Seventh Annual EACA Conference to Coincide with Next TS2 in July
Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 6/6/2005
The Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Assn.'s 7th Annual Conference will focus on labor and general contracting when it is held July 11–13 in conjunction with the Trade Show Exhibitors Assn.'s TS2 - The Tradeshow About Tradeshows at the Washington (D.C.) Convention Center.
EACA Executive Director Jim Wurm said the event is expected to attract about 100 attendees. He added that the overriding theme is customer service, and that EACA hopes to improve the way its members assist exhibitors.
EACA doesn't present an exhibition at the event. "That's part of the deal," Wurm said. "TS2 is not looking for competition, but for synergistic opportunities with groups like us. Many of our members exhibit at TS2. We'll offer specific workshops and seminars relating to EACs for our members while TSEA is holding its sessions, but our sessions won't conflict with the TS2 exhibition."
The EACA conference will include a keynote presentation by Tom Mobley, general manager and CEO of the Washington Convention Center.
An EACA/TSEA joint session will address "Embracing Labor as Part of Your Tradeshow Team."
Wurm said there would also be in-depth discussions on customer service, labor's role in the success of any tradeshow effort and relations between EACs and general service contractors.
The conference will also feature a ladder/scaffold/safety certification course for show-floor workers.
Participants in the conference can also compete in the annual Showfloor Olympics, a friendly competition that celebrates the contributions of the showfloor workforce and recognize it as a valued part of the tradeshow team, Wurm said.
Showfloor Olympics contestants demonstrate their knowledge of showfloor operations as they navigate their way through a showfloor obstacle course.
"We couldn't get the shows done without these sometimes nameless laborers, and we want them to know they have a safety net," Wurm said.
For the first time, proceeds will go to the Randy Smith Memorial Fund, established more than 11 years ago to help families in the exhibition industry who have suffered severe tragedy or incurred insurmountable medical expenses.
