Original PR submitted by Carole Lotito, Metro Exhibits
Edited and Rewritten by Kerstan Szczepanski
“Common sense, a little bit of street smarts…and attention to detail.”
What makes Metro Exhibits’ president and founder Phil Zamloot and his company so successful? Personality. Thanks to Zamloot, Metro Exhibits is informal and fun. It is also very, very good at creating booths and displays that bring in visitors, sales leads, and revenue.
Belleville, New Jersey born Zamloot — a fast-thinking guy — generates ideas, friends, and business relationships quickly. His personality is a real experience, not a transaction. It’s a warm, very human effect that makes all the difference. This translates exceptionally well to the most face-to-face industry in the world, the tradeshow industry.
Time to swing for the fences
According to global management consulting leader Stax, the global exhibitions market is projected to reach $30 billion this year, then grow to $32.5 billion by 2025. This renewed enthusiasm in face-to-face was evident in the success of the 2024 National Retail Federation’s The Big Show, which kicked off the 2024 tradeshow season, and included 12 booths created by Metro Exhibits. This is welcome news for companies that rely on booths, displays, and exhibits to establish and keep business-building relationships. As we all remember, not so long ago the picture looked very different.
When the going gets tough, the tough pivot
When the pandemic hit and the tradeshow business faltered, Zamloot reached out to his vast list of contacts with keep-the-lights-on fervor. Transferring its skills to different markets, Metro Exhibits found new business by installing Plexiglass screens for offices, restaurants, and school systems. The custom millwork division went from creating high-end tradeshow displays to creating corporate and residential interiors. The MetroPlus division expanded from providing tradeshow promotional items to supporting clients’ needs to keep their employees connected. The company also sold personal protection equipment and engagement kits for remote workers to help them feel more connected to managers and each other. As a result, the company survived, “grinding away every day,” as Zamloot puts it, while some competitors faded.
When the industry awoke after the pandemic slumber, Metro Exhibits was perfectly positioned to hit the ground sprinting. The shows the company’s booths enhanced in 2023 included Toyfair, CES, KBIS, NRF, SHOT Show, Comic-Con, Fancy Food Show, Global Pet, SuperZoo, and many others. The company also created custom exhibits for special projects at locations such as Louis Vuitton, Advertising Week, and the United Nations.
“I don’t want to make myself out to be some kind of genius,” Zamloot says. “Everybody here worked hard to get through the pandemic to make our customers successful. Really, it’s about common sense and a little bit of street smarts and attention to detail. I’m not the smartest guy. I just try to surround myself with good people and keep on developing relationships. That’s the only way to build a business and keep it going in times good and not-so-good.”
Where you from?
As Zamloot will say a lot of companies can create good tradeshow booths. But give Metro Exhibits a call to experience the difference. Visit one of their three full-service facilities in the NY/NJ metropolitan area, Orlando and Las Vegas. Talk family. Talk hometowns. Tell Zamloot and his people about your company. Talk sports, which is a favorite topic, since Metro Exhibits has business development affiliates who include Lawrence Taylor and Ottis (you know him as OJ) Anderson. Feel free to talk politics. At Zamloot’s shop, it’s all in play. Whatever the conversation, you’re guaranteed a lively introduction into how Zamloot and Metro Exhibits have a gift for making relationships happen on and off the tradeshow floor.
“We were growing fast before the pandemic hit, so when the tradeshow market dipped, it was a good chance to reset, reflect, and reimagine,” says Zamloot. “It was also great to help clients re-emerge in 2022 and 2023, and we’re excited about what’s shaping up to be a record-breaking 2024 trade show market.”
About Metro Exhibits
Metro Exhibits provides the turnkey experience for thousands of tradeshow exhibitors. They design and fabricate custom displays in one of three owned facilities around the country, for rent or purchase. Its wrap-around support covers every aspect of tradeshow exhibiting, including all show services, transportation, installation and dismantling as well as storage. Metro Exhibits also builds corporate and retail environments. The company’s MetroPlus division provides a comprehensive line of promotional items, cloud-based portal marketing inventory management and event management. Website www.metroexhibits.com
