This year has been quite the rollercoaster. From the upswing in business, the growth of shows all over the world and the introduction of several new trends, the industry was packed with news in 2012.
July
Pennsylvania Convention Center eliminates labor fee
The elimination of an 8 percent labor management fee took effect on July 1 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority.
The fee elimination, first announced in April 2012, is one of several changes designed to enhance customer service at the center, including mandatory hospitality training of workers, a new customer service booth on the show floor, and increased transparency of labor rates and hours.
“The elimination of the 8 percent labor management fee reflects our commitment to reducing costs for our customers, as well as improving the overall customer experience,” said Ahmeenah Young, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA). “When customers voiced their concern about the fee, we took steps to respond.”
GES recognized as a World’s Top 50 Agency
Global Experience Specialists (GES), a provider of exhibition, event and entertainment experiences, was recognized by Ad Age magazine for the third year in a row as one of the “World’s Top 50 Agency Companies” and as one of the “Largest U.S. Event-Marketing Agencies.”
Ad Age’s annual Agency Report ranks agencies and agency companies based on information submitted regarding discipline, leadership, major clients and revenue.
“(The award) validates the great work our team is doing as a global marketing agency to create meaningful and memorable experiences for our clients and event attendees,” said Steve Moster, president, GES.
August
CEIR releases updated tradeshow-expenses study
Following up on a five-year-old report, officials for the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) have released an updated study of typical exhibition expenses entitled: “How the Exhibit Dollar is Spent.”
The updated research provides a breakdown of how exhibitors allocate spending by the following categories: exhibit space, exhibit design, show services, shipping, exhibit staff training, travel and entertainment, promotion, lead management and measurement and other expenses.
“The data in this report is a much needed resource for exhibiting companies to plan and budget the cost of their participation in events. It also provides a guide for organizers and service providers on the many different cost centers that comprise the overall cost of exhibiting,” said Doug Ducate, president and CEO, CEIR.
Freeman makes major marketing moves
Having recently sold Fern Exposition and Event Services and Party Time Rentals, officials for Freeman are focused business efforts on “comprehensive experiential marketing” and have hired a long-time industry veteran to make it happen.
Freeman officials have hired Chris Cavanaugh to oversee its merging of several formerly independent units, including Immersa Marketing, Digital Products, Freeman Creative and EventMark. These units will now create one entity focused on providing the experience for the firm’s customers. Cavanaugh has more than 20 years’ experience creating strategic marketing plans for some of the world’s largest and most recognizable businesses, including Pfizer, IBM, Nokia and Target.
“Our business model continues to develop to meet changes in the market and the evolving priorities of our customers,” said Joe Popolo, CEO, Freeman.
September
Chinese criminals target Sri Lanka gem and jewelry expo
A pair of Chinese men were caught trying to steal at least one valuable diamond during the opening day of the annual Facets Sri Lanka jewelry expo in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sept. 5, but police will have to wait to obtain the hard evidence.
Sri Lankan police arrested a 32-year-old Chinese man identified as Chow Cheng after he allegedly swallowed a diamond he had obtained from its owner under the guise of inspecting it. An alleged accomplice attempted to distract the stone’s rightful owner, Suresh de Silva, but Silva claims he saw Cheng place the diamond in his mouth, swallow it and try to replace it with a fake gem.
“He came with another Chinese man. One of them tried to distract me while the other had a diamond in his hand,” said Suresh de Silva, director, Belgrade International Gem Store, to French news service AFP. “When I realized what was happening and shouted, one ran away and we managed to catch the man who swallowed the stone.”
Caterpillar headlines MINExpo with 52,000 sq. ft. exhibit
With the theme of “Wherever There’s Mining, We’re There,” Caterpillar Inc. opened the largest single exhibit ever presented at MINExpo International in Las Vegas during the 2012 event held Sept. 24-26.
With more than 52,000 square feet of exhibit space inside the Las Vegas Convention Center, visitors to the Caterpillar exhibit witnessed the largest single exhibit in the history of the show as well as the first heavy-haul locomotive to be displayed at MINExpo.
“There is no bigger stage to give us this remarkable opportunity to tell the Caterpillar mining story. We recognize that mining is at the core of an unprecedented drive for urbanization and modernization,” said Doug Oberhelman, chairman and CEO, Caterpillar.
October
Former officials of Teamsters Local 82 face federal charges
It was announced that former officials for the South Boston-based International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 82 face counts of racketeering, extortion, mail fraud, theft and other criminal charges. Local 82 provided labor at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) prior to being absorbed by Teamsters Local 25 earlier this year.
“These defendants allegedly used threats and intimation to force businesses and organizations to hire their members … or else, and the threats didn’t end there,” said Edward Davis, Boston Police Commissioner. “In this case, the defendants allegedly went so far as to prey on their own, threatening their own members with violence if they complained about not getting work.
“These indictments send a powerful message: Boston is not a pay-to-play city,” said Davis. “Working with our federal partners, we will continue to aggressively go after those who think they are above the law.”
Shows extend commitment to McCormick Place
Two key tradeshows extended their commitments to McCormick Place and the city of Chicago – the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS).
“The labor union agreements at McCormick Place have created a new landscape that demonstrates that Chicago is open for business and the best destination in the world for any convention or trade show,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
The recently concluded 2012 IMTS show covered 1.25 million net
square feet of exhibit space with 1,909 exhibiting companies.
November
Chicago office of Pico North America files for bankruptcy
Pico Chicago Inc., part of Pico North America, filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy on Nov. 13 with the Northern Illinois Bankruptcy Court. Pico Chicago is located in Schaumburg, Ill., about 30 miles northwest of McCormick Place. It also served as Pico North America’s headquarters building.
On Nov. 16, 2011, exactly one year to the day, Pico North America announced that it completed an expansion of its headquarters in Schaumburg. The expansion doubled Pico’s office space used by staff servicing clients in the tradeshow industry.
Representatives for Pico Chicago and Pico North America could not be reached for comment.
Exhibitions industry growth expected the next two years
The next two years should see growth in the global exhibitions industry, according to a report released by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR).
The report titled “Trends in Use of Exhibitions” is the fifth from CEIR’s “The Role and Value of Face-to-Face Interaction Study Series.” The 12-page report provides a snapshot of the use and motivations for attending and exhibiting at business-to-business exhibitions. The report also gives an in-depth look at attendee and exhibitor use of exhibitions, including frequency, reasons for participating and projected use in the near future.
“Attendee and exhibitor practices today as well as their expected participation in the near-term point to the resiliency and enduring value of business-to-business exhibitions,” said Nancy Drapeau, research director, CEIR.
December
Winther wins Hazel Hays Award
On Nov. 29, Gene Winther was given the highest honor from the EDPA – the Hazel Hays Award.
The award acknowledges individuals in the exhibit industry who have carved out new territories that lead and contribute to the growth and success of the tradeshow industry.
“It just came as a complete shock. It means everything. I was the president 12 years ago and I have had people call me and say ‘my goodness I had no idea you were still alive and now you’ve won the Hazel Hays award. How did you do it?’’ quipped Winther.
