at CES in 1977; Tandy displayed its TRS-80 that same year. IBM entered the PC market at Fall Comdex in 1981. The Commodore 64 debuted at CES in 1982. One thing these companies had in common: After displaying their product at tradeshows, the company’s sales increased.

2.

Isaac M. Singer manufactured the first straight stitch sewing machine in Boston in 1850, and the invention revolutionized the clothing industry. The company first exhibited in London in 1851 and sold 810 machines two years later. At the Paris Exposition in 1855, Singer’s invention won a gold medal. By 1860, through patents and mass

production, Singer became the largest manufacturer of sewing machines in the world.

They continued exhibiting at tradeshows and founded the world’s first multi-national company. In 1875, the Singer Manufacturing Company had more than 50,000 employees worldwide and was selling more than 2 million units a year—quite an increase from the 810 units sold in 1853.

At the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Singer exhibited a variety of new models in the main hall. They also constructed a separate Singer structure on the exposition grounds and provided their employees with an all-expenses-paid round-trip to the Philadelphia Fair. On June 22, 1876, the company rented six trains to transport more than 4,000 employees from the New York office and the Elizabeth manufacturing plant to Philadelphia. It was reported that Singer spent $15,632 (equivalent to $384,246 today) on the excursion, not including salaries, wages and time lost.

Continuing to innovate and display at tradeshows, Singer demonstrated the first electric sewing machine at the International Electrical Exhibition in 1889. In 1895, Singer manufactured and sold more than 13 million sewing machines.

In the early 1990s Singer had annual revenues in excess of $1.2 billion.

3.

Elisha Otis invented the safety brake for elevators in 1852. At the time, there were no passenger elevators, only freight ones, and workers were too scared to ride with the freight. At the New @EXHIBITCITYNEWS

York Exposition in 1854, P. T. Barnum paid Otis $100 to draw crowds and demonstrate his safety brake. Otis stood on a platform with freight and had it hoisted above the show floor. He yelled, attracted more people, and asked if he should cut the rope. After protests, and even some cheers from the crowd below, that is precisely what he did: He severed the hoisting cable. The platform dropped only a few inches before the safety brake kicked in and the elevator stopped. Three years later, the first passenger elevator was installed at Haughwout’s department store, on the corner of Broadway and Broome in New York City.

Passenger elevators today are so safe that people take them for granted. In New York City alone, there are 30+ million elevator trips daily. But without safe passenger elevators, or some similar invention, the world as we know it would be very different. Think about it: There probably would be no buildings more than six or seven stories high; there certainly would be no skyscrapers without some type of safe, vertical transportation.

After Otis’ death in 1861, his two sons took over the business, and understanding the importance of tradeshows, they exhibited in numerous capitals throughout Europe.

At the Exposition Universelle of 1889, Otis manufactured and installed elevators at the Eiffel Tower (in spite of the Fair’s initial stipulation that only French companies could be used in any construction).

Then, at the turn of the centu-

ry, again in Paris, the Otis Elevator Company demonstrated the world’s first escalator.

Today there are more than 2.6 million Otis elevators and escalators worldwide; and pre-pandemic, they moved 2 billion people daily. When Elisha Graves Otis first exhibited, that tradeshow lost money; however, the company he founded did not. In 2019, Otis employed 69,000 people and generated revenues exceeding $13.1 billion.

4.

When the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition opened May 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell was in Massachusetts, employed as a professor at Boston University.

Two months earlier, on March 7, Bell received a patent for the telephone. In mid-May, after the Philadelphia show had already opened, Bell demonstrated his invention at the American Academy of the Arts in Boston. It was a success, and his future father-in-law convinced him to exhibit in Philadelphia. Bell had his day job and responsibilities, and could not travel to the show at that time. He sent a modified version of his phone to display; it did not create a sensation and was initially passed over by the judges and the rest of the visitors at the show.

After classes concluded at the university, Bell traveled to Philadelphia. He was in his booth on June 25 when judges were reviewing the technology exhibits. They were running behind schedule and were only considering previously reviewed products.

They were walking past Bell’s booth when Emperor Don

Tradeshows display extraordinary inventions that change the world...they create jobs and produce tax dollars ...

Pedro of Brazil paused. He recognized Prof. Bell from a previous meeting in Boston and stopped to ask him why he was there. Pedro was handed a receiver; he listened and said, “My God, it talks!” Bell won the gold medal for technology, and his instrument became the talk of the show.

The Bell Telephone Company was founded in 1877, and the next year the phone was displayed at the Paris Exposition.

Bell Telephone became the world’s largest corporation until it was broken apart by the U. S. Justice Department in 1984.

At the time, it employed more than a million people and had assets of $150 billion (approximately $379 billion today).

Tradeshows focus brand awareness onto a targeted audience. They make money for exhibitors and save time and money for attendees. They create jobs and produce tax dollars. And sometimes, tradeshows display extraordinary inventions that change the world. Tradeshows rock!

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 35

Musings on the Return to the Showfloor

By Don Svehla

ECN Publisher Don Svehla headed to Orlando for the MRO show to see first-hand how big tradeshows are resuming safely. Below is some of the showfloor buzz he heard as tradeshows start up again after more than a year of lockdowns.

36 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

New Rules of Engagement Emerge for Professional Event Labor Providers Cash in advance is the new norm as discounts disappear and the talent pool dissipates Does history repeat? Ask any I&D company owner who has been around the block and the reply is yes. This response is supported by battered balance sheets as some exhibit builders again go out of business owing many vendors without payment for services rendered.

Black and White Photos by Corey Johnson; Color Photos by Jim Obermeyer

SHOP to SHOWFLOOR I&D and Event Labor

As the Nation’s Showfloors Come Back to Life, Safety Must Be at Forefront Rosters of talent are uncertain as there has been virtually no work for more than a year Can you imagine being a surgeon who has not operated in more than a year or

Photo by Corey Johnson

Black and White Photos by Corey Johnson; Color Photos by Jim Obermeyer

When one traces back the dots over the past 30+ years, the same, or similar, thing has happened every eight to nine years.

We had a general recession, the tech “bubble,” 9-11, etc. We have even heard of a number of builders still in business that froze payments to their labor providers when COVID began. Many did so even after they received government assistance.

Now as the dust begins to settle and advance orders for labor services are starting up, things are not the same.

an artist who didn’t touch their brush or mold clay in more than 12 months?

Besides probably going mad, you would probably be rusty at best.

Anyone understanding the value of solid tactical support in the field knows what it takes to be an I&D ace. It takes many years for a solid exhibit technician to develop. As anyone who has ordered and paid for labor in the past understands what a basic principle has always been: You usually get what you pay for.

Besides personal skill, there is a systematic rhythm underlying all good move-ins and repacking initiatives. This rhythm occurs naturally between highly productive teams as they navigate tight timelines. This rhythm doesn’t work all the time if there is not the support team (often unseen unless there is a problem)—city managers, gang box managers, account managers, runners and a number of subset specialists, including leads, who can be pulled from another job as their individual experience is needed.

@EXHIBITCITYNEWS

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 37

SHOP to SHOWFLOOR I&D and Event Labor

Consider the exhibit providers’ standpoint. Nobody spends more face-to-face time with their clients than do labor people. They are a large part of your extended customer service team. One bad experience and you may lose clients.

There is truth to the adage, “You are only as good as your last show.” Many times, you don’t lose the client for just that show ... but for their yearly circuit of events.

There seem to be two trains of thought for companies contracting labor for their clients’ needs. Strategy 1: We need the best for our unique and creative programs, and we know what the going rate is for the best. Strategy 2: This client is mine and I want to milk every dollar I can out of every situation, even at the expense of vendor partners.

Workforce has Scattered Geographically— Looking for Work in Other Industries and Many Retired Children moving closer to parents, parents moving to be by their children 38 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

... or people leaving overpopulated cities for perceived healthier, greener pastures. Many younger workers with more of today’s sought-after digital skills found it easier to get into other lines of work. The specialty labor provided before COVID was already under great strain. It was well known before COVID struck that the I&D workforce across the nation was aging. The end result adds to the decimation to the ranks of many industry providers. What labor crews will look like as events start up remains to be seen.

Heftier Waistlines and Resuming Physically Demanding Showfloor Work Much of the workforce was homebound for quite a while...and it shows in the gut! Whether cooking in or supporting the myriad food delivery services... many people need new belts! Combine that with a job requiring nonstop hours on your feet, walking long distances, breathing questionable air in severe hot and cold...we can see more injuries if not outright casualties coming to a showfloor near you soon. Some see a perfect storm coming as shows/events will be packed into the traditionally slower summer periods.

Still, SO Happy To Be Back Working in Jobs They Love The biggest buzz on the showfloor was how happy everyone is to be back to work—traveling, building booths, seeing friends—and doing what they love.

Photos by Corey Johnson

Strong Solid Labor Support does not Happen Magically out of Thin Air

CONVENTION CENTER SPOTLIGHT

EAT

C

hattanooga has a rich history due to its location as a nexus/transition city between the ridge and valley of the Appalachian Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau. Over half the country lives within a day’s drive.

Despite that, the city was unable to attract significant convention business until they built the CCC in 1986.

Initially called a trade center, it cost $46 million and did about $23 million in business each year, but that went up to $38 million in 2003 when a $45 million expansion was completed.

Today, it contributes more than $1 billion to the tourism industry and approximately 8,500+ jobs in the region, so the investment seems to have been wise. The expansion was designed by architects Derthick, Henley & Wilkerson with additional daylight design by Innovative Design. Parks Beers was the construction contractor.

Currently, the CCC has 100,000 sq.ft. of column-free exhibit space, 21 meeting rooms and 19,000 sq.ft. of divisible ballroom space on a single level. After expansion, it boasts a large number of green initiatives, including extensive use of natural light, and a fresh air ventilation and cooling system that lowers HVAC costs when the weather permits.

The roof was built using TPO, a white rubber membrane that reduces radiant heat while reflecting more natural light into the building. The design also uses architectural shading to keep more heat out of the building. The exterior 40 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

By F. Andrew Taylor

windows are glazed for solar reflection, resulting in smaller HVAC equipment and lowering the initial capital costs, operating costs and upkeep.

Additional shade is provided by streetscaping, which incorporates trees for additional solar control and natural cooling. More than 5 million gallons of rain water per year are harvested from the roof to irrigate the adjacent streetscape and landscaping, and increase the energy efficiency and aesthetics.

A free electric shuttle bus stops at the CCC every 15 minutes connecting it to more than 50 restaurants and 2,000 hotel rooms. An additional 8,000 hotel rooms and 150 restaurants are within 15 miles of the CCC. The CCC is owned and operated by the Carter Street Corporation, an urban community economic development in Chattanooga with a mission to encourage economic development.

Chattanooga is one of the most tech forward cities in the country and was the first U.S. city to have a citywide gigabit network earning it the nickname “Gig City” alongside “Scenic City.”

Conventions and major annual events include The Environments for Aging Expo & Conference, the O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels, the Chattanooga Annual Tri-State Home Show, the Chattanooga International Boat and Sport Show, Guitarnooga Guitar Show, Tennessee Society for Human Resource Management Conference & Expo, and Model Con.

SLEEP Rest your head at the Chattanooga Marriott, the only hotel connected to the CCC in the heart of downtown. Nearby, the newly renovated Chattanoogan Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, is a full-service option that offers luxury accommodations, day spa, fitness center, multiple restaurants and rooftop bar High Rail Chattanooga. A home base for adventures great and small, Kinley Chattanooga, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is the city’s newest hotel.

PLAY Explore the Chattanooga Choo Choo, a thriving entertainment destination around the historic hotel in the Southside. Restaurants, shopping and entertainment include Nic & Norman’s, Frothy Monkey, STIR, American Draft (in a streetcar!), Regan’s Place, Westbound Bar, Gate 11 Distillery, Echelon Fitness, Sweetly Southern, Back Stage Bar and The Comedy Catch. Stretching under string lights, the district’s open-container Station Street doubles as patio and event space. Across from the Choo Choo, there’s more fun to be had at Terminal Brewhouse, Chattanooga Whiskey, the Hot Chocolatier, Wildflower Tea, Clumpies Ice Cream, Blue Orleans and much more. Several blocks away, the vibrant West Village packs in European charm with its cobblestone streets, public art and cutesy alleys. Anchored by the Westin Chattanooga, the West Village features a variety of restaurants, boutiques and popup events.

– Marissa Bell, PR manager, Chattanooga Tourism Co.

Photo courtesy of Chattanooga CVB

Chattanooga CC

The food and atmosphere at Urban Stack reflect the city’s urban and hip food scene. The upscale burger and bourbon bar is in the cool Southern Railway Baggage Building circa 1867.

Nearby at Warehouse Row, options abound including Public House, where they use the best seafood, premium steaks and farm-fresh produce to create a fresh, refined approach to the Southern meat-and-three menu.

A new story is being written about Detroit and the meeting industry we all care deeply about. As we dedicate ourselves to the new realities of meetings, our customers’ safety has become The Center of it All. Now, we look to what is important beyond our 723,000 square feet of exhibit space and being the 17th largest convention center in the country. The new story being written is one about the character of our community and the places we gather.

We look forward to meeting again.

tcfcenterdetroit.com | 313.877.8214

CONCERTS CONVENTIONS DINING ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT SHOPPING SPORTING EVENTS

Our Industry May Be Battered, But Our Foundation Is Strong.

Thanks to the stewardship and hard work of our 51 Founding Grantors and Grantor companies, individuals, and charitable events the EDPA Foundation Endowment is solid, well managed, and our policy that 95% of money raised goes to recipients and causes allows us to continue to: Support two college design programs to help nurture talent for the future.

Continue to fund our industry scholarship program, needed now more than ever.

Make a generous donation to the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic to allow them to continue their good works.

When the storm passes, and things improve for our industry, we will have a strong foundation to rebuild on.

ROSEMONT’S IMPACT FIELD

Together, We Are Making a Difference.

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

@EXHIBITCITYNEWS

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 41

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

People on the Move

A

fter more than a year, furloughs are finally ending and the tradeshow/live events industry is showing signs of life. Circle, an omnichannel guest experience agency and a Don & Mike Show sponsor, has welcomed back Las Vegas-based COO Michael Garrity (pictured right) and New York-based SVP Dave DeVito. They have also hired back Senior Project Manager Adrian Ortega and Operations Manager Alicia Rosen in Las Vegas, along with adding San Francisco-based Senior Account Executives Ryan Ricci and Robert Leyva to their team. Also based in San Francisco is Circle’s new VP of Event Operations Paula Handra.

Exploring, Inc., the parent company of several Atlanta-based companies, including Brumark, Shelmarc Carpets, ID3 Group, Chisel 3D, Atlantis WaterJet and GCI Graphics, saw its COO Matt Kelly promoted to president as CEO Dave Walens plans to focus more of his time on community and industry organizations.

Momentum Management promoted Dan Balog (pictured above right) to Chicago city manager, after seven years as assistant city manager and Eagle Management hired industry veteran Reid Sherwood as an account executive.

Based in the Chicago area, Employco USA, Inc. provides human resource solutions for national tradeshow companies, and added three new team members: Account Executive Greg Nelson, Human Resources Generalist Caille Santelli and Loss Control Manager Josh Loudermilk.

Denver-based Condit Exhibits has promoted project developer and estimator Donnie MacDonald to VP of operations after the loss of 30+ year Condit veteran Richard Raedeke, who passed away last summer after a valiant battle with cancer.

42 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

by Exhibit City News

Worcester, Mass.-based BlueHive Exhibits, award-winning tradeshow design and build firm, announced the promotion of Senior Account Executive Chris Dunn to VP, sales and business development. Dunn has been with BlueHive since 2005.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Trussworks, providers of high-quality steel truss systems, named industry veteran Joe Guerrero as their national sales manager. Guerrero’s experience includes working at Orbus, Nimlok Chicago and Aluvision, and Trussworks President Steve Hess says, “This is the next step in our strategy to become more than truss.”

St. Charles, Missouri-based Milestone Equipment Holdings, a national leader in transportation equipment leasing solutions, announced the addition of Phil Shook as executive VP–Domestic Intermodal. Shook will be based in the Lombard, Ill., corporate office.

Raleigh, N.C.-based IMA Schelling Group, a provider of sales and after-sales support of IMA and Schelling products for the woodworking, metalworking and plastics industries, has named Florian Kleinschmidt as Southeast territory regional sales manager for the U.S. office.

San Diego-based JUNO, a service leader of virtual and hybrid platforms, announced the addition of Dana Freker Doody (pictured right) to their leadership team. Freker Doody, who was most recently VP, communications and public relations for The Expo Group, will lead marketing and communications for JUNO. Virtual and hybrid event platform Glisser has announced the appointment of Steve Pedrick as chief revenue officer, David Hose as board director, and Bill

Portelli as chair. All three appointments are based in the U.S. and will be helping U.K.-based Glisser to grow globally.

First-of-its-kind social network and e-commerce SaaS platform CampfireSocial has hired Steve Gebhart as its new chief information officer. Gebhart’s 25 years of experience includes leading a multi-country team to design, build and deploy a global e-commerce and content-rich web and mobile platform for GES. In convention center news, Karen Totaro (pictured left) was named GM at TCF Center (her resume includes positions as COO San Diego CC and GM of the Atlantic City CC). Visit San Antonio appointed the former COO of Choose Chicago, Marc Anderson, as their new CEO. Anderson starts on June 1, replacing Cassandra Matej, who left to take the top role at Visit Orlando. Marshall Hilliard joined Explore Asheville CVB as VP of sales, and Vancouver CC welcomed Don Marcellus as its new director of facilities management.

In association news, Dave Leskusky was named president and Bill Pope as VP, Tech Services for the PRINTING United Alliance, and Philipp Zettl joined IFES as PR manager.

JDC Events, an event management company based in the D.C. area, has promoted Dana Rice to exhibits and sponsorships manager.

Folsom, Calif.-based ConferenceDirect, a full-service global meetings solution company, has hired Kathy Rasmussen as their new VP of housing.

The tradeshow and events industry is sending best wishes to Detra Page, who recently became communications manager at the Desert Research Institute, a leading environmental research institution, after more than 16 years with GES in Las Vegas.

IN MEMORIAM

Scott Frederick Clemons June 22, 1955 - March 27, 2021

S

cott Frederick Clemons of West Bloomfield, Mich., passed away on March 27, at the age of 65. Scott crossed over peacefully in the great care of Angela Hospice Care Center in Livonia, with the love of his family surrounding him.

He joined Freeman’s executive sales group as national sales manager, exposition services, in 2007 after a 26-year career with Donald E. McNabb Company in Michigan in a variety of management and sales positions, including business development, account management, sales and marketing in the auto show, tradeshow and special event flooring industry. At McNabb, Clemons oversaw and managed many of the company’s largest client partnerships, and was well-known and respected in the auto show marketplace. He began his career with Sony of America as a marketing representative, later working for Bell and Howell Video Division as account director before he began his long career with McNabb.

Scott was born to Martha and William Clemons in Detroit, brother to David (Cindi), Mark (Karen) and Douglas (Jen).

Scott proudly attended Bloomfield Lahser High School, graduating in 1973. It was at Michigan State University that he built lifelong friendships in Delta Chi fraternity and met his former wife of 41 years, Karen (McNabb). He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from MSU in Telecommunications.

Scott and Karen married in 1978 and raised their three children, Kathryn (Jon) Parenteau, Laura (KiAundre) Garland, and Stephen (Alison), in Bloomfield Hills.

They spent their summers at Forest Lake Country Club, where Scott and Karen played golf, and the family enjoyed years of SICSA swim meets and time together, and made wonderful friends. Scott and Karen were active members at St Hugo of the Hills Catholic Church, where Scott was often a reader and commentator at Mass.

Scott was passionate about his work in sales, working in the niche event services space, providing custom flooring for auto shows, conventions, concert tours and more. He traveled the country and @EXHIBITCITYNEWS

Clemons family in 2015: Stephen, Laura, Karen, Scott and Kathryn

the world for his work, making friends everywhere he went. He loved travel and especially enjoyed family vacations to historic places near and far with Karen and their children.

Scott was a super fan of the Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings. For years, he carried a piece of confetti from the 1997 Stanley Cup Championship win in his wallet. He was a scholar of classic rock, enjoying his early career as a disc jockey, and he was an American trivia whiz. He loved the city of Detroit, its people, its music, its spirit, its cars and its grit.

In the final years of his life, he relished the role of “Poppy” to his grandchildren, Caroline Cole (10), John Patrick (8) and Ada James (3).

Scott is survived by countless friends, loving relatives and colleagues who will remember him for his charisma, warmth, passion and storytelling. He had a unique ability to make each person he encountered feel special, important and worthy. He was an energetic mentor, good buddy and constant cheerleader to so many, yet fully known by few. He leaves a great legacy of serving others in their time of need. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

On his online tribute wall, colleague Jennifer Eades wrote, “Scott and I met

when I began working for him at McNabb in 1995. He quickly became my mentor, guiding me through the labyrinth of the auto show/tradeshow/special event industry. I had the privilege of working with him daily, listening to all of his MSU tales, his golfing adventures and stories about his children as they grew. He and I shared a very similar taste in music, including Steely Dan. He’d crank his stereo for me to hear the music, annoying everyone else in the office...He was the best. I was fortunate to have spoken to him in September, giving me the opportunity to thank him for everything he’d ever done for me over the years. I’ll miss running into him on the show floor, having lunch once every blue moon but most of all, his energy and spirit. Thank you for everything, sir, may you rest in peace.”

The Clemons family is planning a celebration of life this summer. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Angela Hospice in Livonia or the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, the institutions that provided such exceptional care for Scott in his three-year battle with biliary cancer.

To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/20552286/ Scott-Frederick-Clemons/wall ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 43

IN MEMORIAM

Michelle Sanford

Michelle Sanford with Helen Sun in China

March 18, 1969 April 19, 2021

Kenny Merrill

Jan. 5, 1956 - March 20, 2021

K

enny Merrill, 65, started with Laser Exhibitor Service Inc. in 1993 in Southern California. In 1995 he assumed ownership of the new Denver, Colorado, office. He took a secondary convention market and treated it as the top market in the country. In his mind it was just that. His work ethic was second to none and his kindness and gentle manner was well known throughout the Rocky Mountain Region.

In January of 2020 he noticed a tingling in his feet. After many different diagnoses and a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., it was determined that he had contracted ALS. By January 2021 he decided that he wouldn’t put his family or friends through the grief of his disease.

He, instead, elected to apply for a self-euthanasia dispensation from the state of Colorado. He was granted that option.

Les Bunge, founder of L.E.S., talked to Kenny the day before he left this earth and said he was very much at peace with his decision. “I have never seen such bravery and caring for others so close up before. It was inspiring and heartbreaking at the same time. I cannot explain how much he will be missed by the entire L.E.S. family.”

Kenny is survived by his wife Dona, mother Mary, brothers Chuck and Larry, sister Suzette, daughter Sara and son Kenny Jr.

44 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

T

he Association of Equipment Manufacturers Senior Director of Contract and Vendor Management Michelle Sanford, 52, passed away on April 19 after a battle with cancer.

Michelle started her career as a secretary in the exhibitions department in 1994 and quickly grew in her career to become an integral leader of the AEM exhibitions and operations team. She oversaw operations for AEM’s many tradeshows, including CONEXPO-CON/ AGG, The Utility Expo, AG Connect and World of Asphalt. She traveled the globe to support international exhibitions in China, India and Russia, among other places. Through her leadership, AEM was able to advance their mission to create successful and effective opportunities to connect equipment manufacturers with agriculture and construction equipment end users.

“For more than 20 years, Michelle was a bright asset to the AEM team, and her infectious laugh and smile are profoundly missed,” says AEM President Dennis Slater. “A large part of AEM’s success in producing some of the largest tradeshows in the world are due to Michelle’s tremendous management skills and leadership. We all have a heavy heart as we move forward without Michelle. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.”

Michelle was a long-time member of International Association of Exhibitions and Events, earning her Certified Exhibition Manager designation. She shared her love for exhibitions on numerous councils and committees within IAEE, including the education committee, the CEM oversight committee that wrote the curriculum on the contract manage-

ment segment, and she also served as proxy for several other AEM staff looking to also receive the CEM designation.

She served on the board of the Major American Trade Show Organization and led that group in its strategic planning.

She was a member of the Advisory Group for the cities of Las Vegas and Orlando. She launched tradeshows on behalf of AEM in China and Russia, and she supported many other domestic and international events.

Michelle enjoyed time with family and giving back to her community. She volunteered at many organizations, but had the strongest connection with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin. Michelle served on their board and served as a direct volunteer.

She is survived by her husband, Donald, mother Claire MacKenzie, brother Doug (Nicole) MacKenzie, sister-in-law of Vickie (Mike) James, father-in-law Dannie Avers, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A celebration of her life was held on April 24 in Greenfield, Wisc. The AEM staff will honor Michelle when they are back together in the office in the fall.

To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.legacy.com/us/ obituaries/jsonline/name/michelle-sanford-obituary?pid=198391876 This story originally appeared at www.aem.org/news/in-memoriam-longtime-aem-team-member-passes

IN MEMORIAM

Michael Hart May 23, 1953 – March 12, 2021

M

ichael Hart, best known as the editor-in-chief for Tradeshow Week, died on March 12, at age 67, after a valiant but tragic battle with cancer. He attended the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., graduating from Raymond College, and as a graduate student pursued journalism at the University of Arizona.

His first job after graduate school was as the editor-in-chief of the Glendale Star and Peoria Times in the Phoenix, Ariz., metropolitan area. Michael’s interest in local journalism landed him a job with the Los Angeles Times in 1998.

He edited for the “Our Times” division, which focused on the vast diversity of L.A. neighborhoods. The L.A. Times’ takeover by The Chicago Tribune ended its neighborhood orientation, but Michael found another “local” niche in the business-to-business magazine realm.

He edited, first, the San Fernando Valley edition of The L.A. Business Journal, then moved on to become editor-in-chief of Tradeshow Week.

While at the helm of Tradeshow Week, Michael’s career took a pronounced turn. As the journal’s editor, he proved repeatedly that he was not only a firstrate journalist, but a savvy, candid and outspoken industry-observer. When business reporters needed a well-informed @EXHIBITCITYNEWS

source, Michael was always the first one they phoned. They knew they could count on him for accurate details, keen insights and maverick opinions.

Tradeshow Week served as the “must read” news weekly for more than 8,000 subscribers until, unable to compete with online news sites, it was shuttered in 2010, along with 25 other trade journals owned by its parent company, Reed Elsevier.

Out of a job, Michael moved to run the leading education-technology journal, and soon after to edit the number one event-industry monthly, EXPO, but that magazine survived only another five years before ceasing publication. The decline of print journalism was not totally kind to Michael, even though he had the foresight to master digital and online formats. Despite many challenges, he continued to work for a variety of media and event-related business firms as an editor, writer, conference producer and event organizer, until his retirement in 2019.

“Michael became the ‘go to’ journalist for the exhibition industry,” said Steven Hacker, principal of Bravo Management Group and former president of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events. “He was a passionate and reliable spokesman for tradeshows in the U.S. and around the world.”

“Michael was smart, curious and always probing for the ‘story behind the story,’” said Sam Lippman, president of Lippman Connects. “He was successful because he could be trusted. We in the tradeshow industry appreciated and benefited from his professionalism.”

Provided by Warwick H. Davies, principal, The Event Mechanic

Exhibit City News sends condolences to the families of Nth Degree and Atlanta Local 225 carpenter Michael Eulin, DC-Baltimore carpenter/rigger Jerry Boecher and San Francisco Teamster Local 85 Tanu Mamea.

Your tradeshow colleagues will miss you!

Tributes on social media include: “It saddens me to say farewell to my friend, Michael Eulin, so many years of memories! The Bah Haw & SixOne gang, Jed, Curtis Basden, Derek, Michael Eulin Sabrina Burch, Linda! RIP Mike, you are loved and will definitely be missed forever. May God comfort your family during this time.”

Martha St Louis wrote, “My condolences to his family. Mike was like family to me. He was a genius. My heart is deeply saddened” while another friend wrote, “This is so hard... like a brother for over 27 years....We lost a good one!!! I will miss you, Michael Eulin.”

“Union Carpenters Local 491 DC-Baltimore has lost Jerry “the King of Rigging” Boecher. The legend will truly be missed in the Brotherhood and SisterJerry Boecher hood of carpenters. He’s up in heaven hanging signs; he will truly be missed when working on the show floor. Godspeed, brother, I will truly miss you,” wrote Michael Markel.

René Paul Cinq-Mars wrote, “Jerry hung many of my signs over the years, he was a good man with a great sense of humor, Rest in peace Brother.”

Bob Reges shared, “Every time I see a Lincoln town car, I think of him. R.I.P.” Peggy Whittington wrote, “Jerry was always so sweet & kind!! Heaven has gained another Angel!! Prayers for his family!!”

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 45

THE D.E.A.L.

Dining, Entertainment, Attractions & Lodging

Kinley Hotel

DINING

The “Scenic City’s” Culinary Scene is as Scrumptious as its Scenery

by Jeanne Brei & Symeria Palmer Chattanooga may be overshadowed by its popular big brother, Nashville, but the Scenic City is less crowded, packed with Southern charm and one of the most affordable vacation destinations in the country. Recognized in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards as one of its “Top 10 Small Cities in the U.S.,” it’s most notably known as an outdoor mecca, while currently enjoying a culinary boom. Chefs are creating memorable meals with meat and produce sourced from local farms, and chocolatiers turn out desserts reminiscent of European cafes. No wonder Chattanooga is recognized as one of the “Best New Food Cities in America” by Thrillist.

ECN readers know how partial I am to everything vintage

and historical, and Company at Kinley Hotel is a modern, hidden speakeasy that combines the spirit of a bygone age with a warm, contemporary vibe.

Company offers innovative cocktails and delicious food in an eclectic atmosphere. The name is derived from the 1880s speakeasy in which frequenters became a community or “company” of those “in the know.”

Chattanooga’s most acclaimed restaurant, St. John’s Restaurant, serves inventive Regional American cuisine from Chef Patrick Sawyer in the former St. John’s Hotel building, an elegant, historic setting.

Built at the turn of the 20th century, the flatiron building evolved from hotel to brothel to abandoned and condemned in the ‘90s. Fortunately, it was rescued and restored and today, diners rave that every dish surpasses their high expectations as the restaurant uses only local vegetables picked on the day of service and seafood caught within the previous 24 hours.

Another highly acclaimed restaurant is the Bridgeman’s Chophouse, located in the heart of downtown Chattanoo-

ga in the historic Read House Hotel. This upscale chophouse offers distinctive private dining experiences for groups and features not only USDA Prime beef and chops with an extensive steak selection, but also offers the freshest seafood in Chattanooga, including a grand seafood tower, raw oysters and a variety of fresh fish as well as one of the city’s largest and most diverse wine lists.

Housed in Chattanooga’s newest luxury boutique hotel, The Edwin, Whitebird is an upscale restaurant that has partnered with local producers and artisans to serve innovative, organic Southern fare. Its menu features delicious French Toast Bites and Sweet Potato Donuts for breakfast as well as more serious entrees like “The Whitebird,” a whole Poulet rouge chicken, honey and tea lacquered breast and leg, with a wild mushroom fricassee.

Meanwhile, the hotel’s rooftop bar, Whiskey Thief, is named after the tool used to test whiskey throughout the barrel, and celebrates Tennessee's signature spirits with more than 100 whiskeys. The bar offers

46 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

Capos

stunning views of the city with panoramic views of the mountains, the Tennessee River, Chattanooga’s North Shore, the historic Walnut Street Bridge and the Bluff View Arts District.

For those whose taste buds are more adventurous, PROOF Incubator is a new food and beverage incubator, kitchen, accelerator and bar. Chef Kenyatta, one of Chattanooga’s top chefs, recently opened Neutral Ground, a modern New Orleans-style Po-Boy and Yakamein restaurant there. Also in downtown Chattanooga’s sizzling Southside, State of Confusion features a variety of madefrom-scratch offerings ranging from Latin American cuisine to Peruvian cuisine prepared on traditional Argentine grills.

For the more budget conscious, there’s Market South—a neighborhood food hall anchored by Five Wits Brewing Company. Market South features Trunk Railroad (Indian street food), Chow Main (Asian inspired wok fare), Slow Rise (Roman-style pizza), The Green Room (craft coffee, cocktail and vinyl record shop) and more.

Or you could stop by The Choo Choo and sample some of its restaurants, including Nic & Norman’s—a new restaurant concept from director Greg Nicotero and actor Norman Reedus of The Walking Dead.

No visit to Chattanooga is complete without a stop into Clumpies Ice Cream Co., and just across the street from the Choo Choo, you’ll find handmade chocolates, truffles and pastries at The Hot Chocolatier.

Lastly, the city’s first food truck park opened for weekends this spring downtown.

With a rotation of six local vendors, there is always variety at Food Truck Alley.

ENTERTAINMENT

Chattanooga Choo Choo’s Station Street Is Where the Party Starts

by Jeanne Brei & Symeria Palmer The Southside of Chattanooga downtown—home of the Chattanooga Choo Choo—is where art, culture and entertainment thrive and, according to locals, a night out on the town starts on Station Street.

Formerly an alleyway, Station Street was renovated to become pedestrian friendly, provide patio access to the restaurants and entertainment venues, and provide an outdoor space for special events. It recently became the 11th street nationwide to allow on-street consumption of alcohol (only from businesses adjacent to the street). So you can take your drink down the street with you as you check out the Comedy Catch for some stand-up, Regan’s Place to do some retro dance moves to music from the ‘80s and ‘90s, Westbound Bar for some country line dances and two-stepping, Songbirds (14,000 sq. ft. of music bliss with great sound quality), Terminal Brewhouse, Gate 11 Distillery, Frothy Monkey, Backstage Bar, American Draft, Refinery 423, Sweetly Southern and the amazing STIR, where every bite and every sip is crafted daily from scratch, using ingredients predominately from farms and vendors within 100 miles of Chattanooga—including its oysters and seafood cold bar. There’s even an Escape @EXHIBITCITYNEWS

Pints and Pedals, Chattanooga’s Ultimate Pub Crawl on Wheels

Experience at the Choo Choo where you’re trapped inside an armored transport rail car and the runaway train is bound for destruction. With help from Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, the inside mimics the sights, sounds and feel of being inside of an out-of-control train. Your only chance is to make it to the back of the train and jump.

Originally built in 1909 as the Terminal Station, it was transformed into the cornerstone of Chattanooga’s emerging entertainment district as the Chattanooga Choo Choo in 2016 (after renovations in 1973 and 1989 to restore its grandeur). The Beaux-Arts-style station was one of the grandest buildings in town, featuring an arched main entrance and an 82-foot-high ceiling dome with a skylight in the center section.

The arched main entrance was said to be the “largest arch in the world” with lighting provided by large brass chandeliers. The iconic Choo Choo recently underwent major renovations including upgrades to the 112-year-old Terminal

Station lobby, Glenn Miller Gardens, and Building One, and conversion of Buildings Two & Three into apartments.

Just down the street, the Terminal Brewhouse became the first brewpub in Chattanooga in 2006. Now it serves excellent food and award-winning beers made on-site by the master brewers. Based in the Strong building of 1910 that was originally built to house a hotel for passengers using the nearby Terminal station, in later years it was used as a speakeasy and illegal casino during Prohibition. Visitors can enjoy traditional fare such as nachos, steaks, lasagna, salmon and a wide range of pizzas to go with one of the Brewhouse beers.

Brewmaster Steve Purdie produces ales, including Oatmeal stout, Maibock, Belgian White, American Copper Ale and West Coast IPA. Fortunately, getting around couldn’t be easier or greener.

Electric buses run daily about every 5-15 minutes from the Choo Choo to the Tennessee Aquarium with stops every block in between, giving conve-

nient access to the downtown attractions, convention center, shopping and hotels. Since 1992, the quiet, environmentally-friendly, electric buses have run more than 1.9 million miles, saving an estimated 65 tons of pollutants.

Of course, they also have the bicycles you can rent for your touristing. Or Pints and Pedals is Chattanooga’s Ultimate Pub Crawl on Wheels. You can leisurely pedal and drink with your friends or make new ones while visiting the hottest spots in town on tours that are usually two hours long and visit three to four bars.

For the more culturally refined, like nearly every major city, Chattanooga has its share of performing arts spaces, including the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, the Tivoli Theatre, the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium and more. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Fine Arts Center has rotating displays of fine art. From Station Street to the ballet and the symphony, Chattanooga has it all.

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 47

THE D.E.A.L.

The Glenn Miller Gardens at the Chattanooga Choo Choo

ATTRACTIONS

Enjoying Both Chattanooga’s Great Outdoors & Museums

By Jeanne Brei & Symeria Palmer Chattanooga is known for its beautiful natural surroundings—after all, its very name derives from a Creek word for nearby Lookout Mtn., meaning “rock rising to a point.”

Outdoorsy folks will find no shortage of world-class climbing, hiking loops, kayak routes and mountain biking trails, but there are also wonderful museums, the country’s top-rated aquarium and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum— which allows you to experience the romance of the rails with its full-sized train ride tours.

The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, “America’s Most Amazing Mile,” climbs the mountain at a breathtaking 72.7 percent grade near the top—which gives the 48 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

incline the distinction of being the world’s steepest passenger railway. Established in 1895, the trolley-style railcars are now fully accessible with air-conditioning as they carry you cloud-high. At Lookout Mtn. Station, the free observation deck is the highest overlook on the mountain.

Located atop Lookout Mountain, just six miles from downtown Chattanooga, Rock City is a true marvel of nature featuring massive ancient rock formations, gardens with 400+ native plant species and breathtaking “See Seven States” panoramic views. Visitors may cast their wish upon the 140-foot high falls, visit the world-famous Lover’s Leap or wend their way through massive rock boulders and caverns to Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village.

Or you can go inside Lookout Mountain where you’ll see the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the U.S.—Ruby Falls.

Visitors descend 26 stories by elevator and then walk 60-80 minutes during a guided tour

to the breathtaking waterfall, 1,120 feet underground.

Helping Chattanooga get the nickname “The Scenic City,” the Tennessee Riverpark includes more than 150 acres along the Tennessee River with playgrounds, public art, recreational areas, fishing piers, historical sites, facility rentals and more. One of its most popular amenities is the Chattanooga Riverwalk, which offers a 13mile, family-friendly, paved multi-use greenway. Beginning at TVA’s Chickamauga Dam and stretching south along the river through downtown and extending to the base of Lookout Mountain, the landscaped and lighted concrete Riverwalk is used for bicycling, in-line skating, walking and jogging and has canoe and kayaking launches, too. Since opening in 1987, the Tennessee Riverwalk continues to be recognized as one of the region’s premier greenways. In 2016, a $16 million expansion added three miles and includes the Amphitheater at Blue Goose Hollow (site of Bessie Smith’s first home and where she began

singing for coins as a young girl), Chattanooga Bike Share station, a pavilion and more.

Within walking distance of downtown Chattanooga, Bluff View Art District specializes in the visual, culinary and landscape arts. The historic neighborhood sits high atop a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River. For more walking, the Walnut St. Bridge, erected in 1891, is one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges, connecting downtown to the north shore.

The Hunter Museum of American Art is built on a 90foot limestone bluff overlooking the Tennessee River and is comprised of a 1905 classical revival mansion, a low-slung 1970s building and a 2005 contemporary structure that showcase 100 years of architecture and houses one of the finest collections of American art in the Southeast. The collection spans the history of American art from the colonial period to the present day, and includes painting, sculpture, contemporary studio glass and crafts.

Art lovers will also enjoy the 33-acre Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, curated and designed by world-renowned artist John Henry. The non-profit outdoor museum has 27 large-scale sculptures by artists from around the world.

One of the nation’s top children’s museums, the Creative Discovery Museum, inspires children’s passion for learning through play. And for more family fun, AT&T Field is home to the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

And, finally, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center is undergoing renovations in 2021.

Photo courtesy of choochoo.com

Dining, Entertainment, Attractions & Lodging

LODGING

All Aboard the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel Luxury Sleeper Car!

By Jeanne Brei & Symeria Palmer

Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel

soul of musicians who visited during the 1920s Jazz Era, the revamped hotel will also feature a 40-seat cinema, recording studio, a 1970s-style lounge and restaurant.

The Choo Choo Complex began as Terminal Station, designed in the famous Beaux Arts style, and opened in 1909 as the first railway station in the South. It closed its doors when the last train departed in 1970. After nearly being demolished (as the nearby 115-yearold Union Station was) in 1973, it was rescued and converted into a hotel and entertainment complex. In 1974, the Choo Choo Hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places and remains one of the city’s first historic preservation projects. With history and hospitality at its heart, the 24-acre complex boasts a convention

center, hotel and resort with restaurants, shops, the Glenn Miller Formal Gardens (named after the world-famous musician who recorded the Chattanooga Choo Choo song in 1941) and more. The Gardens sit on two acres where the 14 tracks and seven platforms served millions of train passengers.

Another time-traveling gem is the Gatsby-themed Read House Hotel, a unique historic getaway where modern-day, luxurious comfort meets timeless Chattanooga charm. Conveniently located in the heart of downtown, it’s walking distance to the city’s greatest attractions. And The Edwin Hotel, Autograph Collection, is a new upscale boutique hotel also in the heart of Chattanooga with elegant, dog-friendly hotel rooms and suites, large desks, free wi-fi,

Photo courtesy of choochoo.com

Chattanooga hotels are part of the reason the city is quickly becoming a top vacation destination. Nowhere else can you find the unique choices of staying in a historic railroad sleeper car or atop a bluff overlooking the river or on a mountain overlooking all of Chattanooga.

The iconic Chattanooga Choo Choo complex will soon unveil its latest facelift—a complete overhaul of the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel.

Led by design-centric hotel brand Life House, the project will convert the 132-room hotel into a four-star boutique property featuring luxury Pullman Train Car suites. Guests can step back in time by staying in a beautifully restored authentic sleeper car, once reserved for only the wealthiest of passengers during the railroad era.

Celebrating Chattanooga’s locomotive history and the

generous living areas and impressive Tennessee River views. Whether you want to explore Ruby Falls, visit the Convention Center, tour the Tennessee Aquarium or walk the historic Walnut Street Bridge, you can do it easily from this riverfront hotel. The rooftop pool has great views of Lookout Mountain and the downtown scenery.

Other new and renovated hotels include Aloft by Marriott, BODE, DoubleTree by Hilton, Hotel Indigo, Home2 Suites Chattanooga, Kinely Hotel, Tru by Hilton and Westin Chattanooga.

But for something completely different, The Crash Pad: An Uncommon Hostel, provides a base camp and community hub for adventurous travelers that combines the affordability and camaraderie of a traditional hostel with the charm and cleanliness of a boutique hotel. They’re the first LEED Platinum certified hostel in the world and the fifth such project in Chattanooga, thanks to their highly efficient wall system, green roof, solar array, heavy use of reclaimed materials in their furniture and fixtures, and other highly visible green initiatives. And they’ll help you plan your climbing, biking, running, kayaking and other outdoor adventures.

@EXHIBITCITYNEWS

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 49

Visit Our Website DAILY UPDATES COVID-19, Tradeshow Calendar, People on the Move, News, International News, Features From the Print Magazine & Historical Features too!

Check ExhibitCityNews.com for the latest, breaking news in the industry!

50 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

*Disclaimer: All shows are subject to cancellation, check the official event website on the ECN Tradeshow Calendar for the latest information.

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

U.S. CENTRAL Show National Association for Bilingual Education - NABE-HYBRID Business Builder Day Halloween & Attractions Show Texas Dental Association - The TDA Meeting

All Information Is Subject to Change*

Start 04/28 05/06 05/06 05/07

End 04/29 05/06 05/09 05/08

Venue George R Brown CC Galaxy Event Center America’s Center Henry B Gonzalez CC

City Houston Meridian St. Louis San Antonio

St Att TX 2000 ID MO TX 12K

Exh Nsf 250 25K 700 370 50K

Industry Education Business Gaming & Entertainment Healthcare

Start 05/05 05/05 05/17 05/19

End 05/05 05/09 05/19 05/20

Venue OK State Fair Park WI State Fair Park Expo Ctr. Embassy Suites Rockside Duke Energy CC

City Oklahoma City Milwaukee Cleveland Cincinnati

St Att OK WI OH 400 OH

Exh

Industry

90

9000

Start 06/10 06/14 06/27 07/06

End 06/12 06/15 06/29 07/09

Venue Hilton DC Washington Hilton Roland E. Powell CC Javits CC

City Washington Washington Ocean City New York

St DC DC MD NY

Exh 18 50 200 367

Nsf 2400

Start 06/09 07/16 08/09 08/09

End 06/10 07/18 08/11 08/11

Venue Westerner Park Metro Toronto CC Courtyard by Marriott Courtyard by Marriott

City Red Deer Toronto Ottawa Ottawa

St Att AB 1000 ON 18K ON ON

U.S. MIDWEST Show Oklahoma Super Trade Show Greater Milwaukee International Car & Truck Show Ohio Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling - PHCC/ACCA American Contract Manufacturers Association - AmCon

Nsf

All InformationAutomotive Is Subject &toTrucking Change*

Building & Construction Manufacturing

U.S. NORTHEAST Show American Society for Artificial Interal Organs - ASAIO Financial Managers Society - FMS Forum Maryland Municipal League - MML Annual Int’l Restaurant & Foodservice Show of NY & PMQ’s NY Pizza Show

Att 715 250 1500 16135

Industry Healthcare Financial & Legal 21500 Government 64545 Restaurants/Food Svc

CANADA Show Alberta Pork Congress Lift & Co. Cannabis Expo ICCE - International Conference & Exhibition on Clean Energy ICANM - International Conf. & Exhibition on Advanced & Nano Materials

!

@EXHIBITCITYNEWS

Exh Nsf 150 29600 268 13

Industry Agriculture & Farming Healthcare Energy Manufacturing

!

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 51

*Disclaimer: All shows are subject to cancellation, check the official event website on the ECN Tradeshow Calendar for the latest information.

Tradeshow Calendar

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

U.S. NORTHWEST Show American Contract Manufacturers Association - AmCon Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conf. - PMA American Society for Nondestructive Testing - Digital Imaging & Ultrasonics for NDT HydroVision International - Clean Energy Northwest Foodservice Show Central Valley Facilities Expo

All Information Is Subject to Change*

Start 06/22 07/21 07/27 07/27 08/01 08/04

End 06/23 07/22 07/29 07/29 08/02 08/05

Venue Tacoma CC Monterey CC Silver Legacy Resort Spokane CC Portland Expo Center Modesto Centre Plaza

City Tacoma Monterey Reno Spokane Portland Modesto

St WA CA NV WA OR CA

Att

Exh

Nsf

Industry Manufacturing 1900 201 15700 Food & Beverage Science 2639 358 52400 Energy 5000 300 Food & Beverage 1900 225 23500 Plant Eng. & Operations

Start 05/05 05/07 05/09 05/15 05/20 05/20 06/02

End 05/06 05/09 05/11 05/18 05/22 05/21 06/05

Venue MS Coast Coliseum & CC Prime Osborn CC Fontainbleau J.W. Marriott Turnberry Ernest N. Morial CC Myrtle Beach CC Orange County CC

City Biloxi Jacksonville Miami Beach Miami New Orleans Myrtle Beach Orlando

St MS FL FL FL LA SC FL

Att

Exh

Nsf

Start 05/12 06/08 06/09 06/12 06/16 06/18 06/20

End 05/14 06/10 06/12 06/15 06/18 06/20 06/21

Venue Las Vegas CC Las Vegas CC Bellagio Hotel Paris Hotel Mandalay Bay Phoenix CC Las Vegas CC

City Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Phoenix Las Vegas

St NV NV NV NV NV AZ NV

Att 4286 55K 1287 3500 38K 1800

U.S. SOUTHEAST Show Gulf Coast Food & Fuel Expo Jacksonville Auto Show International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy - ISET-HYBRID American Association of Plastic Surgeons - AAPS The Precast Show - National Precast Concrete Assn - NPCA Southeast Petro-Food Marketing Exposition Vision Expo - East

Industry

Automotive & Trucking 1500 70 Healthcare Healthcare 4200 365 73200 Building & Construction 1700 450 Food & Beverage 15K 700 254K Healthcare

U.S. SOUTHWEST Show Tobacco Plus Expo - TPE World of Concrete Vegas Cosmetic Surgery Vacuum Dealers Trade Association - VDTA The Intl. Surface Event - Surfaces/StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas/TileExpo American Dental Hygienists’ Association - ADHA International Beauty Show - IBS Las Vegas

Exh 274 1.5K 158 200 639 130 350

Nsf 50000 725K 52000 53000 311K 15000

Industry Stores & Store Fittings Building & Construction Healthcare Housewares Building & Construction Healthcare Beauty & Healthcare

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Color Printing • Rack cards • Brochures • Booklets • Everything else 52 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

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

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

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

Aadvantaged Displays A Harmony Nail Spa AllSpace Group BWC Visual Technologies CDS (Corporate Display Specialties) CEP (Chicago Exhibit Productions, Inc.) Champion Logistics Clementine Creative Services Condit CorpCom

57 56 55 54 58 56 58 54 56 58

CorpEvents Equip, Inc. Exhibitrac Direct Marketing Horizon Print Solutions Jami as Marilyn Monroe Tribute Artist LaborSource Las Vegas Power Professionals Lip Smacking Foodie Tours OnPoint Presenters Prism Lighting

55 59 59 58 54 57 56 57 58 57

Quality EFX Massage Roman Transportation & Logistics SISTEXPO (in Mexico) SmartSource The End Result Logistics Company TWI Group Virtual Trade Show Exhibitor Training YOR Design YOR Swag Your Event Audio

54 59 56 55 57 59 55 55 59 54

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

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 53

INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE

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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

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INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE

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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

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INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE

LaborSource In addition to offering Installation & Dismantle labor for the tradeshow industry, LaborSource also provides direct labor contracting tailored to the specific needs of the retail/ commercial construction business. Whether it’s a renovation, remodeling, demolition, fixture installation or full build out, LaborSource is uniquely positioned to provide a wide range of services to support our clients’ needs. To learn more, please check out our new LaborSource website at www.laborsourcegroup.com

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EndResultLogistics.com

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847-304-1113

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

•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 May/June 2021 57

INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE

CorpCom

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

Since 1985, CorpCom has provided tradeshow and event solutions-custom exhibit/graphic design, production and rental programs including turn-key logistics support. Corp-Event New England provides Installation/Dismantle and General Contracting services in Boston and across the Northeast.

Offering local warehousing and special rentals at a moment’s notice. Our commitment is to build strong partnership through dedication—we are not a vendor but part of the team. www.CorpCom-Events.com

Logistics

Printing

Attention Exhibit and Event Companies

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.

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

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

Printing

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

58 May/June 2021 Exhibit City News

CDSpartner.com

We Can Provide You A Local Presence Product Specialists

• 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

800-367-2531

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

INDUSTRY SERVICE GUIDE

TWI Group TWI Group Inc., the premier specialist in domestic and international tradeshow shipping and exhibition logistics, is an all-in-one destination for any type of industry. The hallmark of our service is the personal attention and on-site support we provide. Specializing in exhibition freight forwarding, transportation and arranging customs requirements worldwide, TWI provides event managers the luxury of not worrying about freight shipments at 21,500+ exhibitions in 60+ countries. If your exhibiting plans include an international venue, give TWI an opportunity to prove that Delivering First-Class Service Every Time is not just a concept for us, it’s a reality. www.TWIgroup.com

Promo Stuff

Tradeshow Furnishings

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

Tradeshow Lists

@EXHIBITCITYNEWS

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

Trucking

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 59

2021 EDITORIAL CALENDAR* *Content is subject to change

JANUARY-FEBRUARY

MARCH-APRIL

January (print & digital)

March (print & digital):

February (digital only)

April (digital only):

• America Starts with Tradeshows Rallies • Year in Review • Building Your Virtual Team Regional Focus: Southeast U.S. (Focus City: Savannah, GA) • Technology Show/Products • AV/Lighting/Graphics/Photography • Corporate Social Responsibility International Focus: Germany

MAY-JUNE

• The End of an Era • How Technology Will Pave the Way Back • Road to Recovery: Pivoting to Survive Regional Focus: Midwest U.S. (Focus City: St. Louis, MO) • Exhibit Building & Design • Show Management/Kits • Vendors International Focus: Mexico

JULY-AUGUST

May (print & digital):

July (print & digital):

June (digital only):

August (digital only):

• Feature: The Power of Advocacy • Exhibitor Advocacy Group White Paper • On the Return to the Showfloor Regional Focus: Southeast U.S. (Focus City: Chattanooga, TN) • Mobile Exhibits • Warehousing/Material Handling • Extrusions International Focus: Hong Kong

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER

• Survivor-themed issue • Women in the Industry • Industry Salespeople Regional Focus: Southeast U.S. (Focus City: Houston, TX) • Insurance/Legal/Contracts • Floor Coverings/Flooring • Tension Fabric International Focus: U.K.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER

September (print & digital):

November (print & digital):

October (digital only):

December (digital only):

• EXHIBITORLive Preview • Giveaways/Incentives • General Contractors Regional Focus: Southwest U.S. (Focus City: Las Vegas, NV)

• Lead Retrieval v. Data Matching/CRM • Tradeshow Marketing/Traffic • Social Media International Focus: Canada

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

• Special/Corporate Events • New Product Showcase • Corporate Social Sustainability Regional Focus: Northeast U.S. (Focus City: Philadelphia, PA) • Healthcare • Industry Salespeople • Security / Safety International Focus: China

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

Advertiser Index 4 Productions

63

4Productions.com

31

Brumark.com

26

ChampLog.com

2, 21

WeAreCircle.com

49

ClementineCS.com

3

Nolan Advisory Services (NAS)

13

OA Visuals (Oscar & Associates)

17

OscarAndAssociates.com; HelloOA.com & OAVisuals.media

CorpCom

7

Corpcom-Events.com

Rosemont – RES

41

Rosemont.com

CorpEvents - New England

17

Corp-eventsid.com

Sho-Link Inc.

37

Sho-link.com

Design to Print

15

DesignToPrint.com & Pillows4Show.com

EDPA Foundation

SMT Expo

21

SmtExpo.com

41

EDPAFoundation, EDPA.com & RSMGC.org

Superior Logistics

15

ShipSuperior.com

5

Employco.com

TCF Center (formerly Cobo)

41

TCFCenterDetroit.com

51

ExposuresLtd.com

Total Show Technology (TST)

4

TotalShowTech.com

13

HillPartners.com PrintEfficiency.com

Momentum Management

NolanAdvisory.com

Clementine Creative Services

Horizon Print Solution

15

MomentumMgt.com

Circle

Hill & Partners

Las Vegas Mannequins/Las Vegas Store Supply LVMannequins.com & LVStoreSupply.com

ChampionLogistics

Exposures Ltd. Photography

39

LaborInc.ca

Brumark

Employco USA

Labor Inc.

Tradeshow Job Board

50, Back Cover

TradeshowJobBoard.com

52

Willwork

32

Willwork.com

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

ExhibitCityNews.com May/June 2021 61

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Secure Your Placement In These Future Editions

PM

The Survivor-Themed Issue / Women in the Industry / Salespeople

(July / August) Focus City: Houston

ExhibitorLive Preview / Giveaways/Incentives / General Contractors (September / October) Focus City: Las Vegas

Special/Corporate Events / New Product Showcase / Corporate Social Responsibility / Security/Safety (November/December) Focus City: Philadelphia

CALL SALES TODAY! 702-309-8023 or at newsdesk@exhibitcitynews.com