(EDPA members from across the country gather during EXHIBITORLIVE 2015 in Las Vegas. Chapter leaders and members connected at networking events, roundtables, and the annual breakfast meeting to discuss strategy, growth, and collaboration. Exhibit City News, May 2015.)
Exhibit City News recalls stories that shaped our industry
Five Years Ago
Exhibition Industry Builds Field Hospitals Amid COVID-19
As the pandemic hit in 2020, exhibition professionals across the U.S. stepped up to transform convention centers into emergency field hospitals. The Javits Center in New York led the way, quickly outfitted with 1,900 beds. That effort inspired the creation of the Live for Life – C19 coalition, founded by Czarnowski, Exploring, and George P. Johnson. The group grew to include more than 20 partners. Other associations, including UFI, AIPC, and IFES, also contributed by publishing a global best practice guide for repurposing venues. Their combined expertise in logistics, layout, and buildout proved essential in managing this unprecedented response.
Ten Years Ago
EDPA Shows Strength at EXHIBITORLIVE 2015
At EXHIBITORLIVE 2015, EDPA made a strong showing with active participation from multiple regional chapters, including Northern California, Northeast, and Las Vegas. During a March 4 breakfast meeting, then-president Robert Campbell emphasized unity and collaboration over competition. The event highlighted how EDPA chapters could share strategies, fundraising ideas, and member support to strengthen the organization nationwide.
New Product Showcase Winners Debut at EXHIBITORLIVE
At EXHIBITORLIVE 2015, six standout products earned Buyers’ Choice Awards during the annual New Product Showcase. Out of 43 entries, winners were selected for their innovation and usefulness on the show floor. Honorees included Volanti Displays’ FORZA Mobile Video Wall, Curve Display System from Eve Products, Showgo Virtual Assistant, Klik Magnet Display System from Fusion Imaging, ShowBattery from SGS Solutions, and XPOVID-Analytics by ELITeXPO. The showcase reflected the industry’s growing emphasis on practical, tech-forward tools to improve exhibit efficiency and engagement.
beMatrix Showcases Exhibit Design Excellence
beMatrix USA hosted nearly 130 attendees for its “Best of 2014” Awards Breakfast at EXHIBITORLIVE 2015, celebrating top exhibit designs using the popular b62 frame system. With more than 40 entries, awards were presented in categories including Best Overall Exhibit Design, Best Hybrid Design, and Most Innovative Use. Evo Exhibits, Steelhead Productions, and The Expo Group were among the winners. The event also featured a student design competition with participants from Bemidji State University, reinforcing beMatrix’s commitment to supporting future exhibit professionals.
Fifteen Years Ago
San Diego Secures Land for Convention Center Expansion
In May 2010, the San Diego Convention Center Corporation (SDCCC) secured land to expand the facility by 200,000 square feet. The plan added exhibit space, meeting rooms, and a 40,000-square-foot ballroom, addressing growing demand and boosting the city’s competitiveness in hosting large-scale events. City leaders and tourism officials praised the move as a critical investment in the region’s economy and long-term convention business.
HCEA Celebrates 80th Anniversary
The Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association (HCEA) marked its 80th year in 2010 with an annual meeting in New Orleans. The event featured keynote speaker James Carville and offered trend education, case studies, and CME-credit courses for healthcare exhibit professionals. HCEA commemorated the milestone with special recognition and programming that reflected its long-standing role in advancing healthcare convention marketing.
Tradeshow Week Ceases Publication
In 2010, Tradeshow Week, a long-standing publication covering the exhibit and events industry, ceased publication after more than four decades in print. The weekly magazine had served as a trusted source for tradeshow data, industry news, and event rankings. Parent company Reed Business Information shuttered the title on April 30 as part of a larger media restructuring. The closure marked the end of an era for one of the industry’s most widely recognized publications.
Twenty Years Ago
EDPA Awards Scholarships to Industry Families
In May 2005, the EDPA Foundation awarded scholarships to several students with family ties to the tradeshow industry. The recipients included Shawn Brawdy, John Chadwick, Natalie Diederich, Gina Gentry, Amy Holman, and Carrie Vigil, among others. The awards were presented during the EDPA Las Vegas Chapter’s annual Scholarship Golf Classic at the Stallion Mountain Country Club. The initiative underscored the Foundation’s commitment to supporting education and recognizing the industry’s next generation.
E3 Reports Fastest Space Sellout in Years
In May 2005, the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) announced its fastest exhibit space sellout in five years. Held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, E3 2005 hosted more than 400 exhibitors and 65,000 attendees from over 79 countries. The show featured product launches and previews from the world’s top video game and software developers, cementing its role as the leading event for the interactive entertainment industry.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
Teamster Arrested During NAB Show Setup
In April 2000, Las Vegas Metro police arrested a teamster for attempting to steal a $13,000 Panasonic plasma screen during the National Association of Broadcasters show setup. The incident occurred during an overnight shift at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Security was provided by Special Operations Associates, Inc., who coordinated with Metro to make the arrest. Panasonic’s national tradeshow manager praised the response, saying the screen was critical to their show presence.
Freeman Online Offers Digital Ordering Enhancements
In May 2000, Freeman introduced major upgrades to Freeman Online, its digital ordering platform for exhibitor services. The updated system featured a searchable index, improved navigation, and hyperlinks to other show-specific resources. Freeman also enabled online confirmations and printable order forms, streamlining the ordering process for tradeshow managers and exhibitors. The enhancements marked an early move toward digital convenience in the tradeshow industry.
CB Displays Grows into the New Millennium
In May 2000, CB Displays was spotlighted for its continued growth and innovation. The Chicago-based company, founded by Carl Braun, expanded operations nationwide and introduced updates to its modular exhibit systems. Known for service and speed, CB Displays provided full-service exhibit rentals and graphics for shows across the U.S. The company’s steady investment in technology and production helped to position it as a leading competitor heading into the new millennium.
Editor’s Note:
In November 2021, CB Displays International President Dennis Birsa announced the company’s closure after 52 years in business. Founded in 1969 by Ann and Carl Birsa, CB became a respected name in the tradeshow world. “Tradeshows were no mystery to CB,” Birsa wrote in a heartfelt farewell, reflecting on decades of service, innovation, and relationships built across the industry.
