Marketing Whizzes
You Never Heard of What?
Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 10/2/2006
Karen Chupka
Senior vice president, events and conferences, Consumer Electronics Assn.
As manager of the country's largest annual tradeshow, Intl. CES, Chupka is one of the most highly visible women in the business today. It's not a position she takes for granted, as she told TSW in June: "You have to beat everyone else at seeing what's coming next" — not just in show management, but in electronics too. Between venue construction in Vegas constantly changing CES' location and inventions like laser-controlled microchips transforming electronics, Chupka's job is unlikely to get boring any time soon.
Robert Harar
Chairman, Natl. Trade Productions
These days Harar's Natl. Trade Productions can be found involved in shows as disparate as TS2 (for tradeshow exhibitors), Coverings (flooring materials) and Ready (emergency preparedness). However, he cut his teeth almost 30 years ago on FOSE, when he realized there was an opportunity for buyers in the federal government to get together with IT suppliers. Harar sold FOSE long ago, but still pays the rent with shows that help federal procurement officers in the Washington, D.C., area.
Patrick LaFramboise
President and CEO, Intl. Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Supply Fair — USA
LaFramboise is the only person in the Power Pack who's CEO of a show (rather than a company or association). Maybe that's because in 1977 when Saul Poliak was introducing LaFramboise around Clapp & Poliak, Peter Nathan asked the new kid's title. Poliak said, "Whatever he wants it to be. That way, he can be whatever he wants to be." Since then, apparently, he's wanted to be the brains behind TSW 200 shows.
Leticia Peralta Davis
CEO, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority
A Chicago native and active community member, Davis has helped the city keep its competitive edge in attracting and holding onto trade-shows. She worked both behind and in front of the scenes to secure major labor contracts for McCormick Place. She can proudly say that McCormick Place West will open about eight months ahead of schedule. And all the while, Davis has led the MPEA in its commitment to providing opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses.
Diane Stone
COO, WSA Show
When Chris Aiken left in early 2005, it marked the end of a long tenure of show management for the WSA Show, holder of two top-10 spots in the 2006 TSW 200. Consultant Skip Farber stepped in and hired Stone as COO. The former Toy Industry Assn. consultant and Advanstar group show director, working with Farber has, according to reports, grown the show substantially.
