The Exhibit Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) gathers each year to address industry issues, share knowledge, network with peers and honor those that contributed to the success of the tradeshow industry at the ACCESS 2010 Conference and Showcase.
This year’s EDPA president, John Rose of JC Rose & Associates, passed the gavel to Rob Cohen of Display Supply & Lighting, Inc. Cohen will take on the role as president in 2011.
This year, EDPA met in Ponte Vedra, Florida. The award winners who were acknowledged have much to be proud of. Over the years, many in attendance have been past recipients of an award themselves. The industry continues to cheer on the contributions to the future and acknowledge the past.
Eddie Awards
The Eddie Awards are given to companies who have excelled in promoting themselves to the industry and end user exhibitors.
Best Printed Matter- ProExhibits
ProExhibits, an event, exhibit design, fabrication and management agency, won the first place for Eddie Award for Best Printed. This is the second time that ProExhibits has won an Eddie Award.
“We’re very pleased to have won the Eddie Award again this year among a very high level of competitors from many talented organizations within our industry,” said Dick Wheeler, president of ProExhibits,. This award for our new corporate identity clearly communicates how our company has evolved with its product and service offerings for our clients.”
Best Tradeshow Exhibit & Promotion- 3D Exhibits
3D Exhibits, an exhibit and event design, fabrication and management agency, earned the first place Eddie for the second consecutive year, once again taking top honors in the best tradeshow exhibit category. This year, 3D Exhibits received this honor for “EVOLVE,” the integrated tradeshow marketing program it created and implemented at EXHIBITOR2010 show in Las Vegas.
“We are especially proud to win the Eddie Award because the other entrants are our competitors,” said Gene Faut, president of 3D Exhibits. “Our program demonstrated our expertise in both exhibit design and in leveraging both traditional and social media.”
The program leveraged an exhibit that evolved on a daily basis to communicate how the company has changed its approach and solutions to meet the challenges facing corporate marketers. The most popular aspect of the program was the omnipresent six person E-V-O-L-V-E team. This group walked the convention center with the oversized letters on the backs of their bright colored t-shirts.
Best On-line Marketing- Derse Exhibits
Derse, a complete face-to-face marketing company, won the Best Online Marketing Eddie award. Derse was recently recognized as one of the Top Event Marketing Companies by Advertising Age magazine and employs more than 400 people.
EDPA Chapter of the Year- Las Vegas Chapter
The EDPA Chapter of the Year (COTY) award recognizes an EDPA Chapter for its excellence and efforts in fundraising, recruiting and educational events. The Las Vegas Chapter won the award for the second consecutive year.
“Winning the COTY for two years in row is proof of the amazing board member in our local chapter who volunteer their time and resources to keep engaging our members and encouraging new ones to come out” said Dalene Threeton, president of the Las Vegas Chapter. “I am looking forward to past-president status for the next two years to see what our new leadership comes up with so we can compete for a three-pete!”
The Las Vegas Chapter proved their commitment to the EDPA with with added activities and continued fundraising, despite the economic downturn.
Designer of the Year- Errol Ahearn (Global Experience Specialists-GES)
This Award recognizes an EDPA designer for his/her contributions to enhance the professional standards of exhibit design and encourage new paths for the future.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to accept this award,” said Errol Ahearn, GES executive creative director. “Being voted the EDPA Designer of the Year is a goal I have had for a long time. I’m grateful to be able to contribute my creative talents to an industry that has given me so many amazing life experiences. I’m humbled to be part of the EDPA’s esteemed list of design leaders who work diligently to enhance our industry. I also appreciate the ability to work for GES and travel the world designing with colleagues, clients and students to bring innovation to exhibit design.
Ambassador Award- Don Svehla (Exhibit City News)
The Ambassador Award recognizes individuals who have given of their heart and soul to promote EDPA and the programs it offers. Don Svehla, publisher of Exhibit City News, was the 8th recipient of the award given to an honorable group.
Much of the success that EDPA achieves is through the behind-the-scenes diplomats that encourage people to act. Whether it is to attend an event, take part on a committee or donate to a cause, someone pushes people to act.
Don Svehla has pushed to promote EDPA for the past 10 years. He not only has given his own time and energy, but has sponsored many events and awards through ECN, such as The Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic and The Golden Ham Awards each year at the EDPA Access Conference and Showcase. ECN has also held numerous hospitality receptions at Exhibitor, TS2, HCEA and EuroShop. During each sponsored event, Don has promoted all of the EDPA programs and causes. Don has been a long-time Ambassador for EDPA and continues with his generous efforts.
Hazel Hays Award- Jack McEntee (Founder of I&D Inc (now Nth Degree)
The Hazel Hays award began many years ago to honor Hazel Hays, a pioneer who laid the ground work for show contractors and on-site labor. She fought for what she felt was right and made a difference in the way we manage our businesses today.
This year’s Hazel Hays Award was given to Jack McEntee, founder of I&D Inc., now Nth Degree. McEntee changed the way onsite I&D companies treated and serviced our customers at expo show sites. His company also transformed the attitude and behavior of on-site carpenters at the tradeshow installation process. McEntee believed objective for installers was not only to get the job done, but to make it a pleasant experience.
Today many of his previous employers have started their own I&D companies and embrace his philosophy for service minded care while installing at tradeshows.
In 1979, McEntee opened I&D in Atlanta with his two partners, Pat Alacqua and Tony Amodeo. They quickly became one of the leading independent tradeshow installation companies in the nation.
I&D became one of the first companies to use many practices that are still in use today including bringing a gang box with ladders to service its clients, inviting union leaders to industry meetings to facilitate greater mutual respect and forming a national sales force to sell and market I&D labor services.
The company also became heavily involved with industry associations and formed a short lived group called the Trade Show Service Association, which addressed show floor service issues not covered by other associations. This launched the birth of the EACA, which is now lead by Jim Wurm, a previous employee of I&D.
Otherwinners
The 22nd EDPA Golf Open Scramble was held on the Players Course of the TPC Sawgrass, which was recently honored as the No. 9 Modern Golf Course in the United States, as well as the No. 1 course in Florida, by Golf Digest Magazine.
First place in the best ball scramble went to 3D Exhibits out of Chicago.
The Golden Ham Award One Minute Commercials were held during the Thursday luncheon. The award is presented to the exhibiting company that puts on the best skit promoting its products. The winner was a spoof on the Progressive Insurance TV commercials by Optima Graphics.
The EDPA foundation was also a winner at Access 2010. The 2nd Not-So-Silent Auction and President’s Gala raised over $21K for the EDPA Foundation, thanks to generous member and attendee support.
“We beat 2009’s auction total of $17K and even managed to do it with fewer items this year,” said Jeff Provost, executive director for EDPA.
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