The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) presented numerous awards and announced its new officers and board of directors during the organization’s annual meeting held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando on Dec. 3.
Despite current economic challenges, ESCA’s new president for 2013, Bruce Nable of SER Exposition Services, said the tradeshow and exhibitions industry remains an important tool for conducting business. As the organization’s new leader, Nable plans to increase membership and membership access while “elevating” the show floor experience.
“If we don’t meet face-to-face, we don’t see eye-to-eye,” said Nable while addressing the crowd of about 200. “We’ll continue to reach out to new members and address their needs. ESCA is the unified and respected authority. We are our members’ advocates in this industry.”
ESCA grew to a new high of 168 member organizations during 2012 and raised more than $45,000 for charity through its silent auctions. Outgoing ESCA Pres. Chuck Grouzard highlighted some of the organization’s other accomplishments over the year, which include creating a finance committee that meets monthly, conducting a successful audit of ESCA finances and keeping the organization focused. And ESCA created an educational video giving a behind-the-scenes look at the entire installation, show floor execution and dismantling that occurs during a tradeshow’s run.
Several members also were honored during ESCA’s annual meeting.
The President’s Award was given to Dennis Hale, who was unable to attend the event. Grouzard described Hale as “passionate, dedicated and humble” while tirelessly working on behalf of ESCA membership, which grew by 13 new member organizations to a total of 168. Earning the Outstanding Service Award were Bobby Lee of Metropolitan Expo, John Patronski of Global Experience Specialists and Doug Van Ort of Freeman.
ESCA’s 2013 executive committee and board members are Rich Curran of Expo Convention Contractors, Greg Pignatiello of Fern Exposition & Events, Julia Smith of Global Experience Specialists, Christine Skrak of Triumph Expo & Events, Lenny Servedio of Metropolitan Exposition Services and Chris Schimek of Freeman. Also named to the board of directors are Dennis Hale of Cort Tradeshow Furnishings, Hoagie Herman of Freeman Audio Visual Services, Jim Buehner of Exclusively Expo and Luther Villagomez of the George E. Brown Convention Center.
And the 2013 ESCA officers and their respective positions are Nable of SER Exposition Services, president; Jay Atherton of Freeman, president-elect; Tim McGill of Hargrove, vice president; and Marcel Lucero of Convention Services of the S.W., secretary-treasurer.
ESCA will hold its Summer Educational Conference from June 23-26, at the La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.
The conference offers programs designed to give members the opportunity to learn more and have an impact on the future of the exhibition industry and the chance to make contacts and network.
ESCA’s Summer Conference offers:
• Three tracks of sessions: Sales, Operations and Executive Management
• Interactive forums, exhibits and social events
• Nationally recognized speakers with tips for you to use every day to succeed
• Solutions to hard hitting subjects that members companies confron every day.
