Exhibit Designers and Producers Association

Member Services - International Focus
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Join the EDPA International Chapter at the Worlds Largest Industry Event
See the latest in designs, product launches and new concepts in exhibits and materials at the world’s largest industry event held only once every three years, EuroShop.

EDPA’s International Chapter has been busy planning this exciting event. Our appreciation goes to the Organizing Committee volunteers including, International Chapter Chair, Mark Johnson, Larry Kulchawik, Robbie Blumenfeld, Ben Ipema, Robert Campbell, Horst Tondasch, Mike Crosson, Tim Searle and Jana McQuilkin.

Special Networking Events are planned for EDPA Members to meet and network with exhibit/stand designers, builders and service providers from across Europe and around the world. For more information please contact Robin Purnell at rpurnell@edpa.com

EDPA’s International Chapter is hosting an invitation only networking event on Tuesday, March 27 for its EDPA International Chapter members, IFES, FAMAB friends and all international attendees at EXHIBITOR 2007 only. This social event is a meet and greet for American companies seeking to expand their international reach and vice versa. If you would like to attend this event you must be an International Chapter Member of EDPA. If you are not an International Chapter member, please contact Alexandra Grider at agrider@edpa.com. If you would like to sponsor this event, please contact Pete Dicks at pdicks@edpa.com.

IFES Convention 2007 - Designed for Return
The IFES Convention 2007 took place in Brussels from 21 to 23 June 2007 under the theme designed for return. Over 120 participants from 23 countries participated in the event, which was the ideal place for exhibition and event services professionals from all over the world to network and learn about the true impact of proper design of exhibition participant on return on investment for themselves but also for their customers.
The IFES convention 2007 was also the occasion for attendees to welcome three new IFES Members from India (Insta Group), Finland (Entre Marketing Ltd) and Russia (Expoconsta).

"This is the most successful event we ever organized" said José Maria Pérez de Olacoeachea, IFES' President. "I am particularly pleased that people traveled from as far away as India, Singapore, South Africa and Northern America to attend the event. This high level of interest and the fact that our association keeps growing shows that companies in our industry feel the need to develop stronger international partnerships between exhibition and event services companies, which our association wants to support as much as it can. This is why we announced at the event that soon IFES will create an International PartnerGuide on its website, which will allow professionals willing to engage into international partnerships to find the right partner in countries they do not themselves operate in".

In today’s global marketplace, critical business interactions are shaped by cross-cultural intelligence. Savvy business leaders can leverage their cultural competency to enhance business results. In the United States, a Chicago company called CultureConnect offer regular seminars and direct services that offer tips on diplomacy and global business to empower their clients to translate their American success to Global success.

Their most recent seminar was held in Chicago during the Chinese New Year. The seminar focused on doing business in China. The event was held at the House of Fortune restaurant in Chicago’s China Town. The format and seating arrangement was set up to simulate a formal Chinese dinner. Toasting etiquette, exchange of business cards, and use of chop sticks were explained very carefully. IFES President, Larry Kulchawik and ExhibitCity News Editor, Don Svehla attended this informative luncheon.

* The Chinese’ non-verbal communication speaks volumes.
* The Chinese strive for harmony and are group dependent, they rely on facial expression, tone of voice, and posture to tell them what someone feel.
* Frowning while someone is speaking is interpreted as a sign of disagreement. Therefore, most Chinese maintain an impassive expression when speaking.
* It is considered disrespectful to stare into another person’s eyes. In crowded situations the Chinese avoid eye contact to give themselves privacy.
* Many Chinese will look toward the ground when greeting someone.
* The Chinese have a terrific sense of humor. They can laugh at themselves most readily if they have comfortable relationship with other person. Be ready to laugh at yourself given the proper circumstance.

GlobalConnect will conduct a seminar on February 9 on doing Business with Korea then February 23 on Mexico.

EDPA’s International Chapter is hosting an invitation only networking event on Tuesday, March 7 from 6-7:30 for its EDPA International Chapter members, IFES, FAMAB friends and all international attendees at EXHIBITOR 2006 only. This social event is a meet and greet for American companies seeking to expand their international reach and vice versa. If you would like to attend this event you must be an International Chapter Member of EDPA. If you are not an International Chapter member, please contact Katie Fair at kfair@edpa.com. If you would like to sponsor this event, please contact Brook Soss at bsoss@edpa.com.

“Creativity,” “interactivity” and “great looking stands,” were just some of the comments made by visitors to this year’s Exhibiting Show which took place 29 – June at ExCeL. The Exhibiting Show has set its mark on the exhibition industry, becoming an established event for exhibitors to source new ideas, suppliers, products and services for their upcoming Exhibition Stands. Visitors travelled to the show from all over the world, from China, Hong Kong, and USA, Australia and throughout Europe. A great buzz, quality visitors from all over the world, improved seminars and fantastic looking stands were just some of the comments from visitors. Patrick Ryan, AXA PPP Healthcare said, “I attended two excellent seminars – refreshing and informative I found the event very useful.” Vicki Ellison, Sage Publications said, “The Exhibiting Show had a good selection of companies and we found the right suppliers for our needs.” Pre-audited figures show that The Exhibiting Show had over 2,400 visitors*. Visiting companies included Fisher Productions, Sega, Goldman Sachs, British Medical Association and Merrill Lynch. For more information about exhibiting at next year’s event call the hotline and speak to Marcus Timson on 0870 160 4540.

IFES invites EDPA members and industry partners to its 2005 Annual General Meeting and Exhibiting Show in London
DPA International Chapter Members Receive Discounted Rates

IFES has selected London as the location for its 2005 Annual General Meeting. On Monday June 27 and Tuesday June 28, one hundred –fifty delegates are expected to take part in a two-day journey into the world of innovative thinking about the exhibition industry globally, with a UK twist. The venue of the meeting will be at the Crowne Plaza London-Docklands Hotel. The meeting program will focus on "Sharing knowledge". Educational sessions with international industry speakers such as Doug Ducate of the Center for Exposition Research and country reports by IFES delegates informing participants with first hand information of developments on their national exhibit markets. Networking with UK exhibition partners will be enhanced as IFES has selected its meeting dates in London so that participants can benefit from the gathering of the UK exhibition industry at the occasion of the Exhibiting Show, which will be held in the near-by ExCel Centre on June 29-30, 2005. IFES and the organizers of the Exhibiting Show are working closely together to ensure increased visibility and networking opportunities for participants of both the IFES Convention and the Exhibiting Show. IFES and EDPA members companies will be able to participate at the educational sessions and networking events at a discounted rate. EDPA is planning a package plan to make it easy for all EDPA members. Should you request further details, don't hesitate to contact the IFES management team, or EDPA.

Raphaël Anspach, IFES, Associate Director, Avenue Marcel Thiry 204 1200 Brussels, Belgium, tel +32 2 774 96 35, fax +32 2 774 96 90, ifes@kelleneurope.com - www.ifesnet.com Larry Kulchawik- IFES President, 847-308-0944 or Alex Grider at EDPA 404-303-7310. For a schedule of events, please visit www.edpa.com / International Focus.

Become An EDPA International Chapter Member
The Exhibit Designers and Producers Association membership is comprised of more than 370 companies worldwide, engaged in designing , building, installing, servicing and transporting exhibits and exhibit related products and services.

Members of the International Chapter are EDPA member companies in good standing that are expressly interested in working with exhibition related companies on an international scale. As an EDPA International Chapter member, EDPA will unite you with individual companies and associations worldwide, including the International Federation of Exhibition Services (IFES), an organization comprised of associations located around the world, which are similar to EDPA. As an International Chapter member you receive marketing and advertising exposure internationally. The International Chapter is dedicated to facilitating new international business relationships and disseminating universal knowledge about the exhibition industry. For more information about becoming an international chapter member, please click here.

IFES invites EDPA members and industry partners to its 2005 Annual General Meeting and Exhibiting Show in London

The meeting program will focus on "Sharing knowledge". Educational sessions with international industry speakers such as Doug Ducate of the Center for Exposition Research and country reports by IFES delegates informing participants with first hand information of developments on their national exhibit markets.

Networking with UK exhibition partners will be enhanced as IFES has selected its meeting dates in London so that participants can benefit from the gathering of the UK exhibition industry at the occasion of the Exhibiting Show, which will be held in the near-by ExCel Centre on June 29-30, 2005.

IFES and the organizers of the Exhibiting Show are working closely together to ensure increased visibility and networking opportunities for participants of both the IFES Convention and the Exhibiting Show. IFES and EDPA members companies will be able to participate at the educational sessions and networking events at a discounted rate. EDPA is planning a package plan to make it easy for all EDPA members. Should you request further details, don't hesitate to contact the IFES management team, or EDPA.

Raphaël Anspach, IFES, Associate Director, Avenue Marcel Thiry 204

1200 Brussels, Belgium, tel +32 2 774 96 35, fax +32 2 774 96 90, ifes@kelleneurope.com - www.ifesnet.com Larry Kulchawik- IFES President, 847-308-0944 or Pete Dicks at EDPA 404-303-7310.

Please click here for a schedule of events.

What Is the International Federation of Exhibition Services (IFES)?
Founded in 1984, IFES started as a small association to become a global organization with 14 member associations representing no less than 1300 companies active in the sector. IFES interfaces with several world associations that each are dedicated to the world of exhibitions.

IFES is the only international organization dedicated to the specific needs of exposition designers and providers of tradeshow services. EDPA is a member of IFES and endorses its events and activities. For more information about IFES, please visit their website at www.ifesnet.com.

EDPA Receives Exceptional Turnout At EuroShop Hosting Two Networking Events and New Exhibit
EDPA’s world-famous “Pub Crawl and Dinner” co-hosted by Exhibit City News, was held on February 19th in Düsseldorf, Germany at the Brauerei Schumacher hosting more than 175 people. A second networking event titled “Monday, Monday” was held and co-hosted by FAMAB, EDPA’s sister association from Germany, hosting more than 150 people. These events were a tremendous success in uniting American EDPA Members with industry colleagues from Germany, Spain, Netherlands, France and beyond. Thank you to event sponsors Octanorm, USA, Abex Display Systems, Freeman, TWI Group, Laarhoven Design, Star Exhibits and Environments, Fabric Images, Interlock and Nomadic Display. The excitement didn’t stop there. EDPA’s first time booth at EuroShop was home to co-exhibitors Derse, Laarhoven Design, Exhibit City News, JC Rose & Associates, Star Exhibits and Environments, CHRITTO, Inc., Brumark, Exhibitor Magazine, Cort Tradeshow Furnishings and Hamilton Exhibits. There was constant traffic creating connections for EDPA members and provided many leads for EDPA membership.

EDPA EuroShop 2005 Marketing Event
The International Chapter of EDPA is expanding on a global campaign to build a bridge between the major tradeshow organizations of the world and the international exhibit community. Building upon the highly successful campaign centered around EuroShop 2002, EDPA is planning to lead its members on a multi-faceted program during the next EuroShop event scheduled for February 19-23, 2005, in Dusseldorf, Germany. EDPA members will have the opportunity to attend special international networking events, receive discounts on EuroShop admissions, receive hotel and travel support and several other organized activities. In addition, the EDPA International Chapter is planning on organizing an official EDPA stand to provide members with additional exposure and a place for meetings and networking opportunities. EDPA will also use this stand to build international awareness and membership.

The primary objective for EDPA at EuroShop is to expand EDPA’s visibility in the global exhibition community and to create new contacts for EDPA members who are seeking to expand or develop both inbound and outbound business relationships. EDPA will expand its global network that has been built upon relationships that have been provided by many years of membership in the International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES). IFES is a federation of national exhibit building trade associations (like EDPA) that represent 13 European countries and the US. Together the IFES members strive to provide connectivity, education, resources, and a unified voice in the development of the exhibit and event community of the future. Recently, EDPA Past President Larry Kulchawik, Derse Exhibits, was elected to serve a two-year term as president of IFES. This unprecedented honor means that Larry will be leading IFES during EuroShop 2005, which will further expand the opportunities for EDPA member to expand their presence in Europe. Contact Pete Dicks with any questions at 404-303-7310.