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VENUE NEWS
Javits Convention Center expansion receives approval
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Governor David A. Paterson announced that the Public Authority Control Board has approved the General Project Plan for the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.
 The proposed renovation and expansion will now move forward and construction on the site will begin immediately, as thousands of jobs are created with the new project.
“In these challenging economic times, it is vital that we invest in projects that spur local business and create new employment opportunities. This project achieves both, while also ensuring that we improve upon an invaluable asset,” Governor Paterson said.
“The General Project Plan will generate close to $880 million in direct and indirect sales, as well as 9,000 direct and indirect construction and construction related jobs. With the Public Authority Control Board’s approval, we may now proceed with this significant development project,” he added.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said, “The long-awaited Javits Center renovation and expansion project is an important step towards addressing the demand for modern convention space. In addition to generating economic activity for New York City, the construction will create real jobs for working New Yorkers.”
Currently bounded by 40th Street to the north, 34th Street to the south, 11th Avenue to the east and 12th Avenue to the west, the convention center project has two components that will both renew and expand the facility.
The renovation project for Javits responds to the immediate needs of the convention and trade show industry, improves the existing building conditions, enables the center to continue operating and complements ongoing development of the West Side. The existing operating conditions will remain unchanged, with construction being scheduled and sequenced to maintain continuity of the venue at all times.
A 100,000-square-foot-expansion will be constructed on the block bounded by 39th Street, 11th Avenue, 40th Street and 12th Avenue. The expansion will contain 40,000 net square feet of exhibition space. Pre-function and registration areas, support and core functions (restrooms, food service areas), and a truck court and loading docks will be located within the remaining 60,000 square feet. Upon completion of the renovation, the 40,000-square-foot exhibition space will remain in service and will complement existing operations.
The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center opened in 1986 as the successor to the Coliseum Convention Center (formerly at 59th Street and Broadway). Since its opening, Javits has been New York City’s primary venue for large conventions, exhibitions and major trade shows. These events are key contributors to the city and state economy, stimulating direct and indirect employment, economic activity and tax revenues, while strongly supporting the city’s hotel, restaurant, tourism and entertainment industries.
San Jose CVB wins Distinctive Achievement Award
 SAN JOSE — Leading meetings trade publication Association Conventions & Facilities magazine has recognized the San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau with a 2009 Distinctive Achievement Award, announced Dan Fenton, CEO of Team San Jose, which runs the convention center and four theaters as well as the SJCVB.
Bureaus chosen to receive this coveted honor were selected by our subscribers who voted for those that best served their association meetings during the past year. Team San Jose and SJCVB are renowned for their “one team for all your event needs” service, which is so popular that 97 percent of clients surveyed said they’d return.
“We’re really proud that we continue to raise the bar on service and set a national example of how to put the customer first,” said Fenton, who is incoming chair of the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). “Rather than hand you off to various entities after the meeting is booked, our team is empowered to handle everything from housing and customized menus to permits and technically savvy special events. Since we run the meeting facilities and work closely with the hotel, arts and labor communities, we’re able to cost-effectively control and enhance the clients’ experience.”
PEOPLE MAKING NEWS
HCEA award goes to Pat Friedlander
TAMPA, Fla. — Pat Friedlander, president of Word-Up! of Chicago, was presented with the Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association Distinguished Service Award during the 2009 HCEA Annual Meeting June 13–16 in Tampa.
The award, HCEA’s highest form of recognition, recognized Friedlander’s nearly 20 years of service to the healthcare convention marketing and exhibitions industry and her dedication to HCEA.
 Since joining HCEA in 1990, Friedlander has actively served on HCEA’s Annual Meeting Committee, contributing significantly to HCEA’s curriculum development, and has presented educational workshops at HCEA educational meetings including sessions focused on global exhibiting issues. In addition, she has served on HCEA’s Marketing and Public Relations Committee and Exhibitors Advisory Council, and writes numerous articles for HCEA.
Friedlander has also written articles for a variety of other convention industry and healthcare publications, has served on advisory councils for convention industry associations and has presented educational sessions at industry events.
HCEA established the award to recognize those who have made major contributions to the association and/or the healthcare convention marketing and exhibitions industry throughout the years.
The award is not necessarily presented every year, but only when HCEA’s Nominating Committee and Board of Directors determine an eligible candidate.
HCEA is the only association solely dedicated to improving the effectiveness of all conventions, meetings and exhibitions for the healthcare industry. HCEA represents organizations involved in healthcare exhibitions and conventions.
Miguel Neves receives MPI Foundation Student Scholarship Award
 FRANKFURT, Germany — SYNAXIS Meetings & Events announced that Miguel Neves of the London office is the inaugural recipient of the MPI Foundation Student Scholarship Award.
This award marks the newly consummated global partnership between IMEX and the MPI Foundation, a reflection of both organizations’ commitment to supporting young talent and providing opportunities for personal and professional development for future industry leaders.
The prize was awarded to Neves as the winner of the 'International University Challenge', where each student attending the IMEX Future Leaders Forum is invited to put together a bid for a gala dinner at an MPI event of their choice. The bids are judged on the bases of their creativity, detail, sustainability, marketability and presentation. The contenders must present their bid on stage in front of a live jury, first at their regional MPI event and subsequently present an extended version of their bid for the final challenge at the IMEX Exhibition in Frankfurt.
Neves’s winning bid proposed an MPI European Meetings and Events Conference for 2014 to be held in his hometown of Estoril, Portugal, at the Estoril Congress Centre (the recipient of the 2009 IMEX Green Exhibitor Award). The gala dinner involves beach front canapés followed by a sailing excursion on board 16th century "caravela" replicas. The guests are then welcomed to Portugal's most prestigious monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) where a typical feast of the period awaits them. Entertainment is provided during the meal by several jesters, musicians and artists, followed by a guest speaker who will tell attendees of historic meetings that changed the world and how the meetings of today will change the future. The evening ends with a "Fado" by world renowned music star Mariza.
For Neves, this award represents the culmination of two years of a conscious effort to learn and grow within the meetings industry. He is currently a full time member of the SYNAXIS team, overseeing the London office. He is also involved with MPI’s United Kingdom chapter, serving on the membership committee, and will be involved in all local efforts for MPI to further recruit and engage their student members.
In his own words, "my journey over the past two years has been truly amazing and I owe much of that to MPI and IMEX. I am in the process of completing my masters degree and I now have a job that I love which involves planning meetings and events on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Charles Massey, CMP, Founder and CEO of SYNAXIS Meetings & Events, said “I am extremely pleased and proud that Miguel received the inaugural MPI Foundation Student Scholarship Award. I initially met Miguel at the MPI European Meetings and Events Conference in London in 2008, where he was a student volunteer, then subsequently offered him a summer internship in 2008. I am both personally and professionally proud of Miguel’s accomplishments, which once again proves that the students that we mentor are indeed our future leaders”.
PRA Destination Management, Chicago appoints Banks as new national sales manager
 CHICAGO — PRA Destination Management Chicago, a leader in destination management services, announced the appointment of Lauren Banks as the company's new National Sales Manager, according to Clara DeBortoli, general manager of PRA Chicago.
Bank's primary focus is to promote the unique DMC services PRA Chicago offers its clientele, as well as to help position the company for strategic growth opportunities in the Chicago region.
“We are very excited to have Ms. Banks on board. Her professional background and experience will bring a fresh perspective to our sales efforts,” said PRA Chicago President Hanson Ansary.
Banks brings valuable expertise from a range of marketing and sales positions. Her most recent designation as the national sales manager for a Chicago event planning company afforded her with meaningful strategic sales experience. Banks brings years of account management experience from her tenure with an advertising and event planning agency, where she coordinated multiple client accounts including private sector businesses, law firms, financial institutions and public sector clients such as state and city government.
“I am excited to embark on this new career opportunity with PRA Chicago and help to grow the PRA business,” said Banks.
Banks obtained a Master’s Degree in Advertising and Public Relations Management from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Advertising from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill.
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Articles this week:
Also read exhibit expert Barry Siskind’s column
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Association News
Six associations to receive ASAE &
The Center’s highest association honor
at Summit Awards Dinner
 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Six associations have been selected by ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership’s Associations Advance America (AAA) Committee to receive the 2009 Summit Award—ASAE’s highest honor for associations that implement innovative community-based programs.
The Summit Awards will be presented at the 10th Annual Summit Awards Dinner, September 29, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
Part of the AAA Awards Program, the Summit Award symbolizes the very best efforts designed by associations across the country in areas like public education/information, economic development, business and social innovation, skills training/development and civic and volunteer activities. The six Summit Award Recipients for 2009 were selected from a field of 38 Award of Excellence winners from two earlier AAA judging rounds this year.
“We are thrilled to recognize these organizations with the highest association honor – the Summit Award,” said Janet C. Gibbs, CPA, chief financial officer of Feeding America and 2008-2009 chair of ASAE & The Center’s Associations Advance America Committee. “Every single excellence award winner from this year portrayed thoughtful campaign management and their work truly supports the importance of associations in our communities. The 2009 Summit Award winners are a testimony to the commitment and dedication of association professionals and association members across the country who strive to help others and continuously propel America forward.”
Click here to read more and for a list of this year’s winners.
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Strategic Reorganization
GES, Exhibitgroup/Giltspur integrate offerings to bring greater innovation, efficiency and service to clients
 PHOENIX, Ariz. — As part of an overall reorganization taking place through its parent company Viad Corp, the GES Exposition Services and Exhibitgroup/Giltspur organizations are joining forces to create a greater depth and breadth of comprehensive services for clients.
While continuing to work under their individual brands, the two companies will be collaborating more closely as they come together under one business unit, Viad's Marketing & Events Group. The business unit will be led by John Jastrem, currently serving as president and chief executive officer of EG.
The combined companies will create an unmatched, world-class organization by leveraging the best-in-class strengths of GES and EG. The companies are making these changes to align with customer needs and remain on the forefront of an ever-changing marketplace. The exhibition and event industry and clients will benefit from:
- Full Scale Official Contracting Services providing consistent, best-in-class event production and service delivery
- Cutting Edge Creative & Design to build unique, powerful and memorable opportunities to connect businesses face to face
- Marketing and Measurement Services positioned to generate increased value from exhibitions and events
- Unparalleled Global Reach to provide solutions around the world, including North America, Europe and the Middle East
TS² adds Diane Benson of GE Healthcare to Power Panel Lineup
Alexandria, Va. — TS² announced today that Diane E. Benson, CTSM, Manager, Conventions at GE Healthcare will participate in the July 22 Power Panel.
"Diane is an exciting addition to our highly experience panel," said TS² Conference Chairman Robert Dallmeyer. "Together with the rest of the panel, we will explore current best practices to achieving marketing success in today’s difficult environment."
Benson began her career in trade show marketing more than 20 years ago as a healthcare exhibitor for a nuclear medicine equipment manufacturer, Sopha Medical. She achieved her Certified Trade Show Marketer certification in 1996 while employed on the supplier side of the industry for Exponents New York, and moved back to the exhibitor side in 2000 to manage the convention program for Amersham Health, which was later purchased by GE.
Benson joins panelists Jim Burch, Director of Communications, Toshiba America, Michael R. Olson, Senior Manager, Trade Shows, Raytheon Co. and Francesca Lendrum, Director, Marketing Services, NAVTEQ.
This Power Panel session will take place on July 22 in Ballroom – Level 3 at McCormick Place West from 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm during TS² 2009. All registered attendees and exhibitors are welcome and encouraged to attend this session.
In addition to three keynote sessions, TS² 2009 will include 70 powerful conference sessions in 9 targeted educational tracks.
For complete conference information including session details and faculty, visit www.ts2show.com.
TS² 2009, Total Solutions Marketing for the Exhibit and Event Professional, will be held Monday, July 20 – Thursday, July 23, 2009 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The conference and exposition is a one-stop resource for marketing industry best practices presented by industry gurus, leading-edge marketing initiatives and support for every step of the way from justifying budgets to proving ROI to developing the marketer’s career. TS² is owned and produced by National Trade Productions (NTP), a leader in the production, management, and marketing of trade expositions, conferences and special events. For more information about attending or exhibiting, please contact NTP at 703-683-8500, or visit the TS² Web site, www.ts2show.com.
Show News
World Market Center Las Vegas to honor designer Vicente Wolf as design icon at September market
 LAS VEGAS — World Market Center Las Vegas and Las Vegas Design Center will honor design visionary Vicente Wolf of Vicente Wolf Associates Inc. as its Design Icon September 16 during the Fall Las Vegas Market, Sept. 14–17.
Wolf is a New York-based designer, whose wide-ranging portfolio includes photography, art collecting, interior design and global travel.
House Beautiful named Wolf one of the 10 most influential designers in the United States, and Interior Design Magazine inducted him in its Designer Hall of Fame.
In addition to his many accolades and broad talents, Wolf has published two books (Learning to See, Artisan, 2002 and Crossing Boundaries: A Global Vision of Design, Monacelli Press, 2006) and is currently planning a third, set to launch in 2010. He humbly said that receiving an award such as this reminds him of how visible his work is.
“When I do my work I don’t think of the outside world ever seeing it,” said Wolf. “Only when I receive an award like this do I realize that somebody is looking and appreciating what it is that we do at Vicente Wolf Associates.”
He went on to say that it’s not just the award that thrills him, but the opportunities it presents through the very essence and industry exposure Las Vegas Market provides. “This opens the door for manufacturers across the world to see our capabilities, paving the way for future working relationships,” he said.
Company Accolades
Nomadic Display wins two American Corporate Identity Awards
Recognition reflects Nomadic Display’s commitment to sustainability
SPRINGFIELD, Va. — Nomadic Display and BSI Exhibits have been recognized with two Best of Category Awards in the American Corporate Identity Awards presented by American Graphic Design & Advertising. The winning exhibit, “Dream Green” which was used by the two companies at TS2 2008, was named Best Trade Show Display and Best Green/Sustainable Design.
Nomadic Display is especially proud of its recognition in the Best Green/Sustainable Design category where it competed against marketing programs from a wide range of media including advertising and collateral. The winning exhibit featured renewable/recyclable bamboo, 100 percent post-consumer waste/100 percent recyclable laminates, 100 percent post-consumer waste/100 percent recyclable carpet, and 100 percent recyclable celtic cloth/water based ink graphics.
Many of Nomadic Display’s green practices—especially those pertaining to its displays—were in place long before green became cool. Nomadic’s custom modular and custom portable systems are backed by lifetime warranties, designed to integrate with another and are reconfigurable to facilitate repeat usage. Nomadic’s displays are inherently lightweight to reduce shipping expenses for exhibitors and Nomadic uses SmartWay Transport Partners who have earned exceptional fuel efficiency/environmental performance scores from the Environmental Protection Agency.
“Nomadic Display understands that being green means demonstrating environmental leadership in all facets of our business. In addition to producing a largely green product, we strive to adopt environment-friendly practices in our manufacturing processes and business operations,” says Pat Goeke, president and ceo. This means using recycled materials, minimizing hazardous emissions, conserving energy, reducing waste, and recycling waste. Nomadic Display’s ongoing environmentally friendly practices include:
- Aluminum structures fabricated with 80 percent post-consumer recycled content.
- Graphics printed with non-toxic, water-soluble, ultra-violet inks.
- Velcro-compatible fabrics contain polyester made from 100 percent certified, post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.
- Switched from solvent-based to pressure-sensitive, heated adhesives.
- Reduced its company-wide consumption of paper for communications, transactions, management, and record-keeping systems by half in the past year.
- Promotional materials are printed on 100 percent recycled, elemental chlorine-free paper products certified by the international Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
View Nomadic Display’s full Environmental Policy Statement at: http://www.nomadicdisplay.com/corporate/green/
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Association News
IAEE, Siso continue collaborative efforts to benefit industry members
DALLAS — In order to unify the trade show industry into a cohesive voice representing all aspects of the exhibitions and events industry, IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events) and SISO (Society of Independent Show Organizers) are collaborating by jointly presenting a session at the upcoming SISO 2009 Executive Conference at the New York Marriott Marquis. The session, titled Determining and Improving our Partners' ROI, will be held Wednesday, August 5 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will focus on proving the value of exhibitions, conferences and events as it applies to all participants in a trade show.
As every entity involved with a trade show (organizers, exhibitors, attendees, vendors and venues) are members of the organizers' strategic team - and thus part of the P&L mix - it is important that each understand how they singularly and collectively influence the whole as it relates to their ROI at their events. Case studies will reveal examples on how all participants can work together to ensure everyone gains greater value from their participation: be it in writing more orders, attracting additional new business, meeting new prospects, finding new products or services, increasing visibility in their industry, conducting competitive market intelligence, forging strategic alliances or reducing costs so they can turn a profit in today's challenging economy.
Margaret Pederson, chair of IAEE and president of Amirexx, will moderate the session. Mike Cooke, chair of The Exhibition Industry Foundation (EIF) and chief executive officer of dmg world media, along with Georgianne Decenzo, executive vice president of Advanstar, will offer examples about how their respective organizations are working with clients to meet the need to prove ROI. Cooke's experience producing multiple events will demonstrate how dmg world media works with individual clients that can increase their ROI by as much as 50 percent. Decenzo will explore the elements that contribute to the success of The Licensing Show. She will describe how Advanstar relocated the event, revised space sales strategies and integrated digital media into their marketing plan. Skip Cox, CEO of Exhibit Surveys, Inc., will share how his client's expectations are changing, how they now measure ROI and how the results affect their decision to participate in exhibitions. Cox will explain how these results will impact organizers of events and exhibitions.
SISO and IAEE are both committed to serving their members by collaborating with each other. Both organizations believe that today's business environment is far too complex for any one organization to meet all their members needs, find partners with new solutions and bring greater value to each of their constituencies. IAEE and SISO see partnering in this way as another opportunity to work harmoniously and cooperatively together to advance our common industry objectives.
This relationship is just the first in a series of ventures where SISO and IAEE will be working together to improve communications throughout their respective communities and for the Industry as a whole. The two organizations will continue to provide joint educational programming through Webinars in the Autumn and another joint session at Expo! Expo! IAEE's Annual Meeting & Exhibition to be held Dec. 8-10 in Atlanta, Ga.
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How to measure
exhibit staff training
By Barry Siskind
It’s an age-old problem. Managers intuitively know that providing staff with specialized training makes them more proficient, helps increase confidence and improves the bottom line. So, you might ask, what is the problem? The answer is simply they can’t prove it. And, proof is what’s needed in order to justify the time and cost of providing training.
The challenge of creating a ROI for training is that it needs something to be compared to and without the ability to know what the training investment is being compared to, calculating the ROI is next to impossible. The root of the issue is the establishment of benchmarks.
Here is where many exhibit managers fall down in their ability to collect meaningful data from their exhibit experiences and to use that data to establish a benchmark from which future performance is compared.
Here is an example of a few of the bits of data that should be included in a post-show statistical analysis:
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