DALLAS — The International Association of Exhibitions and Events has secured updated information about changes in trade show liaisons in the U.S. Consulate offices of China as part of its ongoing advocacy efforts to promote and support the growing exhibitions and events industry abroad.

IAEE members who need to assist their Chinese visitors in securing U.S. visas may access this valuable information online at:

http://www.iaee.com/information__resources/us_consulate_offices.

CHICAGO, Ill. — Czarnowski, a leading exhibit and event firm, earned a silver International Award of Excellence (IN-AWE Award) from the Healthcare Communication & Marketing Association (HCMA) for the exhibit they created for Chiron.

The Chiron exhibit, which debuted at the American Association of Blood Banks Annual Meeting and TXPO, features dramatic moving lighting that suggests the movement of blood cells inside the body. Four custom inflatable models of blood cells hang overhead, while a series of kiosks highlight Chiron’s rich history of contributions to the blood screening and testing industry. In addition to the In-Awe Award, the Chiron exhibit has also been honored with a gold BMA Tower award.

The HCMA IN-AWE Awards celebrate strategy, performance and visual appeal in the healthcare advertising and marketing industries. The award was presented at the gala IN-AWE Awards Dinner during the HCMA annual conference in Dallas, Texas June 5.

Exhibitgroup/Giltspur received a gold In-Awe award for an exhibit created for Bristol-Myers Squibb at the 2007 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Meeting.

The exhibit appealed to the global market at the conference with a design that resembled an actual house. Each room in the house featured a different educational vehicle-data video loops, interactive, quizzes, patient experiences, virtual reality simulators-that reminded attendees of the physical challenges rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients face in performing simple everyday tasks. In addition, elements of direct-to-consumer and professional campaigns were incorporated for greater memorability.

The In-Awe awards are sponsored by the Healthcare Communication & Marketing Association and recognize extraordinary creativity and marketing sense.

NEW YORK — Penton Media's first annual Healthy Foods International Exposition and Conference, held June 18-19 at the Dallas Convention Center, offered top food manufacturers and retailers a chance to preview the latest in healthy products. Representatives from Kraft Foods, PepsiCo, Cargill, Kroger, 7 Eleven and Safeway joined other decision makers, managers and marketers in the healthy products industry for the inaugural two-day event.

The conference also hosted the release of a national food trends survey showing that Americans' consumption of healthy foods is up. "The Current State of the Healthy Foods Market - Consumer, Retailer and Manufacturer Perspectives Study," completed by Penton's Nutrition Business Journal(r) (www.nutritionbusinessjournal.com), indicates that more than 97 percent of Americans surveyed spend at least a portion of their grocery budgets on healthy food, and on average, consumers spent nearly 8 percent more on healthy foods in May 2008 than in November 2007. 

The study includes other key findings:

• Whole grains are the top-ranking healthy-product attribute, according to consumers surveyed, with 57 percent citing this as very or extremely important.
  
  
• Consumers are increasingly buying healthy foods to manage a specific health condition, including 21. 4 percent choosing products to lower high cholesterol, 14.5 percent to manage digestive issues, 13 percent to control blood sugar levels, and 11.2 percent for general allergies.
  
  
• Retailers cite "Better-for-you Kids Products" as the category where they anticipate seeing the most growth in 2008, with 25.8 percent of retailer respondents selecting this option.
  
  
• Local foods are gaining a following with consumers; more than 66 percent of respondents say they would be likely to try a new store in their market area if the store could offer them a better selection of local products.

"Even with the troubled economy, this study demonstrates just how much consumer appeal health and wellness has," said Robert Vosburgh, group editor of Penton's Supermarket News(r), co-producer of the Healthy Foods International Exposition and Conference. "We also see that the desire for wellness products and services is far-reaching and diverse, with consumers seeking any number of options based on their budget, need state and interests."

"The Current State of the Healthy Foods Market — Consumer, Retailer and Manufacturer Perspectives Study" includes data from more than 2,000 consumers nationwide, 197 retailers at U.S.-based grocery retailing outlets and 93 general and marketing managers at U.S.-based food, beverage and personal- care packaged goods manufacturing companies. Data was gathered between Nov. 23, 2007, and March 31, 2008.

RENO, Nev. — The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) announced that Safari Club International's Annual Hunters' Convention will remain in Reno through 2011, marking the 20th year that the show will take place in America's Adventure Place.

After previously contracting to bring its convention to Reno through 2010, Safari Club International (SCI) signed a new contract this month for its 2011 convention that is expected generate approximately $31.1 million in direct local economic impact for the Reno area. 

"Competition is fierce in the convention industry, especially for shows that are of the caliber of Safari Club International," said Ellen Oppenheim, RSCVA President and CEO. "It's easy to take for granted that Safari Club is here year after year, but each new contract is the culmination of a lot of hard work on the part of our staff, our hotel partners, and the tourism community. We are extremely pleased that Reno-Tahoe will have the opportunity to celebrate a 20-year partnership with Safari Club International in 2011." 

SCI first held its convention in Reno at what was then known as Bally's hotel in 1989 with 2,500 attendees. In 1999, the convention moved to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and attendance increased to 15,500. The 2008 convention drew 23,000 attendees from 48 countries, and Tradeshow Week ranked the SCI Annual Hunters' Convention as North America's 108th largest tradeshow. The RSCVA estimates that the 2011 show, taking place Jan. 19-22, will bring 27,000 people and generate 25,000 room nights The show will feature more than 1,100 exhibits, seminars and auctions spread throughout 501,000 gross square feet of convention space.

"SCI is extremely pleased to enter into the agreement with the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority for 2011," said SCI President Dennis Anderson. "The continued success for SCI during the last six consecutive years in Reno has been a testimonial to the partnership the community of Reno has with Safari Club International. We look forward to many more successful SCI conventions in the future."

In addition to SCI, Reno has recently been home to two other shows that appeared on the most recent edition of Tradeshow Week's Top 200 list: The Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Expo (No. 131) and Super Computing 07 (No. 198). Rankings are based on net paid square footage. Among destinations in Reno's competitive set, including Denver, Colo., Phoenix, Ariz., Portland, Ore., Salt Lake City, Seattle, San Jose, Calif., and San Diego, only San Diego hosted more top 200 tradeshows than Reno with a total of five.

The new contract with SCI is the largest in a series of recent announcements from the RSCVA, which also booked the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks national conventions in 2013 and 2017. The two Order of Elks shows are expected to produce a combined economic impact of $25.5 million, based on RSCVA estimates.

For more information about Reno-Tahoe, America's Adventure Place call 800-367-7366 or visit www.VisitRenoTahoe.com. 

HILLSBORO, Ore. — Pinnacle Exhibits continues its commitment to sustainability by joining the Oregon Natural Step Network as a founding member. As part of its Natural Step program, Pinnacle Exhibits has created a focused sustainability committee with the purpose of researching, defining and driving key sustainability efforts. These initiatives will involve both the exhibit and event solutions provided to clients as well as internal business practices.

The Natural Step framework, an international organization developed by Swedish scientist Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt in 1989, is a scientifically based initiative that enables member organizations to reduce their environmental impact while developing their business operations. Through the application of four core principles, organizations integrate environmental considerations into strategic decisions and daily procedures. Members, who must demonstrate previous sustainability initiatives, participate in executive briefings, in-depth workshops and an individualized coaching program.

"Our membership in the Oregon Natural Step Network formalizes our green practices and reinforces Pinnacle Exhibits' commitment to a sustainable future," says Brad Hogan, President of Pinnacle Exhibits.

ATLANTA — Laarhoven Design, a leading manufacturer of portable and modular displays and graphics announces new Dye-sublimation and Direct Print graphics capabilities.

"We have invested over $250 thousand in new printing equipment so we can ship complete exhibits of every size, in all of our exhibit systems," said Robert Laarhoven, President.  "Supplying both hardware and graphics from one location means fewer worries for our customers."

Laarhoven Design has been producing fabric graphics with a partner company for several years.  With the addition of new Dye-sublimation printing equipment at its manufacturing plant, fabric graphics can now be produced and fitted to exhibits on location, for faster turnaround times and tighter deadlines.

Another recent addition is a Fugi UV Direct Printer for high quality, wide format, digital direct printing up to 96 inches wide on most flexible and rigid substrates up to 2 inches thick, including PVC, acrylic, wood, styrene, corrugated and aluminum.