(George Wurm, right, shares a moment with his brother Jim. Remembered as a trusted industry advocate and beloved family man, George brought warmth, humor, and professionalism to every showfloor he touched. Exhibit City News, July 2015.)
Welcome back to “A Look Back at Tradeshow History.” This month, we’re digging into the archives for July issues from the past 28 years. From a power outage at E3 that didn’t stop the gaming crowd to the debut of Disney’s California Adventure and the launch of McCormick Place’s indoor Wi-Fi, these stories highlight the energy, evolution, and emotion that define the tradeshow world. Got your own memory to share? Email Mark at Markh@exhibitcitynews.com—we’d love to include your piece of history in a future edition.
Five Years Ago – July 2020
Industry Pivots to Virtual and “New Normal”
As COVID-19 halted in-person events, the tradeshow industry rapidly adapted to virtual platforms and hybrid formats. Organizers leaned into digital tools to maintain connections with exhibitors and audiences while rethinking future strategies. Though virtual solutions offered short-term continuity, industry leaders emphasized that face-to-face engagement remained essential for long-term success—signaling that virtual could complement, but not replace, live events.
Ten Years Ago – July 2015
Mandalay Bay Convention Center Expansion on Track
Mandalay Bay’s $66 million expansion remained on schedule, adding 350,000 square feet of exhibit space and bringing the center’s total footprint to over 2 million square feet. The upgrade aimed to attract larger shows with enhanced technology, energy-efficient features, and flexible layout options—reinforcing Las Vegas’s role as a premier tradeshow destination.
EAC Community Loses an Advocate
George Wurm, director of Exhibitor Appointed Contractors (EAC) registration for the Exhibit & Event Marketers Association, passed away on April 30 from congestive heart failure. Wurm was known for simplifying EAC processes, reviewing credentials, and educating both exhibitors and contractors. He played a key role in launching the E2MA Affinity Partner Program and worked on more than a dozen top 200 shows over 12 years. Colleagues remembered him as a generous mentor, tireless advocate, and beloved presence on the showfloor.
Fifteen Years Ago – July 2010
Off-Road Accident Claims Lives of Two Freeman Employees
Freeman employees Bence Kadar and Thomas Alan Johnson lost their lives in a tragic off-road accident near Lake Isabella, California. On June 4, 2010, their Jeep rolled approximately 250 feet down a mountainside ridge trail, ejecting both men. Colleagues remembered Kadar and Johnson for their professionalism, warmth, and the lasting impact they made throughout their years with Freeman.
Orbus Appoints New Chief Financial Officer
Orbus Exhibit & Display Group named Aurelia Sirbu as chief financial officer. With more than 12 years in exhibit industry finance, Sirbu will oversee all financial operations. CEO Giles Douglas praised her industry insight and leadership as Orbus continues to expand.
Wireless Is a Hit at McCormick Place
McCormick Place launched full indoor wireless access through a partnership with SmartCity and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. The upgrade met a tight timeline and rising demand from exhibitors and attendees needing fast, reliable service. With millions of square feet to cover, the system was designed to support heavy usage across phones, laptops, and streaming devices, making McCormick one of the most connected venues in the country.
Twenty Years Ago – July 2005
HCEA: 75 Years and Going Strong
The Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association (HCEA) marked its 75th anniversary in New Orleans with an event that balanced celebration and serious industry dialogue. Highlights included panels on regulatory issues, data privacy, and working with medical associations, plus a redesigned showfloor with lounges, CyberCafes, and the Discovery Zone. Carol Wilson received the Distinguished Service Award after orchestrating 19 annual meetings. The gala capped off the milestone with dancing and a nod to HCEA’s enduring legacy.
Editor’s Note: HCEA heads to Miami for its 2025 Annual Meeting, “Growing Stronger Together,” August 6–8 at Loews Coral Gables.
Dazzling Connecticut Convention Center Open for Business
Hartford’s new Connecticut Convention Center officially opened with 140,000 square feet of exhibition space, plus 40,000 square feet of ballroom and 25,000 square feet of meeting space. Overlooking the Connecticut River, the $271 million facility aimed to attract 250,000 annual visitors and revitalize downtown Hartford. Designed by Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates, the venue quickly became a symbol of the city’s growth and ambitions as a meetings destination.
Meeting Planners Rate the Top Venues
In a nationwide survey by MeetingNews, planners ranked hotels across luxury, upscale, and mid-price categories. Four Seasons Hotels topped the list with a near-perfect 8.78, followed by Gaylord Hotels at 8.51 and Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts at 8.42. On the opposite end, Ramada scored 7.36, and Quality Inns trailed the list at 6.95. Ratings reflected factors like service responsiveness, catering, guestroom quality, and overall value—making clear which brands consistently deliver for events and exhibitors.
Power Failure Does Not Stop Expo Gamers
A transformer outage at the Los Angeles Convention Center knocked out power to parts of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), but the show pressed on. More than 70,000 professionals from 79 countries attended, navigating dim media areas while the showfloor stayed lit and fully active. E3 featured 400 exhibitors across 547,000 net square feet, showcasing over 5,000 video game products—1,000 of them debuting, with most set to hit stores by the 2005 holiday season.
Twenty-Five Years Ago – July 2000
Freeman Tops Tradeshow 200 List
In July 2000, Freeman Decorating Company ranked first on Tradeshow Week’s annual Tradeshow 200 list, which analyzed the 200 largest shows held in the United States. Freeman led in both the number of shows—producing 59 for a 29 percent share—and in net square footage, handling over 31 million square feet for a 46 percent market share. The report highlighted a seven-year trend of steady growth for Freeman, reflecting its expanding influence and commitment to service across exhibit pricing, attendance, and logistics.
Disney Announces Opening of New Theme Park
Disney unveiled plans to open Disney’s California Adventure, the first major expansion of Disneyland Resort since its original debut. The $1.4 billion project featured themed zones like Hollywood Pictures Backlot and Paradise Pier, designed to reflect California’s culture and history. The expansion aimed to transform Disneyland into a multi-day resort destination and solidify its position in the global themed entertainment market.
Display Well Worth the Wait
CoreExpress wowed attendees at Networld + Interop in Las Vegas with a pinball-inspired exhibit simulating data transmission. Silver balls representing digital packets moved through 24 illuminated “cities,” drawing long lines and rave reviews. The display was designed by Chad Veach of Integrated Studio in Johnston, Iowa—known for holding the Guinness World Record for the largest free-standing house of cards. One attendee called the experience “worth the wait,” praising it as a showfloor standout.
Nth Degree Recognized by SEGD, IDSA, and BMA
Nth Degree earned industry recognition for exhibits created for Silicon Graphics Inc. at the Geneva Telecom Show. Designed in partnership with Jack Stewart, one installation featured an ORIGIN 2000 server powering a 13-monitor serpentine display. The Society for Environmental Graphic Design, Industrial Designers Society of America, and Business Marketing Association each honored the work for design excellence and creative impact in high-tech environments.
Twenty-Eight Years Ago – July 1997
Exhibit City News announced it would change its format to a national standard-size tabloid and increase its circulation 10-fold.
