Click the Vote

We’re happy to announce that you can now VOTE for your favorite wall spaces on the Tradeshow Blues Wall. Every time you click a wall space a vote is registered and displayed prominently on the Vote Results page.

Vote now… and vote often… just like in real-life politics… Only there’s no politics here. No negative campaigns. No empty promises. No new taxes. None of that, thank goodness. And… it’s all good.

There is, however, a public option. You have the option to remain silent. But anything you do say may be counted in your favor. Exercise your freedom to speak out in support of your favorite Wall Space.

Moss Moves

Moss Inc. has moved its corporate headquarters from Lincolnwood, IL to an expanded office in Elk Grove Village, a suburb west of downtown Chicago and adjacent to O’Hare International Airport.

The new facility, featuring 105,000 square feet of manufacturing space, was specifically designed for the production of tensioned fabric structures, using lean manufacturing techniques for improved efficiency.  The new plant also includes a number of sustainable design initiatives, including energy efficient lighting.

“The expanded Elk Grove facility accommodates the company’s continued growth as well as its efforts to become more efficient and cost competitive”, says Charlie Corsentino, Chairman, President, & CEO of Moss.

The new manufacturing facility includes a state-of-the-art, climate controlled printing department designed to produce Moss’ industry-leading Photo Fabric graphics. The facility also includes a metal, machine, and welding shop for manufacturing frames and creating custom connections. The stitching department in Elk Grove has been designed to maximize Moss’ computer aided patterning and automated cutting processes.  The new plant also includes a large set up area for quality control and packing.  The Elk Grove facility will also serve as Moss’ Midwest rental depot.

For more information visit www.mossinc.com.

Kelli Steckbauer

We’re told that, during this economic slowdown, many MG Design clients have expressed the need for rental exhibit components to accomplish their strategic marketing goals without breaking their budgets. Kelli Steckbauer will focus on MG Design’s recently expanded portfolio of rental solutions, Showscape, created by the same experts creating MG Design’s custom exhibits. Steckbauer will highlight Showscape’s functionality and features that will help clients to stretch their imagination and their budgets. Steckbauer began her career with MG Design in February 2004 as Manager of Global Business Development and Training and, most recently, held the position of Director of Client Services.

Sheila Bryant

Sheila Bryant has held various roles in the exhibit and events industry including show services manager, account manager, corporate account executive and, most recently, account executive managing the trade show marketing success for several Fortune 500 companies. In her new position, Bryant will continue to identify growth opportunities and service her key accounts from MG Design’s West Coast office.

“These positions are important anchors of our growth initiatives for MG Design,” said Gail Behun, vice president, sales, MG Design. “We are very fortunate to have Kelli and Sheila’s talent, experience and expertise, along with their passion for making things happen. The market is definitely picking up and we’re prepared to help our clients grow their programs in smart and effective ways including our enhanced rental program and applying our marketing ingenuity to their brand experiences.”

More info at www.mgdesign.com.

Here's Kim

In case you’re wondering, Kim VanderMallie recently joined Crown Exhibits as Account Manager.

According to Lynn Maxon, owner and operator of the company, VanderMallie will be responsible for developing new business and managing key accounts for Crown, which provides dynamic, cost-effective exhibit solutions for trade shows, meetings and events.

“We’re very excited to welcome Kim on our team,” says Maxon. “Her diverse experience in professional sales, particularly within the exhibit business is an ideal fit for Crown.”

Prior to joining Crown, VanderMallie was an Account Executive with RES Exhibit Services. In addition, earlier in her career she spent eight years with Exhibit Group/Giltspur. VanderMallie resides in Farmington.

Yo, Lenny!

Stop the presses…(Oops… no presses to stop)… Lenny Servedio has been the General Manager of Metropolitan Exposition since 2005. But as of a few days ago, all of that changed. Lenny is now the CFO.

We’re told that Lenny has been instrumental in taking the lead in securing Metropolitans’ financial viability as an organization and has been a vital asset in their growth. With Lenny as Chief Financial Officer, the company feels very secure in their leadership both for today and in the future.

By the way, Lenny received his Business Administration degree from Fordham University with a concentration in Finance and has worked in virtually every aspect of an Official Service Contractor since 1986. Every aspect… virtually.

More info at www.metro-expo.com.

“As part of the alliance, EDGE and APCO are taking sponsorships to the next level by providing free standing, ECO-Friendly Kiosk units,” explains Jeff Nussdorf, President of EDGE Media Group. These innovative units will be strategically located in high-traffic areas of an event or exhibition. In turn, exhibitors will have the opportunity to present their products and services in a dynamic eye-catching manner, immediately grabbing the attention of the viewer, while driving traffic to the sponsor’s booth.

The 3D Autostereoscopic media technology displays three-dimensional images without the use of typical 3D glasses or any other type of headgear. “In other words, this technology produces a depth perception in the viewer – even though the image is produced by using a flat LCD device,” explains JC Diaz, President of APCO AUDIO VISUAL INC.

Moreover, APCO can take a company’s existing 2D video, PowerPoint or other digital media presentations and add dynamic 3D Autostereoscopic templates to them. APCO can also create completely new 3D content.

Sponsorships at Trade Shows are one of the fastest growing marketing techniques; thus, these sponsorships provide a competitive edge for Exhibitors who choose to take advantage of them. After all, these sponsorships can increase an exhibiting company’s visual recognition, booth traffic, and overall awareness – as well as provide the ability to quantify ROI.

For more information, visit www.edgemediagroup.com or www.apcoav.com.

Mark Gold

Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services just informed us that Mark Gold has joined their Miami office in the role of national sales manager. Mark showed up with 15 years experience in the tradeshow industry. He most recently worked as publisher of Food Export Magazine, where he had the opportunity to represent his publication at trade shows around the world.

Mark’s additional experience includes work with Facilities Magazine, and he has been active in many industry associations including IAAM, PCMA and IAEE.

Mark seems to be excited about joining the Edlen team where his responsibilities will include establishing new accounts and maintaining existing relationships in the Miami market as well as nationwide.

For more information, visit www.edlen.com.

TSEA Announces Winners

The winners of TSEA’s First Annual Exhibitors’ Choice Awards were just announced at the TSEA Foundation Gala in conjunction with the TS2 show in Chicago, IL.

Over 400 exhibit industry professionals came out to the Chicago Illuminating Company to celebrate and cheer on the winners and nominees of the awards. The winners include…  

Favorite Exhibit House
Winner: Exhibitgroup/Giltspur
Honorable Mention: 3D Exhibits, Skyline

Favorite General Contractor
Winner: Freeman
Honorable Mention: GES

Favorite Installation and Dismantling Company
Winner: Nth Degree
Honorable Mention: Czarnowski

Favorite Transportation/ Freight Company
Winner: TWI
Honorable Mention: Barrett

Favorite of the Rest (all other types of suppliers)
Winner: Exhibit Surveys
Honorable Mention: NMR Staging & Events, United Service Companies

Favorite Show Manager
Winner: Mary Pat Heftman, National Restaurant Association & Karen Chupka, Consumer Electronics Show
Honorable Mentions: Bob Hughes, National Association of Convenience Stores Show & Mary Upton, The ASI Show!

Favorite Show of 2009
Winner: Consumer Electronics Show
Honorable Mention: National Restaurant Association

Favorite Convention City
Winner: Las Vegas
Honorable Mention: Chicago

Best Convention Center
Winner: McCormick Place
Honorable Mention: Las Vegas Convention Center

Hmmm… not too many surprises but always great to see participation and opinions expressed in the form of awards. Congrats to all!

For more information, visit tsea.org.

Click to Enlarge!

Sometimes (the more the better) you need to point out the good stuff and make sure people know about it. For instance, during our regular strategery planning meeting this morning we noticed that Tradeshow Blues was outpositioning such notables in the field as Tradeshow Week and Tradeshow Executive magazines’ websites on basic search terms like… uh… say, “trade show” or “tradeshow”… to name a couple.

Now, to subtly prove our point, just click the image on the left to see a  larger view of a Google search from today (July 24, 2009). Of course you can do this yourself as many ways as you like… but this is more dramatic. And of course… we like drama!

Let’s face it folks, Tradeshow Blues not only rocks…  it ranks.

What do you want to do now? (answer here)

The newest ENAMs joining the ESN are Jeanne Feuille, CMP, Kirstie Maynard, Richard Simpson and Janice Stillings.

“Experient is thrilled to be able to continue to add to its sales and account management presence throughout North America,” says Andy Smith, vice president, independent agent channel. “These new representatives have extensive entrepreneurial and industry backgrounds that will provide enhanced results for our valued clients.”

With more than 20 years in the meetings industry (MI), Feuille has successfully managed conferences for corporate, association and third-party companies (3PC’s). She is an active member of Meetings Professional International (MPI) and has obtained her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation. Feuille is based in Austin, Texas.

Maynard is a Colorado-based ENAM with 18 years of sales, marketing and entrepreneurial experience in the financial services and affinity marketing fields (FSAMF). She was founder and owner of an award-winning business (AWB), and has received numerous awards and national recognitions for high standards and satisfied customers in her business endeavors.

Simpson is based in Canada and serves the Toronto area while also heading the ESN expansion into Western Canada. With more than 10 years in the industry, his diverse experiences include all aspects of conference and event management for both corporations and associations.

A 30-year industry veteran, Stillings is based in Florida and serves the New England area. Her experience includes meeting planning positions in the pharmaceutical and high tech industries (PHTI) as well as sales and marketing positions.

More information at www.experient-inc.com.

(Editors Note: As soon as we receive photos of these folks they will be included… for now, just use your imagination)