If the energy and excitement radiating and reverberating across the show floor during set up continues, EXHIBITOR2010 will be a lively affair. The World Conference and Exhibition on Trade Show and Corporate and Event Marketing, EXHIBITOR2010 runs today through Thursday at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Although overall attendance figures were not available at press time, attendance is expected to be up 20 percent this year compared to last year said Wayne Dunham, owner of Dunham Communications and the public relations representative for EXHIBITOR2010.
According to the official show guide, there are about 325 exhibiting companies hawking their products and services this year, including a substantial number of first-time exhibitors, including Dimensional Communications Inc and Nuance International.
“There are a lot of heavy hitters here and we are happy to be here,” said Kathy Consigli, partner and senior account manager for Dimensional Communications, Inc. “It’s too early to determine if it will be back next year, but we will know in three days if it was worth the investment.”
Dimensional Communications, Inc designs and builds integrated communications structures for tradeshows, interiors, specialty retail spaces and museums.
“This is our first time here and we expect it will be a worthwhile show for us,” said Barbara Hicks, project manager for Nuance International.
Nuance International offers design, project management and production of tradeshow exhibits, interior environments, private events, corporate theater and experiences, with an emphasis on international exhibiting.
“We are looking forward to educating attendees on how Nuance International can assist them with their global exhibiting and meeting needs,” Hicks added. “We know all of the international venues and the cities they are located so we can assist with everything from soup to nuts, customs and cultures, where to stay, and how to stay safe.”
While there were 47 new exhibitors this year, several prominent exhibitors are missing in action, including Estes Forwarding Worldwide, EWI Worldwide and Duvall Design Inc.
Exhibit City New’s Jeff Adcox Wins EDPA Charity Poker Tournament
Jeff Adcox will be buying drinks for his Exhibit City News colleagues after winning the Exhibit Designers and Producers Association’s (EDPA) charity poker tournament held during Exhibitor2010 Sunday evening. The event raised funds for the EDPA Foundation, which provides scholarships, financial support for families of industry members when tragedy strikes and other worthy causes.
Sixteen individuals forked up the $500 entry fee with 75 percent of the proceeds going to the foundation and the winner walking away 25 percent of the total Texas Hold ’Em pot.
“It was a nice mix of experienced and non-experienced players, so it was difficult to know what I was up against,” said Adcox, Exhibit City News’ online services director and poker enthusiast. “But it was evident everyone was there to have fun and connect with friends.”
Adcox went in to the event with a clear strategy of pushing his strong hands and to stay out of everyone else’s way.
“My plan was to just let the other players knock themselves out of the game while hoping to get down to a couple people and still have enough chips to make a run at winning,” he said.
Up and coming exhibit designers showcasing talents at EXHIBITOR2010
Graduate students from the Fashion Institute of Technology toured show setup on Sunday and will spend the rest of EXHIBITOR2010 sharing their skills, hopes and dreams with the goal of landing a job following graduation. Larry Kulchawik, senior vice president, and director of 3Dinternational, led the tour and was assisted by Benedict Soh, executive chairman of Kingsman Creative and Bruno Caheté of Polidesign.
“We are giving the students a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on before the show opens,” said Kulchawik. “It’s one thing to come in when the show opens, but what happens before hand is very different. If these students are going to design exhibits, they best know what needs to happen in two or three days, as sometimes that is all companies have to pull an exhibit together.”
Attending the School of Graduate Studies, Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, many of the students had never been on a tradeshow floor for setup and were notably impressed.
“This is the first time I have ever been to the set up of a tradeshow and it has been more engaging than I thought,” saidIsabella Bruno, who will be graduating this spring. “It has been an eye opener. One of the reasons I am attracted to exhibit design is because it covers such a wide range of design experience…and there are plenty of design options on display here. I am leaning more toward tradeshow exhibit design, more than I thought I would be, just from being here right now, and the show hasn’t even started yet.”
The students will be sharing their portfolios with potential employers while some have already set up interviews. Each student has a cubical in an exhibit sponsored by the Exhibit Designers and Producers Association (EDPA).
“We are here because every spring season we match up our graduates in exhibit design with companies in the industry for internships and employment opportunities,” said Brenda Cowan, assistant professor and chairperson for exhibit design at the School of Graduate Studies, Fashion Institute of Technology. “I have tremendous young talent that is hungry to join EDPA companies. What’s nice about the booth is that I get to stand back and watch my students show off how incredibly talented they are.”
Aleta Walther is a Southern California-based marketing and communications professional and freelance writer with several years experience as a corporate event manager. Contact Aleta at aw@waltherstewart.com.
