Wrapping up its 27th year, EXHIBITORLIVE!, a conference, tradeshow and corporate event for marketing professionals, debuted a new name and new features. Held March 1-5 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, the event and exhibition industry show owned by Exhibitor Media Group welcomed over 5,000 in attendance.
Initial numbers paint an impressive picture of this year’s show floor.
- 66,670 square feet of exhibit space
- 280 exhibitors
- 70 new exhibitors
- 5,431 total professional attendance
Among the new offerings was a combined EXHIBITOR Awards with the Exhibit Designers + Producers Association (EDPA) Portable Modular summit. Approximately 100 attended the summit during EXHIBITOR 2014, which more than tripled to 350 at this year’s two presentations.
Of the 43 new products introduced at EXHIBITORLIVE, six were selected for the Buyers Choice Award:
- SGS Solutions Inc. for ShowBattery
- Eve Products Limited for Curve Display System
- ELITeXPO for XPOVID-Analytics
- Fusion Imaging for Klik Magnet Display System
- Showgo Virtual Software for Showgo Virtual Assistant
- Volanti Displays for Forza Mobile Video Wall
A team of corporate marketers and exhibit or event managers also honored an industry legend and voted on noteworthy booths during the show.
Legends Hall-of-Fame Honoree:
Jack McEntee, co-founder, I&D Inc.
Jack McEntee, along with Tony Amodeo and Pat Alacqua, founded I&D Inc. in 1979, today known as Nth Degree. The Atlanta-based firm quickly established itself as a leader in the labor contracting service category. Transforming the way I&D companies conduct themselves on-site, the three have been recognized by several exhibition industry associations, including the 2006 Hall of Fame by the former EACA.
Best of Show – Large Booth:
MG Design
MG Design’s booth “wasn’t just any experience. MG invited EXHIBITORLIVE! attendees for a great conversation, a great cup of coffee and a great experience,” according to company officials. The exhibit design firm transformed a double-deck booth into a functioning coffee shop in the middle of the show floor. Serving up live entertainment and coffee prepared by national award-winning baristas, the MuG theme put “yo[u],” the attendee, at the center.
Best of Show – Small Booth (200 square feet and under):
Blue Hive Strategic Environments
The show floor was buzzing with the smiling faces of plush bees from the Blue Hive booth. The designer and producer of exhibits and branded environments embraced its namesake with imitation grass carpeting and a honeycomb design featuring embedded video screens, all within a 10 x 20 space.
Best New Exhibitor:
PG Exhibits
PG Exhibits, a full-service company that specializes in the design and fabrication of distinctive three-dimensional marketing environments, may be the new kid on the block, but it caught the attention of attendees and fellow exhibitors alike at this year’s show. It’s “Come Grow With Us” campaign came complete with a life-size tree and seed packets of rosemary and thyme to reflect its green and renewable initiatives.
Best Booth Staff:
3D Exhibits
Attendees who visited the 3D Exhibits, a privately held firm that designs, fabricates and manages exhibits and events, enjoyed treat selections like mini Oreo cookies and the famed Chicago Mix from Garrett’s Popcorn in Chicago as part of its U3D campaign, a focus on its exhibit customization program. Beyond the show floor, the booth staff shared its generosity with the local community in the form of a $15,000 donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas.
Another first at EXHIBITORLIVE was the IAEE affiliate program where show organizers partnered with the International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE) to help certify tradeshow and corporate event professionals.
“It was a success. We will definitely employ, and possibly expand, that program for next year,” commented John Pavek, chief marketing officer, EXHIBITORLIVE.
EXHIBITORLIVE 2016 is scheduled for Feb. 28-March 2 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
