EDPA ACCESS Generated Big Buzz in Naples, Florida
The EDPA ACCESS sessions were all standing room only at the Naples Grand Beach Resort in Naples, Florida from Nov. 28-30. Attendees from all over the world came to hear fabulous speakers, participate in great roundtable discussions and network with fellow dynamos in the industry. Highlights of the week included the amazing keynote speakers (Jackson Young’s view of the future in “The Magic of Technology,” Allen Gannett’s “Flashes of Genius—Learning the Art & Science of Creativity,” Tami Evans’ “Half Full of It—Activating Optimism” and Amy Sondrup’s “Women In Exhibitions” session).
But generating the biggest buzz of the week was a tie between the CFO Roundtable, moderated by Derse CFO Dan Serebin (discussing the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn several laws regarding sales tax that states are now using to levy additional taxes on tradeshows and their suppliers) and the State of the Industry “Ted-talk” style “State of the Industry” presentation by Dan Greene, Sue Huff, Amada Helgemoe and Anne Trompeter (pictured above)—as they rolled out all the research they had done on behalf of NAB and introduced the NAB ShowCares program. Developed in response to exhibitor complaints about the cost and unpredictability of exhibiting expenses, the NAB ShowCares program was launched just in time for the 2019 booth space sales. A key aspect of NAB ShowCares is the Unlimited Material Handling initiative. This initiative reduces fees for moving freight from dock to booth and back via a fixed rate of $3.85/sq.ft. that covers any or all items an exhibitor brings into the show regardless of quantity, weight or volume. Instead of receiving an invoice for material handling after the show, exhibitors simply pay for the service up front when they purchase their booth space. While some exhibitors who previously didn’t use the service will now pay a minimal fee, the initiative has resulted in an overall average savings of nearly 40 percent and up for some of the larger exhibiting companies.
But of course, it wasn’t all work and no play, as ACCESS attendees chose between an Everglades airboat ride to see alligators, a Naples inshore fishing expedition or the annual EDPA golf open scramble. They also enjoyed the Supplier Showcase, the President’s Gala and Not-So-Silent Auction and the Chapter Challenge of cornhole, jenga and Hammershlagen games (the Midwest chapter took first, the Las Vegas chapter came in second).
IAEE Expo! Expo! Celebrated its 90th Anniversary in New Orleans
IAEE held their highly successful 90th anniversary Expo! Expo! Annual Meeting & Exhibition, Dec. 11-13. The event attracted more than 2,300 attendees representing 26 countries to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
“I cannot think of a better way to celebrate IAEE’s 90th anniversary than with the Expo! Expo! we had last week,” says IAEE President and CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA. “The diversity in learning experiences offered, combined with one of our largest tradeshow floors ever and outstanding networking events in wonderful locations, provided attendees with information and resources that will serve them well in 2019 and
Strategic futurist Nancy Giordano gave audience members a glimpse into the future of technology and business practices during her keynote presentation, followed by members being led to the tradeshow floor in true New Orleans style by a second line jazz band featuring Dancing Man 504. This year’s Expo! Expo! exhibition was the largest in 17 years, featuring a sold-out show floor with 298 exhibitors in 41,400 net sq.ft. of sold exhibit space and more than 15,000 sq.ft. of on-show floor education and networking activations. Attendees closed the evening at the Krewe Party Opening Reception where they enjoyed the spirit of New Orleans at Mardi Gras World dancing to Dixieland bands featuring Tom Hook and Kermit Ruffin.
The General Session on Dec. 12 featured entrepreneur Mandy Rennehan who energized and inspired audience members with her “respectfully uncensored” message of staying true to one’s creative and professional passions. That evening, attendees, along with founding sponsor GES, helped raise $16,000 at the 10th annual Humanity Rocks: A Celebration with a Cause held at the House of Blues New Orleans. Proceeds benefit Kingsley House, an organization that has served New Orleans since 1896 through its commitment to ensuring that individuals and families have the supports necessary to be successful at all stages of life.
Next year’s event will be held Dec. 3-5 in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
This story originally appeared in the January/February issue of Exhibit City News, p. 64. For original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/ecn_flipbook_janfeb2019web?e=16962537/66750078
