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GREEN NEWS
Brumark’s carpet recycling program proves environmental success
MARIETTA, Ga. — Brumark, the Total Flooring Solutions specialist, has proven environmental success by recycling over half a million square feet of carpet through its carpet recycling program. The no-cost program allows Brumark’s customers to help the environment by diverting carpet from local landfills and avoid carpet disposal fees.
 “Offering current and potential customers an easy, convenient and free resource to recycle their old cut pile carpet is another avenue for which we provide total flooring solutions,” says Dave Walens, president of Brumark.
The Brumark Carpet Recycling Program is simple. Customers can call 1-800-291-9606 or e-mail atrecycle@brumark.comto enroll in the program. When the customer is ready for pick-up, Brumark will handle all of the details and take the old carpet to its recycling facility. If the customer has a full truckload (76,000 square feet), Brumark will drop a trailer at the facility and pick up the carpet within 48 hours. If the customer has a partial truckload, additional details will be provided.
“Our carpet recycling program is part of our ongoing commitment to the environment. We’re dedicated to reducing our environmental impact while continuing to provide our customers with innovative, high-quality products,” Walens said.
The company offers a wide selection of attractive, economical and convenient green flooring products, from eco-friendly carpet and recyclable carpet tiles to recycled rubber flooring to natural flooring products like bamboo, cork, sisal and wood. To learn more about Brumark’s green products or to request a Green Product Sample Kit visit and register online at www.brumark.com.
AWARD NEWS
SMOTY winners announced
IRVING, Texas — The Expo Group's 10th annual Show Manager of the Year Award recipients have been announced.
The winners are Michelle Roddie, vice president of operations at Mid-America Events & Expos and Kocina Marketing; Jenn Kampmeier, founder of Indy Baby Expo; Crystal Lucas, director of event operations and services at UBM; Tyrone Curtis, exhibits manager of AARP; and Gene Sanders, senior vice president of trade shows at the Society of the Plastics Industries.
(Read more about IAEE's awards.)
COMPANY ACQUISITION
SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals buys Rentsys
HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. — SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals, one of the nation’s leading providers of computer, audio visual and trade show technology rentals and services, has purchased the Rentsys computer and audio visual rental division of Dealer Computer Services, Inc.
The Rentsys recovery business remains with Dealer Computer Services, Inc. This is the 18th acquisition for SmartSource, a portfolio company of Kirtland Capital Partners of Cleveland, Ohio.
Similar to previous companies acquired by SmartSource, Rentsys’s business model and strengths complement and amplify the core capabilities of SmartSource.
According to SmartSource President and CEO Michael McClernon, acquisition discussions began in late 2008 under the SmartSource founder, the late Julian Sandler, and continued under Kirtland’s Senior Managing Partner John Nester, Partner Jim Foley, McClernon, and SmartSource’s CFO, Stephen Rupolo.
“We are pleased to have Rentsys join the SmartSource organization,” McClernon said. “SmartSource has had a strong working relationship with Rentsys spanning over a decade. We share similar philosophies centered on high quality customer service, a focus on select markets, and a desire to provide a complete technology solution to our rental clients.”
He added, “Rentsys has a strong franchise in key areas of software user conferences, association and corporate meetings and trade shows. This acquisition enhances our position in the technology, audio visual and trade show areas and gives us a stronger presence in the user conference market. It also plays to our strengths, most notably our 21 strategic branch locations--more facilities than any other provider in the technology rental market.”
Rentsys head, Vice President Chad Frank, will be joining SmartSource as Vice President, User Conference Group. Most members of the Rentsys sales force and field technicians will be integrated into the SmartSource organization. In Las Vegas and Orlando, where both companies have locations, the operations will be merged into single facilities.
McClernon continued, “We expect the 2010 business year for technology rentals and user conferences to be strong. In addition, we expect trade show attendance to bounce back, and we also expect that corporate events that have been downsized or eliminated this year will make a comeback as well.”
CONTRACTOR NEWS
American College of Nurse Midwives selects Hargrove
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The American College of Nurse-Midwives, the oldest women's health care organization in the United States and Courtesy Associates, ACNM’s newly selected meetings management team, have selected Hargrove to serve as the general services contractor for the association’s 2010-2012 Annual Meeting and Exhibitions.
Hargrove, a nationally renowned general contractor that produces tradeshows, events and custom exhibits, was selected as a result of its extensive experience and quality design.
The ACNM 55th Annual Meeting and Exhibition to be held in June 2010 in Washington, DC at the Marriott Wardman Park, includes 20,000 square feet of exhibit space and attracts 135 exhibitors. The organization’s 2011 meeting will be held in San Antonio Texas.
“ACNM is taking major steps to improve the quality and excitement of our Annual Meeting for our members and our corporate partners,” Lorrie Kline Kaplan, executive director of ACNM. “We are thrilled that Hargrove will be with us as one of the key partners in our redesign.”
Tim McGill, Hargrove president and CEO adds, “Hargrove is honored by the opportunity to partner with ACNM and Courtesy Associates on this important and growing meeting. We’ve had a phenomenal 2009 and 2010 is shaping up to be another milestone year at Hargrove. We look forward to providing ACNM with the extraordinary service and consistency our customers have come to expect.”
SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS
New York Gift Fair uses Twitter.com to avoid Javits traffic
NEW YORK — Twitter.com became an integral part of communication at the summer 2009 New York International Gift Fair when a New York City’s half-marathon snarled traffic in and around the Javits Center on opening day of New York City’s largest trade show.
The quick access to instant communication offered by social media allowed show owners, GLM, a dmg world media business, to inform NYIGF participants of potential travel troubles.
Realizing that many of the key access roads to the Javits Center were closed for the early-morning race, GLM immediately began tweeting news of related street closures and alternate travel routes.
GLM also was able to set-up water stations at the building entrance for over-heated attendees and exhibitors who had abandoned stalled shuttles and taxis, traveling several blocks on foot – and in 80 degree temperatures – to arrive in time for the Fair’s 9 a.m. opening.
Twitter was a wonderful communication tool for NYIGF during this crisis,” said Dorothy Belshaw. “We were able to monitor ‘chatter’ about the situation, communicate solutions to those impacted and take pro-active steps to ameliorate the discomfort and frustration of those who had arrived on foot.”
GLM received overwhelmingly positive feedback from NYIGF participants for their quick actions, and real-time communications.
Following the Fair, GLM also worked with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the New York Road Runners Club to ensure that the Half Marathon would not overlap with NYIGF again in future.
For more information, visit www.nyigf.com.
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Association News
Exhibit Industry Council established to promote industry best practices
BEND, Ore. — Five major trade show industry associations met recently to form the Exhibit Industry Council (EIC) in response to rising concerns from exhibitors that business practices in the industry are leading to an unsustainable business model.
“The EIC’s goal is to unify all trade show industry stakeholders to support reputable, consistent standards through the use of best practices that support world-class service at trade shows,” said Eric Allen, Executive Vice President of the Healthcare Exhibitors Association (HCEA), a founding member of the EIC.
In addition to HCEA, the members of the Exhibit Industry Council are the Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA), the Corporate Event Marketers Association (CEMA), the Exhibit Designers + Producers Association (EDPA) and the Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Association (EACA).
The inaugural meeting of the EIC was recently held in San Francisco with representation from each of the five associations. In addition to committing itself to the development and promotion of trade show Best Practices, the founding members agreed to meet quarterly to take up any additional issues aimed at increasing exhibitor value at trade shows.
“Exhibitors are frustrated by confusing rules, lack of audited attendance information, and inconsistent and archaic business practices at trade shows – all of which lead to costs that escalate out of control,” said Margit Weisgal, President/CEO of TSEA. “We believe it’s time our industry worked together to create a customer service mindset that recognizes and responds to the needs of its customers – the exhibitors. In our opinion, it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. It just needs to consistently meet their needs and expectations.”
The Exhibit Industry Council is a joint trade show industry council with representation from HCEA, TSEA, CEMA, EDPA, and EACA. The EIC is dedicated to unifying all trade show industry stakeholders to support reputable, consistent standards by defining best practices that recognize and support customer service at trade shows.
All trade show industry professionals that would like to support the work of the Exhibit Industry Council are welcomed and encouraged to contact the EIC directly (jimwurm@eaca.com) with any ideas or suggestions
Online Technology
Innovative technology bolsters Freeman’s industry leadership
Advancements in online ordering enhance customer experience with new features, increased flexibility, support
 DALLAS — Continuing to provide customers with innovative solutions and the highest level of customer service, Freeman, the world's leading provider of integrated services for face-to-face marketing events, has enhanced its online ordering system, the industry’s first truly integrated platform offering a complete online event information, planning, and ordering resource that provides an improved customer experience.
The online ordering system was updated as a direct result of customers’ strategic input, and speaks to Freeman’s commitment to provide innovative services and products that will improve its customers’ online experience. For more information, go to www.freemanco.com.
Freeman’s enhanced online ordering system is even more user-friendly, easier to navigate, and gives exhibitors a more engaging online experience that takes their event from beginning to end in one easy-to-use site. The new online experience provides show managers more customized branding opportunities to support their show.
Convention Bureau News
Syracuse CVB named one of the best in the United States
2009 marks seventh consecutive year SCVB’s awarded prestigious Pinnacle Award as selected by meeting planners nationwide
 SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau announced that for the seventh year in a row, the bureau has been awarded a 2009 Successful Meetings Pinnacle Award — the most credible and prestigious symbol of excellence among meeting planners and meeting destinations.
The Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau is the only CVB in New York State to receive the coveted award this year.
The Pinnacle Award recognizes cities that have done an outstanding job servicing their meetings, incentive travel programs, trade shows and conventions during the previous year – and is actually voted on by Successful Meetings magazine readers who are meeting planners, themselves.
"Congratulations to the Syracuse Convention & Visitor’s Bureau for receiving their seventh straight Successful Meetings Pinnacle Award,” said Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney. “This is an impressive achievement and keeps Syracuse and Onondaga County among the top locations for meeting and convention business."
Readers of Successful Meetings magazine — corporate and association executives with meeting planning responsibilities – registered to become Pinnacle Reviewers via online ballots and gave feedback based on their professional experiences worldwide. Reviews are based on a scale of 1-10 (10 being best) across the following four categories: (1) Area Group Amenities, (2) Quality/Availability of Information, (3) Quality/Variety of Services & Facilities, (4) Service/Responsiveness of Staf
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Venue News
Hilton New York receives environmental recognition award
Manhattan Civic Association honors hotel for adapting sustainable efforts with its environmentally-friendly energy fuel cell
 NEW YORK, N.Y. — The 1,980-room Hilton New York was the recipient of the 2008-2009 Environmental Recognition Program — “Green Street” Award by the Avenue of the Americas Association, at a gala reception held Oct. 21 in the hotel's Trianon Ballroom in celebration of the organization's 83rd Anniversary Dinner/Dance.
The Hilton New York, located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas and bounded by West 53rd and West 54th Streets, received the award in recognition of its environmentally-friendly energy fuel cell, which sits atop the building's fifth floor roof.
The Green Street Award was created to recognize members of the Association and other owners and tenants along the Avenue of the Americas for their efforts in adopting environmentally sustainable programs or improvements to their workplace.
The night's gala marked a special occasion in the Association's 83-year history, since it is the first time that the organization has introduced an environmental recognition program awards category for its owners and tenants along the Avenue of the Americas corridor.
International News
Solid attendance at TIPREX 2009
CHICAGO — The recent staging of TIPREX 2009, 2nd Thai International Plastics and Rubber Exhibition, in Bangkok, attracted a solid turnout of some 8,000 highly qualified trade visitors and 211 exhibitors from 20 countries. The event featured country group pavilions from Austria, India, Italy, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam. The concurrently held PACK PRINT INTERNATIONAL trade fair was also a success with about 13,000 trade visitors and provided valuable synergies for the attendees.
 According to Witoon Simachokdee, Director-General of the Industrial Works Department and Incoming Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, who officially opened TIPREX 2009, the trade fair is an excellent networking forum for international and Thai companies which in turn will help to establish and enhance Thailand’s manufacturing standards and practices: “The plastics industry is one of the five core industries in Thailand, representing about 5.8 percent of Thailand’s GDP and is projected to grow by about 7 percent annually for the next few years.”
Regarding the concept of co-locating TIPREX and PACK PRINT INTERNATIONAL, Witoon Simachokdee added: “The synergistic approach in having these two exhibitions side by side complements each industry sector. This approach will further strengthen Thailand as a core manufacturing center for ASEAN as well as making Thailand more attractive as a location for regional headquarters.”
The majority of the exhibitors were pleased with their participation in TIPREX 2009. Michael Fischer, Managing Director Asia Pacific of Windmöller & Hölscher, commented, “We really saw a good customer turnout here but what surprised us were the new potential customers that we didn’t expect. We even saw visitors from India and the Middle East. There’s nothing better than a local event like TIPREX but the bonus with this show is that you also get a strong attendance from overseas visitors.”
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Pushy sales people have
no business at a trade show
By Barry Siskind
One of the things that drive trade show visitors crazy is pushy sales people. When visiting a show, the last thing visitors want to encounter are sales people who do not take the time to learn about their visitor’s unique situation before embarking on an over whelming spiel that includes information that has very little to do with their needs.
It’s called the pitch.
Think back to a time when you were a customer. You could have been shopping for anything: a new car, a winter jacket or something for dinner. Now pretend that you asked whoever was serving you for some information and that person took your question as a signal that you wanted to hear everything. What would your reaction have been?
[CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF SISKIND'S COLUMN…]
Association News
CEIR releases Power of Exhibitions in the 21st Century study
DALLAS — The Center for Exhibition Industry Research recently announced the release of its much anticipated, large-scale generational study on the exhibitions and events industry.
 The Power of Exhibitions in the 21st Century — Identify, Discover and Embrace Change from the Point of View of Young Professionals began with the goal of identifying how to better attract young professionals to industry-wide exhibitions and events.
David Audrain, CEM, President of Messe Frankfurt Inc. and current chair of CEIR's Research Committee, commented recently on the importance of this new research. "For years the exhibition industry has received much anecdotal information about the future of the industry and the participation (or supposed lack of it) from the next generations of attendees and exhibitors. For the first time, as an industry, we now have a clear study using definitive research that will help all exhibition organizers define the best way to develop their shows to attract the newer generations."
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