Chris Kappes

Duty of Care and the Event Professional’s Obligation to Be Ready

March 20, 2026

It’s a dangerous world out there. That would ring true at almost any point in history — but it feels especially relevant in March 2026. Natural disaster risks are driving up insurance costs. Criminals are targeting popular resort destinations. Armed conflict has shuttered major global travel hubs. And the events industry, by its very nature, puts groups of people together in places that can be every bit as vulnerable as they are beautiful.

Built For A Crowd That Won’t Come

January 21, 2026

The workforce that has filled convention centers for decades is changing in size and composition. And that has significant implications for the event industry & billions being invested in convention infrastructure.

Timber to Tech: The Evolution of Tradeshow Exhibits

March 19, 2025

The evolution of tradeshow exhibits from the earliest days to the present has been shaped by achievements in materials, technological innovations, economic pressures, globalization,

What Our Industry has in Common with McDonald’s

November 1, 2024

(Image of Catalyst Exhibits team from left to right include Jay Campos – Production Foreman, Manny Tellez – Warehouse Manager, Scott Hanna – Chief Financial

Coca-Cola and Cold Water

October 29, 2024

Secrets of Being a Union Stagehand British rock and pop singer Rod Stewart has a fear of falling off the stage. This is not an

What Happened to the Noise of Live Events?

October 9, 2024

In the live event business, we love noise. But have you noticed it’s getting quieter? The familiar buzz of saws, CNC machines, and pneumatic hammers

The Tom Brady of Exhibitions

October 4, 2024

Passing Time with David DuBois NFL legend Tom Brady set a standard for longevity and achievement that will be hard to replicate. The same could

Insights from CEIR’s Predict Conference

September 18, 2024

What’s Next for the Live Event Industry? Forecasting the future of live events can feel like predicting the weather—a mix of sunny optimism with clouds

Super Bowl of Meetings: Where Cities Come to Play

August 16, 2024

There is only one Super Bowl in professional football. But when it comes to hosting tradeshows and conferences, the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)

Your’e Wearing What?

August 14, 2024

(Photography below provided by Adrian Jules) Rethink Your Tradeshow Attire Tradeshows have a problem: homogenization. Exhibits often look the same, with aluminum systems and SEG

The Engine Driving Tradeshows

August 7, 2024

From Business Cards to Tech-Data Welcome to a tug-of-war. When corporate marketing teams meet to discuss their fiscal budgets, there’s arm-twisting, debating, and back-room negotiation.

Behind Place Makers: Insights from Moss

July 31, 2024

Brand environments leader, Moss, is a pioneer in spotting experiential trends before they become mainstream. Serving approximately 75 percent of the nation’s exhibit, retail, and