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VENUE NEWS
Fontainebleau LV cancels meetings through June 2010
LAS VEGAS — After filing for bankruptcy protection and halting construction on its $2.9 billion resort project last month, Fontainebleau Las Vegas is canceling meetings and conventions scheduled at the facility through June 2010.
Fontainebleau requested permission to cancel the events in a Miami bankruptcy court, according to the Las Vegas Sun.
The affected events, scheduled from January 1 through June 29, 2010, include The Consumer Electronics Association and the International Council of Shopping Centers. Developers had expected to open the 3,800-room resort in October.
“We fully expect Fontainebleau Las Vegas to be completed so that it can accommodate meetings and conventions,” Fontainebleau said in a statement. “The timing of that opening will depend in large part on the timing of renewed financing.”
Events booked after June 2010 have not yet been canceled.
PEOPLE MAKING NEWS
MC2 picks Hishon to head New Detroit office
CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y. — National event and exhibit company MC2 is expanding its operations with a new office in Birmingham, Michigan, located outside the Detroit area. The new office is being opened to support the company's growth and clients in the automotive industry.
 Keith Hishon, a former George P. Johnson executive with more than 20 years experience in planning and executing global automotive programs, will lead the new office as senior vice president of sales. In this role, he will be responsible for the development of automotive program directives, event objectives, providing creative solutions, as well as working through contractual agreements.
"We are pleased to announce our plans for growth in the Detroit market. Keith brings leadership and expeience to this location and combined with MC2's strong corporate culture and core values, will allow us to better serve our customers and help continue our success," said Rich McAdam, president, MC2.
Carr promoted to MC2 division president
 CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y. — National event and exhibit company MC2 has announced the promotion of Shana Carr to president of the company's southwest division headquartered in Las Vegas.
In her new role, Carr will manage substantial division business from top Fortune 500 clients. She will be responsible for sales, manufacturing, design and management productivity at the southwest division, which includes Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Kingman, Arizona.
"Shana's strong leadership and depth of experience will allow MC2 to better serve our customers and help continue our success," said Rich McAdam, president.
Exhibit Surveys CEO selected ‘Who's Who’ by B-to-B
 RED BANK, N.J. — Exhibit Surveys, Inc., the leading provider of research and measurement services exclusively for the exhibition and event industry, today announced that CEO and president Jonathan "Skip" Cox has been selected for inclusion in "Who's Who in B-to-B 2009" by B-to-B, the magazine for marketing strategists. Cox was honored as a "mover and shaker" in the new Events category.
Who's Who in B-to-B features key thought leaders and movers and shakers across a broad spectrum of the marketing world. Cox was selected because under his leadership, Exhibit Surveys, Inc. has enhanced its position as the premier event marketing measurement and research organization by recently expanding its services to include strategic consulting, online planning tools and virtual event measurement for its clients.
"I am gratified to be among the notables selected by B-to-B for its Who's Who," Cox said. "I share this honor with all of the Exhibit Surveys' employees, whose contributions have earned me this distinction."
"It has been a delight to see Exhibit Surveys continue to lead event measurement through innovative offerings and exhaustive research under Skip's capable direction," commented Dick Swandby, who founded Exhibit Surveys, Inc. in 1963, and introduced performance-measurement metrics to the event marketing industry. "I am proud of Skip and offer my heartiest congratulations."
MC2 Detroit-area office adds director of business development
 CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y. — National event and exhibit company MC2 announced that Emily Gardner has joined the company's new Birmingham, Michigan office as director of business development.
Gardner comes to MC2 from George P. Johnson, where as a senior account executive, she handled event management and exhibit services for multiple automotive clients both domestically and abroad. Prior to this, as an event manager, she conducted vendor bid processes, managed auto shows and event sponsorships, and served as a purchasing agent for onsite service goods. Gardner is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a B.S. in business administration.
"We are very excited to have Emily Gardner join us here in Birmingham," said Keith Hishon, MC2 senior vice president of sales. "She has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the automotive events marketing arena. She brings the best of both worlds: operations background and event experience which enhances customer satisfaction."
Hishon heads the Birmingham office, recently opened outside of Detroit, focusing primarily on clients in the automotive industry.
MG Design Associates mobilizes for future with key staff changes
CHICAGO — For 50 years MG Design Associates has been providing clients marketing creativity and the highest level of service. Key to consistently delivering on that promise is having the right staff to provide clients with the strategy and execution to achieve marketing goals.
Known as unconventional solution providers who emphasize strong, lasting client relationships, MG Design has promoted two veteran staffers and added a manager of rental solutions to further enhance the value it provides clients.
 Gail Behun has been named vice president of sales. Behun has been a valuable part of MG Design for more than 13 years, working her way up from the position of Account Manager to Account Executive to Vice President.
Behun started her career as a theatrical set designer before entering the world of face-to-face marketing. Her extensive experience as an account manager at MG Design has taught her logistics, scheduling and the nuances of successfully managing extensive programs. This combination of creativity and tactical implementation serves MG Design clients exceptionally well.
"Gail is a big-idea person with a flair for creating exceptional marketing experiences but she's also very practical and driven to create solutions that reflect the realities of today's market. It's a unique combination of skills that really benefit MG Design's clients and our entire team" said President Michael Grivas in announcing Behun's promotion.
 Kristin Castelli has been named Vice President of National Accounts. Castelli opened MG Design's San Francisco office 10 years ago and since then has helped clients to develop successful exhibit programs designed to achieve their marketing objectives in industries as diverse as technology, healthcare and manufacturing including a number of Fortune 500 companies. In her new position, Castelli is responsible for supporting large national and international accounts as a valuable resource for clients with extensive exhibit programs.
"Kristin brings ingenuity to the table for every client. She understands firsthand the challenges of the marketplace and works hard to help clients bring their brands to life on the show floor," shared Grivas. "In this new role, she adds marketing expertise and industry experience for the benefit of our clients' exhibit programs and is a resource for the entire MG Design team in supporting our clients."
 MG Design has also added Tim Stefaniak as manager, rental solutions. In this position, Stefaniak is charged with creating value-driven rental solutions that fit clients' creative needs — and their budgets. Stefaniak brings extensive rental exhibit experience to MG Design having spent the past decade helping companies to establish and grow their rental programs. His hands-on experience in designing rental solutions that fit clients' unique needs will greatly benefit MG Design clients and their exhibit programs.
"One of the biggest effects of the current economy is the belt tightening that we've all seen from clients. Every day we challenge ourselves to be as resourceful and cost-effective as possible," explained Grivas. "Creating value requires us to be imaginative in combining rental solutions with custom elements to deliver solutions that meet clients' needs. That's what Tim's entire focus will be - creating value for clients."
TradeshowLogistics sales force grows
 ATLANTA — TradeshowLogistics has expanded its sales force, naming John Enright as its newest account executive. In addition, the company is seeking additional senior sales representatives in the Chicago area.
Based in Atlanta, Enright will be managing several current accounts as well as soliciting new business. Most recently an educator for 14 years, Enright previously provided floor management and exhibitor care services for Andrews-Bartlett and GES. He has also worked for New World Van Lines in Chicago and been a show site representative for Yellow Freight.
The creation of these new positions at TradeshowLogistics reflects the increasing number of trade show and event producers seeking alternative methodologies that reduce costs to exhibitors and increase profits for event producers. "Inquiries and RFPs have grown exponentially as word spreads about our clients' successes in cu tting exhibitor costs, improving customer service, and gaining greater control over their show's production through our UNcontractor approach," says B.J. Enright, president of TradeshowLogistics.
The Minus 5 Experience appoints Bowman as director of operations
 LAS VEGAS — The Minus 5 Experience has appointed Noel Bowman, a well respected food and beverage executive, as director of operations. In this role, Bowman will oversee operations of the United State's first permanent ice lounge located at Mandalay Place.
Bowman, the former general manager for rm seafood at Mandalay Bay, contributes more than 20 years of experience in full service operations. With a successful history at Outback Steakhouse Inc., Bowman's expertise includes taking the brand from 2 to 900 units domestically and internationally, building high performance management teams, creating marketing strategies and menu design.
Bowman's passion to succeed has been the driving force behind his most significant achievements. Previously as the area director of the State of Florida, Bowman developed and marketed the OSI /Jimmy Buffett concept Cheeseburger in Paradise which yielded more than 18 million in annual sales. In addition to being chosen as the training unit for company and international stores, Bowman was appointed the organizations "Managing Partner of the Year" for five consecutive years.
"We are certain that Noel will bring a level of professionalism and expertise that will contribute to Minus 5's continuing success," said Rebecca Brosnahan, international projects manager of the Minus 5 Group International. "His vast capabilities and dynamic leadership skills will be an important asset to the Minus 5 team."
"I am ecstatic to be joining an incredible team," said Noel Bowman. "I hope that my expertise will contribute to the expansion of the Minus 5 brand throughout the United States and the world." |
Articles this week:
Also read exhibit expert Barry Siskind’s column
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Association News
TSEA announces new membors of board of directors
CHICAGO — The Trade Show Exhibitors Association announced the new additions to its 2009-2010 Board of Directors.
The new TSEA Active Board members are: Cyndi Erp, CME/H, KCI; Teri Nobbe, CME/H, Hill-Rom; Michael Rapp, Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc.; and Rick Rinderle, CME, Alcatel-Lucent. Nick deBois, Rapier Group, will serve as an Allied Board member.
 Cyndi Erp, CME/H is the Senior Manager of Exhibits and Events at KCI and has been in charge of the exhibits program of approximately 35 national shows for over 12 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Texas Lutheran College and an MBA from Our Lady of the Lake University. She serves on the Exhibitor Advisory Committees for the American Society for Plastic Surgery and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Cyndi is also a member of the Annual Meeting Committee of the Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association (HCEA) and of the TSEA Marketing Communications Committee. She is the recipient of the 2009 TSEA Red Diamond Master's Award.
Teri Nobbe, CME/H, has over 18 years experience as a Tradeshow Manager at Hill-Rom. She has been active in the Trade Show Exhibitors Association since 2001 and will be the Board Liaison to the TSEA Education Committee. She is a member of Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association (HCEA) and ois the Education Chair for the TSEA Windy City Chapter. Nobbe also serves on various healthcare association Exhibitor Advisory Councils (EACs) and the Foundation Board for the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA).
TSEA honors 2009 Exhibitors’ choice winners
CHICAGO — A record number visitors flooded the Trade Show Exhibitors Association Web site this year to vote for the First Annual Exhibitors’ Choice Awards.
The winners were announced last night at the TSEA Foundation Gala in conjunction with the TS2 show in Chicago.
More than 400 exhibit industry professionals came out to the Chicago Illuminating Company to celebrate and cheer on the winners and nominees of the awards.
Click here for a list of all the winners.
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Association News
CEIR reports on effective methods for visitor promotion
Direct mail, e-mail comprise two-thirds of organizers’ marketing budgets
DALLAS — The Center for Exhibition Industry Research released on July 23 Effective Methods for Visitor Promotion, a new research study based on a survey conducted among exhibition organizers and exhibitors in order to statistically validate the most effective methods for visitor promotion.
Insights from this survey are highlighted in two CEIR reports, the first of which, now currently available from CEIR, examines responses from 483 exhibition organizers from all sectors of the industry. Among other key findings, the research explores overall attitudes toward attendee promotion, current marketing activities, and most effective and ineffective marketing techniques.
Interestingly, determinations from the study concluded that more than 8 out of 10 exhibition organizers believe that partnerships with exhibitors are critical to their show's success, clearly indicating that in order to achieve a desired outcome, organizers must forge strong relationships with exhibitors when it comes to attendee marketing. Please click here for a free download of the complete new report.
This study was conducted by Exhibit Surveys, Inc. during the first quarter of 2009. Part II of this report will examine best practices of attendee promotion by exhibitors and will be released in August. CEIR members may download Effective Methods for Visitor Promotion Part I: Exhibition Organizers for free at www.ceir.org. The cost for non-members is $24.
Company News
Proactive changes name to Freeman
DALLAS – ProActive, A Freeman Company, will change its name to Freeman, more accurately reflecting the seamless services provided by Freeman to better serve the complete needs of its customers. The change became effective July 22.
 ProActive was acquired by Freeman in April 2007, but continued using its historic name to emphasize the enhanced strategic and creative agency-level production solutions available to Freeman clients. Freeman is the world's leading provider of integrated services for face-to-face marketing events.
"Our goal is to strengthen our clients' brand through face-to-face events, and our strategic, creative and production offerings are key to the success of that effort," said Carrie Freeman Parsons, vice chair and CMO of Freeman. "Our clients have had great success leveraging the creative resources of ProActive the last two years, and we see this change as an extension of that evolution – simply reflecting in name what already exists in practice.”
Freeman’s full suite of strategic and creative services includes branding, event marketing, communications strategy, creative direction, experience and exhibit design, and assessment and measurement for live events, business meetings, trade shows, corporate training and other communication-based programs.
Existing clients will see no change in their working relationships with their ProActive or Freeman account teams; rather, the integration of the two companies' brands will enable clients to better explore the company's comprehensive range of resources – from products and services, to the expertise of personnel, and the geographic reach of its locations.
The former ProActive offices and personnel in Chicago and New York City will remain intact, with Tony Lorenz, CMM, continuing to head all creative resources at Freeman. Lorenz founded ProActive in 1992, building it into a respected leader in providing strategic experiential communications solutions.
"The bottom line is that our clients’ interface with one brand will make it easier for them to take advantage of all our resources at Freeman,” said Freeman Parsons. “Today's clients are looking for truly integrated solutions from a single source, so we are simply aligning our offerings in every single way.”
Lorenz added: “I am proud of what ProActive represented as a brand in the marketplace for 17 years. I am even more proud of its successful integration with Freeman.”
Orgill extends contract with GES through 2012
LAS VEGAS — GES Exposition Services, Inc., a leader in exhibition and event services, announced that Orgill, Inc., a GES client for more than 15 years, has extended its contract for four additional markets.
The contract extension includes Orgill’s 2011 Spring Dealer Market in Orlando, 2011 Fall Dealer Market in Boston, 2012 Spring Dealer Market in Orlando and the 2012 Fall Dealer Market in a city yet to be determined.
“GES continues to be an important partner in the success of our Dealer Markets and we are proud to extend our contract through 2012,” said Orgill Vice President Advertising Steve East. “GES’ traveling account team has become an extension of our Orgill team. Regardless of where our Dealer Market is held, we have a team in place that knows our show and our vendors, and is committed to providing us unmatched customer service.”
“GES is extremely pleased to be the official services contractor for Orgill’s Dealer Markets through 2012,” said GES Executive Vice President and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Steve Moster. “The GES team is committed to providing exceptional customer service to Orgill and its vendors and our traveling account team is an important part of that commitment.”
Customers attending Orgill’s Dealer Market have the opportunity to peruse many of the new products, programs and services offered through Orgill and its vendor partners. The Market consists of hundreds of major vendor booths, a Worldwide Sourcing area, ProSource area, pallet specials and coupon specials areas as well as farm and ranch, workwear and office supplies. More than 60 countries are represented at the Markets.
International Show News
New hall layout with exciting collections at GDS 2009
CHICAGO — GDS — International Event for Shoes & Accessories — will present all key trends for the coming season at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany Sept. 11–13.
The event will provide a comprehensive overview of the progressive and classic segments of the market, featuring street and sportswear, design newcomers, brands with mainstream market acceptance and children’s footwear. Approximately 800 exhibitors from 40 countries will display about 1,800 footwear collections for the 2010 Spring/Summer season.
“GDS is once again all geared up for international buyers. At this point in time the collections will present established trends and the comprehensive program of information and accompanying events is as important as ever in our day and age,” explained Kirstin Deutelmoser, Project Director of GDS.
Show Technology News
’09 Int’l Pool|Spa|Patio Expo launches state-of-the-art Web site
 DALLAS — The 2009 Int’l Pool | Spa | Patio Expo has unveiled an all-new, redesigned Web site that offers a bold new look, simplified navigation and improved usability that will help users access information quickly and easily.
Located at www.PoolSpaPatio.com, the new look and additional features were designed to provide centralized content, making navigation fast and easy for attendees and exhibitors.
"Int’l Pool | Spa | Patio Expo continually strives to provide the best to our attendees and exhibitors," said Donna Bellantone, Director of the Expo. "The website redesign enables users to find information quickly and easily, ultimately bringing even more value to their show experience."
The ramped up website enhances user-friendly navigation by featuring three distinct sections designed especially for the type of target user — attendees, exhibitors or press — with content based specifically on their needs.
Within each section is a wealth of information categorized under menu tabs located at the top of the page. Each tab contains a drop-down menu of related pages that are only visible when the user's cursor hovers over the tab.
To help highlight important information, modules are included on almost every page. Modules are custom content areas that change frequently depending on the subject matter.
"The new website offers incredible information about the show in a manner that is clean and crisp,” said Bill Weber, President and CEO of APSP, the show’s official sponsor. “I encourage all of our members to use the website frequently."
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Association News
Virginia Beach CVB Joins Convene Green Alliance
 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau has joined the Convene Green Alliance, pushing total membership for the organization to over 500 association and industry partners.
As one of eight Contributing Industry Members, the Virginia Beach CVB will receive visibility on the CGA website, contribute case studies, white papers, research and real-world experiences to the resources available to CGA members, and enjoy other benefits.
The CGA membership was announced at the Virginia Beach CVB “Groovy & Green” client event June 5-6, 2009, where meeting planners and national trade media were able to experience the city’s newest products and major initiatives focused on green and sustainability. The event was topped off with “Get Green Already,” a conference aimed at educating the hospitality industry about the advantages of going green, how to budget for it, and how to measure its success.
Now with over 90 Virginia Green certified hospitality businesses, Virginia Beach is the first “Virginia Green Destination.” The Virginia Beach Convention Center is also the first Virginia Green certified convention center. The convention center is actively pursuing the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and has a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED-AP) on staff to coordinate these efforts.
Virginia Beach’s green initiatives also include a social responsibility partnership with United Way, eco-tourism experiences incorporating the destination’s natural waterways and state parks, an oceanfront recycling program, and hybrid electric buses used as seasonal transportation in the resort area.
“We’re extremely proud of the green programs we have introduced in Virginia Beach, and we know they are making a difference as we all seek to protect the environment,” says Al Hutchinson, Vice President of Convention Sales & Marketing for the Virginia Beach CVB. “Joining the Convene Green Alliance will allow us to advance these initiatives even further and give back to the industry by sharing them with many other organizations and associations.”
“The Virginia Beach CVB has taken a real leadership role through its many environmental initiatives, and we are proud to count them as a CGA member,” says CGA Executive Director Tracey Messina.
The Convene Green Alliance is a nonprofit grassroots, industry initiative spearheaded by several high-profile associations that seek to effect positive environmental practices through national, regional and local outreach and education. This initiative was developed in response to members’ demands that their association (and the meetings and events they sponsor), reflect best environmental practices. Learn more at www.convenegreen.com.
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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:
[CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF SISKIND'S COLUMN…]
Show News
2009 AWFS fresh wood student competition winners announced
 LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Twenty-seven college and high school students — many considering woodworking as a career —went home with Rikon tools and monetary prizes ranging from $250 to $1,000 for their entries in AWFS’s Fresh Wood competition in Las Vegas. The biennial event, held as part of the AWFS Fair, attracted 165 entries from 49 different schools in the United States and Canada.
Tyler Duperron (see photo) from Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School, Brampton, Ontario, won The Best of Show Award, which includes a Rikon Mini Lathe, retailed at $329.99, $1,000 prize and a wood sculpture designed by the late renowned wood artist Sam Maloof, for his An Apple a Day.
Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School, also received the $2,500 Larry Hilchie School Grant Award for Woodworking, Rikon 10” Table saw and Rikon 34-inch Radial floor Drill Press.
Fair attendees also voted, awarding the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by CustomMade.com, and $500 prize to Timothy Keating from Cedar Ridge High School, Chapel Hill, N.C., for his Wandering Roses.
This is the first time two high school students have been awarded the Best of Show and People’s Choice awards.
The judges, ranging from woodworkers to educators, retail and trade, reviewed entries based on the design, innovation and quality of presentation, the use of materials, methods and processes, the functionality and achievement of design intent and craftsmanship and quality.
[CLICK HERE for the rest of the story and a list of the winners] |
