1901 – Jamestown Exposition Company incorporated
On Feb. 5, 1901, the Virginia Senate approved a resolution incorporating the
Jamestown Exposition Company, which would “… hold a great exposition in some one of the cities of Virginia, in which all our sister States, and, if possible, all the English-speaking people of the Earth, shall be invited to participate, and where shall be displayed the products of the peace and the fruits of free institution in all realms,” the resolution reads. The exposition was to commemorate the founding of Jamestown in 1607 and would be held upon the tercentennial of its founding in 1907. Although held in Norfolk due to a lack of facilities in Jamestown, a fleet of 50 ships from eight naval powers assembled in Hampton Roads during the exposition upon the invitation of Pres. Theodore Roosevelt.
1939 – Golden Gate International Exposition opens in San Francisco
Held on the man-made Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate
International Exposition heralded the recent construction of the Golden Gate and Oakland Bay bridges. The exposition officially opened on Feb. 18, 1939, and would run through Oct. 29, when it was shut down temporarily and reopened for a final run from May 25, 1940, through Sept. 29, 1940. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt participated in the opening ceremonies by delivering a radio address from Washington D.C. “San Francisco stands at the doorway to the sea that roars upon the shores of all these nations. And so, to the Golden Gate International Exposition, I gladly entrust a solemn duty. May this, America’s World’s Fair on the Pacific in 1939, truly serve all nations in symbolizing their destinies, one with every other, through the ages to come,” said the President. Unfortunately, World War II would flare up within about six months.
1965 – Sir Winston Churchill exhibit announced for World’s Fair in Queens
On Feb. 2, 1965, the Long Island Star-Journal reported the career of recently deceased and former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill would be commemorated with a special exhibit during the 1965 World’s Fair in Queens, N.Y. Jointly announced in New York City and London, the World’s Fair pavilion would be converted into a comprehensive exhibit depicting the long political career of Churchill, who was the first foreign-born person to be made an honorary citizen of the United States. Among items exhibited were paintings by Churchill, who was an amateur painter and a noted author of historical works, public and private memorabilia, his U.S. passport and the proclamation by President John. F. Kennedy declaring Churchill to be an honorary U.S. citizen. Churchill’s mother, Jennie, was born in Brooklyn and raised in parts of New York City.
Tradeshow History reported by Exhibit City News
1997 – GES opens state-of-the-art facility in Orlando
Officials for the tradeshow industry’s leading general contractor, Global Experience Specialists (GES), announce the opening of the firm’s state-of-the-art facility located on a 17-acre site on Sand Lake Rd. about 2.5 miles from the convention center in Orlando. The new site was erected in anticipation of increased demand due to the recent expansion of Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center. The new facility enables GES to consolidate its local operations and position the firm to handle the anticipated growth in the Orlando area due in part to the convention center’s expansion while reducing freight time when moving items to and from the convention center.
2004 – SHOT Show, Reed renew long-term alliance
Officials for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, sponsors of the annual SHOT
Show, and Reed Exhibitions have extended the organizations’ 27-year partnership by agreeing to another six years of Reed Exhibitions producing the annual firearms forum that draws buyers from every state and 65 nations. More than 1,400 exhibitors involved in the firearms industry were expected to occupy more than 528,000 square feet of exhibit space during the 2004 SHOT Show at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. The SHOT Show is the world’s largest event for the shooting, hunting and outdoor trade (SHOT), and some proceeds are used to help promote and protect recreational shooting and hunting rights and privileges.
2008 – High school gymnasium named after Willwork founder
Willwork founder and Pres. William F. “Bill” Nixon was honored by his fellow Easton, Mass., residents when they named the Oliver Ames High School’s gymnasium in his honor. The William F. Nixon Gymnasium officially was named in his honor on Feb. 1 during a special ceremony attended by hundreds of Easton residents as well as local officials and politicians. Nixon taught history and coached sports at the high school until he retired in 1988 and founded Willwork Inc. to provide installation and dismantling services at area venues. Hired in 1954, Nixon coached football, basketball, baseball and track at Oliver Ames High School.
