Exhibit City News - May 2015

MAY 2015 • VOL. 21 • ISSUE 3

ExhibitorLive!

Recap p. 32

Expo Milano p. 66

FIT’s 10th Anniversary p. 26

Woman on the Move Shelley Simpson-McKay

p. 48

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STAY CONNECTED

TABLE OF CONTENTS

76

Features

MAY 2015 • VOL. 21 • ISSUE 3

18

ExhibitorLive!

Recap

Continental Shifts

p. 32

Expo Milano p. 66

FIT’s 10th Anniversary p. 26

Same booth, different countries

Woman on the Move Shelley Simpson-McKay

24

p. 48

EXHIBITCITYNEWS.COM

Liquid Courage

US $6 CAN $8

Incorporating water elements into exhibits

COVER PHOTO BY:

Gary Michael Prochorchik

26

ExposuresLTD.com

FIT to Lead NYC’s Fashion Institute of Technology celebrates 10 years

Cover Story

33

48-53

The Ties That Bind

Woman on the Move

Thematic booths at EXHIBITORLIVE 2015

Recognizing accomplished females in the tradeshow and exhibition industry

56

Columns

Structural Integrity

12

Contributing Writers

As the Saw Turns The Last Five Percent

13

16

The Green Piece How to Change the World in Seven Days

14

Employment Strategy Corner

68

5 Basic Exhibit Tips for Success

By Kristin Hovde

60

Need to Hire A Recruiter?

Standards, not Standardization!

In this issue

By Geoff Donaghy

10 The Snapshot 78 Tradeshow History 98 Regional Show Calendar 105 Classified Ads 110 Service Guide

62 Marketing in Latin America – A Revisit

By Kelli Steckbauer

64 Singapore’s MICE Industry Stays Ahead of the Curve

By Sarah Chew

6 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Javitz Center arial photo by David Sundberg/Esto.; Lawrence Weekly photo courtesy of LVCVA

Extrusions systems by continent

PUBLISHER’S WORDS

MASTHEAD PUBLISHER Donald V. Svehla Jr. 702-309-8023 ext.102 dons@exhibitcitynews.com

Greetings to readers everywhere!

W

elcome to our May print edition…the second edition under our new sleek, glossy format!

THANK YOU all for so much positive feedback! The new format for our six print issues per year is a perfect complement to our online digital news products! Our print editions are packed with features on people and companies that are unique to ECN. Our columnists, educational and historical reports, and coverage of industry associations cannot be found elsewhere.

Through exhibitcitynews.com, we are very often first to market breaking news that affects the way we work and our earning potential. Updated every day of the year, exhibitcitynews.com, combined with our Newsblast products, is a vital communications tool where all segments of our industry interact. Our Web and digital presence is connected through all major social media channels. You can opt-in for our Newsblast products from our website as well as subscribe to receive the print issue, or by filling out the form on page 93.

COVER: Women in the Industry: Women Leaders Who Take Charge! Our only regret is that we can only introduce our readers to a small fraction of incredibly talented and driven individuals out there making a difference every day. They help shape what our industry will look like years and decades into the future. They do this by tutoring and mentoring younger industry talents, not only on their staff, but through industry associations and local community outreach.

Highlights this month include: EXHIBITORLIVE post-coverage; the upcoming Expo Milano: World’s Fair Addresses World Hunger; the inaugural North American Meetings Industry Day; and Earth Day Celebrations all over the world. We also have features on Extrusions (See Structural Integrity, page 56), and a look at FIT’s 10th graduation class (See FIT to Lead, page 26).

COMING TO ECN IN JULY! Be sure to watch for our special four-month look at Tradeshow & Event Labor starting in July. A lot has changed in the nearly thee years since we last did an in-depth look into this important segment of our industry.

Don Svehla | Publisher

8 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Editorial MANAGING EDITOR Zeenath Haniff 702-309-8023 ext.111 zeenathh@exhibitcitynews.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Kristan Obeng 702-309-8023 ext.103 krissyo@exhibitcitynews.com ART DIRECTOR Thomas Speak thomass@exhibitcitynews.com COLUMNISTS Haley Freeman Phillip H. Kemper Jim Obermeyer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sarah Chew Geoff Donaghy Kristin Hovde Kelli Steckbauer John Stuart

Sales DIRECTOR OF SALES Kathy Anaya 702-309-8023 ext.105 kathya@exhibitcitynews.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE John Harrison 702-309-8023 ext.104 johnh@exhibitcitynews.com CIRCULATION 702-309-8023 ext.100 kathya@exhibitcitynews.com

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THE SNAPSHOT

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Location: Manhattan, New York, New York Year opened: 1986 Original square footage: 760,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space Current square footage: 840,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space Last venue project: A top-to-bottom renovation project completed in 2014 Origin of venue name: Named after the late U.S. Sen. Jacob K. Javits Largest show to date: New York International Auto Show Fun fact: Nicknamed the “Marketplace for the World�

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PLUS! Where to eat, sleep and play near Javits on p. 76

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 11

COLUMN

The Last Five Percent

O

n a recent morning, manager. Not to complain or I stopped at my local to berate the person preparing bakery-café. I ordered the sandwich, but to offer a bit the same breakfast sandwich of advice about completing the I order almost every time. final details of the project – in When I received my order, this case, the presentation of my wife caught me just the sandwich. staring at my plate.

Instead, I just re-as“What’s wrong?” sembled my sandwich she asked. and ate it. But it still “It’s the last 5 perbugged me… cent,” I said.

I wonder how many My sandwich of my clients are As The Saw Turns was on the plate, ‘just re-assembling

By Jim Obermeyer but it was spread the sandwich’ when out across it. The contents something we do misses the of the sandwich looked like mark. How often do we miss they had been tossed from a those last few details of a projdistance toward the bottom of ect that would create strong the bagel, and mostly missed loyalty, and instead leave our their target. clients ‘bugged’? How often The sandwich was hot; it can you leave your client had all the correct ingredients, bugged before they decide not but the way they were scatto be a client anymore? tered across the plate showed What happens when the clia real lack of concern for ent asks for a specific quote on presentation. I actually cona specific list of services and we sidered asking to speak to the miss one on the estimate? Or

12 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

they ask for specific elements to be included in a design and we show them something other than what they ask for?

What happens when the set up print for the new exhibit has the panel numbers mislabeled and the I&D team doesn’t figure it out until they’re well into the install and have to take it apart to fix it? Or the pack list for the job indicated that the set up prints are in crate five, when at the last minute they were tossed into crate two – near the bottom, underneath a pile of exhibit parts?

What do you do when the new fabric graphic that was just ordered at the last minute was not test fit before shipping and ends up a couple inches too long for the SEG frame it needs to fit into?

We’ve all had these things – and many similar issues – happen to us and our clients.

And in many cases, they occur when we are busy, pushing lots of projects through our businesses. It can be easy to miss the small things. But they are also easily preventable. And they can be so frustrating when we don’t catch them.

It really is just that last 5 percent: Review that estimate one more time before sending it. Compare that design to the requirements before presenting it. Check the set up print against the actual labeled parts. Review the pack list before placing the prints in a crate. Test fit the fabric.

So why do we miss these little things so often?

Many would argue that getting 95 percent of the project correct is an incredible thing.

We should be proud of our success. Maybe so. But I know if we focus on that last 5 percent, rather than just taking a little longer to get it right, we’ll save all the time and aggravation from when we have to correct mishaps in the field – either when presenting in our clients’ offices or setting up on the show floor. I suspect if you analyzed it, we spend a lot more than 5 percent correcting the errors than if we had just spent a little more time to get it 100 percent correct the first time.

I also know that the last 5 percent is what takes our clients from being ‘satisfied’ to being outrageously loyal. It takes our clients from “Yeah, they’re good. They miss a few things now and then, but for the most part they do well” to “These guys are incredible; they nail it every time. I can’t imagine working with anyone else!”

I want my clients to be the latter. And as a client and consumer myself, I also want to be that satisfied customer. I want my sandwich all together in one place on the plate.

See you on the show floor.

Jim Obermeyer has been in the trade show industry over 30 years, both as a corporate trade show manager and exhibit house executive. He is a partner at Reveal, a trade show marketing firm. He can be reached at jobermeyer@ revealexhibits.com.

COLUMN

How to Change the World in Seven Days

W

hat rhymes with Andreini explained that “heavenly” and his company – whose mothas the power to to is “People Matter” – was inspire great change right founded on the belief that it is here on planet earth in only possible to run a highly effecone week? The answer is Sevtive, for-profit business that enly – a small company with a values people over profits. He big reach. offered big names like Toms In 2011, Sevenly was creShoes, Ben & Jerry’s and ated by four people with a The Body Shop as examples shared vision of “leading a of “companies that have generation toward genachieved tremendous erosity.” Every week, social good operating Sevenly partners a for-profit business. with a new cause and A company can act uses its social media like a great corporate savvy to get the word citizen by operating The Green Piece with transparency out, raise funds

By Haley Freeman and change lives. It and authenticity, commissions original “cause creating jobs and contributing art” and offers merchandise to a better community. Many ranging from T-shirts to jourof today’s millennial employnals to wall art. Of every item ees want their income to come purchased, $7 is contributed from a company that is more to the week’s featured cause. socially responsible.”

“Bringing awareness isn’t Sevenly has lived up to its just about raising money,” mission. In only a few years, it said Sevenly’s president, Larry has raised nearly $4.5 million Andreini. “We use the exfor global causes and touched pression, ‘wear how you care.’ the lives of over 1.3 million The cause lives on in apparel, people. It has been lauded by which gives our supporters a major media sources, and in way to show what’s import2014 was recognized by mashant to them and continue to able.com as “America’s most spread the message to others.” social business.”

Featured charities are wellIf we think of the tradeshow screened and must complete space as a provisional comSevenly’s application in munity, where like-minded order to initiate a campaign. people come together for a Sevenly looks for registered brief period to share ideas, 501(c)(3) organizations with products and innovations, an established social media then it is also an ideal place presence. Then the team takes to share meaningful dialogue up the cause, working its arabout the social causes that tistic and technological magic are important to a particular to inspire support. company within the commu@ExhibitCityNews

nity, or to the community at large. Sevenly has become adept at making the most of social media to initiate conversations about important social issues. This raises an interesting opportunity in the tradeshow environment, where social media communities are formed to stimulate dialogue before, during and after a show.

Andreini invites meeting planners to contact Sevenly about aligning around social causes. By working with Sevenly in advance of a show date, it may be possible for companies or tradeshow communities to throw their support behind a cause during show week, thereby leveraging their combined resources to stimulate dialogue, increase awareness and generate financial resources. Recently, a large entertainment brand provided Sevenly with a matching grant of $50,000 toward a campaign benefitting Autism Speaks, resulting in $14 raised for every T-shirt sold.

In a storefront right next door to Sevenly’s offices, another innovative business is working to bring awareness and funds to global causes.

Share & Do Good is a boutique retail store in Fullerton, Calif., that sells merchandise to support social causes and pass along the stories of the people behind them.

Founder and owner Lilly Tokuyama has a background in non-profit work and Chris-

We think of the tradeshow space as a provisional community. tian apparel sales. She was inspired to open her store after encountering a number of cause-related merchants at tradeshows. Tokuyama wanted to craft a retail space where consumers could put their hands on sustainable merchandise and learn about the people who created it.

Share & Do Good is located inside the historic Chapman building, a five-story structure built in 1923 and once the tallest building in Orange County.

The store offers its beautiful store space as an event venue for both non-profit entities and businesses looking for a unique setting in which to bring people together.

Green Tip: Contact Sevenly to support a cause during your next event. www.sevenly.org Consider Share & Do Good’s sustainable alternatives for tradeshow giveaways. www.shareanddogood. com and www.shoptiques.com/ boutiques/share-do-good ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 13

COLUMN

Need to Hire a Recruiter?

Important Signs That Will Remind You It’s Time

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hen companies begin, no matter how small and on how many “shoestrings,” money and funding are in short supply. Owners and partners are forced to perform as many basic business functions as possible. As a startup or small business, where cash flow and cash control are critical, you need to keep one eye on the money at all times – for many months, and even years.

As we have seen so often, one way that entrepreneurs con-

trol costs is by being a jack of all trades and assuming more than one job on the organization chart. But, as growth takes place, there comes a point when it will be more cost-effective and -efficient to hire in specialists, such as accountants, bookkeepers and IT support, to take care of peripheral aspects of the business. Yet the question is, “When is the right time?”

1. Regularly hiring friends without assessment It is indeed tempting to hire

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14 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Employment Strategy Corner

By Philip H. Kemper

friends, referrals and acquaintances without assessing skills properly. And they can help to fill an urgent search need you may have. But if this represents your entire hiring policy, then this is a high-risk policy. There are likely to be people on the market who may be able to add far more value to your firm. This is a sign you might need to hire an experienced search firm.

what you spent on hiring staff.

If your cost and time spent on hiring is becoming excessive, e.g. amounts that are negatively impacting profitability, it could be time to hire a recruiting firm. Since you hire them at a lower rate than yourself, this will give you more time to work in a more profitable way, which can easily offset the costs of the recruitment support.

2. You have to stop billable work to recruit If it becomes apparent that job vacancies are reducing your ability to serve clients properly and you must take valuable time to find those replacements, then it may be more cost-effective to have a specialist recruiter do the hiring, so you can continue to focus on billable work.

For example, personally taking time from your job for two weeks might cost the company $20,000, yet using a recruiter could cost as little as $12-15,000, and in the process, you would not have to ignore billable client projects.

4. Lack of preparation If you are not preparing job descriptions, offer letters and contracts when hiring staff, this is a clear sign you may need to hire a specialist recruiter. These are the basics of good hiring practice, and if you are not doing this, you are placing yourself at much higher risk of making an unsuitable new hire.

3. Excessive time and cost Most small businesses use time sheets to track billable time for client invoicing, but ‘unbillable’ time is often not recorded. Don’t let that unbillable time turn into a black hole. Track all unbillable time and cost (based on your charge-out rate) to find out

5. Excessive empty desk time Ask yourself: “How long are your desks staying empty?”

Often the cost of engaging specialist hiring support will be offset by the increased output achieved from hiring someone faster. Professional recruiting firms definitely cut down hiring time, and can get that empty desk back into full production quicker.

Philip Kemper is founder/president of Kemper Associates, a 38-year-old Chicago-based national executive search firm. Contact Phil at kemperassociates.org or kemperassoc@ hotmail.com.

EXHIBIT BUILD & DESIGN

5 Basic Exhibit Tips for Success

BY KRISTIN HOVDE

No matter how many tradeshows you attend each year, each one should be a smash hit. Before you spend another dime, spend some time learning what makes for a successful tradeshow exhibit so that you can get the largest ROI and have the best chance of meeting your tradeshow goals.

Location, Location, Location If you can, get a layout of the show floor and determine where you can set up your exhibit to stand the best chance of

being seen by as many attendees as possible. You’ll more than likely have to pay a bit extra for one of the best spots, but it very well might be worth it. One thing to keep in mind is that the best spots are usually the first to go, so act fast.

Does Your Exhibit Look Inviting?

Your exhibit is your home away from home, and just like a home, it should look approachable and welcoming rather than foreboding and threatening. Specifically, you’ll want anyone staffing the booth to

appear friendly and well put together.

When attendees are approached, staffers should be able to answer any questions asked or at least be able to point attendees in the right direction. Finally, have different ways to market your business, such as fliers, QR codes and pamphlets.

How does your target audience prefer to receive their information?

Give Your Booth Visual Appeal Any exhibit displays you have don’t have to be the biggest or the most col-

The story of telling.

Your brand’s story is the brainchild of facts, feelings and interpretations. Pulling all those facets together to create a complete picture of your story – that’s in the telling. And that’s what we do: We tell your brand’s story by integrating cutting-edge technologies with hands-on craftsmanship. Passion with dedication to detail. Dramatics without the drama. And we do it all under one roof. Which says we understand it takes ongoing collaboration, strategy and the diverse talents of many to give your story the ending your looking for: Prospects becoming customers.

16 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Visit us at www.groupdelphi.com Call 800-536-4545

Booth designs should be inviting and exhibit the company’s individual style.

orful, but they should look as good as possible. What individual style does your business have? Does your exhibit booth accurately display that style? Whatever message you seek to send to tradeshow attendees, make sure they can see it in the overall look of your booth or exhibit.

Come One, Come All It’s also a good idea to have singers,

models or entertainers at your booth to draw in a crowd. If you utilize this method, try to make it so that the entertainment ties in with your overall industry, market or business brand.

exhibits. Make sure attendees know that this special or discount is only available at the tradeshow, so they’ll act fast. Any specials you have should be clearly displayed at your booth.

Have Show Specials Just like you might have specials on your business’ social media profile, you can do the same for your tradeshow

Kristin Hovde is the website manager for Smash Hit Displays, an online supplier of U.S.-made tradeshow exhibits. She also has written many conference and event-related blogs for Smash Hit Displays.

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 17

EXHIBIT BUILD & DESIGN

Continental Shifts IF CHRITTO-PUNCH BUILDS IT, THEY WILL COME

BY KRISTAN OBENG

“If you build it, he will come.” In the 1989 film “Field of Dreams,” this quote represented the protagonist’s overwhelming desire to construct a baseball field.

In 2015, this message could also pin18 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

point how taking design-build requests from clients wanting to exhibit overseas strengthened the partnership between the leaders of San Diego-based Punch Visual Concepts and Cologne, Germany-based CHRITTO International AG.

Punch Partners Steve Phillips and Patrick Keegan along with CHRITTO President and CEO Dittmar Mueller replicate exhibits on their own side of the pond for the international clients they exchange.

On their home turfs, Punch and CHRITTO are separate entities, but to serve clients worldwide, they formed CHRITTO-Punch LLC in 2006.

They fulfill the wishes of clients who don’t want the hassle of shipping their exhibits continent to continent. For instance, this process works when CHRIT-

Left: CHRITTO (Europe) Right: Punch (U.S.)

TO uses an exhibit design Punch produced for a client in the U.S. and adapts the design-build to European standards.

Phillips and Mueller met and became friends at the now defunct TS2 Show in 1999. As early as 2003, their companies started exchanging clients in friendship before cementing their LLC. Learning to communicate the differences in their countries and operations was the first step in their partnership.

After CHRITTO sent a trainee to work within Punch’s headquarters for three months, the companies gained a better @ExhibitCityNews

understanding of what each required.

Although the nuts and bolts of the exhibits may differ due to the differences in exhibiting in North America versus Europe, design aesthetics and functionality usually remain the same or as close as possible.

Building in Germany For those who think the first step is to look for an exhibit builder when arriving in Germany, take a step back. “You purchase exhibits in the U.S. Continued on p. 20 ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 19

EXHIBIT BUILD & DESIGN Continued from p. 19 before purchasing booth space. In Europe, the booth space is where you start,” explained Mueller. “The U.S. has standardized booth spaces, such as 10’ x 10’ or 20’ x 20’, so you can purchase the booth and ask the show organizer for the booth space and usually get the space. In Europe, there is no standardization. Some of the halls are older, and they are looking to optimize the booth space. It doesn’t make sense to purchase the complete booth.”

So when CHRITTO implements a design from Punch, the company not only takes into account measurement differences -- such as going from feet or inches to millimeters or centimeters -- but it also customizes the exhibit for what works in that particular European

DIFFERENCES IN EU

• Nespresso coffee bar added • Approval needed to use a U.S. exhibit concept • Easier installation of exhibit, digital signage and AV/lighting

exhibit hall.

Booth sizes in Germany can also be larger than expected. In the U.S., island exhibits are 20’ x 20’ or higher, but in Germany, these exhibits are a minimum of 30’ x 30’.

Mueller described how clients could get their U.S. exhibit’s dimensions as close as possible to European standards.

“If U.S. clients have an island booth, they can get a corner booth in Germany,” he explained.

Bigger and heavier exhibits reoccur in Europe as drayage isn’t a problem like it is in the U.S. Hard wood raised flooring is a common sight because exhibitors aren’t allowed to run cables or water pipes under carpet.

SIMILARITIES • • • • •

LED signage Motion lighting OCTANORM system Translucent exhibit design Signage animation restricted at both medical shows

“In Germany, there is no drayage.

If the booth is heavy, we don’t mind,” added Mueller.

Building in America In the U.S., on the other hand, a different mindset takes shape.

“Building structures in the U.S. is about ROI --it has to last, be lightweight and effective. Those are the parameters we work within. Those parameters change overseas,” added Keegan.

The bigger, heavier exhibits in Europe are rounded out by lightweight aluminum frame systems that originated on the continent to help its tradeshow industry to become more sustainable. These systems quickly spread to North America because

DIFFERENCES IN USA

• Fabric ratings differed in U.S. • Lighter frame systems • Design to maximize ROI

Two medical shows, two identical exhibits To deliver a globally consistent look for ViewRay, a technology provider for the health care industry, Group Delphi produced duplicate design-builds in North America and Europe.

20 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

ViewRay’s experience was simplified by using similar exhibits at European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology Forum and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Meeting and Exhibition. – Kristan Obeng

Left: CHRITTO (Europe) Right: Punch (U.S.)

of their cost-savings in terms of drayage and installation.

“When we build the booth, we build what makes sense in the U.S. Everything in the U.S. is modular and able to put in crates. We are duplicating the design. We don’t get down to the nuts and bolts of it,” Keegan commented.

CHRITTO and Punch use different frame systems as it has no bearing on the overall exhibit design. There are more perks to using lightweight aluminum frame systems in the U.S. than in Germany.

Costs from union labor and drayage add up, making it more expensive for U.S. exhibitors to use heavier materials in their booth.

@ExhibitCityNews

These costs don’t exist in Germany.

European exhibit houses provide turnkey services, including transportation and installation and dismantle (I&D), which renders union labor and I&D companies useless on the continent.

Building challenges in America and Germany Obstacles often arise when producing duplicate exhibits in countries with different standards.

Certain laminate or pantone colors are not offered in Germany. In this case, CHRITTO uses an in-house spray-painting machine to adapt to a color. If it’s in the budget, CHRITTO imports laminate,

They fulfill the wishes of clients who don’t want the hassle of shipping their exhibits continent to continent. which is preferred in the U.S. Finding similar furnishings for the exhibits can also be challenging; it’s difficult to match pantone colors or reds, according to Keegan.

Luckily, according to Mueller, IKEA furniture and other international brands can be found in the U.S. and Germany.

North America, in particular, has numerous furnishing options, added Keegan.

Using suppliers from China is an option in the U.S., but in Germany, there are design copyright issues.

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 21

THANK YOU, LAS VEGAS! This year, NAB Show brought more than 100,000 attendees from more than 160 countries to the amazing City of Las Vegas.

It has been a monumental year and we cannot thank our dedicated venues, vendors and the City of Las Vegas, enough for this remarkable success.

The continued growth of NAB Show is allowing the world to come together to build a global network of learning, innovation and collaboration in the media and entertainment space.

• A to Z Events • Agility Fairs & Events Logistics • American Sign Language Communication • Aramark • Cox • DTA Security Services • Eastridge Workforce Solutions • Encore Productions • Experient • Expovision • FedEx Kinkos • Freeman • Freeman Audio Visual • Freeman XP • Global Antenna Services • Guardian Elite Medical Services

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

IATSE, Local 720 IBEW, Local 357 Judy Venn & Associates Just Ask Where Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Bureau Las Vegas Metro Police Lucky Limousine Renaissance Las Vegas Robb Cohen Photography & Video Scootaround Specialized Transportation Inc. Teamsters, Local 631 TLC National Convention Plan Services Inc. Transportation Management Services Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Wynn Las Vegas All Participating Las Vegas Hotels

Thank you again for allowing us to continue to create positive change and influence in our industry across the globe.

SAVE THE DATE FOR 2016 Conferences: April 16–21 Exhibits: April 18–21 Las Vegas, NV

NABShow.com

Join Us! #NABShow

EXHIBIT BUILD & DESIGN

Liquid Courage THE GLASS HALF FULL APPROACH TO DESIGNING WITH WATER

BY KRISTAN OBENG

Water features are some of the most purposely used elements in exhibit design. Never does it seem to be utilized without rhyme or reason due to the challenges of its intangible nature.

Unlike solid exhibit material, liquid slips away. Fluid leaks easily from accidentally punctured containers during transportation or installation. This could spell disasContinued on p. 24

@ExhibitCityNews

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 23

EXHIBIT BUILD & DESIGN Continued from p. 23 ter on the show floor, especially if it leaks through carpet that is covering essential wires. (Tip: Use laminate flooring!)

Surprisingly, there are few regulations about using water elements as part of exhibit design in the U.S., as demonstrated by the experience of SPOON Exhibits & Events. On the other hand, water features could be regulated on a venue-by-venue, show management-by-show management

or country-by-country basis.

No need to fear. Using water features carefully and correctly can be a smooth in and out. Water features need maintenance just like any other moving part on the show floor, according to Orrie Capone, vice president at SPOON Exhibits & Events.

Although unlike some other moving parts, water optimizes the design message, which designers and creative

directors readily welcome. It underscores a brand or product and complements an overarching theme.

As an uncommon sight on the show floor, water is an instant draw that also pleases exhibitors and attendees due to its cool, refreshing, reviving nature.

SPOON Exhibits & Events – Liquipel With a brand like Liquipel, it was obvi-

No Waterworks from IWC Schaffhausen IWC Schaffhausen, an international fine watchmaker with an in-house design department, pulled off a 1,000 square-meter underwater themed exhibit despite venue regulations prohibiting the use of water features.

Palexpo Geneva Congress Center in Switzerland doesn’t allow the use of water displays. This is due to the location of a technical basement below the show floor and the need to avoid accidentally damaging expensive equipment, according to IWC Associate Director of Strategic Planning Christoph Grainger-Herr.

Also a concept designer, Grainger-Herr transformed his

24 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

company’s exhibit with 3D projections of 18,000 images of the Galapagos Islands, which inspired IWC’s Aquatimer watch collection. Sophisticated lighting, a 30-foot-long chandelier made of more than 2,000 Plexiglas bubbles and faux hammerhead sharks hanging from the ceiling added to the presentation at the 2014 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, an annual private event for luxury watchmakers.

Each year, IWC designs luxury exhibits in-house but hires an outside company for the build. Its past designs include Formula 1 racing and airplane themed exhibits. – Kristan Obeng

ous to SPOON Exhibits & Events that a 16foot high water wall suited its client’s 30’ x 50’ exhibit at 2014 International CES. The only challenge was smoothly getting it into the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“Water and fire inside buildings are not easy tasks to replicate. I think everyone on the practical side of the industry sees challenges bringing water and fire into buildings,” stated Orrie Capone, vice president, SPOON Exhibits & Events.

“Everything transported in has to be self-contained, and you have to make sure nothing affects the foundations of the venue. There is always concern with assets, such as how they are handled by transportation companies.”

A small water tank emphasized that the chemical process Liquipel, created to protect mobile devices, works. Smartphones sunken in the tank survived to be used again thanks to the chemical protectant. While this was an interesting

Everyone on the practical side of the industry sees challenges bringing water and fire into the building. demonstration, the water wall garnered the most attention.

“The water wall started below Liquipel’s hanging sign, bringing you right in.

It will get your attention wherever you are,” explained Capone. “Part of it was luck for [Liquipel] getting that location on the show floor. Las Vegas Convention Center is a good environment to get access to water and drainage ports.”

Because the water wall proved powerful in attracting attendees, SPOON’s staff spread out the exhibit’s custom elements to give them space to shine.

This was made easier due to the sheer size of the exhibit.

“You have to make sure the booth space is big enough to use a water wall effectively. You need to make sure you have a 20’ x 20’ or 20’ x 30’. I typically recommend a 30’ x 40’ or 30’ x 50’,” added Capone.

SPOON successfully maintained flow in terms of the exhibit layout and by cleaning the water wall’s nozzles after each show day. Additionally, the exhibit house furthered Liquipel’s goal to help attendees understand its product.

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FIT to 1 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Getting Its Start

o Lead Graduate Exhibition Design Program Celebrates 10th Anniversary

By Zeenath Haniff

At its start in 2004, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Graduate Exhibition Design program, located in New York, experienced a difficult launch.

This involved issues with the curriculum, the complexity of the exhibition program and determining how in-depth to study the exhibit design process. Taking two years to carve its niche, the program hit its stride following its first year.

Professor Frank Rispoli sought Exhibit Design + Producers Association’s (EDPA) support in the creation of a new master’s degree program in exhibit design. Conferring with the exhibition industry organization, program directors met with Gwen Parsons, senior vice president, Nomadic Display; Norm Friedrich, president, OCTANORM USA Inc.; Mark Johnson, CEO, Star Exhibits & Environments; and Dan Cantor, owner and CEO, Hamilton Exhibits. EDPA board members offered to review course outlines to ensure they met current industry needs and additionally promoted an unpaid internship program for enrolled students.

EDPA’s prior efforts with Drexel University, Auburn University, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to develop an exhibit design degree were met with political roadblocks until a collaboration with Rispoli led to a master’s degree at FIT. “We immediately shifted our energy to support the proContinued on p. 28

@ExhibitCityNews

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 27

FIT to Lead

Graduate Exhibition Design Program Celebrates 10th Anniversary

The students we graduate will be taking the next step in the industry

FIT students working on lighting design

Continued from p. 27 gram with the understanding that experienced EDPA members would provide the input for what students were taught.

FIT agreed,” stated then-3D Exhibits senior vice president Larry Kulchawik, who is currently retired from the industry. “We wanted graduates who could step in running when hired as designers.”

Conducting an industry-wide survey, EDPA uncovered top characteristics desired by exhibit companies hiring designers – creativity, computer skills and communication skills. To incorporate these requirements into the curriculum, Norm Friedrich vowed to put the “D” back into EDPA, according to Kulchawik.

Additionally, exhibit com28 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

panies had diversified beyond exhibits, expanding into other design areas such as museums, retail and product showrooms, and therefore, requiring exhibit design students to study a broader range of design.

With a fresh start, a new goal was initialized in 2005 for a holistic exhibition design program covering everything from proof of concept to design to implementation. By reviewing preliminary documents and offering critical advice for the program’s refresh, the EDPA members and industry veterans directly influenced how the courses were planned and taught.

“These industry experts were instrumental to the reor-

ganization of the degree program. They’re not just giving FIT feedback, they’re making the program possible,” said Brenda Cowan, associate professor and chair of graduate exhibition design, FIT. “They helped determine what courses need to be taught, the duration of the program and how much we need to include in technical design.”

Now with a greater level of depth in the subject matter, students would be able to conduct research on interactive components or learn the history behind museum design, for example, in their exhibition design studies.

Architects Craig Berger, then associate chair of the visual presentation and

exhibition design, SEGD; Jan Lorenc, cofounder, Lorenc + Yoo Design; and Lee H. Skolnick, founder, Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership, co-authored “What is exhibition design?”, a book extensively used to guide coursework within the Graduate Exhibition Design program. As a reference guide, the book encompasses the totality of exhibition including tradeshows, museum spaces, visitor centers, and even parks and recreation.

First consulted as an industry professional, Berger began his involvement with FIT as an advisor – later to turn into a full-fledged career in academia.

Serving as chair of the undergraduate exhibition program since 2011, he now seeks to use the undergraduate curriculum as a conduit to bring students into graduate level studies.

“Through working in a leadership capacity in the graduate program, I was able to find my true calling in becoming an academic leader, which allowed me to take on the role as chair of undergraduate exhibition program,” realized Berger.

According to Brenda Cowan, Berger’s concurrent role as

an industry professional and academic advisor helped to produce profession-wide benchmarks and criteria to differentiate the program from others.

After facilitating the course development, EDPA wanted to form ongoing, committed involvement. Adam Beckett, president and CEO of Derse, spearheaded the creation of the University Affiliation Programs for EDPA that worked directly with FIT. The program is co-chaired by Mark Johnson and Norm Friedrich.

Now built into the curriculum is a mentorship program pairing each student with a personal industry advisor throughout the duration of

Craig Berger with student

their studies.

“The commitment was for helping the industry create a better product in the area of creative services. Also, I really

enjoy giving back and seeing the young talent prosper,” commented Johnson.

Friedrich, Kulchawik and calan communications Found-

er and Partner Alan Cordial, among others, became involved in the EDPA Foundation’s annual student design competition. Kulchawik chaired the Academic Leadership Committee for EDPA in 2005, working with the EPDA Foundation to eventually offer scholarship funding, including the EDPA Scholarship that awards $2,000 annually to an exhibition design student.

“I see trained exhibit designers as the neurosurgeons in the world of tradeshow marketing – the top of the food chain for connecting the world through tradeshows and events,” commented Kulchawik.

Continued on p. 30

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FIT to Lead

Graduate Exhibition Design Program Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Continued from p. 29

Leading The Way Four years after the program established its foundation, Brenda Cowan, whose background in museum and exhibit design complemented the academic mission, assumed the role of chair.

“It is interesting to know that these prominent industry leaders created a graduate program’s curriculum and launched it, and that the program has grown and flourished, seen significant advancements in its first 10 years, and continues to be a part of the ever-growing network of professionals from the EDPA, and other organizations as well,” said Cowan.

Directing a leader-oriented, narrative program, the exhibition industry professional and associate professor helped graduate students develop proofs of concept and presentations along with design work.

“Brenda developed the structure and leadership role maintained at the school to30 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

day,” Berger commended.

“Brenda’s enthusiasm and leadership kept the candle burning bright, and has propelled the program forward.

10 years forward!” lauded Kulchawik.

Crediting the original EDPA members who helped shape the program into its current state, Cowan emphasized that key contributors like Mark Johnson, Norm Friedrich and Larry Kulchawik have continued to participate through the program’s evolution – from its rocky start to today.

“Being a part of the very beginning, talking about the industry from the first-person point of view and staying engaged throughout the year – providing critiques, devoting time to be co-chairs – helped us stay current and relevant, and helped the students achieve their benchmarks,” said Cowan.

“The whole program has been reexamined, revisited to be totally fresh. Mark

[Johnson], Norm [Friedrich] and Larry [Kulchawik] are trying to make sure the students we graduate will be taking the next step in the industry. The reality is they want the industry to survive and be vital. They want to produce graduates who have a very strong, fundamental knowledge of the industry.”

Adding that the group’s level of involvement in the academic program given their full-time businesses and leadership positions is incredibly rare in academia, FIT has benefitted from the combined years of experience and expertise.

“They’re on the frontlines of large exhibit companies; they know the whole sweep of the industry and all of its elements,” Cowan asserted.

“Having industry professionals from top leadership positions who are so selfless and eager to spend time creating a curriculum is really unusual in an academic program.”

As part of the program, Cowan regularly invites professionals with a deep understanding of the industry as speakers and advisors to graduate students studying exhibition design, including Mark Johnson, a past president of EDPA. “FIT has a long history of being committed to its students and the industries it serves. Over the years the program has grown and developed into a great program that is internationally attended, that continues to work hard to serve the exhibit and event industry,” Johnson boasted.

From left to right: FIT Thesis Juror Joe Nicholson, Brenda Cowan (center) with alumni, Brenda Cowan in cap and gown at graduation.

“The dedication of the faculty and students are inspirational, and I am proud to be even a small part of the program.” studioMUSarx LLC Principal Joe Nicholson AIA, NCARB, IDSA, serves as a student thesis juror for Master of Arts degree students.

“Following an initial evaluation of the program in 2004, it was the rewarding encounters with students who are curious, creative and dedicated that continues to shape my positive perception of the exhibition design program at FIT,” said Nicholson.

“The students come from various work backgrounds and countries to engage in a collaborative studio approach to exhibit design. In the process, they encounter lectures from a wide range of professionals associat@ExhibitCityNews

ed with the practice of exhibit design. This level of exposure, along with their studio assignments, informs their desire to embrace the field of exhibit design in meaningful ways that will benefit both commercial enterprises and museums.

As a result, their creative skills coupled with a determination to excel have led to a consistently high level of student work as exhibited annually by their final thesis projects.”

sure that we keep our hands dirty. They understand and are dedicated to the value of rolling up your sleeves and doing work.”

To further enhance educational offerings for graduate students, Johnson, Friedrich and Cowan plan to expand the curriculum to include studies on overseas practices.

An international travel seminar in global professional practices will be hosted by OCTANORM in Germany in January 2016.

Along with teaching exhibition design, the program cultivates leadership skills

to prepare students entering the industry.

“Our goal is not to reflect the industry, but to develop a process or approach found in the industry and take it to the next level. We’re fostering design pioneers not just to be workers in the firm, but to be leaders, which is very different than what exists in most academic programs,” Berger shared.

With in-depth knowledge of exhibition design and guidance from its industry experts, graduating FIT students are poised to lead the future world of exhibition design.

A Decade to Celebrate More than 150 industry professionals – including capstone judges and individual companies – have provided their expertise over the 10 years of the program.

They’ve given workshops, presentations, provided critiques, etc.,” stated Cowan.

“We’re not just reading books; Mark [Johnson] and Norm [Friedrich] in particular make ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 31

EXHIBITORLIVE! POSTSHOW

COVER AGE The Ties That Bind p. 33 Buyers Choice Awards p. 40 EDPA Chapter Events p. 42 EDPA International Events p. 44 beMatrix Awards p. 46

32 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

THE TIES THAT BIND

How to unify booth & brand

By Zeenath Haniff AN ATTENDEE ONLY SEES ONE THING when walking by a booth – the theme. Whether it is an all-out motif complete with themed characters and giveaways or a booth plastered in the company’s branded colors or logo, the exhibitor’s corporate message is (or should be) tied directly to its outward appearance.

In advertising, marketing experts measure an advertisement’s success by the number of impressions. What about the impression that an exhibit, essentially a three-dimensional ad, can attract on the show floor? While not every attendee may @ExhibitCityNews

step foot inside a booth, passersby can form an impression of its look and feel in a split second.

Several exhibitors at EXHIBITORLIVE, a conference, tradeshow and corporate event for marketing professionals held March 1-5, 2015, in Las Vegas, took their booth themes to a whole new level.

It is Vegas after all, isn’t it? Focusing on a specific messaging, each theme astutely enhanced the companies’ objectives while simultaneously delighting attendees and fellow exhibitors alike.

Continued on p. 34 ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 33

EXHIBITORLIVE!

POSTSHOW THE TIES THAT BIND COVER AGE

Continued from p. 33

CHARITY

E

xhibit Concepts Inc. (ECI), a design, fabrication and program management firm specializing in branded environments, tried to connect with its audience…literally. Its well-calculated campaign revolved around string art – artworks created by stretching a network of threads between accurately plotted pins.

The 20 x 20 space featured eye-catching abstract art created by nylon ropes and paracord woven within two wooden frames.

Debbie Smyth, a textile artist from the UK, also created a live string art mural over the three-day exhibition. Revealing the images of two minds – one resembling a question mark and the other with a lightbulb – the final product perfectly reflected ECI’s motto “Where Challenges and Ideas Connect.”

“For us, the concept is inspired by the idea of making connections with companies that value what ECI does, and that is helping them to identify their brand problems and then execut34 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

ing effective ideas that solve them,” explained Michael Mudry, vice president of creative & marketing, ECI. “Thus, the notion of connections led to the metaphor of String Art, where the strings are representative of the connections between us and our clients and subsequently, the solutions we connect to their challenges.”

Merging the design concept with its charity efforts, ECI selected Shoes That Fit, a national organization that provides new shoes for underprivileged schoolchildren. A donation was made on behalf of each attendee who completed the booth activity, which doubled as a qualifier.

“We’re happy that we could make our brand initiative more personal for EXHIBITORLIVE attendees by having them share in the experience of making a real connection with children in need, and we are proud to support Shoes That Fit,” shared Kelli Glasser, president and CEO, ECI. At interactive “Connect the Dots” engagement stations, attendees crafted their own individual string art. Two pieces of string were used to answer a series of questions, one by the attendee and one by an ECI representative. The activity

began with amusing icebreakers such as which musical artist one would likely go see in concert. Continuing on, industry related questions would determine the attendee’s exhibit program needs.

Respondents would answer by looping their piece of string around the corresponding pin. If both chose the same answer, then their strings would have made a connection.

“Rather than ask attendees to interact with an impersonal iPad or other digital technology that promotes Exhibit Concepts, our goal is to simply get to know the audience, identify if they have any challenges we can solve and determine if it makes sense for us to continue our conversation after EXHIBITORLIVE,” commented Mudry.

The attendee-signed “work of String Art” would be photographed and later emailed in a post-show follow-up.

“The intent is for the audience to have a non-selling and fun experience, while at the same time learning about ECI and cre-

Exhibit Concepts cleverly tied its string art theme with a charity that donates shoelaces.

ating a physical recording of their conversation,” Mudry added.

ECI certainly did some fancy footwork – attendees were entertained by live-marketing, engaged with an interactive questionnaire, cleverly qualified and charitably donated to a good cause simply by stepping foot inside the booth.

Continued on p. 36

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EXHIBITORLIVE!

POSTSHOW THE TIES THAT BIND COVER AGE

Continued from p. 35

GIVEAWAY

T

here’s nothing too special about a coffee giveaway at a tradeshow – except if you visited MG Design’s booth, a 20 x 30 double deck transformed into a functioning coffee shop and even staffed with national award-winning baristas.

To fully immerse attendees in the experience, MG Design, a provider of exhibit design and event planning services, offered specialty coffee orders served by waitressing booth staff. The personal service put “yo[u],” the attendee, at the center of its MuG campaign – “Great Coffee. Great Experience.”

Aside from the alluring aroma, with smell being a key factor in “promoting” its coffee giveaway, MG also captured its audience through the taste of gourmet espressos and chai lattes as 36 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

well as the welcoming feel of soft-cushioned seating throughout the space. Guests could hear the acoustic sounds of MG’s own Marc Schulte, an exhibit designer and accomplished guitarist who performed an MG Design jingle composed just for the occasion. Completing the theme was a coffee table book for exhibit managers to see inspiring designs.

Creating a comfortable environment required MG Senior Exhibit Designer Ryan Scholtes to conduct field research and observe interactions at actual coffee shops.

“Technology is driving the industry, but there’s a point when it can be too much or even intimidating. People sometimes like basic interaction,” Scholtes explained.

“Most of the time you can grab someone’s attention through a good story. Using artifacts to help explain the history of your company, in some cases, is a better solution. People like history

MG Design Exhibit Designer Marc Schulte performs an original ‘MG jingle.’

Hear the song: https://vimeo.com/122147146

because we lived it, which makes us familiar with the subject matter, and we have a better understanding.”

Scholtes turned to MG’s own Design Attic for inspiration, the design workspace at its Pleasant Prairie’s headquarters created to resemble late founder Michael Grivas Sr.’s first Chicago attic office in 1959. The team brought accessories and wall decorations from the current MG Design Attic to add to the authenticity of the design, which included rhinoceros head coat hangers; antique globes and suitcases representing the well-traveled, global company; and paddles from a ping pong table with which the MG team and clients are familiar.

Other elements that helped pull the look together included brick graphics to symbolize the foundation of the company and industrial fiberglass intermixed with natural wood materials to simulate an urban feel. Digital touchscreens that mimicked windows juxtaposed actual reclaimed window frames hung just adjacent to the screens, and a sliding barn door hid the storage area.

An open mic area with zany messages on a community board @ExhibitCityNews

was the stage for Marc Schulte, an exhibit designer at MG Design. Formerly a band member of Moods of Melody during design school, Schulte’s background in music came in handy when he compiled a set including approximately 15 original songs.

“Design and music go hand in hand. It’s all in the balance of simplicity versus complexity by layering sound to make something new and fresh – something that grabs and holds attention,” shared Schulte.

To create a fuller sound, Schulte, who singly played up to 40 songs over the three-day show, used a looper pedal to lay down multiple tracks on the guitar.

Incorporating a double deck space for the first time this year, the company both showcased the addition to its rental inventory and created additional seating in a vertical space that would foster deeper conversations.

The chic space was both modern and homey, turning a simple giveaway – a cup of joe – into a fully immersive experience, one sense at a time.

Continued on p. 38 ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 37

EXHIBITORLIVE!

POSTSHOW THE TIES THAT BIND COVER AGE

Continued from p. 37

BOOTH ACTIVITY

G

roup Delphi, a diversified enterprise offering tradeshow solutions and services, is refocusing its exhibit design program toward social anthropology to drive engagement, and its booth during EXHIBITORLIVE served as the launching pad.

Melding the two fields of tradeshows and museums, the firm is utilizing experiential design to return to analog, according to Justin Hersh, CEO, Group Delphi. Rethinking its measurement tactics at tradeshows, Group Delphi defined a new metric requiring attendee engagement, deeming it a “return on conversion.”

Due to the advent of digital content and mobile devices, audiences are seeking more real, unbiased and social interactions. The company is, therefore, shifting toward utilizing more content as a form of advertising and pushing it to the forefront of its exhibit designs.

“The tradeshow model today is a fairly broken model,” Hersh explained. “Sensory drives the totality of the experience, leading to more engagement and activation through an exhibit’s architecture to drive real conversation with an attendee.”

Centering its exhibit design on the attendee’s learning experience, Group Delphi created opportunities for personalization. Cognizant that each

38 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Attendees donned 3D glasses to view Group Delphi’s “Wonderwall”

individual absorbs information in different ways, Group Delphi created multisensory learning activities throughout its space.

For tactile learners, a hands-

on chair building exercise was both creative and functional, allowing attendees to construct and customize a furniture piece by hand. Videos of

the award-winning snap-together chair and its creator educated auditory learners.

Turning to its employees to populate the meaning of the

Group Delphi brand, a “Wonderwall” for visual learners required 3D glasses to view a virtual scrapbook showcasing Group Delphi employees’ jobs and personal interests.

Integrating relatable booth activities directly into the build was both resourceful and economical in design. Additionally, layering in marketing to complement the physical and digital components cleverly promoted the brand.

With each activity catering to the attendee’s unique learning styles, Group Delphi created an engaging, personalized experience for every single guest.

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EXHIBITORLIVE!

POSTSHOW NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE COVER AGE

3.

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WELCOME TO THE TRADESHOW FAMILY

By Zeenath Haniff

JUDGED BY THE PRODUCTS’ level of innovation and helpfulness on the job, among other pre-determined criteria, a panel of corporate marketers and exhibit/event managers evaluated submissions to the New Product Showcase at EXHIBITORLIVE, held March 1-5, 2015, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Of 43 entries, six were awarded the Buyers’ Choice Award as they made their official debut into the marketplace. Ushering in a new generation of gadgets, this year’s winners ranged from lighting solutions to virtual technology.

40 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Volanti Displays | Forza Mobile Video Wall (1)

Volanti Displays, a Silicon Valley-based provider of large display systems for the commercial market, wheeled in a portable video wall technology. A first of its kind, the FORZA mobile video wall provides an innovative solution adaptable to any venue.

“In testing, there was a ‘buzz’ regarding this product,” stated Michael Sarich, business development manager, Volanti Displays. “It’s definitely unique; people kept coming back to take another look.”

5.

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Wheeled carts transform into the product’s base and frame to display a 94- or 110-inch video wall. A gas-spring mechanism allows users to pop the lever for display modules to rise automatically, setting up fully in less than 20 minutes.

“In the past, video walls weren’t easy to put up or take down.

The FORZA Mobile Video Wall has changed all that,” said James Henry, CEO, Volanti Displays. “With FORZA, no custom setup or additional labor is needed—just pop and show.”

High definition LCD technology is offered in models for both indoor and outdoor use. Pre-configured wiring takes the guesswork out of assembly while industrial strength wheels allow for easy movement and positioning.

Other Buyers’ Choice Award winners included: Curve Display System from Eve Products Limited (2), Showgo Virtual Assistant from Showgo Virtual Software (3), Klik Magnet Display System from Fusion Imaging (4), SGS Solutions Inc. from ShowBattery (5) and XPOVID-Analytics from ELITeXPO (6). @ExhibitCityNews

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EXHIBITORLIVE!

POSTSHOW EDPA STRONG AT EXHIBITOR 2015 COVER AGE

Individual EDPA Chapters met with regional members during EXHIBITORLIVE in Las Vegas.

EDPA STRONG AT EXHIBITORLIVE 2015 It’s an EDPA takeover and makeover!

By Kristan Obeng ALTHOUGH THE ANNUAL Chapter of the Year (COTY) brings out a strong sense of competition and loyalty among Exhibit Designers + Producers Association (EDPA) chapters, members of the organization are continually supportive of each other as well as the national and regional chapters.

From March 1-5 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, EXHIBITOR42 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

LIVE 2015 demonstrated many examples of this firsthand due to a boost of EDPA activity spearheaded by three chapters --Northern California (NorCal), Northeast (NE) and Las Vegas.

When national President Robert Campbell spoke at the Las Vegas chapter’s annual breakfast meeting on March 4, he explained that he wanted to see a strong EDPA with more members.

“I’d really like for everyone to make a referral. It would be great if everyone could think of a company to become a member of EDPA rather it’s a competitor or supplier,” he added.

He underscored that rivalries and competition needed to take a backseat. From his experience at EXHIBITORLIVE, he said he didn’t see any rivalries at all.

In fact, the Las Vegas chap-

ter breakfast brought together members from different EDPA chapters. Campbell wasn’t the only one to notice this trend.

EDPA NE’s chapter meeting on March 2 illustrated that all of the association’s chapters could learn from each other.

EXHIBITORLIVE allowed the NE chapter to gather and brainstorm fundraising and volunteer opportunities and growth strategies. Many

members sought to learn from other chapters that successfully grew their events and membership, such as Las Vegas and Midwest.

Chapter member and Exposures Principal Gary Michael Prochorchik cited how Las Vegas raised money for the national chapter with its golf tournaments and gathered sponsors.

He also added that Las Vegas raised money to benefit its local community with blood drives.

This led to a discussion about how NE members could engage with their local communities.

Members suggested everything from working with military veterans to animal shelters.

Supporting exhibit designers of the future is also on

the chapter’s agenda. Many members had already been working with student designers through their day jobs.

Chapter Secretary Dana Esposito explained how her company, Elevation Exhibits and Events, had been mentoring Fashion Institute of Technology and Bemidji State University students for eight years, corresponding with 30 students at least twice a month.

Several chapter members then suggested getting all the Northeastern design schools and students together to provide an overall networking opportunity. It’s never too early to start!

The NE chapter also wanted to be unique. Prochorchik

suggested creating a website focused only on the chapter and its events.

Speaking of events – EDPA NorCal ended a day on the show floor on March 3 with a relaxing meet-up at Burger Bar at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place.

Many chapter members pitched in to make the networking opportunity a success. This included helping to foot the bill!

“The NorCal team is always thinking of ways of bringing industry members together no matter where we are. Katie Zanardi of Astound had the terrific idea of hosting a meet-up for a fun social during EXHIBITORLIVE! With the idea firmly in mind, Mary Ann Furnish of ProExhibits put it all together

for us at the Burger Bar. Knowing that we had never done this before, we were rolling the dice.

Based on our turnout, the meetup was a success! Be sure and join NorCal for next year’s meetup during EXHIBITORLIVE!” stated Rossana Quezada-Clune, president, EDPA NorCal. If these three chapters are representative of what becoming an EDPA member entails, then it’s no wonder membership continues to grow.

As Campbell explained, “[EDPA] is in much better shape. We have a better retention rate than in 2014 and gained 50 new members since ACCESS [in December 2014]. EDPA is also in a better financial situation.”

Recognizing and celebrating the exhibit & event industry’s workers through our “Good Works” programs.

Welcome to the Foundation’s new home @ Exhibit City News.

Made possible through a generous gift from Don Svehla, founder and publisher of Exhibit City News. The Foundation now has a viable presence in one of the industry’s prime media outlets.

In future editions we plan to share with you the results of our efforts and ignite your participation in the Foundation’s Good Works. We will raise your awareness of the opportunities and benefits we extend to our industry’s family members and share with you the help and support we offer in their time of need.

A top goal for the Foundation is to better connect with every event industry worker. Creating greater awareness of our good works and enlisting a grass roots engagement from each of you to power those good works.

Don, on behalf of the Foundation’s BOD and every one who works and benefits from this industry, a heart-felt thanks for your support.

Recognizing those that give.

Bill Haney, Chairman Derse Exhibits Co-Chair, EDPAF

A little over a year ago, myself along with many other owners and leaders from the industry became founding Grantors, supporting the Foundation.

Grantors pledge to provide sustaining support enabling the Foundation to make long term commitments, with the financial assuredness that those obligations can be met. I will invite these Grantors as well as individuals who have gone above and beyond in giving of themselves to share why they got involved and what they get back as a result of that involvement.

I would like to add my personal thanks to Don for his generous act that will make it possible to promote the Foundation’s Good Works and hopefully inspire you to join us in this endeavor.

Upcoming opportunities to get involved!

Call for Industry Scholarships Submissions.

Each year the Foundation provides financial aid to selected family members of our members’ employees to help them pursue their dreams.

Sign up for EDPA LV Chapter Golf outing.

This annual event held in June directs its proceeds towards benefitting the Foundation’s student scholarship initiatives.

@ExhibitCityNews

If you would like to become a part of this industry-wide effort please reach out to us by contacting:

EDPA Foundation Headquarters 10 Norden Place | Norwalk, CT 06855 Attn: Melissa Nemitz ( mnemitz@edpa.com ) 203-852-5698

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 43

EXHIBITORLIVE!

POSTSHOW EDPA STRONG AT EXHIBITOR 2015 COVER AGE

EDPA sponsored the first annual EXHIBITORLIVE International Dinner at the Platinum Hotel on March 3.

EDPA EVENTS GO GLOBAL

By Zeenath Haniff

DURING EXHIBITORLIVE, the Exhibit Designers + Producers Association (EDPA) International Chapter, the global outreach arm of the trade organization, took part in several international events, including hosting its annual breakfast meeting and sponsoring an inaugural yearly dinner.

Typically held directly on the show floor, the EDPA International Chapter Breakfast Meeting was this year hosted at South Seas I at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Three speakers presented news, tips and trends – Irene Albarran, CEO, Expoquarzo, shared information on exhibiting in Mexico; Venen Paratian, co-founder and executive director, PMNglobal, discussed international protocol, principles and practices; and Cam Stevens, EDPA International Chapter chair and president of stevensE3, helped to simplify international projects.

Held at the Misora room of the Platinum Hotel, the EDPA-sponsored EXHIBITORLIVE International Dinner would 44 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

be the first for the planned annual affair. The sold-out event included more than 75 professionals who conduct business internationally. An intimate setting overlooking Las Vegas’ city lights fostered networking over a three-course wine dinner.

With hopes to expand to accommodate additional guests next year, the annual international dinner will likely select another external venue, according to Stevens.

“The event was well-received. There was excellent conversation throughout between fellow international industry professionals from the U.S. who exhibit overseas and vice versa,” Stevens shared.

EDPA INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER GOALS 1. Add value and create networking opportunities for international companies to interact with U.S. companies, and vice versa

2. Provide international related educational content on rules and regulations in other countries

EXHIBITORLIVE!

POSTSHOW THE TIES THAT BIND COVER AGE

Caption about photo Caption about photo Caption about photo Caption about photo

BEMATRIX CELEBRATES DESIGN EXCELLENCE

The popular b62 frame system proves fruitful for all involved

By Kristan Obeng Autumn Ricke (right), winner of Bemidji State University Design Competition

DURING EXHIBITORLIVE THIS PAST MARCH, nearly 130 attendees joined beMatrix USA in celebrating “The Best of 2014” exhibit designs at the company’s annual beMatrix Awards Breakfast.

Overall, 21 companies entered more than 40 exhibit designs supported structurally with beMatrix “on the inside.” Many of the exhibits were complemented by the company’s value-added accessories and the exhibit house-supplied custom components.

These entrants represented a sampling of the number of exhibit

houses using beMatrix as the core of their rental programs.

Robert Laarhoven, vice president of sales and partner at beMatrix, reinforced product’s growing popularity among exhibit houses. He added that over 100 exhibits at 2015 International CES alone had used beMatrix “on the inside.”

Additionally, for last fall’s PACK EXPO in Chicago, the company shipped 625 frames in only three weeks for a pavilion installation. beMatrix b62 was chosen because it sets up in half the time of traditional stick extrusion solutions, and weighing

WINNERS’ LIST Most Unique Surface Treatment WINNER: e4 Design - MJB 2ND PLACE: CenterPoint Marketing - KHS USA

Most Innovative Use WINNER: Evo Exhibits - Sphero 2ND PLACE: Hamilton Exhibits Simplex Grinnell

Best Hybrid Design WINNER: Display Arts Worldwide - Milliken 2ND PLACE: Hamilton Exhibits Tyco Fire Protection HON. MENTION: e4 Design - Rent.com

Best Design > 600 Square Feet WINNER: The Expo Group - The Expo Group 2ND PLACE: Imagen - Guy Brown 2ND PLACE: Condit Exhibits Ragni Lighting HON. MENTION: Advanced Exhibit Methods - AIP Aerospace

46 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Best Design < 600 Square Feet WINNER: Evo Exhibits- Viz Media 2ND PLACE: e4 Design - Rent Path (Apartment Guide) HON. MENTION: Exhibit Edge Bristol-Myers Squibb Bemidji St. University Design Comp.

WINNER: Autumn Ricke(PICTURED) 2ND PLACE: Kaitlyn Sapone 3RD PLACE: Cassie Klarich HON. MENTION: Ashley Kiecker HON. MENTION: Samuel Putnam

Best Overall Exhibit Design WINNER: Steelhead Productions Nexen Tire WINNER: CenterPoint Marketing Quality Bicycle Products 2ND PLACE: Display Arts Worldwide - Horace Small 2ND PLACE: Evo Exhibits Dynastream Innovations HON. MENTION: The Exhibit Source - The Exhibit Source 2014 Rookie of the Year Exhibit Concepts

in at only 18 pounds a frame, drayage is minimized compared to traditional hard-wall solutions.

“A frame is so light, it can be hand-carried,” said Laarhoven. beMatrix’s 2015 objectives include keeping up with this demand as well as continuing to build inventory and adding staff. The company is already on track with two new hires from Montreal, Canada, and Salt Lake City, Utah. In 2014, beMatrix saw its sales increase by 52 percent, and the company grew by 35 percent.

Much of this success stemmed from the launch of the b62 Frame System in 2013. The frame’s width was increased to 62mm to accommodate SEG fabric graphics that match the 62mm holes on center, making for perfectly aligned frames during installation.

For these reasons, Laarhoven explained, the b62 frame is a major improvement from the older 55mm DeltaMatrix.

The company also saw an increase in rentals, many of which take place between beMatrix customers. One regional exhibit house may rent beMatrix frames to an out-of-state exhibit house that has a client exhibiting in its area. beMatrix often coordinates these partnerships.

Since many beMatrix customers are accustomed to collaborating as far as rentals, it was only fitting they celebrated together at the Mandalay Bay’s Islander ballroom on March 2.

@ExhibitCityNews

The awards ceremony encapsulated the feeling of success among beMatrix and its customers. Not only did the company highlight exhibit designs and sales achievements, but additionally, budding young designers got their time to shine.

This past January, Emma Christen, an exhibit designer and marketing/PR professional at beMatrix, presented a student exhibit design competition to her alma mater, Bemidji State University.

Laarhoven said he wanted to educate the students on working with the beMatrix frame, so they’d have a working knowledge of the system after they graduated. These students also received the real world experience necessary when looking for work at an exhibit house.

Due to reviewing many innovative uses of the Frame System with exhibit design, beMatrix selected, in some instances, multiple winners and runners-up for each awards category. A few companies also received honorable mentions.

One standout and winner of multiple awards, Evo Exhibits often amazed Laarhoven with its innovative uses of the beMatrix System.

Laarhoven explained that Evo Exhibits designers called off and on asking if an aspect of their design was structurally possible. beMatrix had a few concerns, but in the end, Evo Exhibits pulled off their designs with structural integrity.

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 47

1 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Photo by Gary Michael Prochorchik/ExposuresLTD.com

Woman on the

Move

p. 52

Photo by Gary Michael Prochorchik/ExposuresLTD.com

THE (GIRL) POWER OF LIGHT

T

he contributions of women in the world of tradeshows and exhibitions have been transformative and far-reaching. In recognition of females whose innovations have advanced the industry for the better, Exhibit City News is recognizing a Woman on the Move.

Countless elements factor into a successful tradeshow, including effective marketing, compelling design and proper staffing. One of the key elements, however, is profitability. Lowering the cost of exhibiting while simultaneously maximizing potential revenue is at the core of each exhibitor’s goals at a show.

Shelley Simpson-McKay, CEO and co-founder of SGS Solutions Inc. and president at Prisma Management Consulting, has twice delivered award-winning products at “The Trade Show for Trade Shows” in the two short years she’s begun offering Continued on p. 50 ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 49

Simpson-McKay with her award-winning Showbattery light and battery kit

lighting solutions to the exhibition and events industry.

Lightweight and rechargeable, Showbattery is a lithium ion-powered LED light kit that is portable and adaptable to exhibits or events, energy-efficient to reduce waste and, most importantly, cost-saving for exhibitors. Winning both the Innovator Award and Buyers Choice Award at EXHIBITOR2014’s New Product Showcase, and again bestowed the Buyers Choice Award during EXHIBITORLIVE 2015, the products speak for themselves.

Working closely with Canadian 50 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

universities in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Simpson-McKay collaborated with the Innovation in Design Lab at Dalhousie University, her alma mater, and the Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation program at Sobey School of Business on R&D to develop and manufacture an innovative lighting solution for exhibitors and event planners.

“Building on last year’s success with the introduction of Showbattery, a portable and rechargeable lithium ion technology and a gold standard for energy storage, [Shelley] partnered to evolve the technology to meet specific needs of exhibitors

in the industry, saving them thousands of dollars in electrical cost,” commented Sobey School Professor Dawn Jutla, Ph.D. “Moreover, her product satisfies exhibitors’ desire to reduce waste, and is a significant option in the purchase of green exhibit products. Shelley teamed up with strategic partners in energy-efficient LED lighting to create further value and give exhibitors a complete 360° solution in an easy and affordable lightsand-battery kit.”

Oftentimes, power must be rented from exhibit houses, adding to the astronomiContinued on p. 52

Photo by Gary Michael Prochorchik/ExposuresLTD.com

Continued from p. 49

Bright White AC LED (5000k) Only 25W Power = 250W Halogen No Power Supply Needed Link up to 6 Lights to Power Outlet Extra Wide Beam Spread Easy Linking with In / Out Plugs Integrated Light Reflector

The Revolutionary

*Patent Pending

www.TradeshowLights.com

1-866-620-1380

LADIES WHO LEAD THE PACK

Recognizing female executives Continued from p. 50 cal bill exhibitors must pay.

“One of the biggest challenges of exhibiting is the high cost of rental services for electrical wiring and outlets,” explained Shelley Simpson-McKay. “Showbattery combines the energy efficiency of lithium ion and the portability of a battery.”

Delivering an inventive solution, the battery-powered light systems offer power and efficiency, allowing exhibitors to light their entire booth without renting electricity, ordering installation services or handling under-carpet cabling.

Packaged in a convenient carrying case, the compact SHOW 6 kit comes with two 6 watt LED arm lights along with a 24V Li-ion 100-watt battery measuring 5” x 3” x 2.5” and lasting 11 hours if both lights are in use. Quickly recharged within six hours, the turnkey light kit can light island displays and exhibit back walls with a 15-watt capacity.

The larger SGS 220 kit includes a 10-pound battery measuring 11” x 9” x 6” in a heavy-duty carrying case powering 72 watts of LED light for up to 18 hours. With lighting sold separately, each battery pack is customizable with options such as arm lights, strip lighting, down lights, etc. A 40’ x 40’ booth space could feasibly be lit with four SGS 220 kits, according to Simpson-McKay. Lasting approximately five years, each battery unit provides exhibitors a substantial return on investment with a price tag equal to the cost of renting a single electrical outlet just once. Equally beneficial to saving money on energy, exhibitors are also saving the planet.

Approximately 60-70 percent of the exhibit industry have expressed interest in sustainable practices.

“Showbattery saves exhibitors thousands each year in terms of electrical costs,” Simpson-McKay remarked. “It takes the industry as a whole off the grid, making it more sustainable in the long run.”

Able to incorporate the light and battery pack into modular units, kiosks, 52 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

freestanding tables and other design components, exhibit builders and designers have the freedom of light placement without the worry of extensive wires under flooring. Without wiring, exhibitors ultimately save time and money on installation services.

Before becoming a successful entrepreneur, Simpson-McKay was a partner in an industrial manufacturing company within a primarily male-dominated industry for nearly 15 years.

The lack of fellow female entrepreneurs between the late 1990s and 2000s motivated her to begin supporting other woman business owners.

Advising women in the fields of manufacturing and product development, IT technology, retail and even the exhibit industry, Simpson-McKay assumed the role of executive director of the Centre for Women in Business for four years, lending to her strong leadership skills and calculated business ventures. Later, as founder of Prisma Management Consulting, she continued to mentor female managers and entrepreneurs in Canada while running her own business.

“Shelley has provided coaching training and consulting to hundreds of companies. Her creative approach allows her to spot insights that others are likely to miss,” commended Eric Crowell, director, Sobey School of Business. “Shelley has developed training programs for entrepreneurs ranging from ideation to implementation to commercialization to growth. She is a brilliant and engaging instructor and can reinforce topics with her own practical experience.”

In line with her business tactics,

Maureen Borzacchiello, president and CEO, Creative Display Solutions Inc. Cindi Cody, president and CEO, Xzibit Incorporated “I feel like I’m going to the playground everyday – I love this industry so much that I forget it’s a job.”

Bev Gray, president and CEO, Exhibit Edge Inc. “Tradeshow exhibits combine visual marketing systems and artistry to deliver clients’ brands to increase sales leads and company visibility. Leading a company that creates an attendee experience to lead to these desired results is an important role to have in the sales cycle.”

Anita Mitzel, president, GraphiColor Kelly Northington, president and owner, The Freight Dude Founded in 2009 by Kelly Northington, The Freight Dude is a third party logistics provider offering full truckload and LTL freight solutions into and out of more than 800 trade shows annually throughout the United States and Canada. The Freight Dude has become the can’t-live-without partner for exhibitors, display houses, and service contractors by providing top-notch personalized service through building long-term relationships and simply doing what’s right.

Debbie Parrott, president, Highmark TechSystems Peggy Swords, president, Excalibur Exhibits Megan Tanel, Chairperson-Elect, IAEE Jody Tatro, CEO and co-founder, ProExhibits

“Lowering the cost of exhibiting while simultaneously maximizing potential revenue is at the core of each exhibitor’s goals at a show.”

Simpson-McKay’s solution-driven approach to entrepreneurship and commercialism translated seamlessly to the tradeshow industry in the form of an LED light and battery kit. Her father, Hugh Simpson, himself a technology consultant for the ship-building industry, pitched the idea for portable power in the exhibit industry. Thus, the two Simpsons went from exhibitors to exhibit industry vendors.

“We weren’t surprised when Shelley told us about her newest venture, LED SGS Solutions Inc.,” shared Tanya

@ExhibitCityNews

Priske, executive director, Centre for Women in Business. “This innovative product represents the way Shelley thinks about how she finds solutions for business challenges.”

Applying her business savvy to her new enterprise, distributors of the Showbattery are not only praising the product’s proficiency on the show floor, but also its creator.

“Shelley has been invaluable getting us set up as a distributor for her company,” stated Jerry Tyler, presi-

dent, Tyler’s Display Supply. “Between providing excellent marketing materials, flexibility with contract terms, lead generation, product orientation and responsive support, she has always been positive and professional.”

Continuing her own education in business, Simpson-McKay is completing her graduate degree in the Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation program at the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University, a top-rated program in Canada.

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 53

WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY

IAEE hosts a sold out Women’s Leadership Forum on April 8 in Washington, D.C.

Women Leaders Who Take Charge

T

he International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) wrapped up a sold out Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) on April 8 at the Washington, D.C. Marriott Marquis. The one-day program hosted more than 150 attendees and featured education sessions for women at all stages of their career.

IAEE recognized and responded to a need within the exhibitions and events

54 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

community with a women-only conference, sponsored by 16 organizations representing most facets of the exhibition industry ecosystem.

“We understood the need for this type of program when we created it in 2013,” said IAEE President and CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA. “Nonetheless, the feedback we are receiving from attendees is really amazing, and we are very satisfied with the direction this

program has taken.”

Highlights from the 2015 April event included leadership facilitator Valorie Burton, bestselling author, speaker and life coach, who addressed resiliency and finding a happy balance and place in life.

Claire Shipman, a regular contributor to “Good Morning America” and other national broadcasts for ABC News, spoke to attendees on confidence.

During lunch, the 2015 IAEE Woman of

Achievement Award was presented to Karen Chupka, senior vice president of International CES and corporate business strategy for the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), chosen by the Awards committee based on submitted nominations.

Lunch attendees were treated to an interview facilitated by Destination Marketing Association International Senior Vice President of Membership & Operations Karen Gonzales, CMP, with Capricia Penavic Marshall, who serves as ambassador-in-residence at the Adrienne Arsht Latin American Center at the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C. The day ended with a power panel moderated by IAEE Executive Vice President and COO Cathy Breden, CAE, CMP; and panelists Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group; Casandra Matej, executive director of San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Megan Tanel, CEM,

@ExhibitCityNews

vice president of exhibitions & events for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and 2015 IAEE Chairperson of the Board. The panel covered several topics including how to achieve a healthy work/ life balance, career advice and how to realize each woman’s goals.

IAEE’s Young Professionals (YP) Committee welcomed 87 new members at this year’s conference. Making up 30 percent of the attendees, membership has reached over 700 young professionals.

“Even though the room was full of outgoing, dynamic women who were mostly seasoned executives, the forum also experienced a mass influx of a younger demographic,” stated ShowNets Marketing and Sales Consultant Hala Bowen, who will help start the Houston, Texas YP chapter.

Chaired by Kiki Janssens, sales manager at Core-apps, the YP Committee’s

objectives are to provide a social and professional support network for this segment of IAEE members by developing programs and benefits especially valuable to those in career ascendance.

“My mission is to connect these vibrant and creative young women with the strong female leaders in this industry,” commented Anne Marie Newman, vice president of marketing, ShowNets. “Not only can the older generation become vital mentors for these newcomers, but also the YPs have a lot to contribute with their fresh perspective and progressive ideas. I thank IAEE for investing in these women with enriching events such as WLF!” Due to the continued success of this program, IAEE is currently exploring new regions to expand this initiative. Plans are underway for the 2016 program.

For more information, visit IAEE.com/WLF

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 55

EXTRUSIONS

Structural Integrity EXTRUSIONS INNOVATION MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND

Highmark TechSystems engineers extrusions based out of Fort Wayne, Ind.

56 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Every entrepreneur has heard this statement -- In order for a new product to be successful, it needs to solve a problem.

Beginning with their development in the 1960s, extrusions systems have continued bringing solutions to exhibit houses and end users everywhere.

Since the spread of extrusions systems throughout Europe, stand builders have been able to construct structures on the show floor quickly because move-in times are arduous and exhibit houses rarely store properties for their clients. In the last 50 years, systems have also prompted efforts to reduce waste associated with ‘build and burn.’

North America-based exhibit houses and their customers have reaped benefits from using aluminum systems, such as reduced labor and material handling costs. Extrusions systems are also a space saver in the shop, and they can be easily crated and shipped at a lower cost than custom hard-panel exhibits.

The growth of the exhibitions industry throughout the Asia-Pacific region also prompted the need for a sustainable solution. Engineering companies enhanced the capabilities of their extrusions systems to create innovative, environmentally friendly designs. On the other hand, some unethical manufacturers in the region have taken shortcuts to sell and export extrusions systems that infringed on patents held in other countries.

There’s no doubt that extrusions systems have had an impact on the global tradeshow industry and are here to

Photo Courtesy of Highmark TechSystems

BY KRISTAN OBENG

stay. Manufacturers have become key suppliers. Many sustain their growth by engineering extrusions systems and related accessories.

Here’s a closer look at the development of extrusions systems across the globe:

Photo Courtesy of Highmark TechSystems

EUROPE Octanorm USA President and CEO Norm Friedrich stated that Europe’s extrusions industry has become soft and points to the economic issues within the European Union.

“The systems market in Europe is quite mature, and the amount of material owned by the exhibit houses is vast. They use this inventory over and over because these products last forever. This has allowed them to remain active and competitive during some difficult economic times,” he added.

In the past, Switzerland, Germany and Sweden dominated the extrusions

Earliest Known System Manufacturers in Europe 1961: 1968: 1968: 1990: 1993: 2004: 2004:

SYMA – Switzerland OCTANORM -- Germany Alusett -- Germany MODUL -- Germany Burkhardt Leitner -- Germany beMatrix – Belgium Aluvision – Belgium

industry. By the time major players emerged from North America and Asia, many European manufacturers were long established.

“The Germans have a reputation for

providing a high-quality product and take great pride in the finish and tolerance of their extrusions. Much of this has been duplicated by the U.S. manufacturers since products sold in a global market need to have a global standard,” stated Friedrich.

Technological advances in extrusions systems were seen in the 1960s in Germany. These innovations allowed exhibitors simpler, less expensive ways to exhibit.

Presently, major European manufacturers are parent corporations to many of the systems providers around the world.

NORTH AMERICA It was only logical that after growing their presence in Europe, systems manufacturers in Germany, and Belgium in recent years, soon expanded to North America via licensing agreements and Continued on p. 58

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@ExhibitCityNews

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 57

EXTRUSIONS

Maxima light round and square extrusions from OCTANORM

Continued from p. 57 subsidiaries. The U.S. especially was mained tied to overseas entities, domesconsidered an important market because tic manufacturers entered the market. of its ever-rotating “Today, U.S. show schedule. systems manufacInitially, exturers focus on the trusions systems development of were slow to gain their own prodacceptance in the ucts and brands U.S., according to [and] have become Friedrich, but at major players the moment, the in the industry,” • Designer’s preference industry is stable commented Par• Design capabilities and versatility and continuing to rott. “The level of • Buying options (purchase or rent) attract worldwide design and inno• Location/Proximity interest. vation of the North • Service “Naturally, for American systems • Partnerships many businesses, manufacturers is global expansion rapidly catching is simply a logical growth path. For the up, and in some areas -- such as structurEU exhibit system providers, this is al and multi-story systems -- surpassing also a strategy to protect and establish the EU brands.” their brands worldwide by early market Parrott added that American manufacturpenetration -- particularly into the North ers brought modular systems to the foreAmerican and to some extent into the front, a move that proved helpful in lowerAsian markets,” stated Debbie Parrott, ing expenses associated with exhibiting. president, Highmark TechSystems.

Although they compete in the overall While segments of the U.S. market remarkets, North American and European

Top Reasons Exhibit Houses Choose a Systems Manufacturer

58 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

ASIA-PACIFIC Based in Dusseldorf, Germany, LT-Systems Europe GmbH CEO Marcus Faust collaborated with his LINGTONG (LT) colleagues in China to discuss how the need to exhibit sustainably has sparked innovation throughout Asia-Pacific’s extrusions industry.

“The current situation in Asia is thriving. Currently, the global aluminum production technologies are very advanced, especially in China, with the world’s leading production technology and the largest production line,” added Faust. “China, Japan and Korea governments attach great importance to environmental protection. The use of [the] aluminum exhibition system is rising.”

As the design director for Singapore-based Kingsmen Exhibits Pte Ltd., Crystal Chu has seen how extrusions systems are expanding exhibit design capabilities.

“Extrusions these days are increasingly flexible, thus providing opportunities to create more innovative designs. Increased flexibility enables designers to play with configurations for more angled, curved and organic designs. In Asia, some positive trends include an increase in more sophisticated extrusions, and clients are starting to opt for extrusions as a sustainable option to be environmentally-friendly while saving costs,” Chu explained.

Legitimate extrusions systems manufacturers in the Asia-Pacific may be overshadowed by those who copy proprietary systems and sell them for lower prices.

“There are hundreds of companies or factories copying [the] OCTANORM system in China and are selling everywhere with lower quality and lower prices,” stated Howie Wu, managing director, OCTANORM ASIA. As a China-based systems manufacturer holding 200 patents, LT had to correct false perceptions of its products after expanding to Germany through its subsidi-

Photo Courtesy of Octanorm Asia

manufacturers both have a major concern – patent infringement.

INTERNATIONAL

AIPC Apex Award winner Cairns Convention Centre earned the highest client rating in 2014

Standards, Not Standardization!

I

n a time increasing globalization, when many events are rotating widely, there is truly something to be said for the development and maintenance of venue performance standards that can provide a level of confidence amongst users that they will get what they need and expect. That’s why AIPC has invested a lot of time and effort in developing standards in key areas of center management and created an audit process to help members demonstrate their accomplishments. It’s also why we have ongoing competitions that recognize special achievements and encourage center clients to take these into account when making their venue selections.

But standards don’t mean standardization. The same research that documents the significance of performance reliability also indicates the importance both organizers and delegates are placing on 60 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

having a unique and satisfying event experience, particularly when so much hard information is readily available through vehicles other than conventions and conferences.

By Geoff Donaghy

location and decor to helping facilitate community connections or arrange off-site events that both relate to an event’s own objectives and at the same time create something

High standards don’t have to mean just conformity.

A big part of that uniqueness relates to what a venue can deliver in terms of special services and ambiance that reflect what makes their facilities and destination different from everyone else.

By ensuring that they are delivering at least part of what makes their part of the world unique and distinctive, centers can be active participants in shaping the event experience to the benefit of all. This can include anything and everything from center

unique. And it’s not just event organizers and delegates who benefit – it can also reward the local community itself by helping it realize a greater overall return from the events they are hosting.

Education takes many forms – and travel can and should be one of the most important of these. At the same time, an exciting and distinctive environment is stimulating to delegates, particularly those who may have been attending a particular event for

many years. All of these are good reasons for centers and destinations to make the extra effort to deliver a distinctive event – one that not only respects organizational aims, but honors the destination and its qualities.

So while we must strive to respond to the international standards that increasingly define client expectations, there’s another important area where centers can distinguish themselves – and that’s helping deliver something unique. High standards don’t have to mean just conformity – they can also open the door to the kind of creativity increasingly valued by participants.

Geoff Donaghy is AIPC President, CEO of International Convention Center Sydney and Director Convention Centers AEG Ogden.

For more information, contact marianne.de.raay@aipc.org or visit aipc.org

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INTERNATIONAL

Marketing in Latin America – A Revisit

By Kelli Steckbauer, MG Design Associates Corp.

I

n October 2013, I wrote an article about marketing in Latin America. We explored the differences in Latin American cultures from country to country and even within the same countries.

As a refresh, Latin America is actually defined by language – those countries that speak the romance languages.

That gives us an incredibly vast geographic area to speak about. Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru are probably the most popular Latin American countries for tradeshows.

I often find myself asking the question of validity when grouping these countries together. What does it mean?

What can we learn from this region as a group? Is it fair to group these countries together when talking about business, marketing and tradeshows?

Does defining a region by a type of linguistic grouping actually make sense?

I’m not sure there is a solid answer to any of those questions. We’ve explored the regional differences in the past from a very high level perspective. Let’s now explore some of those similarities.

Language – The majority of countries speak Spanish; however, Brazil’s dominant language is Portuguese. You will still find some areas speaking French or Italian, but Spanish is dominant within Latin America.

62 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Religion - The majority of citizens practice Christianity – specifically Roman Catholicism. This means a lot more to a business culture than you might think. Often companies are shut down around the holidays, not just on the holiday itself. Easter Week, Carnival and Christmas are all important holidays in this culture. If you happen to be traveling in the area during this time, you very well may receive an invite to join a family for their festivities. It would be considered rude to not accept or partake in eating, drinking, etc.

Personal Relationships – It is imperative to get to know the people you are doing business with in Latin America. What we consider small talk in the U.S. is common and means quite a bit in Latin America. Building those personal relationships in Latin America is nearly as important as understanding their company and business.

Time – Typically, Latin Americans put less emphasis on strict time schedules than those in North America and parts of Europe. It’s common to start a meeting 30 minutes late and it is not considered rude to do so.

Ensure, if you are making an appointment, that you address whether you are meeting on “Latin Hour” or the “English Hour.” Remember, time is “flexible” in Latin America.

Personal Space – Latin Americans tend to stand in a closer proximity to each other than those in the U.S. would.

Taking a step back is often considered inappropriate, and they may just take a step closer to close the distance between you.

Formality – Latin Americans tend to be more formal in both the way they address each other and the way they dress for business meetings. Only address business associates by their first name after invited to do so; until then, use Mr., Ms., or the local equivalent. When dressing, it’s important to dress formal for business meetings – suit and tie for men and a proper length skirt or pants suit for women.

Greeting One Another – Handshakes are not as strong when given in the Latin American culture as they are in North America. More often you’ll be greeted with a hug or a kiss(es) to both cheeks.

Country # of Kisses Argentina 1 Chile, Peru 1

As you can see, there are a lot of similarities, as well as the earlier mentioned differences, within Latin America. I believe the important takeaway here is to always do your research.

While we can group countries, languages or a region together, oftentimes, for business purposes, there are just as many reasons not to as there are to.

Read up on the specific country you are traveling to before you get there, so you understand exactly what to expect from that area. It would be mighty embarrassing to show up and assume Brazilians speak Spanish because most of the other countries within Latin America do. Just as it’s inappropriate to assume Canadians celebrate the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday simply because they live right next door to the U.S.!

Read Original Article: “Is Marketing Specifically to Latin America as a Group Appropriate?” published on 10/28/13. ExhibitCityNews.com/ Marketing-Specifically-Latin-America-Group-Appropriate

Who Kisses & Where Man-Woman, Woman-Woman on cheek Man-Man: Handshake/hug then kiss in quick succession Man-Woman, Woman-Woman on cheek

Brazil

Sao Paulo (1 kiss on cheek) Man-Woman, Woman-Woman Rio (2 kisses on both cheeks) Minas Gerais (1 or 3 kisses on alternate cheeks)

Mexico

0

In professional settings, shake hands regardless of gender.

In evolved relationships, greet each other with a kiss on the cheek; men hug and pat each other’s’ backs firmly.

Colombia

1

Man-Woman, Woman-Woman on cheek Handshake in professional settings

Venezuela 0

In professional settings, shake hands regardless of gender.

In close relationships, greet each other with one kiss on the cheek.

INTERNATIONAL

Singapore’s MICE Industry Stays Ahead of the Curve

Art Stage Singapore 2014, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre

By Sarah Chew

O

ver the last few decades, prime locations for tradeshows and events have naturally shifted as old favorites become saturated and new destinations beckon with tremendous client opportunities.

International MICE planners are switching their focus far east, and in recognition of the changing tide, Asia now hosts more than one-fifth of the world’s meetings, while offering a total gross indoor space of over 6 million square meters. It is time to think

64 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

about Asia.

The positive outlook of the MICE industry continues to mirror the growth of the global economy, and show organisers are constantly looking for sophisticated and professionally staffed business hubs to launch new or enhanced tradeshows. While the potential rewards of moving tradeshows and events to Asia do exude a certain siren’s call, the language, travel and cultural barriers can raise quick red flags for many planners.

However, choosing a cosmo-

politan city can help bridge the gap.

Asia, and specifically Singapore, continues to be an appealing destination for MICE organizers due to its excellent air connectivity, vibrant business ecosystem, robust economic sectors and knowledge networks, and diverse leisure activities. Apart from being a base to more than 7,000 multinational corporations, Singapore’s strategic location in a resurgent Asia is the perfect launchpad to access the emerging economies of

ASEAN and the vast markets in China and India.

The city-state’s strong global trade and communication networks provide market access and trade flows between Asia Pacific and the world, resulting in a spot for the world’s best to converge. By drawing established players, opinion leaders and decision makers from around the globe, these events augment Singapore’s standing as a thought leader and knowledge hub within the region.

Through public-private

collaborations, Singapore continues to build and attract a robust pipeline of events and establish thought-leadership through new compelling content. The Republic is looking forward to an even stronger momentum in the year ahead with both returning tradeshows and new ones.

First-in-Asia events held in Singapore, include the 9th International Conference on Intelligent Sensors, Sensor Networks and Information Processing (ISSNIP); the Special Education Network in Asia (SENIA) conference; and the International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling (ICIDS). Singapore’s status as a leading biomedical centre for R&D has also played an important role in securing the World Congress of Cosmetic Dermatology this year, the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) 24th Annual Meeting & Exhibition and the inaugural Asian edition of SpineWeek in 2016. More lifestyle related business events

@ExhibitCityNews

have also reared their heads, a result of Singapore’s growing position as Asia’s lifestyle hub.

New lifestyle events in recent years include Art Stage Singapore, Blueprint and Beerfest Asia amongst others.

These exhibitions and events are great examples of how show organizers are looking at Singapore with renewed interest, adding onto the allure of Singapore as an attractive MICE venue that has already won several accolades, and part of that success is owed to the government’s efforts in promoting Singapore as an ideal MICE destination.

The Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau (SECB), an arm under the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), has a proven track record of successfully securing inaugural events for the city-state. SECB encourages the MICE industry to anchor and grow quality events as well as catalyze the innovation of new content.

It continually supports the evolving and varied needs of the industry by providing

Asia now hosts more than one-fifth of the world’s meetings. funding support to qualified businesses, companies and associations through the Business Event in Singapore (BEiS) scheme.

Singapore’s recognition as a top MICE country comes at the heels of an initiative to maintain its top position, even as neighboring countries are building new infrastructure and offering aggressive incentive schemes to attract new businesses. To achieve this, Singapore needs to up its ante, and the MICE 2020 Roadmap is one such way. Jointly developed by STB and the industry, the MICE 2020 Roadmap

focuses on bolstering the country’s existing strengths and developing new ones through incentives that will be implemented in phases in the coming years. The plan will begin its first phase by enhancing the MICE industry’s experience creation capabilities, through attracting and conceptualizing events’ content premised on value-creation.

Looking ahead, as Singapore reinvents itself with the growing number of hotels, attractions and unique event venues such as the Integrated Resorts, the country continues to see growth in repeat shows and welcome prominent events; increasing its offering of breath-taking experiences. Possessing incredible opportunities and room for further growth, Singapore will remain as a leading MICE destination for MICE planners worldwide.

The contributor is the Sales & Marketing Director of Kingsmen Exhibits Pte Ltd, a leading communication design & production group in Asia Pacific & the Middle East.

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 65

INTERNATIONAL

S

howcasing the world’s greatest in technology and innovation will be Expo Milano 2015, a Universal Exposition to stimulate human progress. To be held May 1-Oct. 31 in Milan, Italy, the world fair will divert from its centuries-old precedent as an exhibition for new products, and instead, will shift toward cooperation between nations.

Serving as a platform to share ideas and solutions, Expo Milano 2015 is launching a new model for the Universal Exposition. The global event will foster interactivity as well as demonstrate the most advanced technologies for a sustainable future.

At the UN Millennium Summit, held Sept. 2000 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, world leaders set a deadline for a number of Millennium Development Goals to be achieved by 2015. Among them were to eliminate conditions of poverty and extreme hunger, and

66 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

create global partnerships to achieve development.

Themed “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life,” Expo Milano 2015 will set a common goal of ensuring healthy food for the global population. Over 140 participating countries and more than 50 pavilions will present technical solutions to promote respect for nature by avoiding food excess. Between 2010 and 2012, approximately 870 million were reportedly undernourished while 2.8 million deaths were caused by diseases relating to obesity or weight problems from poor nutrition and excessive food intake.

To be developed by Centro sul Diritto all’Alimentazione (Nutrition Rights Center) under the initiative of the President of the Milan’s Law Court, the Livia Pomodoro project will promote an International Agreement on The Right to Food.

Spanning 1 million square meters, Expo Milano will be built as a city containing

dining, event venues and even streets within two orthogonal axes called Cardo and Decumanus. Expecting 20 million visitors, Italian tourism is expected to gain an economic impact of 5 billion Euros. To be open from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. each day, attendees will experience cultural and dining offerings.

Taking on the additional task of environmental sustainability, the event itself will also work to promote energy, water and waste efficiency by including at least 200,000 square meters of green exhibition areas, low-impact telecommunications and energy infrastructures and adopting international standards for sustainable event management. This year will be the first Universal Exposition to produce a Sustainability Report.

FAMAB, the German exhibition and events industry association, is hosting 120 industry professionals invited from the International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services (IFES), Ex-

By Zeenath Haniff

hibit Designers + Producers Association (EDPA) and its own organization to visit Expo Milano following their attendance of the IFES World Summit, taking place June 24-26 in Vienna, Austria.

A short 1,000 kilometers from Milan, the close proximity of the IFES World Summit makes it easy for delegates from around the world to experience nearby Expo Milano, according to Uta Goretzky, PR/communications, FAMAB. “One of the most important things is networking – making people meet each other. At the Expo, delegates can see how other countries present themselves and gain inspiration from the perspectives of colleagues from all over the world,” said Goretzky.

Providing accommodations conveniently across the street from the fairgrounds at Klima Fiere Milano, FAMAB is also organizing networking dinners and expedited entry to several pavilions for the group.

Photo Courtesy of SCHMIDHUBER / Milla & Partner

World’s Fair Addresses World Hunger

• • •

• •

NATIONAL

Left: Commissioner Weekly presents a key to the Las Vegas Strip to NAB Show EVP Chris Brown. Right: Caesars Entertainment executives at NAMID rally.

The Rallying Cry of #NAMID

By Kristan Obeng

Meetings Mean Business across North America

W

ith 60 events organized to illustrate the value of meetings and conventions, the inaugural North American Meetings Industry Day (NAMID) united meeting professionals across the continent on April 16.

Those celebrating the day within Las Vegas bore witness to Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly’s proclamation of what will now become an annual multi-city event, inspired by Meeting Professionals International’s Canadian National Meetings Industry Day. The Las Ve-

68 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

gas NAMID rally took place at Caesars Entertainment’s LINQ promenade.

“Not only does the meetings and events industry bring people together for collaboration in an unsurpassable way, but it creates the additional aspects of professional, business and societal benefits,” stated David DuBois, president, International Association of Exhibitions & Events.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is known for working with city leaders representing various industries to promote Southern Nevada’s meeting, trade-

show and convention industry.

The first NAMID was no different. The Authority, its hotel partners and Meetings Mean Business – a coalition advocating the meetings industry – collaborated to demonstrate the face-to-face impact of meetings locally and beyond.

“I could sit in my office and do videoconferences nearly anywhere in the world, but because that is so easy, people actually expect you to show up more, to make the effort and demonstrate the respect, to sit across the table and look eyeto-eye. It reflects a commitment to the relationship that you cannot get from sending an email or doing a videoconference,” said Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State.

In Las Vegas, meetings had a $7 billion economic impact and supported 53,000 jobs.

Overall, meetings contributed $280 billion to the U.S. econ-

omy and provided 1.8 million people with jobs. “[Meetings have] also proven to be key drivers for securing corporate revenues, winning new customers, closing new deals and developing high-performing talent,” commented Michael Massari, vice president of meeting sales and operations, Caesars Entertainment Corp.

While this sector has flourished, so has Las Vegas.

Designated the No. 1 tradeshow destination for 21 years in a row, Las Vegas hosted 60 of 250 of the largest U.S. tradeshows this past year. It also annually hosts 22,000 meetings and conventions, including National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show.

Running in Las Vegas for 25 years, NAB Show experienced a record-breaking 2015 from April 11-16. Attendance topped 100,000, and the show used more than 1 million square feet of the 2 million squarefoot exhibit space at Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).

LVCVA staff honored NAB Show for its longevity and

its impact on Las Vegas.

Lawrence Weekly presented NAB Show Executive Vice President Chris Brown with a symbolic key to the Las Vegas Strip. In turn, Brown showed his appreciation for the city.

@ExhibitCityNews

“Nobody else can offer the package that Las Vegas can.

[NAB] hopes to be here for years to come,” Brown said. “[Las Vegas] checks all the boxes – it draws visitors. It’s close to California. We draw visitors heavily from California. This city has the best hospitality, and people enjoy coming out here.”

Brown explained that he could see NAB Show staying to Las Vegas for the remainder of its show dates, set through 2030, especially if the tradeshow continues benefitting from the guest experience the city provides – entertainment, restaurants, meetings facilities, etc.

Presently, NAB has re-signed with Las Vegas for another three years. This ensures flex-

ibility from a business standpoint, according to Brown.

If NAB Show did sign onto Las Vegas until 2030, it would eventually benefit from the long-term expansion taking LVCC onto the Las Vegas Strip -- the Las Vegas Global Business District. Brown added that NAB Show could use the additional space since its show and education sessions are spread between LVCC and neighboring hotels, The Westgate and The Renaissance.

The collaboration between these hotels and LVCC is what the convention industry is about. Facility operators often work together in Las Vegas to hold large-scale events, with International CES being the most obvious example.

Other examples of the meetings industry furthering collaboration spread from Las Vegas to other major cities. Chicago, for example, united 200 meetings industry professionals who represented industry associations and the city’s official destination marketing organization.

“The meeting industry welcomes an average of 3 million attendees to the Chicagoland area annually, generates nearly $5 billion in annual direct economic impact and supports over 133,000 hospitality industry employees,” remarked Don Welsh, CEO, Choose Chicago.

In 2014, Chicago hosted 24 of the largest tradeshows in the U.S. and thousands more meetings.

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 69

NATIONAL

Earth Day Celebrations

I

n celebration of the 45th Earth Day on April 22, several convention centers involved employees and local communities in eco-friendly, sustainable events, activities and education during one of the largest environmental civic actions worldwide.

At Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) in Southern California, the venue beautified and rededicated its recycling center. In addition to unveiling its new name – The C.U.R.B, which stands for Committed to Using our Resources Better – on April 22, LACC painted the recycling center and surrounding K-rail, planted several citrus trees and hand-sorted the recycling station.

At a staff barbeque and potluck following the event, Waste Management hosted an information booth to further educate employees on sustainability.

At the Colorado Convention Center (CCC) in Denver, employees committed to completing at least two challenge options in addition to a five-question sustainability quiz about the venue during the CCC Green Week Challenge. As part of a larger initiative by Event Services Professionals Association (ESPA), led nationally by Tiffany Hoambrecker of VISIT Denver, the challenge created awareness about sustainability in the meeting and event industry.

Challenge options: 1. Use alternative transportation to commute to work including biking, walking, public transportation (bus or light rail) or carpooling.

2. Sustainable photo contest - Each day, submit a photo(s) of something sustainable around the CCC or you doing something sustainable at home.

3. Sustainability in department – Submit an idea of how you think the CCC could be more sustainable. This could be an action within the department or in general for the building.

4. Commit to one behavior change to adopt for the rest of the year. Examples include: • Change printer default to double-sided; • Turn computer off each night; • Take alternative transportation once a week; • Adopt “Meatless Monday”; • Recycle at home; or • Another idea of how you can make a change to be more sustainable.

5. Eat vegetarian all week long. Make all meals from April 20-24 meatless.

6. Create your own challenge and include it on the Challenge worksheet.

70 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

To celebrate, the Cox Business Center in Tulsa, Okla., commenced installing an entirely new landscape project on April 23. Focusing its design around indigenous plants native to Oklahoma, the hardier perennial plants will save the cost and waste of replanting annually.

“Not only do we sell a great convention facility, but we sell the Tulsa experience and its rich history to all our renters and their guests,” commented Cox Business Center Assistant General Manager Kerry Painter, CFE, CEM, CMP. To be completed by the end of May, the new landscape, which requires less watering throughout the hot Oklahoma summers, will conserve both water and labor.

From Earth Day 2015 to 2016, Cox Business Center is also supporting the Tulsa Farmer’s Market Association, whose mission is to provide accessibility of fresh, high quality Oklahoma produce to both local consumers and lower-income residents.

For every facility rental in the year, the Center will donate $10 towards the sustainable food initiative.

“As everyone knows, a convention center revolves around the preparing and serving of food in every form: concessions, fine dining, breaks in meetings, etc. Knowing we were a part of bringing the opportunity for healthy food to local residents in need is very gratifying for both our clients and the staff of the facility,” Painter remarked.

Additionally, lights were dimmed for the entire business day of April 22 throughout the Tulsa-based facility to encourage employees to be more mindful in their energy usage.

A community tree planting project was planned by Lynnwood Convention Center in Lynnwood, Wash. Working with the City of Lynnwood and local students, the venue’s management team planted 20 trees at Wilcox Park in Lynnwood on April 24.

“Sustainability is an important part of the Lynnwood Con-

There’s no survival potential in pessimism.

- Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, founder, Earth Day

LACC renames recycling center to The C.U.R.B.

vention Center’s daily processes and services. We also believe in being a steward of the community. Earth Day is a great opportunity to bring these two values together,” said Lynnwood SW_STM_9x5_Ad_01-2015.pdf 1 1/19/2015 11:23:51 AM

Convention Center General Manager Sara Blayne, CMP. Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Center in Australia conducted various activities throughout the month of April, including hosting workshops to educate staff about sustainable food, offering environmentally-focused facility tours and collecting donations to benefit local nonprofit organizations as well as the victims of Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu.

Celebrating “Green Columbus Earth Day,” Columbus Commons, a 9-acre park and green space in downtown Columbus, Ohio, hosted local bands, food trucks, kids’ activities, environmental groups and businesses.

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

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

NG O VI

SER

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@ExhibitCityNews

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ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 71

NATIONAL

When Politics Come Into Play

C

Improve Your Image...

ome rain or shine, the show must go on in the exhibition industry.

There are instances, however, when a perfect storm can wash out a tradeshow’s production. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) did just that when it was first passed by Indiana Gov.Mike Pence on March 26.

While intended to protect the religious freedom of private Indiana businesses, the law carried the potential for discrimination against certain classes of customers based on those same spiritual beliefs, namely the LGBTQ community.

Causing an uproar both locally and nationally, a number of companies and individuals protested against the law by canceling or threatening to withdraw scheduled conventions, meetings and

72 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

By Zeenath Haniff

events. One particular tradeshow, Gen Con, considered the largest at Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, publically voiced its opposition to RFRA. Adrian Swartout, CEO and owner of Gen Con, the largest tabletopgame convention in North America that attracted 54,000 and brought an estimated economic impact of more than $50 million to its 2014 edition, penned a letter to Gov. Mike Pence.

“Legislation that could allow for refusal of service or discrimination against our attendees will have a direct negative impact on the state’s economy, and will factor into our decision-making on hosting the convention in the state of Indiana in future years,” stated Swartout.

In an open letter to Gen Con delegates,

...call

Swartout stated that the show would begin a five-year bidding process to consider other convention destinations following its contract with the city of Indianapolis, to end in 2020.

Backing Gen Con’s plea was the Convention Industry Council (CIC), an organization that champions the economic and social value of the meetings and event profession.

Submitting its own letter to the governor, CIC pointed out the negative effect the law could have against its membership of more than 100,000 individuals and nearly 20,000 businesses.

“An unintended consequence of this law has been the reaction of many businesses who are considering not holding future meetings and events

Photography for Exhibits Events Architecture and more

+1.866.359.4493 exposurestld.com

in Indiana,” wrote CIC CEO Karen Kotowski. “Not only would this be harmful to economic well-being of the state, but it would injure the very people who are employed by the hospitality industry and who may be subject to discrimination due to this legislation.”

Also disapproving of RFRA was the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), an organization for show organizers and suppliers to the tradeshow industry. In its entreaty on March 31, neither IAEE Chairperson Megan Tanel nor President & CEO David DuBois supported the legislation or “the boycotting of exhibitions, meetings and events as a weapon in this debate.”

“The direct spend of the exhibitions and events conducted in this country totals $69 billion. Exhibitions support thousands of jobs across our country, generate millions of dollars in incremental taxes and help to create

@ExhibitCityNews

educational opportunities for thousands on an annual basis,” the letter stated.

“IAEE and our members cannot support any legislation or actions that could lead to discrimination at any level.”

In response to the massive backlash, legislative language was added to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act on April 2 to protect customers from being refused services under its practice: “Providers,” including individuals and businesses, cannot “refuse to offer or provide services, facilities, use of public accommodations, goods, employment or housing to any member or members of the general public on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or United States military service” or establish a legal defense for refusing service to those protected members.

Satisfied with the amendment, Gen

Con organizers once again endorsed conducting business in the state of Indiana, releasing a supplemental statement in support.

“Today, Indiana’s General Assembly overwhelmingly passed an amendment to RFRA, signed by the Governor, that will remove RFRA’s risk of discrimination or refusal of service statewide,” it said. “The amended law will reflect Indianapolis’ own longstanding human rights ordinance, which includes protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”

Weathering the storm proved rewarding for the show, reassured of its decade-long host city following the passing of the amendment to RFRA. Stating that it will hold its “inclusive” 2015 edition in Indianapolis as planned, Gen Con will likely set the tone for future tradeshows in the state of Indiana.

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 73

REGIONAL

Sold on Sin City

By Zeenath Haniff

How GlobalShop succeeded in Las Vegas

G

lobalShop, held annually since 1993, has been known as the world’s largest yearly event for retail design and shopper marketing. Yet, it did not reach its record numbers until it relocated to the top convention destination in the U.S. – Las Vegas. Founder and Show Director Doug Hope added Las Vegas into the rotation over a decade after the show was founded and has never looked back.

The retail show peaked in 2000 after being held in Chicago concurrently for 10 years. So why leave? While exhibitors were content with Chicago as the host city, Hope and his team surveyed non-exhibiting suppliers to retailers and

chicago

847.671.5494

|

consumer businesses for the first time to gauge their interest in participating.

“Customer satisfaction surveys never survey non-customers,” Hope explained.

Results found the reverse from past reviews. Although exhibitors continually ranked Chicago above Las Vegas, non-exhibitors selected Las Vegas as their first choice. Additionally, Las Vegas was experiencing a period of growth in retail and other industries at the time, serving as inspiration for retail designers.

“Las Vegas best represents aspiration for designers because it is uncapped and has no budget encumbrances,” stated Hope.

Contracted through 2025, GlobalShop is now held for four years in a row in Las

las vegas

702.798.6433

|

Vegas then one year in Chicago before returning to Sin City.

The move proved fruitful as all metrics for the show more than doubled in 2015, recorded as the single biggest growth

www.anglesondesign.com

|

find us on facebook

furniture rental | tradeshows | meetings | events 74 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

for GlobalShop since 2000. According to Hope, the show gained 10 percent exhibit space and attendance increased by approximately 22 percent at this year’s show, held March 24-26 at Mandalay Bay

@ExhibitCityNews

Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Marking another first, GlobalShop debuted a Centerpiece, which represents the biggest upcoming retail trend of the year. The first to be held in 14 years, the show curated space for exhibitors to present the latest trends.

For 2015, retailers are using technology to reach consumers before they step into the store. With this trend, less attention was being paid to in-store marketing.

About 14 technology companies released existing products at the 2015 Centerpiece including drive-up windows for merchandise pick-up, use of interactive tablets as an information tool and BOPUS, or the option to “Buy online, pickup in store.” Also making its debut was an industry-wide international icon for BOPUS featuring a globe within a shopping cart.

Next year’s Centerpiece, titled “Bricks and Clicks,” will have retailers spending

Las Vegas best represents aspiration for designers because it is uncapped and has no budget encumbrances. more on digital in-store experiences, expected to bridge a $1.2 trillion at-risk sales gap between what consumers desire and what retailers do not yet offer.

For more information, visit globalshop.org

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 75

CONVENTION CENTER SPOTLIGHT

EAT No visit to the Village would be complete without the taste of some great Italiano.

Since 1929, John’s of Bleecker Street Coal Fired Brick Oven Pizzeria has been serving the Village’s best New York style pizza, pasta and salads. For more information, visit johnsbrickovenpizza.com.

SLEEP Classic “Old New York” is fully embodied at the 3 West Club, a historic Midtown hotel complete with crystal chandeliers, high ceilings and art deco touches. Centrally located off of 5th Avenue, it is only a short walk from Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. The property also offers more than 7,000 square feet of meeting space to hold corporate seminars, board meetings, private dining and elegant receptions.

HONOR

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

I

The New York Taxi and Limousine Commission reported Uber cars have officially outnumbered traditional yellow taxi cabs. Download the Uber app at uber.com/cities/ new-york

By John M. Stuart

n one of America’s most trendy cities, there is little doubt its convention center would be one of the most versatile and innovative in the industry. Originally completed in 1986, the Big Apple’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, with now 2.1 million square feet of space, hosts 80 conventions and tradeshows and 70 other special events annually.

This maturing Center received a multi-million dollar facelift, enhancing its appeal to woo the city’s convention and tradeshow traffic, revitalizing Manhattan’s West Side.

Completed in 2014, every inch of this facility has been included in the five-year renovation, from the installation of a 6.75-acre green roof to its interior decor.

In addition to its four levels of nine separate self-contained halls, able to accommodate mixed events of any size, the stunning 15-story glass and steel Crystal Palace offers breathtaking views of the Hudson River, providing a perfect space for a gala gathering, press conference or other events. This entire dramatic space has been renovated, including the replacement of every pane of glass, giving it a well-deserved up-to-date look.

Being all made up and dressed to kill, the Javits Center is poised to become as sought-after as the city it occupies.

76 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

New York City rebuilds triumphantly with the rising up of the new World Trade Center (WTC) complex. Its dramatic centerpiece, One World Trade Center, will dominate the iconic skyline with 104 stories in Lower Manhattan, making it the city’s tallest structure. In its shadows are two large footprints where the Twin Towers once stood.

This beautiful exterior space has transformed these footprints into the largest cascading waterfalls in the U.S. as the focal point of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

WATCH Twinkling lights, a sea of yellow taxicabs and hot dog vendors on every corner.

This is New York City. But nestled in the hustle and bustle of this busy city is Broadway theater entertainment, which remains one of the most popular attractions in the Big Apple. Broadway is the name of Manhattan’s famed street and home to the worldwide leader in stage entertainment. Celebrities turned stage actors and world-class sets and costumes set the stage for 40 theaters that are an absolute must-see entertainment for travelers in NYC.

Photo by David Sundberg/Esto.

TRAVELER TIP:

Ready? Engage.

July 20–22, 2015

Boston Quincy Marriott | Quincy, MA The trade show industry is moving at warp speed. It’s time to determine where we’re going. The mission of the E2MA’s Red Diamond Congress is to engage the leaders, innovators and thought leaders among all industry segments to identify models, methods, and practices that measurably improve the value of face-to-face marketing. We invite you to join this effort and take part in: • KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS from industry and marketing thought leaders • INNOVATOR PANEL DISCUSSIONS with CEOs and industry leaders • FLIPPED SESSIONS – moderated discussions to promote active learning • CASE STUDIES – a thorough examination of new event models • WORKGROUP ROUNDTABLES – event pros collaborating on challenging issues

Our list of invited speakers, experts and industry leaders at RDC includes: • Jack Myers, MyersBizNet • David DuBois, IAEE • Lew Shomer & David Audrain, SISO • Jeff Provost, EDPA • Paul Vandeventer, MPI • Leonora Valvo, Insight XM

For complete program and registration info on how you can make a difference, visit e2ma.org/event/15RDC

HISTORY

A Glimpse of Tradeshow History

BY EXHIBIT CITY NEWS

1907

PERFECTING LEDS

Discoveries in LEDs were seen as early as 1907, but the first modern infrared LED was discovered in 1961 by engineers James R. Biard and Gary Pittman. LEDs werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t widely used until white LEDs were perfected. Initially, some people thought LEDs would be short-lived because the original white LEDs were expensive and inefficient. At the 2007 Lightfair International in New York, LEDs proved they were here to stay. From the venue itself to new lighting fixtures highlighted by exhibitors, energy-efficient, long-lasting LEDs emerged as a worthy opponent against incandescent and fluorescent lighting.

78 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

1983

2010 MOBILE APP PREDICTIONS

Mobile apps began with a prediction by Apple Founder Steve Jobs, who envisioned a new system to distribute software applications in June 1983. By the 1990s, cellphones began a year-byyear transformation that eventually settled into smartphones.

The advent of 3G and 4G in the 2000s truly enabled the rise of mobile apps. Catching on to the trend in 2000, Corbin Ball, a technology wizard to the meetings industry, made several predictions about how mobile apps would change cell phones and become a major part of the meetings industry. By 2010, all his predictions came true.

QR CODES COME TO VOGUE AT TRADESHOWS So the story goes that in 1994, Quick Response (QR) Codes started in Japan as an auto manufacturing tracking method for Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota. Data from Mobio Identity Systems give hints as to when QR Codes officially arrived at tradeshows. It indicated that by the fourth quarter of 2010, QR Code scanning had grown rapidly. This seems reasonable: By the 2011 PACK EXPO, using QR Codes at tradeshows was obviously a new phenomenon. Koroberi, a full-service agency, noticed that QR Codes were heavily used on marketing materials, such as signage. To avoid attendee confusion, these same marketing materials included instructions on how to use the QR Codes.

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 79

CORPORATE PROFILE: Special Advertising Section

Creating Buzz for a Decade Celebrating the 10th anniversary of BlueHive

A

decade has passed since BlueHive Strategic Environments first burst onto the scene as a New England exhibit house, bringing with it a sense of creativity and ingenuity to the tradeshow industry.

The company’s growth is today evident in the form of a 100,000 square-foot property in Worcester, Mass., with satellite offices located in Portsmouth, N.H., Long Island, N.Y. and Atlanta. The exhibit house also maintains partnerships in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Las Vegas, with a number of connections across the globe.

BlueHive was the brainchild of industry veterans Paul Hanlon, Jack Hally and Jen Landry, a dream team boasting the combined experience of almost a century.

The name itself has existed since 2001, the result of a particularly inspirational game of hangman between Hally and Landry, but it wasn’t until 2005 that the BlueHive project took off in earnest.

Meeting in the halls of Clark University, the pair outlined an idea for an innovative exhibit house, constructing a model that combined creative thinking with the promise of longevity. They then proposed the idea to Hanlon, inviting him to contribute his vision and wealth of experience as CEO. Hanlon promptly committed his personal savings to the venture so that the young company would enjoy a flexible and debt-free investment in people, technology and equipment.

“Our concept has always been simple,” explained Hanlon. “By putting our people first, we can ensure that they work 80 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

with the best vendors, which, in turn, ensures that our clients receive the best products and services available.”

Its resolute commitment to quality and dependability strengthened with the addition of a millwork and retail wing to the company’s headquarters in January 2009. With this move, not only did the quality and the variety of the product improve, but the client experience was greatly enhanced by consolidating the design and construction process under one roof.

“The expansion allowed for a diversification of talent and services, in itself giving a lot more scope to the client and what they could expect,” explained Hanlon. “$1 million of the expansion was invested in computer software linked to production machinery. Designers can now draw a plan on their desktop, have it processed by the computers in the millwork shop, which in turn instruct the hardware to produce the design in 3D... all at the click of a mouse! It’s utterly mind-blowing stuff.”

The company ensures its employees are recognized as invaluable assets by encouraging a workplace with a strong social element. The annual summer cookout is a particular favorite, along with dinner parties and family hockey nights, to create camaraderie among a global mix of employees from as far as Germany and Ireland.

“We try to do as much as we can to give back to the employees,” commented Landry, currently serving as director of account services. “Without their trust and commitment, we wouldn’t be here.”

A sense of society has been part of BlueHive since its inception, and when the company was smaller, every new employee was subject to a ‘honey initiation’ comprised of a number of teambuilding challenges. Today, the ‘Passionate Bee Pledge’ reinforces the feeling of society.

“It’s all there in the name,” explained Hally, the company’s executive vice president. “Blue is the color of creativity while a hive is an environment where everyone works together in a social setting to achieve a final, singular goal.”

This decidedly “apoidean” flavor is found throughout BlueHive, and is part of the brand’s success story to ensure both its people and clients invest in the concept behind the name. The company’s mascot, Buzz, and other marketing campaigns, such as #ImABeeliever, WE. CREATE. BUZZ and #BlueHiveBuzz, all reinforce the company’s core imagery and principles both publically as well as internally.

“We take pride in our brand,” explained Landry. “The only way to ensure this is by bringing to life the vision of our clients; treating them all as if they were the queen bee.”

At EXHIBITORLIVE, which took place March 1-5, 2015, at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the company was awarded Best of Show Small Booth, an accolade that Hanlon and Landry put down to the delivery of a consistent and trustworthy brand message.

“The bottom line is that our energy and imagination is returned in the form of quality and desirable products, and that our clients are both happy and relaxed,” Hanlon reflected. “Only then will we be able to see another 10 years because we really couldn’t do it without them.”

Ten more years with the promise of many more? It’s time to ‘bee’ part of it.

KEEP CALM AND

TWEET ON Join the conversation

@ExhibitCityNews

CORPORATE PROFILE: Special Advertising Section

Flooring the Competition with Rentals

By Kristan Obeng

Swisstrax breaks the mold with modular flooring rentals

R

entals are commonplace in the tradeshow industry, but of the few suppliers specializing in modular flooring, only one company offers rentals to show management and exhibitors.

Enter the Swiss Rental Floors division, which launched in June 2012 in Las Vegas to provide its customers with flooring flexibility. The division arose from within Swisstrax, a modular flooring provider founded in 2004. Swisstrax has manufacturing facilities in Indio, Calif., and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Together, 82 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

these facilities have a capacity to produce over 20,000 square feet of flooring each day.

“There are a handful of companies offering modular floor coverings, but most of the rentals offered are for sub-flooring. Many large companies do not want to invest in [modular] floor coverings since their demands on color and design change from year to year and even show to show. We have set up a unique offering for our types of products that can be reused and hold up to abuse,” stated Randy Nelson, founder and

president, Swisstrax.

Swisstrax’s rental division ensures its customers have an alternative to carpet that is not only less expensive in terms of price and drayage, but also reusable, sustainable and comfortable to stand on. The flooring itself lives up to its modularity – its lightweight interlocking tiles can be installed with ease. And a must for any tradeshow – cables and wires can be run under the flooring.

Cleaning the tiles often only requires a duster or Swiffer, according to Nelson. He added that cleaning carpet could

actually be a lengthier and pricier process.

To put a spin on an old mantra -- “If it doesn’t save dollars, then it doesn’t make sense.”

From the perspective of Nelson, carpet in numerous ways can be problematic, especially when it’s stacked up against his company’s 18 flooring options for tradeshows as well as outdoor, corporate and special events.

Due to the flooring’s durability, it ensures reusability.

This is tried and tested by Swisstrax’s clients, such as Coca-Cola, Dodge and GM.

“Wherever you use carpet, you can use this product. The average use for carpet is 1.8 times. Our flooring can be used over a 100 times,” stated Nelson.

“Calculate that over the lifetime of the product, and that comes to 4 cents per square feet.”

He explained that a longtime client, Monster Energy, reused his company’s flooring for 130 Monster Energy Supercross events. Bridgestone and Ford have done the same for their events.

If it isn’t donated or recycled after the show, carpet is often thrown away. This contributes to the “wasteful” reputation of tradeshows. According to Nelson, the ability to reuse each Swisstrax tile prevents 150200 pounds of carpet from

@ExhibitCityNews

ending up in the landfill.

“Eighty percent of booths with carpet use padding. That doubles what goes into the landfill,” Nelson added.

The Swiss Rental Floors division is headed by Nelson’s brother, Ed, at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s Speedway Commerce Center.

With a background in contracting, Vice President Ed Nelson was instrumental in getting the rental division off the ground. Previously, Swisstrax did one-time garage flooring installations for companies like Ford and Bridgestone until Ed perfected the system to compete with carpet suppliers on a larger scale.

Operating from the Speedway, Ed has seen how Swisstrax

flooring stands up to Las Vegas storms during outdoor events.

He explained that carpet quickly gets inundated with water and mildew while water simply runs off Swisstrax’s flooring.

As seen from its presence at the Speedway, Swisstrax caters to many sporting and automotive events due to Randy Nelson’s roots working within the sector overseas.

In the 1980s, while working as part of a pit crew for a racing team in Switzerland, Nelson grew inspired to create a better system for event flooring. He later formed partnerships with automotive and racing companies that used tradeshows in their marketing mix.

The company’s operations soon grew beyond Canada

and the U.S. Nelson licensed his products in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and, of course, Europe.

Complementing Swisstrax’s expansion globally is the diverse tradeshow and event business it’s continuing to take on. This includes International CES, SEMA and John Deere events.

Additionally, Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the fifth largest tennis tournament in the world, contracted the company to do 85,000 square feet of flooring, which will be reused.

“We have a 95 percent return rate on clients coming back,” stated Nelson.

For more information about the Swiss Rental Floors division, visit SwissRentalFloors.com

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 83

CORPORATE PROFILE: Special Advertising Section

Follow the Leader

By Kristan Obeng

40-year-old Nomadic Display introduces a series of firsts to the industry

F

rom the moment Theodore “Ted” Zeigler founded Nomadic Display in October 1975, ‘flexibility’ arose as the heart of its operations so it could better serve customers.

Zeigler, a graphic designer inspired

by R. Buckminster Fuller’s creation of the geodesic dome, launched the first self-locking pop-up display – the Instand – and began manufacturing it in the Washington, D.C. area. This system immediately freed exhibitors from the status quo at tradeshows.

“We are proud of the legacy that Ted set up. What’s revolutionary about his invention is it turned control over to the exhibitor and gave them DIY capabilities. They could participate in tradeshows and exhibitions. They didn’t need crated shipments or union labor. They could collapse the pop-up and could wheel it into the space themselves,” stated Gwen Parsons, senior vice president, Nomadic Display.

Even after the 17-year patent on Instand expired and knock offs followed, Nomadic Display continued to be a leader by offering more system configurations and design options.

“We added a lifetime warranty -- the

84 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Founder Theodore “Ted” Zeigler

first introduced in the industry. We backed it with no questions asked. Even if the customer damaged it, the company would replace it or fix it for free. That’s a testimony to the system’s quality and a unique selling point,” added Parsons.

After 40 years in business, Nomadic Display now features a much-expanded product line, including portable, modular and custom solutions.

“Initially, we only did pop-up manufacturing, and then we started to grow in modular design. We opened a design studio, Solutions Design Studio. We have a team who can do speculative

design. We now have project management, a rental division, and our team has grown to better serve clients and end users,” she said.

Nomadic Display currently owns $1.4 million in rental inventory. Its Las Vegas depot serves the western U.S., and its Washington, D.C. area facility serves the eastern part of the country. The company started offering rentals in 2004.

“I think [rentals] were a natural movement in the industry. At first, rentals were generally cookie-cutter designs that came out of a service manual. There were exhibitors who wanted the free-

dom to rent but look like they owned.

Out of the cookie-cutter rentals were custom rentals,” Parsons explained.

“Some exhibitors like the flexibility -the freedom of having different designs year after year. If you don’t own, you’re not storing, not repairing -- all the stuff ownership comes with.”

Additionally, Parsons explained that the reconfigurable nature of rentals allows exhibitors to have a small footprint at multiple regional tradeshows but who can easily expand for the one large national show they do each year.

On the other hand, other Nomadic Display customers have owned their properties for years. Generally, they come back to Nomadic to update their graphics or buy new accessories. All of the company’s accessories connect with each other, and each of its new products are made with current and new customers in mind. This is especially important in times of change.

Nomadic team with 40th anniversary cake

“How does a marketing manager doing tradeshows handle an exhibit program when a merger is on the horizon or a division is about to be sold? They have to change their marketing message and tradeshow presence, so they

need a flexible product. We are proud that we are aware of their changing needs,” she said.

Nomadic Display also takes the flexibility it offers internationally. The company has offices in Ireland, the UK and Germany. Although these are all independent organizations, the leaders living overseas often collaborate with those in the U.S. “If the German office has a client going to an exhibition in Las Vegas, they know who to coordinate with,” Parsons commented. “It’s easy for them to order products and have an extension across the pond and vice versa. What sets us apart is that these [offices] are company outlets. Exhibit houses often need to develop partnerships abroad to have a point of contact to help with customers. We have that built in.”

Also differentiating Nomadic Display is its longevity. The company celebrated its 40th anniversary at EXHIBITORLIVE this year with a party thanking its customers.

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ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 85

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Q&A

Karen Chupka, Woman of Achievement Award Winner Chupka is senior vice president of International CES and does corporate business strategy for Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).

What did winning the Woman of Achievement Award at IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum mean to you?

I was thrilled and honored to win the IAEE 2015 Woman of Achievement Award. I have one of the coolest jobs in the world, and the fact that key organizations like IAEE recognize me for work that I love doing is just extra special.

What does the IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum mean for women?

This year’s forum, which sold out with more than 150 attendees, was a major success. The event inspired many new ideas, and I was excited to see that it was attended by women at all different stages of their careers. I hope that it can serve as an inspiration for other industries looking to grow the presence of women in their fields.

How have you demonstrated leadership over the years?

Much of my career has been spent on creating new programs for both International CES and CEA. I’m currently 86 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

serving as director on the Center of Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) board. This June, I will speak at the Kellen Conference, a forum for association leaders, on the “Executive Panel Discussion,” which will explore how leading associations are using networks to raise awareness, advance their mission and grow revenue.

What visions and strategies for International CES did you bring to fruition?

Each year, we meet with representatives from the various unions to thank them for creating a positive experience for our exhibitors.

Also every year, we look at trends to determine new areas of growth for CES. For the 2015 CES, we introduced C Space at ARIA, a brand new home for creative communicators, brand professionals and digital advertisers.

We also welcomed Sands Expo as a venue.

Creating the Eureka Park Marketplace at CES, the flagship startup destination at CES, provided a unique exhibiting opportunity at a discounted exhibit space rate.

In 2014, 25 Eureka Park companies received $50,000 or more in crowdfunding. Others entered new partnerships with distributors or advanced to their first full production cycle after exhibiting at CES.

Under my leadership, CEA staff organized a full-day “CES Study Tour” for Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA) members that went behind the scenes to see how CEA manages logistics, such as keynotes, conference programming, event transportation and the show floor.

I am also leading the launch of the inaugural International CES Asia, which will be in Shanghai, China, on May 25-27.

How have you helped advance women in the tradeshow industry?

My dedication is evidenced by how heavily involved women are in producing the international CES and in directing CEA’s policies. Fifty percent of CEA’s senior staff is made up of women and almost half of all vice presidents and higher at CEA are women.

With my encouragement, CEA provides financial assistance to eight female employees to further enhance their knowledge of exhibitions and meetings by obtaining their Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) designation.

In January 2010, I was one of seven inductees in the inaugural Women in Consumer Electronics (CE) Legacy Award class. Inductees are selected based on their experience, teamwork and leadership, service and accomplishments and inspiration for women in the industry.

What else do you hope to achieve in your career?

I look forward to growing our international presence as well as finding new industries and audiences to build programs for, and to one day have a show in Asia that is the size of International CES.

The I&D Series Exhibit City News Presents

SERIES BEGINNING JULY 2015 We’ll be taking an in-depth look at tradeshow and event labor

Topics include: · International Labor Directory · National Labor Rate Survey · Ethics issues · International exhibit builders · Show floor supervision

· Specialized services · Impact of technology · Health & Wellness · Personal interest stories · Gone But Not Forgotten

Want to participate? Contact us for sponsorship & advertising opportunities at 702-309-8023.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

SISO Appoints New Executive Director

O

n Jan. 1, 2016, Lew Shomer, president and CEO, Shomex Productions, will hand over the reins to David Audrain, CEO, Exposition Development Company Inc. (ExpoDevCo), as executive director of the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO), the premier organization for the for-profit show organizer.

The organization retains a management company as well as a personal contract with the CEO to act as executive director for its administration.

SISO Chairman Charlie McCurdy announced Audrain’s appointment by a unanimous vote of the Board during the annual report to members’ luncheon at SISO’s CEO Summit, which took place April 13-16 in Kiawah Island, S.C. “I am thrilled that the Board has chosen David to be the Executive Director when I step down,” said Lew Shomer, current executive director, SISO. “His unique entrepreneurial drive mixed with his managerial style for organizing and producing shows all over the world will help SISO maintain the many relationships we have developed, which make SISO such an integral part of the overall global industry.”

SISO Chairman Charlie McCurdy expressed the organization’s gratitude to Shomer, who will have completed seven years of leadership service in 2015. “[The Board] wanted to thank Shomex Productions and Lew Shomer for their success in bringing SISO to the level it has reached as the premier organization serving the for-profit show organizer,” McCurdy commended.

88 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Leaving a rich legacy for his successor, Shomer contributed much to SISO’s growth under his leadership. As the de facto head of the organization, he worked to requalify membership, expanding it by 10 percent in 2014 alone.

Increasing international membership and participation from 3 to 35 percent, Shomer drew members from over 20 countries including New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Mexico and throughout Asia, Latin America, Europe and Africa.

“SISO is in great shape with a very diverse and robust membership that spans the globe—it’s a great organization with lots of upside still to come,” said McCurdy.

Along with a healthy membership base, Shomer built a sizeable financial reserve, positioning SISO’s group of sponsors to reinvest in the community.

Shomer expressed confidence in his successor’s abilities to carry out the organization’s strategic plan, created in Au-

gust 2014 for the next executive director.

Planned objectives include maintaining a high level of networking activity, providing strategic content to decision-making CEOs, and developing curricula to grow student awareness of face-to-face marketing, benefits and career paths to attract young professionals to the industry.

“What David’s responsibility is going forward will be to find new ways to implement our strategic plans and grow membership,” Shomer said. “David is well-prepared for the position because he’s been involved with SISO for years; he’s familiar with its operation and philosophy. We looked for that in a successor – an entrepreneur – which will make his transition easy. He will be able to work with the Board and implement the strategic plan that he helped to develop.”

With the management contract approved on April 13, the transition between Shomex and ExpoDevCo will include transfer of documents, strategies and infrastructure for Audrain and his company to smoothly continue operations and sales by the start of 2016.

“We have developed a transition program that will make the passing of the leadership virtually seamless, ensuring our members and sponsors will continue to receive the very best service that they have come to expect,” McCurdy added.

“We are confident that David will continue to lead SISO at the forefront of the industry as we concentrate on member benefits and continuing education to schools and our member organizations.”

His leadership experience extends to other organizations as a past chairman of the International Association for Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), and current seat on the Board of Directors of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR).

“We are certainly very excited about the opportunity to manage SISO; I personally have always put the highest value in SISO and look forward to working closely with the Board,” Audrain commented. “SISO has an incredibly strong membership that represents the largest to the smallest of the for-profit show organizer companies from around the world, and we will en@ExhibitCityNews

sure that it will continue to grow its membership and ROI for those members.”

Offering advice to the man who will fill his “Crocs,” according to Audrain, Shomer pointed to his successor’s own innovative approach to business.

“My best advice to David is not to copy necessarily what was done in the past, but to bring his own personality into the position,” Shomer counseled. “David has different strengths; he’s very tech-savvy.

I think technology will play a big part in what SISO will do in the future – host different types of events not done in the past, have more social media and Web presence. It will continue creating a community that gives our attendees and

SISO has an incredibly strong membership that represents the largest to the smallest of the for-profit show organizer companies. sponsors the types of results they expect.”

Having served on the Board and the Executive Committee of SISO and as Chairman in 2013-2014, Audrain shared the key element that differentiates the organization from other trade associations.

“SISO is an organization of purely independent, for-profit organizers. It outsources management to someone who actually organizes events. To have one of its members act as director and organize events as part of their other business suits the association very well,” Audrain stated. “SISO is lucky to have excellent leadership – in both the Board and executive committee – certainly a who’s who in the exhibition industry.”

A long-time member, Audrain spoke highly of the association’s offerings.

“SISO has always been the most influential grouping of organizers globally in the for-profit sector. I wouldn’t dream of missing the CEO conference; it’s the best networking and peer collaboration that I’ve seen in this industry,” he said. “Participation at the CEO Summit includes one-third of attendees from outside of the U.S., becoming a global grouping.”

Committed to providing substantial support for CEOs, Audrain is focusing on education for all levels – from young professionals to C-suite executives.

“Education is a hotspot for SISO,” according to Audrain.

Hosting two conferences each year, SISO helps mid-level executives develop senior managing skills during its annual Executive Conference while company owners, presidents and CEOs meet at the CEO Summit to strategize long-term plans in all aspects of the industry, such as technology, hotel attrition rates, visa allocation and exclusive venue practices.

At the entry-level, SISO is targeting institutes of higher learning.

“We’re making strong efforts to increase face-to-face marketing in university teachings, which are woefully short,” commented Audrain. “Students are graduating with marketing or business degrees without knowing what a tradeshow is, which is key at the entry-level.”

To educate young professionals, Audrain will focus on showcasing faceto-face communications within marketing programs and business schools. In partnership with CEIR, SISO also funded the “2015 Young Professional Exhibitor Needs and Preferences Study,” a first-ever initiative offering insights on young exhibitor attitudes and preferences about business-to-business exhibitions.

Planning for the future of SISO, Audrain will reassess the association website to maximize communications with its members. Intending to become more data-driven, he aims to bring current its membership database and build conference attendee data on past activities as well as future interests.

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 89

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Q&A

Hu Wei, President, Reed Exhibitions Greater China How did you get your start at Reed Exhibitions Greater China?

I was recruited from outside. I was intrigued by Reed’s business model.

Fortunately, I went through the interview process and got the job. Taking on the role as the leader of China’s leading event organizer is no small task. I’ve been spending my time learning from people in different areas.

How did your past positions prepare you for your new role?

I had the privilege of working with many intelligent and hard-working people with several major corporations and across many functions: finance, supply chain, merchandising and sales.

Some of those companies raced to the top of the industry and then fell. Some of them managed to navigate through the ups and downs of the economic cycles.

90 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Some didn’t react quick[ly] enough to the changing industry landscape and had to fight for survival. I was fortunate enough to be there to experience them all and learn from the good and hard times.

Now, I have the opportunity to apply what I’ve learned at Reed Exhibitions Greater China [RXGC].

Did your predecessor, Nat Wong, offer any advice or training?

Nat has been tremendously helpful.

He has shared many insights. I’m grateful for what Nat has done for RXGC and me personally.

What are you looking forward to at Reed?

I look forward to working with our people to continue to serve customers.

We’re in the people business. I will push my teams to have [a] deep understanding

of our customers and the industries and how we can serve them better.

I’ll find ways to unleash the power of people. I walked into the office every day and could not help being impressed by the talents around me. We have a very young work force. If everyone is engaged and takes ownership of her/his job, we’ll be successful as a company. To accomplish [a] higher level of employee engagement, I need to take personal responsibility to allow them the leeway to make decisions and create opportunities for them to grow professionally.

What do you hope to achieve as president?

I want to improve services [for] our customers, take care of our people, improve our operational efficiency and invest resources in the right areas. If we’re successful in the above areas, we’ll remain relevant.

IN MEMORY

Remembering Earl C. Hargrove Jr.

E

arl Christian Hargrove Jr., founder of Hargrove Inc., passed away quietly on April 6 surrounded by his family. He was 86 years old.

Earl Jr. was an innovator and an industry pioneer. He saw the potential for combining story-telling, spectacle and showmanship with business, branding and politics, and worked tirelessly to make his vision a reality. He was never content with what he had done before and was always looking for a way to expand the scope, scale and enjoyment of the environments he created. In doing so, Earl Jr. helped to build the events industry into the economic force it is today.

He was born on Oct. 5, 1928, to Cecelia “Cele” Garrett and Earl Christian Hargrove Sr. of Richmond, Va. In 1946, while still in high school, he began working with his father’s window trimming business, Hargrove Display Decorators, eventually became a third owner of the company.

After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1946-1954, Earl Jr. returned to work with his father full time and in 1955 married Gloria (nee Love).

In 1949, Hargrove Display Decorators was contracted to build floats for President Harry Truman’s inaugural parade, an honor which continued through the Eisenhower celebrations in the fifties. The company’s involvement in inaugurals broadened with the Kennedy administration to include the formal Balls and other galas, expanding an uninterrupted history with Presidential inaugural events to this day.

Hargrove Displays Incorporated began decorating the National Christmas Tree and Pageant of Peace during the Eisenhower administration in 1955, trucking in a 60-foot tree and securing it in a custom stand. The National Park Service erected 92 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

several stories of staging to help them adorn the massive tree. Earl Jr. would install and test each bulb, and when bulbs burned out, he would climb up to fix them, often in a Santa costume. The times and technology changed over the years, but the honor of decorating the national tree continues for Hargrove. The company celebrated its 60th anniversary with the event this past December.

Expanding and diversifying the company, Earl Jr. started Hargrove Convention Services to provide exhibit equipment rentals to local hotels. Shortly thereafter,

He saw the potential for combining storytelling, spectacle and showmanship with business. the company joined Hargrove Displays Incorporated, which grew to become the Convention and Trade Show Division of the company in 1963. Business and political connections led to more opportunities to design, decorate and produce special events, eventually superseding float building as the primary source of business for the company. This shift progressed through the ‘60s prompting the word “Displays” to be dropped from the company name, creating Hargrove Incorporated in 1967.

Hargrove Inc. continued to gain momentum as a premier special events company, opening an office in Atlanta, Ga., in the ‘70s and adding a custom exhibits division in 1977. In the ‘90s, the company began to transition its efforts toward designing, managing and producing large-scale events and environments for both the corporate world and the federal government.

In 2008, Earl Jr. retired, selling the company to his daughter, Carla Hargrove McGill, and her husband, Tim McGill, who serve as the president and CEO of the company respectively – though Mr. Hargrove, as he was affectionately known to his colleagues, friends and family in the company, was ever present at the facility. His creativity and energy were driving forces in many projects even through his retirement.

Earl C. Hargrove Jr. was always a colorful storyteller – able to captivate a room with tales of his life and his experiences in the industry. In September 2014, Earl Hargrove and author Kenneth T. Walsh compiled Hargrove’s memoir, published by Gasch Printers, titled “Hargrove, There’s Rainwater in the Teacups!”

He is survived by his wife, Gloria Love Hargrove of Lothian, Md.; five children and seven grandchildren.

A celebration of his life took place April 11 at St. James’ Church in Lothian, Md. In lieu of flowers, donations were made in his name to HEROES Inc. at www.

Heroes-Inc.org and to the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund.

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ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 93

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The volunteers end up dancing, doing famous imperson-

94 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

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1. Those hired to greet visitors, stage performances, etc.

2. Clear, plastic sheeting 12. I see...

13. Counterpart of morn 14. Equipment 15. Show how a product is used, for short 17. Word preceding Office, Rules, Producer or Photographer 20. Pierre state (abbr) 22. Chair feature, sometimes 23. What education and viola have in common 24. Person licensed to enter and clear goods: ________ Broker 28. Solitaire number 30. Fly high 31. Common link between shoppe and property 32. Parking follower 33. At this time 34. Recording 37. Exhibit materials shipped for an exposition 40. Display with aisles on four sides: ______ Exhibit 41. Fro partner 42. Just the same (2 wds) 43. Computer graphics, shortened 44. Las Vegas: ___ City 45. Suspended panel used as a sign or decoration 47. Juneau state (abbr) 48. Tax nerd, shortened 49. St. or Ave. cousin 50. Length by width by height: ____ Content 51. Motor or palm 52. Lead position of the union labor manager 55. Los Angeles state (abbr) 57. Alias initials 58. Tote, for one 60. On 62. Place for a nametag 64. Aisle kept clear of obstructions to allow for 96 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

emergencies (2 wds) 66. Similar to paste 67. Rent 69. Jaunt; excursion 71. Cool __ a cucumber 72. 101, Roman 73. Understand 75. What southern and fourth have in common 76. Ship to a central depot for items bound for the same location, for example 77. Skyward

A Custom Crossword by Gail Beckman CustomCrosswords.com

DOWN

1. They can be printed in large sections: ____________ Graphics 2. Company emblem 3. What’s that you say?

4. Pull behind 5. Someone you purchase from 6. Liq. lunch?

7. Opposite NW 8. Utilize 9. It can cause a big head 10. Lincoln state (abbr) 11. Swag items; _____________ products 16. Cloth to cover unsightly areas: _______ Drape 18. Award with a medal, for instance 19. Short for water closet 20. Begins 21. Liquor thrown back 25. The two of ___ 26. Extremely 27. Precious gem 29. Lamb’s mom 32. Certain shirt size (abbr) 35. Itemized sheet of contents shipped (2 wds) 36. Bismarck state (abbr) 38. Quaint hotel 39. Type of exhibit construction where sides are made of solid material rather than fabric 40. What visitor and list have in common

41. Native abode (variation) 44. Cart used to transport people and materials 46. Paid notice 47. First two of twenty-six 50. Compact disc, shortened 53. It’s double-sided to adhere to the floor: Carpet ____ 54. Squeeze out; barely get by 56. “____ well that ends well” 58. It’s my _____ and butter 59. First two of five 60. Show you’re “in” at the poker table 61. Type of display with hinged metal framing (2 wds) 63. Gold symbol 64. Succeed opposite

65. Short for island 66. Space between 68. Comes before system or -nomy 70. Last three of five 74. Electrical engineer, shortened

March 2015 Answer Key

@ExhibitCityNews

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 97

Trade Show Calendar US CENTRAL

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

Show Techtextil North America Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation - AAMI American Society of Health-System Pharmacists - ASHP American Society of Safety Engineers - ASSE Public Risk Management Association - PRIMA Government Fleet Expo & Conference - GFX National Lawn & Garden Show International Society of Sports Nutrition - ISSN IAUG Converge - International Avaya Users Group Electrical Apparatus Service Association - EASA Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals - HITEC America’s Claim Event - ACE Healthcare Convention Exhibitors Association - HCEA AIAA Fluid Dynamics Conference and Exhibit National Athletic Trainers Association - NATA Women’s Business Enterprise National Council - WBENC Conference for the Advancement of Math Teaching -CAMT International New Age Trade Show - West - INATS Texas Restaurant Association - TRA Marketplace NCIA Cannabis Business Summit National Association of County & City Health Officials - NACCHO Autism Society of America National Conf. & Expo - ASA Texas Society for Respiratory Care - TSRC National Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Symposium National Costumers Association - NCA Texas Pharmacy Association - Rxperts National Council of La Raza - NCLR America’s Credit Union Conference & Expo - CUNA International Auctioneers Conference & Trade Show Destination Marketing Association International - DMAI Airborne Law Enforcement Association Annual Conf - ALEA International Reading Association Annual Texas High School Coaches Association - THSCA NCSL International Workshop & Symposium Unconventional Resources Technology Conference - URTeC CollegeBoard AP Annual Conference - APAC National Contract Management Association World Congress - NCMA Sunbelt Builders Show Family Medicine Residents & Students National Conf.

Colorado Vision Summit 98 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Start End 6/2 6/04 6/5 6/08 6/6 6/10 6/7 6/10 6/7 6/10 6/8 6/11 6/9 6/11 6/11 6/13 6/14 6/18 6/14 6/16 6/15 6/18 6/17 6/19 6/20 6/23 6/22 6/26 6/23 6/26 6/23 6/25 6/24 6/26 6/26 6/28 6/28 6/29 6/30 7/01 7/7 7/09 7/8 7/11 7/8 7/11 7/9 7/12 7/10 7/13 7/10 7/12 7/11 7/14 7/12 7/15 7/14 7/18 7/15 7/17 7/15 7/18 7/18 7/20 7/19 7/22 7/20 7/23 7/20 7/22 7/22 7/26 7/26 7/29 7/29 7/30 7/30 8/01 7/31 8/02

Venue George R. Brown CC Colorado CC Colorado CC Kay Bailey Hutchison CC George R. Brown CC Colorado CC Embassy Suites Hilton Austin Colorado CC Henry B. Gonzalez CC Austin CC Hilton Austin Colorado CC Hilton Anatole America’s Center Austin CC George R. Brown CC Denver Mart Kay Bailey Hutchison CC Colorado CC Sheraton Kansas City Colorado CC Westin Galleria Keystone Conference Center Radisson Hotel Branson The Woodlands Waterway Kansas City CC Colorado CC Intercontinental Dallas Hotel Austin CC George R. Brown CC America’s Center Con. Complex George R. Brown CC Gaylord Texan Resort CC Henry B. Gonzalez CC Austin CC Gaylord Texan Resort CC Gaylord Texan Resort CC Kansas City CC Crowne Plaza DIA

City Houston Denver Denver Dallas Houston Denver Frisco Austin Denver San Antonio Austin Austin Denver Dallas St. Louis Austin Houston Denver Dallas Denver Kansas City Denver Houston Keystone Branson Houston Kansas City Denver Addison Austin Houston St. Louis Houston Grapevine San Antonio Austin Dallas Dallas Kansas City Denver

St TX CO CO TX TX CO TX TX CO TX TX TX CO TX MO TX TX CO TX CO MO CO TX CO MO TX MO CO TX TX TX MO TX TX TX TX TX TX MO CO

Att 5,000 2,592 3,000 8,545 1,500 500 180 400 3,000 2,000 4,500 450 700 1,000 9,929 3200 6,900 1,500 17.7K 2,000

Exh 350 200 150 472 150 50 65 25 142 150 300 83 113 24 350 325 187 250 655 100

Nsf 25K 75.6K 6K 25K 28.4K 35K 65K 10K 50K 53K 46.7K 35K 100K

2,000 140

15.7K

1,200 100

15K

1,000 90

38K

900 1,300 1,200 8,000 10.8K 1,200 4,300 3,000 1,500 2,525 2,700 500

120

165 200 383 130 173

50K 82.1K 18K

55 163 372 55

5.5K 27.3K 45.6K 4.8K

Industry Technology Health & Medical Health & Medical Engineering Safety & Security Government Horiculture Sports Technology Technology Hospitality Insurance Health & Medical Aeronautics Sports Business Education Retail Food & Beverage Health & Medical Health & Medical Health & Medical Health & Medical Health & Medical Apparel Health & Medical Community Finances Retail Travel Law Education Sports Sciences Technology Education Management Construction Health & Medical Optometry

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

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

US MIDWEST Show Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo - FEW Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition - IRCE World Pork Expo THE NBM B.I.G. SHOW APPA National Conference & Public Power Expo Sur/Fin - NASF Fastener Tech - NFDA MWFA Fastener Techâ&#x201E;˘ Ohio Hospital Association - OHA United Fresh Marketplace InterBev Beverage IBTM America - Meetings & Events Exhibition Big Telemarketing Event - BTE Abilities Expo-Chicago Neocon & Buildex Chicago Vascular Annual Meeting - SVS Vapor World Expo Amerimold - Moldmaking & Tooling OMTEC - Orthopaedic Manufacturing & Tech Expo & Conf American Association of Meat Processors Exposition - AAMP Technical Communication Summit Conf. & Expo - STC NFPA - National Fire Protection Assoc. Conference & Expo IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo - Institute of Food Technologists American Society for Artificial Interal Organs - ASAIO Construction Financial Management Assn - CFMA National Association of Pastoral Musicians - NPM Society for College & University Planning - SCUP The ASI Show!

Craft & Hobby Association - CHA Paper Arts Show National Dental Association - NDA American Bar Association Annual Meeting - ABA Health Physics Society - HPS Annual Meeting National Association of College & University Food Services NACE & CARS - Int. Autobody Cong. & Expo - Cong. of Automotive Repair & Service National Training Institute - NTI - NJATC Plant Biology - ASPB Cultivate - Organization of Horticulture Professionals Expidite Expo Ohio Association for Career & Technical Education - ACTE EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Fly-In @ExhibitCityNews

Start 6/1 6/2 6/3 6/4 6/5 6/8 6/8 6/8 6/8 6/9 6/9 6/9 6/9 6/12 6/15 6/17 6/17 6/17 6/17 6/18 6/21 6/22 7/11 6/24 6/27 7/6 7/11 7/14 7/21 7/24 7/30 7/12 7/22 7/21 7/25 7/26 7/11 7/24 7/27 7/20

End 6/04 6/05 6/05 6/06 6/10 6/10 6/10 6/10 6/10 6/11 6/11 6/11 6/10 6/14 6/17 6/20 6/18 6/18 6/18 6/20 6/24 6/25 7/14 6/27 7/01 7/10 7/15 7/16 7/23 7/28 8/04 7/16 7/25 7/25 7/31 7/30 7/14 7/25 7/29 7/26

Venue Minneapolis CC McCormick Place Iowa State Fairgrounds Indiana CC Minneapolis CC Donald E. Stephens CC Donald E. Stephens CC Donald E. Stephens CC Hilton Columbus at Easton McCormick Place McCormick Place McCormick Place McCormick Place Renaissance Schaumburg CC The Merchandise Mart McCormick Place Donald E. Stephens CC Donald E. Stephens CC Donald E. Stephens CC Prairie Capital CC Hyatt Regency McCormick Place McCormick Place The Chicago Hilton Sheraton Chicago DeVos Place Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel Chicago Marriott Downtown Hyatt Regency Chicago Indiana CC Indiana CC Cobo Center University of Michigan Minneapolis CC Greater Columbus CC Roberts CC The Hilton Easton Oshkosh

City Minneapolis Chicago Des Moines Indianapolis Minneapolis Rosemont Rosemont Rosemont Columbus Chicago Chicago Chicago Chicago Schaumburg Chicago Chicago Rosemont Rosemont Rosemont Springfield Columbus Chicago Chicago Chicago Chicago Grand Rapids Chicago Chicago Schaumburg Chicago Chicago Indianapolis Indianapolis Detroit Ann Arbor Minneapolis Columbus Wilmington Columbus Oshkosh

St MN IL IA IN MN IL IL IL OH IL IL IL IL IL IL IL IL IL IL IL OH IL IL IL IL MI IL IL IL IL IL IN IN MI MI MN OH OH OH WI

Att 2,000 8,299 20K 6,700 1,200 1,200 1,549 1,231 4,500 2,401 2,298 1,500 5,000 41K 2,581

1,200 1,300 7,531 18.1K 600

Exh 300 563 390 175

Nsf 80.1K 310K 39K

158 148

17K

325 269 250

72K 44.7K

100 700 144

25K 152K 25.5K

120 110 85 293 1,K

15K 64.2K 222K 2,400

8,859 709

91.2K

1,600 9,000 1,500 1,080

110 125 100 250

25K 10K 11.3K

1,900 100 1,500 12.6K 568

11.5K 154K

550 500

55K 1KK

55 800

Industry Gas, Oil, Energy Retail Food & Beverage Graphics Utilities Manufacturing Technology Equipment Health & Medical Retail Food & Beverage Events Telemarketing Health & Medical Construction Health & Medical Retail Manufacturing Health & Medical Food & Beverage Communications Safety & Security Food & Beverages Health & Medical Finances Fine Arts Education Retail Retail Dentistry Law Health & Medical Food & Beverages Automotive Electrical Biology Horiculture Transportation Education Aviation

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 99

Trade Show Calendar US NORTHEAST

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

Show American Physical Therapy Assoc. - APTA NEXT Conf. & Exhibition NY Tech Summit American Diabetes Assoc. Scientific Sessions - ADA Society of Nuclear Medicine - SNM American Association of Airport Executives - AAAE MD&M, EastPack, ATX, Atlantic Design & Manufacturing, Plastec East, PharmaPackct HBA Global Expo - Health & Beauty World Pharmaceutical Congress - CHI American Society of Echocardiography - ASE AFCE Fraud Conf. & Expo - Assn of Certified Fraud Examiners Bio International Convention New York State Assoc. of Fire Chiefs - Fire Industry, Rescue & EMS Expo International Franchise Expo - IFE DUG East - Developing Unconventional Gas Police & Security Expo Electronic Security Expo - ESX - NBFAA National Sheriffsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association Annual Conference - NSA Summer Fancy Food Show - NASFT Maryland Municipal League ISTE - Int. Society for Technology in Education - NECC American Veterinary Medical Association - AVMA NAACP - Nat. Assoc. for the Advancement of Colored People American Society for Healthcare Engineering - ASHE Firehouse Expo BlogHer American Association of Law Libraries ACA International - Assoc. of Credit & Collections Prof.

PROJECT SOLE New York Scaffold & Access Industry Association - SAIA Catholic Marketing Network Int. Trade Show - CMN Premiere Vision Preview New York Texworld USA - Summer Home Textiles Sourcing Expo - HTSE Society for Nutrition Education Annual Conf. - SNE JA International Jewelry Show Campus Technology - CT - Education Technology Conference SOLAR AnDevCon - Android Development Conference National Court Reporters Association Annual Conv - NCRA American Society of Clinical Oncology - Best of ASCO Boston 100 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Start 6/3 6/4 6/5 6/6 6/7 6/9 6/9 6/10 6/12 6/14 6/15 6/17 6/18 6/23 6/23 6/25 6/26 6/27 6/28 6/28 7/10 7/11 7/12 7/14 7/16 7/18 7/19 7/19 7/19 7/21 7/21 7/21 7/21 7/25 7/26 7/27 7/28 7/29 7/30 7/31

End 6/06 6/05 6/09 6/10 6/10 6/11 6/11 6/12 6/16 6/19 6/18 6/20 6/20 6/25 6/24 6/26 7/01 6/30 7/01 7/01 7/14 7/15 7/15 7/18 7/18 7/21 7/21 7/21 7/22 7/24 7/22 7/23 7/23 7/28 7/28 7/30 7/30 7/31 8/02 8/01

Venue National Harbor Turning Stone Resort Boston CC Baltimore CC Pennsylvania CC Jacob K. Javits CC Jacob K. Javits CC Westin Boston Waterfront Hynes CC Baltimore CC Pennsylvania CC Turning Stone Resort Jacob K. Javits CC David L. Lawrence CC Atlantic City CC Baltimore CC Baltimore CC Jacob K. Javits CC Ocean City CC Pennsylvania CC Boston CC Pennsylvania CC Hynes CC Baltimore CC Not available Pennsylvania CC Hynes CC Jacob K. Javits CC Loews Philadelphia Garden State Exhibit Center Pier 92 Jacob K. Javits CC Jacob K. Javits CC Wyndham Grand Downtown Jacob K. Javits CC Hynes CC Penn Stater Conf. Center Hotel Sheraton Boston Hilton N.Y. Midtown S.F. Marriott Marquis

City National Harbor Verona Boston Baltimore Philadelphia New York New York Boston Boston Baltimore Philadelphia Verona New York Pittsburgh Atlantic City Baltimore Baltimore New York Ocean City Philadelphia Boston Philadelphia Boston Baltimore New York Philadelphia Boston New York Philadelphia Somerset New York New York New York Pittsburgh New York Boston State College Boston New York Boston

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

Att 2,376 500 17.8K 3,900 2,500 33K 16.5K 500 3,000 3,000 16.5K 10K 13K 4,151 7,500 2,206 4,000 25.8K 1,500 16K 8,800

Exh 221 40 171 180 250 1.1K 600 50 40 2K 400 300 315 700 169 347 2.3K 200 485 283

Nsf 31.2K 20K 87.4K

201K 75K 4K

181K

45.8K 28.8K 155K 307K 21.5K 132K 46.3K

2,000 279 13.1K 347

37.9K 90.4K

2,000 120 1,100 150

20K

18.6K 5,285 674 500 11.7K 1,460 3,800

328 132 24 802 125 100

1,500 60

38.7K 16K 1,920 108K 13.2K

5K

Industry Health & Medical Technology Health & Medical Health & Medical Aviation Manufacturing Beauty & Cosmetics Health & Medical Health & Medical Finances Health & Medical Safety & Security Retail Gas, Oil, Energy Safety & Security Safety & Security Safety & Security Food & Beverage Government Education Veterinary Community Health & Medical Safety & Security Media Law Finances Apparel Construction Marketing Apparel Apparel Textiles Health & Medical Retail Technology Gas, Oil, Energy Technology Media Health & Medical

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

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

US NORTHWEST

Show SMX - Search Marketing Expo Advanced American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine Associated Professional Sleep Societies - APSS Pacific Northwest Dental Conference - WSDA American Society for Engineering Education - ASEE Wyoming Dental Association Future Stores Energy Exposition & Symposium Optometry’s Meeting - AOA™ Exhibition Services & Contractors Association - ESCA HydroVision International - Clean Energy Intersolar North America SEMICON West Small Business Expo The Money Show San Francisco Western Pension & Benefits Conference O’Reilly OSCON Open Source Convention Embedded Systems Conference - ESC Silicon Valley Health Forum Leadership Summit Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conf.

San Francisco International Gift Fair - Summer American Agricultural Economics Association - AAEA Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery - SNIS Microscopy & Microanalysis - MSA Nat. Conf. of State Legislatures - NCSL Legislative Summit Joint Statistical Meeting - JSM Washington Association for Career & Technical Ed - WA-ACTE Seattle Gift Show - Summer Farwest Show American Society for Surgery of the Hand - ASSH WaterReuse Symposium Northwest Event Show - NWES AeroTech Congress & Exhibition - SAE Washington State Medical Association - WSMA International City/County Management Association - ICMA APEX - Airline Passenger Experience Association Natural Products Northwest National Association Medical Staff Services - NAMSS Northwest Human Resource Management Assoc. - NHRMA American Society for Bone and Mineral Research - ASBMR @ExhibitCityNews

Start 6/3 6/4 6/6 6/11 6/14 6/18 6/23 6/24 6/24 6/28 7/14 7/14 7/14 7/16 7/16 7/19 7/20 7/20 7/23 7/24 7/25 7/26 7/27 8/2 8/3 8/8 8/9 8/15 8/27 9/10 9/13 9/16 9/22 9/26 9/27 9/28 9/28 10/2 10/3 10/9

End 6/04 6/06 6/10 6/12 6/17 6/21 6/25 6/25 6/28 7/01 7/17 7/16 7/16 7/16 7/18 7/22 7/24 7/22 7/25 7/26 7/28 7/28 7/30 8/6 8/6 8/13 8/12 8/18 8/29 9/12 9/16 9/16 9/24 9/27 9/30 10/1 10/1 10/4 10/7 10/12

Venue Bell Harbor Conf. Center Washington State CC Washington State CC The Meydenbauer Center Washington State CC Holiday Inn (Rock Springs) The Renaissance Seattle Hotel MetraPark Expo Center Washington State CC Resort at Squaw Creek Oregon CC Moscone Center Moscone Center Washington State CC Marriott Marquis Hyatt Regency San Francisco Oregon CC Santa Clara Marriott Marriott Marquis Monterey Conf. Center Moscone Center Marriott Marquis Hilton S.F. Union Sq. Oregon CC Washington State CC Washington State CC Yakima CC Washington State CC Oregon CC Washington State CC Sheraton Seattle Washington State CC Washington State CC The Davenport Hotel Not available Oregon CC Washington State CC Washington State CC Oregon CC Not available

City Seattle Seattle Seattle Bellevue Seattle Rock Springs Seattle Billings Seattle Squaw Valley Portland San Francisco San Francisco Seattle San Francisco San Francisco Portland Santa Clara San Francisco Monterey San Francisco San Francisco San Francisco Portland Seattle Seattle Yakima Seattle Portland Seattle Seattle Seattle Seattle Spokane Seattle Portland Portland Seattle Seattle Seattle

St WA WA WA WA WA WY WA MT WA CA OR CA CA WA CA CA OR CA CA CA CA CA CA OR WA WA WA WA OR WA WA WA WA WA WA OR OR WA WA WA

Att 900 650 5K 9K 3.6K

Exh

Nsf

28 110 150 130

80K 19K

4K

214 208

37.8K

17.8K 834 29.2K 690

168K 131K

2.5K 11K 1.4K 1.8K 12.4K 1.5K

250 90 157 700 20

10K 15.7K 95K 2K

110 300

36.5K 84K

46 800 1K 130

3.7K

1.8K 11.5K 6K 800 10K 20K 3.5K 700

25K

66 3K

160

20K

Industry Marketing Health & Medical Health & Medical Health & Medical Engineering Dentistry Retail Gas, Oil, Energy Optometry Exhibitions Gas, Oil, Energy Gas, Oil, Energy Equipment Business Finances Finances IT Technology Health & Medical Food & Beverage Retail Agriculture Health & Medical Sciences Government Mathematics Education Retail Sustainability Health & Medical Water Hospitality Aeronautics Health & Medical Government Aviation Retail Health & Medical Employment

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 101

Trade Show Calendar US SOUTHEAST

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

Show Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry Association - DATIA Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Assoc. - TGCSA Dairy-Deli-Bake Seminar & Expo - IDDBA ASTRA Marketplace & Academy American Association of Nurse Practitioners - AANP Florida National Dental Convention - FNDC InfoComm Million Dollar Round Table Annual Meeting - MDRT League of Southeastern Credit Unions LSCU Annual Conv American Dental Hygienists’ Association - ADHA Florida Chiropractic Assoc. - Summer Conv. & Expo National Charter Schools Conference -NCSC Geoint Symposium SkillsUSA Air & Waste Management Association - A&WMA Healthcare Financial Management Assoc. - HFMA Nat.Institute American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Florida Pharmacy Association - FPA International Christian Retail Show - CBA National Association of Health Underwriters - NAHU Atlanta Gift & Home Furnishings Market NAMM Summer Session National Association of Counties - NACo Florida Dietetic Association Annual Symposium - FDA National Association of Church Business Administration National Environmental Health Association - NEHA ICAST - American Sportfishing Association - ASA Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal & Air Cond. Contractors - FRSA Int. Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers of America - IPCPR Nat. Assoc. of College & University Business Officers - NACUBO International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease Nat. Assoc.of Student Financial Aid Admin - NASFAA American Podiatric Medical Association - APMA Global Business Travel Association - GBTA EFAM - Office Expo - IAAP Clinical Lab Expo - AACC - American Assoc. for Clinical Chemistry AIAA Propulsion & Energy Forum & Exhibition Council on Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Education - ICHRIE American Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Tech. - ASET Virginia Academy of Family Physicians Annual - VAFP 102 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Start 6/2 6/4 6/7 6/7 6/9 6/11 6/13 6/14 6/17 6/17 6/18 6/21 6/21 6/22 6/22 6/22 6/24 6/24 6/28 6/28 7/9 7/9 7/10 7/12 7/13 7/13 7/14 7/16 7/17 7/18 7/18 7/19 7/23 7/25 7/25 7/26 7/27 7/29 7/30 7/30

End 6/04 6/06 6/09 6/10 6/14 6/13 6/19 6/17 6/19 6/23 6/21 6/24 6/24 6/26 6/25 6/25 6/27 6/28 7/01 7/01 7/13 7/11 7/13 7/15 7/16 7/15 7/17 7/18 7/21 7/21 7/23 7/22 7/26 7/29 7/29 7/30 7/29 7/31 8/01 8/02

Venue Trump National Doral Chattanooga CC Georgia World Congress Center Charlotte CC Ernest N. Morial CC Gaylord Palms Resort and CC Orange County CC Ernest N. Morial CC JW Marriott Orlando Music City Center The Boca Raton Ernest N. Morial CC Walter E. Washington CC Kentucky Expo Center Raleigh CC Orange County CC Hyatt Regency Riverfront Ren. at World Golf Village Orange County CC Hyatt Regency Americas Mart Music City Center Charlotte CC Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Gaylord Opryland Renaissance at SeaWorld Orange County CC Orange County CC Ernest N. Morial CC Gaylord Opryland Not available Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Not available Orange County CC Kentucky Int. CC World Congress Center Hilton Orlando Rosen Shingle Creek Resort Bonaventure Resort The Lodge

City Miami Chattanooga Atlanta Charlotte New Orleans Orlando Orlando New Orleans Orlando Nashville Boca Raton New Orleans Washington Louisville Raleigh Orlando Jacksonville St. Augustine Orlando New Orleans Atlanta Nashville Charlotte Orlando Nashville Orlando Orlando Orlando New Orleans Nashville Washington New Orleans Orlando Orlando Louisville Atlanta Orlando Orlando Weston Williamsburg

St FL TN GA NC LA FL FL LA FL TN FL LA DC KY NC FL FL FL FL LA GA TN NC FL TN FL FL FL LA TN DC LA FL FL KY GA FL FL FL VA

Att 600 1,500 7,000 1,315 3,000 5,967 34.2K 6,000 1,100 2,000 600 4.8K 3,000 16K 2,500 2,300 750 700 4,918 700 91K 10.9K 23K 600 1,600 1,500 8,604 2,500 6,000 2,500 5,000 2,500 3,500 6,450 2,000 20.1K 1,500 800 350 300

Exh 65 180 600 246 200 300 911 100 130 120 50 290 264 148 160 400 30 70 322 85 2.3K 372 180 103 100 91 457 209 300 200 75 80 225 475 40 696 60 50 50 87

Nsf 6.6K 18K 150K 27K 50K 50K 487K 12.5K 28K 10K 4K

76K 22K 12.3K 5.6K 65K 9K 1,109K 47.2K 28K 8.2K 27.3K 11.8K 134K 31.2K 150K 31.2K 12K 47K 29.9K 119K 4K 207K 14.5K 19.6K 5K 4.2K

Industry Health & Medical Retail Food & Beverage Retail Health & Medical Dentistry IT Finances Finances Dentistry Health & Medical Education Geospatial Intelligence Technology Gas, Oil, Energy Health & Medical Technology Health & Medical Retail Health & Medical Retail Retail Government Health & Medical Business Health & Medical Sports Construction Retail Education Health & Medical Finances Health & Medical Travel Technology Health & Medical Gas, Oil, Energy Hospitality Health & Medical Health & Medical

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

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

US SOUTHWEST

Show WasteExpo HP Discover Technology Showcase SCABB - South Central Association of Blood Banks New Mexico Dental Association - NMDA Insurance Accounting & Systems Association - IASA Licensing International Expo Financial Managers Society - FMS IQPC Call Center Week United States Bowling Congress - USBC & BowlExpo Nat. Ind. Auto Dealers Assoc. - NIADA Used Car Industry Conv. & Expo National Apartment Association - NAA Education Conf.

Assoc. for the Advancement of Cost Engineering - AACE Society for Human Resource Management - SHRM American School Counselor Assn - ASCA IPI Conference & Expo - Int. Parking Institute Hawaii Lodging, Hospitality & Foodservice Expo Comic Con Cosmoprof North America School Nutrition Association - SNA American Association of Physicists in Medicine - AAPM RDH Under One Roof IDEA World Fitness Convention™ California Gift Show® AHRA - Assoc. for Medical Imaging Management - Annual Associated Locksmiths of America - ALOA Environmental Systems Research Institute - ESRI SuperZoo THE NBM SHOW School Bus Expo - STN HostingCon

Start End 6/2 6/04 6/2 6/04 6/2 6/05 6/3 6/06 6/7 6/10 6/9 6/11 6/14 6/16 6/15 6/19 6/22 6/26 6/22 6/25 6/24 6/27 6/28 7/01 6/28 7/01 6/28 7/01 6/29 7/02 7/8 7/09 7/9 7/12 7/12 7/14 7/12 7/15 7/12 7/16 7/15 7/17 7/15 7/19 7/17 7/20 7/19 7/22 7/19 7/25 7/20 7/24 7/21 7/23 7/23 7/25 7/25 7/29 7/27 7/29

View Complete Calendar Online

Venue Las Vegas CC Not available The Mirage Albuquerque CC Mandalay Bay CC Mandalay Bay CC The Phoenician The Mirage Las Vegas CC Caesars Palace Mandalay Bay CC MGM Grand Las Vegas CC Phoenix CC Mandalay Bay CC Neal Blaisdell Center San Diego CC Mandalay Bay CC Salt Palace CC Anaheim CC Caesars Palace Los Angeles CC Los Angeles CC The Venetian Reno Events Center San Diego CC Mandalay Bay CC Long Beach CC Grand Sierra San Diego CC

City Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Albuquerque Las Vegas Las Vegas Phoenix Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Las Vegas Phoenix Las Vegas Honolulu San Diego Las Vegas Salt Lake City Anaheim Las Vegas Los Angeles Los Angeles Las Vegas Reno San Diego Las Vegas Long Beach Reno San Diego

St NV NV NV NM NV NV AZ NV NV NV NV NV NV AZ NV HI CA NV UT CA NV CA CA NV NV CA NV CA NV CA

Att 12.1K 6,300 500 1,800 2,350 19K 250 1,500 5,000 1,500 5,500 700 12.5K 2,100 2,500 6,233 123K 27K 7,000 3,885 1,500 5,100 22K 1,100 3,500 13.1K 18.7K 10.3K 1,000 1,600

Industry Utilities Technology Health & Medical Dentistry 34K Finances 205K Retail Finances Employment 150K Sports 12K Automotive 70K Housing Engineering 6K Employment Education Automotive 225 326 53K Hospitality Hobby 1K 992 222K Beauty & Cosmetics 375 85K Health & Medical 120 47.6K Health & Medical 100 11K Dentistry 140 28K Sports 1.2K 185K Retail 264 52K Health & Medical 200 45K Safety & Security 250 30.7K Environment 885 Exhibit 159KCityAnimals News’ best-read section!

396 43.5K Graphics 110 88K Transportation 140 19K IT Exh 556 150 58 100 194 420 50 100 300 90 350 50 800

Nsf 237K 21.9K 5.8K

SEE YOUR AD HERE! Sponsor your region in the Trade Show Calendar.

ExhibitCityNews.com/Tradeshow-Calendar Exhibit City News’ best-read section!

Continued on p.98 @ExhibitCityNews

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 103

Trade Show Calendar CANADA

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

Show Security Canada Ottawa The Canadian Home Furnishings MarKet - TCHFM World Conference on Disaster Management - WCDM World Congress of Dermatology Global Petroleum Show Canadian Chemistry Conference & Exhibition - CSC Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police - OACP Western Manufacturing Technology Show - WMTS Turbo Expo - ASME Canadian Business Aviation Association - CBAA PACKEX/PLAST-EX/ATX/PTX/Design & Manufacturing/Green Manufacturing Canadian Gaming Summit Western Canada Farm Progress Show - WCFPS Security Canada West -CANASA Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show Canadian Orthopaedic Association - COA ACO Canadian Physiotherapy Association Congress Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society -CAS Canadian Laboratory Medicine Conference - CLMC National Association of Federal Credit Unions - NAFCU The Teratology Society American Association for Justice - AAJ Annual Canadian Veterinary Medical Association - CVMA World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing International AIDS Society World Congress on Heart Disease

Start End 6/3 6/03 6/4 6/07 6/8 6/11 6/8 6/13 6/9 6/11 6/13 6/17 6/14 6/17 6/15 6/17 6/15 6/19 6/16 6/18 6/16 6/18 6/16 6/18 6/17 6/19 6/17 6/17 6/17 6/18 6/17 6/20 6/18 6/21 6/19 6/22 6/20 6/24 6/23 6/26 6/27 7/01 7/11 7/15 7/16 7/19 7/19 7/22 7/19 7/22 7/25 7/27

Venue Ottawa Conf. & Events Centre The International Centre Metro Toronto Congress Centre Vancouver CC Stampede ParK Shaw Centre Delta Meadowvale Conf. Center Edmonton EXPO Centre Palais des Congres de Montreal Sig. Flight Supp. Edmonton Toronto Congress Centre Caesars Windsor Evraz Place River RocK Casino Mile One Centre Fairmont Hotel Halifax World Trade CC Shaw Centre Westin Montreal Hotel Palais des Congres de Montreal Hilton Montreal Bonaventura Montreal CC Calgary TELUS CC Palais des Congres de Montreal Vancouver CC Hyatt Regency Vancouver

City Ottawa Toronto Toronto Vancouver Calgary Ottawa Mississauga Edmonton Montreal St. Hubert Toronto Windsor Regina Richmond St. John’s Vancouver Halifax Ottawa Montreal Montreal Montreal Montreal Calgary Montreal Vancouver Vancouver

St ON ON ON BC AB ON ON AB QC QC ON ON SK BC NL BC NS ON QC QC QC QC AB QC BC BC

Att

Exh

Nsf

7,000 400 2,300 120

18K

63K 1,800 2,250 2,828 3,000 700

2K

568K

100 100 125 85

20K

2,000 45K 500 2,000

130 715 70 160

20K 10K 18K 1.8K

500 1,500 75 300 15 2,000 180

960 18K

3,200 150

12K

1,100 60 800

10

1K

Industry Safety & Security Furnishings Management Dermatology Gas, Oil, Energy Chemistry Law Manufacturing Machinery Aviation Manufacturing Gaming Agriculture Safety & Security Gas, Oil, Energy Health & Medical Health & Medical Health & Medical Health & Medical Finances Health & Medical Law Veterinary Technology Health & Medical Health & Medical

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

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

Contact Sales@ExhibitCityNews.com For Rates and Details. (Design Services Available) 104 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Classifieds

Outside Sales Account Representative Orbus, a leading and highly successful manufacturer and trade distributor of products and services to the tradeshow and display industries selling Business to Business headquartered in Illinois, is seeking an Outside Sales Account Representative. We are looking for a “hunter” that is driven, self-motivated, goal-oriented, and willing to receive guidance and direction, as you will be the primary link to our current and prospective clients on the west coast.

personality. This is a tremendous opportunity for the right candidate who is willing to work hard and put in the effort.

Travel is over 50%

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION ARE:

You will be responsible for maintaining, prospecting and calling on businesses within your territory. You will be in the business of meeting owners and decision makers and introducing them to our tradeshow/display products and services. You will be part of a Team Environment and play a part in the Sales Team Success. Your main focus will be selling our services/products to tradeshow/display businesses and assist them in identifying product strengths and weaknesses and then recommend ways to eliminate those problems by offering our services and products to increase sales growth.

• 3+yrs outside sales experience, intangible product sale success a plus • Positive, high energy sales-oriented personality • Must have experience in prospecting, cold calling, then qualify prospects and motivating them to purchase from you • Highest degree of honesty, integrity and professionalism • Ability to accomplish monthly, quarterly sales targets and goals independently • Excellent presentation, communication and interpersonal skills • Ability to manage multiple projects with tight deadlines • Consistent attention to detail and strong organizational skills • Keen desire to learn, improve and succeed • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Our sales professionals are responsible for helping our clients increase their exhibit/display presence in the tradeshow industry. If you are a hungry, resilient, organized, sales quota buster and a risk-taker who has the ability and desire to be a successful sales person, then we want to hear from you. We are looking for self starters with a high energy

We have been on an aggressive growth path and are continuing to look to expand our Field Sales coverage throughout the US market. Compensation will be commensurate with experience, plus a comprehensive health and benefits package. Please include salary requirements when applying online or mail your resume to Orbus Inc. 9033 Murphy Rd., Woodridge, IL 60517.

Derse is Hiring!

ACCOUNT MANAGERS – MULTIPLE LOCATIONS! (DALLAS, TX & PITTSBURGH, PA)

GRAPHICS SUPERVISOR – ATLANTA, GA

• Provide day-to-day support to Account Executive in developing new business within current client programs & necessary sales support for existing clients.

• Initiate/prepare job order documents & associated correspondence for assigned accounts.

• Responsible for producing graphics and providing graphic design/layout solutions.

• Manipulate existing / production-ready artwork to produce graphics.

• Assist in providing information and visuals for clients’ graphic creative solutions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong account management & customer service experience required.

• Tradeshow / Event industry experience preferred.

• Ability to travel to show site and client locations as needed.

• 3-5 years of graphics production experience in exhibit/event industry.

• Strong organization/communication skills a must.

• Demonstrated technical skills in a variety of graphics software and Microsoft Office.

To apply for these positions and see what other opportunities we have available, please visit www.derse.com.

Resumes / Salary Requirements can also be sent to: humanresources@derse.com | EOE-M/F/V/D

@ExhibitCityNews

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 105

Classifieds

Production Supervisor DERSE IS SEEKING AN EXPERIENCED PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR FOR ITS OPERATIONS IN PITTSBURGH, PA. • Supervise and direct day-to-day operations of 10-15 shop employees.

• Maintain full accountability for production activities / shop.

• Prepare production schedules, main-

Project Manager – Service DERSE IS SEEKING AN EXPERIENCED PROJECT MANAGER – SERVICE FOR ITS OPERATIONS IN DALLAS, TX. • Assumes accountability for monitoring & controlling service project budgets & deadlines.

• Assign labor and materials to jobs as quoted • Attend all project meetings as needed.

tain high levels of quality within • Construction.

• Focus on safety initiatives Requires custom cabinetry or exhibit background. Must possess at least 5 years of supervisory experience accompanied with strong organization & communication skills.

If interested, please send your resume to: humanresources@derse.com

• Monitor process of detail drawings to ensure accuracy.

Requires 3-5 years of project management experience in tradeshow/events and/or architectural/construction environments. Must have a good understanding of basic electrical requirements & woodworking techniques. Previous AutoCAD experience is helpful.

If interested, please send your resume to: humanresources@derse.com

Estimator DERSE IS SEEKING AN EXPERIENCED ESTIMATOR FOR ITS OFFICE IN DALLAS, TX. • Provide support for Estimators • Prepare drawings for trade show exhibit construction • Research pricings, availability of materials.

Requires estimating experience in an exhibit, general contracting and/or architectural environment as well as the ability to read blue-prints. Must have basic construction knowledge.

If interested, please send your resume to: humanresources@derse.com

Stevens Exhibits EXPERIENCED EXHIBIT & SERVICES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Want to Get Fired Up? Tired of the same old same? Need a new outlook? Need to exhibit your talents? Hate your boss? Bored with your current condition? Think you are too old to get hired? Think again! We love “SEASONED” professionals to bring experience and good old fashioned “know how” to our organization. Negotiable compensation packages and great benefits offered. We also hire AE’s with at least 5 years exhibit sales experience. We are a 48 year old, family owned company and we are looking for some new family members. Located in Chicago, IL just minutes from McCormick Place.

Interested applicants should email their resumes to juliem@stevensexhibits.com 106 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Derse is Hiring!

ESTIMATING SUPERVISOR – CHICAGO • Supervise and direct personnel within department.

• Prepare Budgetary Guidelines & ballpark estimates.

• Prepare detailed quotations from design redline drawings, which reflect accurate divisional fabrication methods.

• Establish benchmarks for pricing.

QUALIFICATIONS: • Previous supervisory experience.

• Ability to read & accurately interpret sketches and blueprints; including design, construction, architectural, & sub-contractor drawings.

MANAGER OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT – DALLAS, TX • Oversee the daily functions of the Project Management & Detailing departments.

• Responsible for assigning projects to appropriate Project Managers & Detailers, monitoring all individual projects to ensure profitability & timeliness.

• Maintain Project Management & Detailing departmental budgets.

QUALIFICATIONS: • 5+ years of leadership/supervisory experience required.

• Demonstrated experience in mentoring / coaching staff.

• Possess exceptional communication and organizational skills.

To apply for these positions and see what other opportunities we have available, please visit www.derse.com.

Resumes / Salary Requirements can also be sent to: humanresources@ derse.com EOE-M/F/V/D

Classifieds

Derse is Hiring!

Exhibitrac is Hiring

OPERATIONS MANAGER – DALLAS

Exhibitrac needs new show guides for database, and will pay $10 - $20 per accepted guide. If you are an industry supplier, exhibitor, union or other employee who regularly attends or works at shows in major convention cities such as Las Vegas, Chicago, Boston, Orlando etc.

• Directly oversee production, project management, and logistics departments.

• Assess the needs of production, project management/ detailing, logistics staff.

• Responsible for project performance, budget maintenance and overall profitability.

• Provide operational solutions for customers’ projects.

Please contact us for details: klandrum@exhibitrac.com or call 702-824-9651 ext. 700

QUALIFICATIONS: • Minimum of (5) years of management/supervisory experience.

• Hands on knowledge of fixtures/cabinet-making/millwork trades.

• Custom environment/job shop experience preferred.

PROJECT MANAGER (CONSTRUCTION) – MILWAUKEE • Assumes complete accountability for monitoring and controlling project budgets and deadlines for all assigned construction projects.

• Coordinate the post sale work order process for all assigned accounts.

QUALIFICATIONS: • 3-5 years of Tradeshow experience.

• Demonstrated technical skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office.

• Must have a good understanding of basic electrical requirements & wood working techniques.

ESTIMATOR – WAUKEGAN • Prepare detailed quotations from various drawings for construction of tradeshow exhibits / marketing environments.

• Review all new estimate requests daily for a timely response.

• Maintain product info & standard computerized material/ labor rate cost files.

QUALIFICATIONS: • 5+ years of estimating experience in an exhibit, general contracting and/or architectural environment is required.

• Must possess strong contract/proposal writing abilities.

To apply for these positions and see what other opportunities we have available, please visit www.derse.com.

Resumes / Salary Requirements can also be sent to: humanresources@derse.com EOE-M/F/V/D

@ExhibitCityNews

Project Manager- Las Vegas, NV The project manager is the main driver of internal production projects. The individual in this position will schedule and oversee all assigned projects. He or she will also assume responsibility for successful and accurate production completion- and profitability. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: estimating; writing of production COMS orders; participation in kickoff meetings; production scheduling; management and coordination of sub-contractors; management of internal departments involving new production- CAD, purchasing, graphics, production and warehouse. Project Managers are also responsible for change order tracking, reporting of change orders to the internal team, and overall project profitability tracking on assigned production jobs. In addition to this job description, the person in this position is responsible for operating within and managing to Czarnowski’s standard operating procedures.

REQUIREMENTS • Travel is minimally required and will be evaluated in regard to specific production projects.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills are a prerequisite, along with appropriate computer skills (Excel, Word, Lotus Notes, COMS, Business Portal).

• A College degree is preferred, but not required.

• This position is technical in nature and requires knowledge of industry fabrication methods, carpentry, metal work, paint production, tension fabric, graphic production and other techniques.

Send Resumes to: bbratton@czarnowski.com or fax to 702-727-8146.

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 107

Classifieds ARE YOU A SALES MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL WHO THRIVES ON EXCEEDING SALES GOALS AS WELL AS MANAGING, MENTORING AND COACHING A SALES TEAM? If so, BA Exhibits is looking for a Director of Sales – Trade Show Exhibits and Graphics who will be responsible for achieving sales/financial goals that include building business opportunities and market share, retaining and increasing customer base and expanding sales opportunities to realize substantial growth in revenue and business base.

You will also be responsible for hiring, mentoring, and motivating a team of sales professionals; developing and implementing sales plans; managing the sales process; strategizing approaches to sales proposals; creating bidding opportunities; cultivating industry contacts and client relationships to maximize business opportunities and to ensure top performance by sales professionals.

The successful candidate will also have experience developing and implementing sales administration processes and systems to ensure a proactive sales environment and efficient sales prospecting.

tunities and manage target prospects • Develop and manage lead distribution and tracking systems • Develop and implement sales plans and budgets in conjunction with the ownership • Develop one year and three year strategic plans and goals; specific activities and action plans/road map for one year plan.

• Establish business/client targets and develop strategic plans to achieve targets.

• Create sales processes and procedures and manage the proposal process • Manage participation in trade shows and event to drive sales • Recruit, select, train, manage and motivate sales professionals. Make appropriate sales assignments and develop/manage individual sales goals and plans.

• With ownership, develop marketing plans/activities to support sales plans and goals – i.e. mailings to Salesforce database; unique selling positioning, sales proposals and templates, industry marketing events, advertisements and editorial coverage in industry publications, etc.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Drive sales and financial goals established for the sales team • Develop and manage the sales processes to include: • Develop and maintain sales forecasts • Develop system to identify sales oppor-

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications or related degree from an accredited university.

• Three (3) to Five (5)+ years experience working in a sales role in the trade show, audio visual or event industry

• Two (2) years of prior management experience • Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite of products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as well as HYPERLINK “http://Salesforce.com” Salesforce.com • Detail-oriented, possessing exceptional organizational skills • Must be willing to work both independently and participate as a team player for achieving departmental and company goals • Must have ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment, competently handling demanding deadlines • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively interface with clients • Excellent written and verbal communications skills • Ability to analyze and interpret general business contracts, as well as proficiently write reports, proposals, and other business correspondence • Resourcefulness and possess innovative problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• Experience managing budgets, the ability to participate in budget meetings and the ability to discuss and communicate changes that impact the bottom line for the client and BAE. • Strong leadership skills, work ethic, and possessing an enthusiastic and positive attitude • Previous consistent sales volume required of 750K or more annually Competitive Wage and benefits offered

SALES MANAGER WEST COAST Aluvision Inc., developer and manufacturer of a leading modular aluminum system for the international exhibit, trade show and event industry is searching for a Sales Manager West Coast.

REQUIREMENTS: Outstanding written and oral communications skills – Strong people interaction skills - Effective time management skills with strong organization abilities – Ability to travel on a regular basis - A positive, can-do attitude to continually improve performance - Tradeshow or event industry experience preferred 108 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

RESPONSIBILITIES: Preserve and foster relations with existing clients - Prospecting and adequate follow-up to develop new business – Travel to visit trade shows – Prepare and give product presentations and trainings to potential and existing customers – Cold calling and face-to-face visits – Achieve established targets Report directly to upper management Visit us at www.aluvision.com To apply, please email your resume to info@aluvision.com

Classifieds

Atlanta, Georgia TRADE SHOW DISPLAY PROJECT MANAGER Moose Exhibits, a full service, trade show and events exhibit house located in Norcross, Georgia, has an immediate opening for an Trade Show Display Project Manager.

Our ideal candidate will have a min of 3 yrs. experience in project managing trade show exhibit fabrication for purchase and rental and be familiar with most major domestic venues and their union regulations.

Qualifications include the ability to manage a project in all facets from concept to completion.

The ideal candidate should be organized, exhibit strong leadership and team management traits, possess excellent communication skills - both verbal

and written - as well as being adept in customer service.

ponentry within budgeted cost and timeframe limits.

With our busy schedule, the candidate should be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and must be proficient in Word and Excel. The ability to review CAD and various graphics and AV file formats is a definite plus.

Qualifications include the ability to dictate and manage a schedule, outlining the flow of projects from concept to completion and all phases in between.

The ideal candidate should be organized, exhibit strong leadership and team management traits, possess excellent communication skills - both verbal and written - as well as being adept in the interpretation of working drawings and the use of various work order, cost and time management modules.

TRADE SHOW WAREHOUSE MANAGER Moose Exhibits, a full service, trade show and events exhibit house located in Norcross, Georgia, has an immediate opening for an Trade Show Warehouse Manager to join our growing team.

Our ideal candidate will have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in managing personnel dedicated to the fabrication of exhibit properties for purchase and rental, the overall organization and maintenance of the warehouse inventory and to direct the pull, prep, assembly and pack of exhibit com-

With our busy schedule, the candidate should be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and must be proficient in Word and Excel. This job may require the candidate to work weekends and engage in limited travel.

Please send your resume and salary requirements to: Lydia@mooseexhibits.com

Trade Show Shipping / Account Executive WORK FROM ANYWHERE! National Exhibit Transportation company is seeking high energy individuals to generate new business. We have been in business for over 25 years. Our core competency is in trade show shipping services. We are interested in hiring experienced sales reps with a background in trade show shipping sales. Work from home office fully connected to our corporate office. Strong telemarketing skills needed. Competitive salary and commission program.

Please send resume in confidence to jimh@elitexpo.com

Director of Design and Graphic Services – Fern Exposition & Events Fern Exposition and Events Services is a leading national service contractor serving more than 1,100 expositions and events held annually throughout the US and Canada for more than 100 years. Fern is seeking a talented

@ExhibitCityNews

designer with management experience to join the team.

This position will manage and coordinate all design services enterprise-wide including workflow management, quality standards, SOP development and creative development.

Fern is looking for a candidate with a minimum of 5 years experience as a

designer preferably in the trade show industry as well as at least 2 years management experience. A bachelor’s degree in a design related field is preferred. Candidate must have excellent skills in AutoCAD, 3D StudioMax, and Adobe Creative Cloud.

Please email Neil McMullin, VP of Shared Services, with a resume if interested at nmcmullin@fernexpo.com

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 109

Industry Service Guide

Exhibit Masters

The sun is shining, the ocean is calling. So go ahead, enjoy all that Florida has to offer.The experts at Exhibit Masters have your back. Our proven experience and skills will guarantee your success. When you partner with Exhibit Masters, your job will be a day at the beach.

Event Management

Exhibits & Events

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

Exhibits

110 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Exhibit Software

Industry Service Guide

John Alexanderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hypnosis Show

John Alexander provides a fun and exciting comedy stage hypnosis show that will leave your audience laughing and make your company event something to remember.

The show always includes the company or event theme/ message. Audience volunteers are hypnotized on stage. The volunteers end up dancing, doing famous impersonations and riding imaginary motorcycles, among other hilarious routines.

Alexander lives in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and has done shows throughout the U.S. His 60 - 90 minute shows can be set up anywhere, such as a ballroom, theater, nightclub or even outdoors.

For booking information, call 954-600-3037, or visit www.johnalexander-hypnosis.com

Exhibit Production

Exhibit Production

Upstate NY

Montpelier, VT

Concord, NH

Lighting Design and Produciton Management Sales Rentals Service

760-480-9100 dave@dbarten.com Fabrication

@ExhibitCityNews

Boston, MA Worcester, MA SpringďŹ eld, MA

Hartford, CT

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

Providence, RI

Furniture

ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 111

Industry Service Guide

Main Place Lighting Main Place Lighting offers diverse lighting solutions, distributing for major Lighting Manufacturers. We specialize in L.E.D. lighting, including but not limited to, under counter, over head, arm lights and custom lighting solutions.

We are also proud to be the West Coast Distributor of ShowBatteryâ&#x201E;˘. Bringing an Industry first: Fully contained, Rechargeable Battery Units for LED Lighting.

Hardward/Supplies

Hotel

Logistics

Logistics

112 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

Industry Service Guide

Armodilo Display Solutions

Armodiloâ&#x201E;˘ designs premium tablet display stands for iPad & Android devices for a wide variety of industries including trade shows and events. Our award-winning Armodilo(ex) Tablet Display Stand is a highly versatile 3-in-1, multi-tablet capable solution that comes in a lightweight carrying case for easy storage and transportation. Our patent-pending Tablet Fit Kitsâ&#x201E;˘ allow the use of a variety of tablet devices, making all Armodilo products a future proof investment for creating digitally interactive experiences.

For more information visit www.Armodilo.com or Call 1.800.975.5946 today!

Printing

Security

Tradeshow List

Your Category Here

BOOK BUSINESS WITH YOUR AD HERE Contact sales for details: 702-309-8023 ext. 105 Sales@exhibitcitynews.com

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ExhibitCityNews.com MAY 2015 113

ADVERTISER INDEX

Advertiser Index A-Z 253 Inc.

63

Highmark TechSystems 57

AFR 59

Hill & Partners 5

Aluvision 116

Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New York Pizza 97

Angles on Design 74

King & I 97

Barten Productions 41

Kingsmen Exhibits

beMatrix 2

Momentum Management 3

Brumark 29

NAB 22

Cees Smit 91

Nolan Advisory 35

Charlie Palmer 95

Nomadic Display 85

Color Reflections

9

115

Octanorm USA Inc. 31

Corporate Communications 47

Onsite Exhibitor Service 78-79

Corporate Events 39

Orbus 7

CORT 4

Prism Tradeshow Lighting 51

D.E. McNabb 61

Rosemont Exposition Services 12

Dolomite 65

ShowNets 55

Duo Display 73

Slim Furniture 69

E2MA 77

SRS Fabrication 17

EDPA 43

Step 1 Dezigns 53

Eggworks 94

Storage West 71

Employco USA 14

Sunset Transportation 67

Expolinc 75

Super Bright LED 19

Exposures Ltd. 72

Swisstrax 83

Flooring Exhibits 15

Triga USA 25

Group Delphi 16

Willwork Inc.

Grupo Omega 21

FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES Contact sales: 702-309-8023 ext. 105 sales@exhibitcitynews.com 114 MAY 2015 Exhibit City News

45

Omni-55

Exhibits

Permanent installs

Display lighting

Display solutions

Hanging signs

LED modules

Custom solutions

Aluvision Inc. > 5815 Windward Pkwy, Ste 302 > Alpharetta > GA 30005 > T: (646) 736 7317 > info@aluvision.com > www.aluvision.com