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May 2008 - Volume 9,
Issue 5
Booth Space for AC&SS 2008 Now Available! When: December 3-5, 2008 The Supplier Showcase promises a rewarding exhibit experience to all exhibitors. As an exhibitor you will receive the following benefits:
Discounted booth space rates are good for a limited time only, so don’t hesitate to make that commitment. Contact Don McAlister at dmcalister@edpa.com or (404) 303-7310.
TS² 2008 Announces Expanded Program & Industry Support TS² is proud to announce an expanded program for 2008 including enhanced programming in face-to-face, online/interactive, advertising/promotional and direct mail marketing. The event, taking place July 28-31, 2008 in Philadelphia will feature a keynote series with presentations by viral marketing strategist David Meerman Scott, CEO of Monster Cable Products Noel Lee and corporate hypnotist Tom DeLuca. The jam-packed conference is comprised of 80 educational sessions in seven tracks with sessions taught by Tradeshow Week 200 event participants highlighted as a special track.
What Do You Want to Talk About! The EDPA 2008 Dealer Distributor Power Track Day at TS² is just around the corner, Tuesday, July 29th, and we want to know what topics you'd like to discuss and learn. Don't worry about sending us that most talked about topic though, we're already "Painting the Wall's Green" with a session on what else, Green in the afternoon! We are looking for your suggested topics for the morning session. Your topics will generate a morning filled with an "Interactive" discussion in a Town Hall Meeting-style setting on the topics you, EDPA Members want to know. Here's what to do Interested in attending the session? We look forward to your thoughts and attendance! EuroShop 2008: Amazing Showing for EDPA Anyone who has ever attended EuroShop would agree that this is truly an awesome event which is huge in its size and impact on the industry with 1.1 million net square feet of exhibits and seen by 104,000 visitors from 90 countries. This tri-annual event is the tradeshow that many exhibit builders and systems manufacturers use as their primary launching site for their latest new products. EDPA exhibited at the recent EuroShop 2008, February 23-27 in Düsseldorf. The goal was to produce an exhibiting experience for its members that would be larger and more effective than our first attempt at exhibiting in 2005; this was a lofty goal because EDPA’s 2005 effort was considered to be very successful. Little did the EDPA team know this event would put them to the ultimate test of creative problem solving, and crisis management! Under the leadership of Mark Johnson of Star Exhibits & Environments and Chair of the EDPA International Chapter, EDPA reserved exhibit space measuring 90 square meters nearly three times the size of the 2005 exhibit. 
Brainstorming at Bestmann Headquarters from left to right: Pete Dicks, Horst Tondasch, Andre Trobisch, Pete Klopottek-Schormann, Peter Bestmann, and Kay Bestmann. Members of our International Chapter Planning Committee began working out the details for this event more than 12 months in advance. As the show date rapidly approached, committee members were working overtime to keep EDPA on schedule. At the time of shipping, EDPA had reached its goal of 12 co-exhibiting member companies to share the “stand” as it is called in Europe. Graphics had been produced, literature printed and all were satisfied and excited as preparations to travel to Düsseldorf for the big event were underway. Before long, the committee realized that their challenges were just beginning! Upon arrival in Dusseldorf, just four days before the show was to open, EDPA’s onsite team leader, Horst Tondasch received an urgent message from their on-site exhibit builder, Kay Bestmann, General Manager of Bestmann Messebau International that the freight “might” be delayed due to adverse weather conditions in the North Sea and possibly might not arrive until Friday, the day before the show would open. Within two hours of landing in Germany, Horst and Pete were on their way to Bestmann’s headquarters in Remagen, Germany, about 45 minutes away from show site. When they arrived, they were greeted by Peter Bestmann, and his son Kay. Before long, Bestmann’s key staff members had joined Horst and Pete presenting them with a design that they had created in the event the EDPA exhibit did not arrive as planned. After a few hours Pete and Horst had agreed upon a contingency plan just in case. Two days before the show opening EDPA learned that the exhibit would definitely be late, and that it could arrive the evening before show opening or not until that morning. A decision was made to implement the contingency plan.
By Friday morning, 24 hours before the show opened, the Bestmann crew was setting up the “new” substitute exhibit. As the hardwall was being erected, Bestmann artists were creating all new graphics which were installed Friday afternoon and by that evening EDPA’s 12 co-exhibitors were able to move into their new exhibit.
Throughout the first day EDPA was celebrating the success that Bestmann’s dedicated team made possible. The exhibit looked as crisp, new and professional as the exhibit EDPA had originally designed. When the show opened the 12 co-exhibitors were ready for business while EDPA staffers, Alexandra Grider and Pete Dicks greeted the visitors and managed the daily activities of the stand. That evening, EDPA hosted its traditional Pub Crawl. Over 125 participants filled the brew house, and everyone had a great time celebrating our huge success. Everyone, except the Bestmann team, Horst EDPA’s team leader, Leo from Fabric Images and Johanna Spletzer and Chris Hadden from QuikWall, that is! They were back at the exhibit hall working another miraculous feat.
By the time the show was ready to open at 11 a.m. Insert Photo on Sunday morning, EDPA was the talk of the show. First, EDPA produced a top quality exhibit in less than three days, and now they had taken it down overnight and replaced it with the original booth. People were amazed. The big question they all jokingly asked was: What are you going to do tomorrow to top this? “All of us have our own horror stories; those times when “Murphy’s Law” takes over and we find ourselves knee deep in unexpected problems that must be solved before the show opens. We all share our commitment to that old saying: “the show must go on.” We never expected that EDPA would one day be on the receiving end of a potential disaster, but now that we have been through one, all I can say is that EDPA members showed their true strength and professionalism during those very important days,” says Pete Dicks, Executive Director, EDPA. “Everyone who worked to help make the EDPA exhibit a huge success at EuroShop deserves an immense vote of thanks. We remain especially grateful to our dedicated and determined committee members including Horst Tondasch, Robbie Blumenfeld, Larry Kulchawik, Mark Johnson, Leo Boczar, Ben Ipema, and Robert Campbell.” Most of all EDPA is indebted to all of its heroes at Bestmann Messebau International for their ingenuity, determination, professionalism and good humor. In addition to working around the clock to design, create and install EDPA’s substitute exhibit, they also had to seek special permissions and cooperation from a variety of officials and vendors for special deliveries, after hours access to the hall, customs and who knows what else. Bestmann handled it all for EDPA and never missed a step. This year’s EuroShop provided EDPA an opportunity to show the entire industry how great our EDPA members really are. It also showed how very valuable it is to have the right partners when you are exhibiting overseas. Way to go EDPA! Freeman Wins Two Design Awards At GlobalShop Show Freeman has received two design awards at the recent GlobalShop show in Chicago. Exhibits created for Impact Fulfillment Services and for Fleetwood were singled out for awards by show judges. The Fleetwood exhibit at GlobalShop was named “Outstanding Booth.” The custom-built, 20 ft. by 60 ft. booth was designed to be a calming oasis on the show floor; it was completely surrounded by sheer fabric hung from the exhibit hall ceiling. Freeman will reconfigure the exhibit so that Fleetwood can also use it at the 2009 GlobalShop. An exhibit developed from a combination of rental modular structures and custom components for Impact Fulfillment Services was selected “Best in Pavilion Booth” in the Retail Merchandising category. Best in Pavilion awards highlighted the most innovative, creative exhibit spaces on the show floor -- a particular distinction for a booth based on rental structures. In addition, this 20 ft. by 20 ft. exhibit was nominated as a finalist for “Best in Show”. It featured custom lighting, high-end furniture and high quality artwork to reinforce the client’s brand image. GlobalShop focuses on the convergence of retail design and technology. Attendees see the latest in retail store design materials and experience interactive design concepts at one of the largest retail trade fairs in the country.
Sparks Awarded at GlobalShop 2008 Sparks, an award-winning global event marketing and custom retail fixture agency, today announced that their retail fixturing division, Sparks Custom Retail, has been awarded Outstanding Booth for their presence at GlobalShop, held in Chicago March 18-20, 2008. VMSD magazine’s panel of retailers and designers honored Sparks’ booth, which featured color-changing LEDs projected onto an MDF white panel, during VMSD’s annual Best Booth Competition.
“We’re honored that the creative, immersive approach to the design and execution of our own branded environment has been recognized with such distinction. This exhibit — and the experience within the space — is really an interpretive reflection of the work we hope to engage in with those companies seeking to design, manufacture and deliver their own custom retail environments,” said Matt Wood, President, Sparks Custom Retail. Coral Enterprises Wants to Help you With All Your European Exhibits Coral Enterprises was incorporated in Florida in 1996 and is designed to “bridge international tradeshow and exhibition-cultures” in supporting European Exhibitors in the USA, as well as providing full-services to U.S.-companies, exhibiting abroad. “Our services extend from design to execution, and include manufacturing, productions, graphics, light- and AV-solutions, and everything what is known in the US as show-services. We provide our customers with turn-key -solutions and -pricing, whether it is rental or custom”, says Horst Tondasch, President of Coral Enterprises. Horst Tondasch has been a long-standing member of EDPA, FAMAB, IFES, ASAE, and German-American Business Chambers. Horst Tondasch is also a columnist for Exhibit City News. His expertise helps first-time exhibitors in shows abroad to avoid costly errors, and supports them in every aspect of their important project to be successful. For all of your tradeshow-needs in Europe, contact Coral Enterprises, Inc. at www.ExhibitAbroad.com or email Mr. Tondasch at Horst@ExhibitAbroad.com.
OUR HISTORY OUR VISION OUR CULTURE AND CORE VALUES OUR CUSTOMER FOCUS OUR EMPLOYEES We are currently recruiting the following positions in our Atlanta, GA Account Services Group: Project Manager / Senior Project Manager – Strong written and verbal communication skills are a prerequisite along with business-level computer skills. College degrees are preferred, but not required. We are currently seeking candidates with a minimum of five years of industry experience. Account Developer / Senior Account Developer – Strong written and verbal communication skills are a prerequisite along with business-level computer skills. College degrees are preferred, but not required.
The EDPA's SE Chapter announces the 2nd Annual 'Get out of the Gutter…for a good cause' Team Bowling Charity event. The event will be held from 5 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 at trendy 300 Atlanta in Dunwoody. Last year, over 20 teams of 4 bowlers gathered for an evening of fun, mingling and, of course, competition! The proceeds from the event will be donated to benefit the families supported by the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic. The objective of the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic is to help families in the exhibition industry who have suffered severe tragedies or face insurmountable medical expenses. Our commitment is to provide financial and emotional support to all past and present recipients and their families. Individual bowlers, pairs and teams are welcome! Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available as well. If you would like to join the fun or would like more information about the event, please send your questions or comments to robyn_gillespie@bellsouth.net, or call Robyn Gillespie at 678-641-7840. For more information about the EDPA, please visit www.edpa.com. Sixth Annual Las Vegas Scholarship Golf Classic Join your friends and colleagues for a fun and worthwhile day on the golf course! The Las Vegas chapter of the EDPA, working with the EDPA Foundation, will hold the Sixth Annual EDPAF Scholarship Golf Classic on June 10, 2008 at the Stallion Mountain Country Club. With seven scholarships already awarded nationwide, this event will build the funds needed to send at least two more of our industry members' kids to college. All proceeds will go directly to the scholarship fund. We hope that you believe enough in the program to give back to our industry members who have given us all so much over the years! Please contact Rebecca Thompson at rthompson@dslgroup.com or 702.505.2321 for additional information. Please see the PDF for more information! Is there a Chapter Meeting in Your Area? Check out the latest meeting calendar at http://www.edpa.com/events_chapters.html and review chapter news and contact information.
Exhibiting Show 2007 Wins the Green Award The team at Exhibiting Show recently announced that Exhibiting Show 2007 won The Green Award at the Exhibition News Awards last Thursday. They would like to send out a big thank-you to everyone who voted for Exhibiting Show. More importantly, they would like to thank everyone who helped us deliver on our sustainable agenda. Exhibiting Show is a team effort and this is recognition for all our exhibitors and partners. Take a look at www.exhibitingshow.com to find out more about how the exhibitors can help you green your event. Save the Date! The Exhibiting Show Team looks forward to seeing you at the show this year. Make sure the dates are in your diary: Wednesday June 25th MG DESIGN RECEIVES SUSTAINABLE SUPPLIER AWAR MG Design Associates was recognized by their long-time client with a 2008 Walking the Walk Sustainable Supplier Award for their leadership in sustainable, dynamic and economical exhibits for the new build of PortionPac’s exhibit at ISSA in Orlando. “We challenged the team at MG Design to give us options, said Caryn Stets, PortionPac marketing manager. “What they delivered shows that they are definitely ahead of the curve when it comes to green design.” PortionPac is a different kind of chemical company. Since the company’s inception in 1964, this forward-looking company has been creating innovative products and packaging that are easier on the environment and safer for customers. Going beyond responsible carpet choices, the new exhibit design incorporates many of the newest innovations in sustainable exhibiting, including:
In addition, the new exhibit was built around the premise of creating a design:
“MG has been supporting us for many years with effective exhibits and now this new work in the sustainability world,” said Marvin Klein, president of PortionPac Chemical Corporation. “As our first award recipient, MG Design has set the bar high for our suppliers.” PortionPac® New Build “Green” Comparison 20x20 island configuration used at ISSA Former Exhibit New Exhibit Green Elements Used
Energy Used
Transportation and Storage Trade Show Exhibitors Association Names Weisgal Executive Director Arthur Veale, CME, CTSM, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA), announced today that the association is embarking on a new strategic program to better serve its members. As the first action, the Board appointed Margit B. Weisgal, CME, as the organization's new Executive Director. Stephen Schuldenfrei, President of TSEA for the past three years made public his long planned retirement. "We wish Steve all the best," said Veale. "Steve served TSEA with great enthusiasm and energy for many years both as President, a term on the Board of Directors and as a dedicated champion of exhibit and event professionals." Veale had high praise for the Board's selection as the new Executive Director, Margit Weisgal. "We welcome Margit and are looking for great organizational advancement under her leadership," Veale added. "Her in-depth knowledge of the trade show industry promises to send TSEA in exciting new directions and make it even more effective and responsive to our members. Margit Weisgal has been with Sextant Communications, a trade show exhibitor education and consulting firm, for almost 20 years. She is the author of Show and Sell, 133 Business Building Ways to Promote Your Trade Show Exhibit, and has been an active member of TSEA for many years, serving on many committees and, in 2007, receiving its Distinguished Service Award. In addition, her background includes TV commercial production, sales promotion, marketing management, and exhibit and show management. She has written numerous articles in industry publications and in mainstream media such as BusinessWeek. Weisgal also teaches marketing and entrepreneurship at the University of Baltimore. CEIR Releases Fifth Annual Index
The exhibition industry grew 3.2% in 2007, according to the fifth annual Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) Index report, which provides exhibition industry performance data for 11 key industry sectors. The 2007 industry growth rate was just below the 4.8% gain posted in 2006, but marked the fifth consecutive year of industry expansion and surpassed the 2.2% growth rate for real U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) year-over-year. The gain in 2007 also drove a 2.5% CAGR (compound annual growth rate) increase from 2000-2007, the period covered by this report. More than 300 events contributed data for this report, and the results show that the exhibition industry is healthy, vibrant and growing. As an objective measure of the annual performance of the exhibition industry, the CEIR Index measures year-over-year changes in four key metrics to determine overall performance: Net Square Feet; Attendees; Exhibitors; and Revenue.
Over the course of the period covered by this report (2000-2007), all four exhibition industry metrics rose on a CAGR basis: Net Square Feet (+3.1%); Revenue (+3.1%); Attendees (+2.0%); and Exhibitors (+1.5%). From 2006 to 2007, Revenue increased 6.8%, followed by 4.9%, 0.9% and 0.3% gains in Attendees, Exhibitors and Net Square Feet, respectively. From 2006 to 2007, exhibition industry growth was led by the Government, Public and Nonprofit Services sector (+12.6%), while the Building, Construction, Home and Repair sector experienced a slight downturn. Several market sectors drove growth for the industry from 2000 to 2007, including Sports, Travel, Entertainment, Art and Consumer Services (+5.3% CAGR); Transportation (+5.0% CAGR); and Building, Construction, Home and Repair (+4.3% CAGR). Only the Consumer Goods and Retail Trade and Communications and Information Technology sectors decreased on a CAGR basis from 2000 to 2007. The following chart shows the rankings of sectors from 2000 to 2007 and for 2006 versus 2007: Veris Consulting, a leading exhibition industry research consultancy, collected the data from the more than 300 events and created the CEIR Index results. The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Travel & Tourism Industry Center at the University of South Carolina provided economic analysis for the CEIR Index. The Jordan, Edmiston Group, Inc. (JEGI), the leading independent investment banking firm for the media and information industries, provided year-over-year analysis of exhibition performance for the 11 industry sectors covered by this report. Trade Show Executive, an award-winning magazine covering the trade show industry, provided design elements for the final report. Other contributors to the CEIR Index included: American Business Media (ABM); the Exhibition Industry Foundation (EIF); the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE); the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA); and the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO). The full report was presented by CEIR President and CEO Douglas L. Ducate, CEM, CMP at the SISO CEO Summit, which was held April 6-8 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The complete CEIR Index can be purchased through CEIR at www.ceir.org. SPI and Freeman Sign Official Agreement for NPE2009 Show at Recent Space Draw Event for Exhibiting Companies Executives with The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) and Freeman have formally signed the agreement for Freeman to act as official service contractor for the NPE2009 international plastics exposition. Although the agreement was announced earlier during an international event held by SPI, the formal announcement and signing took place during a very successful space drawing event recently held for exhibiting companies, and produced by Freeman. A triennial event, NPE2009 will take place June 22-26, 2009 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. In 2006, the event spanned over 942,000 net sq. feet of exhibit space, with over 1,838 exhibiting companies from around the globe, and drew over 64,000 attendees. It ranked as the 12th largest tradeshow held in the U.S., according to Tradeshow Week’s Tradeshow 200. “SPI chose to work with Freeman as the contractor for NPE2009 because of their vast trade show experience, extensive resources, and reputation for placing the highest priority on service to event participants,” said William R. Carteaux, president and CEO of SPI. “We are particularly impressed with Freeman’s capabilities for helping NPE2009 exhibitors to predict and manage their costs more effectively than at previous NPE events—or indeed at any other exposition in our industry.” SPI selected Freeman because of their overall responsiveness, formalized and measurable customer service standards of excellence, and capabilities for carrying out innovative programs for SPI that will increase exhibitors’ value in participating in the 2009 event, according to Gene Sanders, SPI vice president of trade shows. “The unique design and execution of the recent three-day space drawing event was the first result of their creativity and partnership to make our 2009 event a success, and they did an outstanding job,” Sanders noted. As a result, SPI reported that over 864 companies contracted for what equals 81% of the total space sold for the 2006 event during the space draw for 2009. This enthusiastic response leads SPI management to expect that NPE2009 will surpass 2006 in size and number of participating companies, according to Sanders. Joe Popolo, president of Freeman, commented, ”To be selected as a partner in producing an event of this magnitude is truly an honor, and our entire organization is very excited to be working together with SPI to provide the most successful experience possible for exhibiting organizations and attendees alike at NPE2009.” The space drawing event included “learning pods” for exhibitors to visit with Freeman and other key suppliers to tailor their exhibits to specific goals and objectives. In addition, the use of BDMetrics digital media technology, another partner with both SPI and Freeman, provided news and other educational items of interest through on-site live TV programs broadcast throughout the event. “Freeman worked closely with us to determine what our overall goals were for the space drawing event, and provided an experience that not only promoted the successful selling of exhibit space, but also provided a wealth of resources and avenues for our exhibiting companies to be able to make their upcoming participation in the show more productive. We will have a very large global presence at NPE2009, and Freeman also has unique benefits in service and communications areas that will address their needs,” noted Sanders. Freeman Launches Customer Training Program for Part-time Show Site Staff Freeman has launched an historic and comprehensive new customer service training program for part-time union employees and their supervisors. The program is part of Freeman’s ongoing initiative to take customer service to the next level, with the understanding that part-time employees often have as much, or more, contact with customers at show site as their full-time employees. “We understand that customers do not differentiate between our full-time employees and part-time union employees at show site,” says Katy Wild, senior VP customer relations. “Customers should expect—and receive—the same level of excellent customer service from everyone representing Freeman, regardless of their role.” She added that this program for part-time show site staff is an extension of the comprehensive training, measurement and performance measures the company initiated in 2004 for all 4,100 full-time employees in over 30 branch locations across North America. The new training program is a two-tier approach that begins with a full day of training for operations supervisors. These supervisors have direct communication with show site personnel and communicate the Freeman service vision, standards, and on-site training throughout the year. A series of half-day, small group interactive workshops then follow for union personnel, covering topics such as “Understanding why selling the city is everybody’s business, and why it is important to you;” and “Why service is as important to the exhibitor as your skills.” In addition, practical customer service interaction skills are discussed, and practiced, during the sessions. The pilot program was held in Las Vegas in early March, with nearly 200 participants, with a second session in Chicago in late March that included over 120 participants. Plans are currently in place for additional programs in eight cities, which include a second round of sessions in Las Vegas, as well as Atlanta, Boston, New York, Orlando, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington, D.C. Presently, all costs for the program, including compensation for attendees, have been covered by Freeman. The course content was developed and is being delivered by industry expert Linda McKinney of McKinney & Company, in cooperation with Freeman’s in-house learning department and customer relations staff. Response from program participants, along with city convention officials, has been overwhelmingly positive to date. In post-event surveys, attendees indicated they better understand their personal role and impact on the perception of Freeman, as well as their city’s convention location, with exhibiting companies who participate in Freeman events.
Notes From The Publisher EDPA.COMmunications is EDPA’s monthly electronic newsletter and is intended for all member employees. Please feel free to forward this to your co-workers or send us an email with their contact information and we would be pleased to add them to our distribution list. If you have news about your business or concerning the industry that would be of interest to your fellow EDPA members please forward it via email to Briana Gilliam at bgilliam@edpa.com. EDPA reserves the right to edit, amend, or not publish any submitted materials. Classified and display advertising is encouraged and EDPA members receive very reasonable pricing. Please help support your newsletter by placing an ad today. Contact Briana Gilliam at bgilliam@edpa.com or call 678-303-3057 for rates and details. Exhibit Designers
& Producers Association (EDPA) |
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The folks from Bestmann jumped into action to try and save EDPA from the ultimate embarrassment: What if EPDA, the largest trade association of Exhibit Designers and Producers came to the exhibit industry's most important
international show and did not have their exhibit ready when the show opened?
Saturday morning, before the show opened,
exhibitors from all over the hall were coming
over to view the near-miracle exhibit design,
build and install that took less than three days
from start to finish! When the show was about
to open EDPA received the anticlimactic news
that their exhibit shipment had finally cleared
customs and arrived at the show.
When the show closed the first day, EDPA's excellent
team went to work dismantling EDPA's new exhibit!
With two labor crews working together, one dismantling
and one installing they managed to replace EDPA's
substitute exhibit with the newly arrived exhibit that had
been shipped from the US. The group worked straight though until 3:00 a.m. with great success.
