TSW Fastest 50 Winners
Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 11/13/2006
"Las Vegas is definitely a popular and growing destination, but Hawaii might be nice." —Larry Schur
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 2002 in Las Vegas. HELD EVERY YEAR SINCE AT: Las Vegas Convention Center. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "Our show is competitively priced in all areas, and we have a friendly, personable and caring staff." FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE: Richard Karn (Al from "Home Improvement"). GUTSIEST MOMENT: Taking the risk of putting on the first show after Sept. 11. BEST YEAR: 2006. BECAUSE: "We turned the front half of the exhibit hall going in the opposite direction. ... I think that finally got most of the bugs out." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2004. BECAUSE: "The union had staged a wildcat strike just moments before our plane had landed and a wheel fell off the new Las Vegas Monorail, halting its service for many months to come." EXHIBITOR I'D MOST LIKE TO BE STRANDED IN A SNOWSTORM WITH: Fleece Baby. IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE: "A more positive attitude (by hotels, unions and contractors) toward us, the customer. In a city undergoing such enormous growth and with such high hotel occupancy, we have come to feel that we are not appreciated." DEFINING MOMENT: Last year, being named the overall fastest growing tradeshow by Tradeshow Week and being ranked No. 143 on the TSW 200.
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
LARRY SCHUR, president and COO of ABC Kids Expo, cut his teeth producing the Natl. Independent Nursery Furniture Retailers Assn. show. Before opening, he discovered there wasn't enough exhibit space in the facility reserved. So, he arranged to have tents erected in the parking lot. During set-up, the facility cleared the wrong lot and people parked cars where tents were supposed to go. On opening day, sprinklers soaked the tents, creating a river down the middle of the exhibits. With a learning experience like that, things could only get better.
Association: AFCOM's Data Center World"We haven't had our best year yet." —Jill Eckhaus
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
JILL ECKHAUS, president of AFCOM (Assn. for Computer Operations Management), may have been born in New York and educated in Long Beach, Calif., but her favorite tradeshow city is Chicago. Heading up AFCOM, which runs AFCOM's Data Center World, is Eckhaus' dream job, and she claimed that if she weren't doing that she'd probably be "folding clothes at the Gap." For now, she considers herself lucky to be doing what she does.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: New York, 1981. HELD IN 2006 IN: Orlando. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "We stay current with our attendees' needs through innovative thinking and smart marketing. It is our goal to provide our members and attendees with an educational forum that they don't get elsewhere, and to provide our exhibitors with highly qualified attendees and year-round exposure to AFCOM members." BEST YEAR: "We haven't had our best year yet. I don't measure success by how much we've grown; I measure it by the quality of work we put out and the satisfaction level of our members and vendors." WORST NIGHTMARE: Opening the doors and having nobody show up. STROKE OF GENIUS: In an effort to cover costs of an expensive cocktail reception, organizers sold drink ticket packets to exhibitors, which drove attendees to their booths to get tickets. "Participating exhibitors get more traffic to their booths, and at the end of the day, ticket sales end up paying for the reception." MOST FATEFUL MOMENT: "One year we increased our show hours and the show absolutely bombed. There weren't enough attendees in the hall at one time, and exhibitors were threatening to never come back." WE'LL KNOW WE'RE SUCCESSFUL WHEN: There are perfect 10 scores on all the evaluation forms.
Trade: AIA Natl. Convention & Design Exposition*"My stroke of luck was being offered a position at Softbank COMDEX in 1995. I didn't even know what a tradeshow was!" —Steve Varasso
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1952. HELD IN 2006 AT: Los Angeles Convention Center. A FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "Of continued unprecedented growth over the past 10 years in attendance and exhibitors." who attends: Architects. BEST YEAR: 2006. BECAUSE: It surpassed attendee and exhibit space records set in 2005. EXHIBITOR I'D MOST LIKE TO BE STRANDED IN A SNOWSTORM WITH: "Big Ass Fans. Lambeau Field uses Big Ass Fans' technology to keep its patrons warm, and that's good enough for me." FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE: Daniel Libeskind (chief architect, World Trade Center). WORST NIGHTMARE: "Getting 15,000 to 20,000 attendees from McCormick Place to their hotels via shuttle buses and taxis during a vicious rainstorm, while all major roads were closed due to a blues festival and a visit to the city by the president of Afghanistan." STROKE OF GENIUS: "Joining M¦C Communications in 2002." STROKE OF LUCK: Being offered a position at Softbank COMDEX in 1995. "I didn't even know what a tradeshow was! Ever since, I have considered myself extremely fortunate to be in such a unique and exciting industry." MOST FATEFUL MOMENT: Sept. 11, 2001. "The true test of the strength of the show and its brand came nine months later. We sustained both attendance and exhibit space goals." DEFINING MOMENT: Identifying the need for education about the growing importance of sustainable design and environmentally friendly practices.
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
STEVE VARASSO, group show director for M¦C Communications, was born in Weymouth, Mass., and studied at Roger Williams University. But this New Englander said his favorite place to hold a tradeshow is Las Vegas. His sights are set even farther west, in warmer climates: His dream job in the tradeshow industry would be something — anything — at the Hawaii Convention Center, and his perfect retirement villa would be on Oahu's North Shore. Despite those leanings for something tropical, if he weren't a show manager, he'd be "general manager of the Boston Red Sox."
Association: All Things Organic Conference & Tradeshow*"There are no bad ideas." —Bob Callahan
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 2001. ALWAYS HELD AT: McCormick Place, Chicago. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "Organic is the fastest-growing retail category in the supermarket industry." FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE: Morgan Spurlock, producer and director of "Super Size Me." "He really opened my eyes to the negative effects of fast food." STROKE OF GENIUS: Realizing the importance of teamwork in a partnership (with the Organic Trade Assn.). STROKE OF LUCK: Having Hall C available the first week in May at McCormick Place. BEST YEAR: 2004. BECAUSE: "Our show doubled in size." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2003. BECAUSE: "The organic industry was in its infancy." EXHIBITOR I'D MOST LIKE TO BE STRANDED WITH: The Organic Trade Assn. "With the various policy issues coming across their desk each day, the organization has to be, and is, very resourceful." MOST FATEFUL MOMENT: When consumers began realizing the health benefits of eating organic. DEFINING MOMENT: When the showfloor opened to thousands of organic retail buyers.
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
BOB CALLAHAN, show director of All Things Organic for Diversified Business Communications, was born, raised and educated in Connecticut. Callahan describes New York City as "the greatest city in the world," and said Chicago, home of the organic products show, is "tremendous to work with. They deliver on everything we've asked of them." And what could be more urban than his fantasy job as a restaurateur?
Association: ASA Annual Conference & Exhibition"The Autism Society's annual conference and show has become one of the most important events within the ... field." —Meg Ellacott
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
MEG ELLACOTT, sales director for the Autism Society of America's show, has helped grow what started in 1987 with five exhibitors to a TSW Fastest 50 winner this year. "It's always about relationships and, at the very least, their perceived ROI," she said.
HELD IN 2006 IN: Providence, R.I. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "The Autism Society's Annual Conference and Show has become one of the most important events within the autism spectrum disorder field. The educational side of the show drives exhibitor growth, knowing that most influential professionals as well as families will be at the conference." BEST YEAR: 2005. BECAUSE: "Attendance was up, which makes for happy exhibitors." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2006. BECAUSE: Of higher overhead costs and lower attendance, which was surprising for the Northeast corridor. WORST NIGHTMARE: Last-minute sponsorships — good for the client, profitable for the association, bad for the show manager. WE'LL KNOW WE'RE REALLY SUCCESSFUL WHEN: "Attendance balances out with a higher density factor to number of exhibitors."
Trade: ASD/AMD Trade Show — Las Vegas* (March and August)SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1961. HELD IN 2006 AT: Las Vegas Convention Center, Mirage Events Center and Sands Expo & Convention Center. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "The breadth of merchandise categories and depth of price points provides numerous growth opportunities." FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE: Natalie Cole. MOST LIKELY TO ATTEND: Traditional mom-and-pop store owner. LEAST LIKELY: Fortune 500 C-level manager. BEST POTENTIAL OVERSEAS MARKET: "Probably Mexico." BEST YEAR: 2004. BECAUSE: The dollar store segment was expanding and helping drive growth. MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2002. BECAUSE: "It was a strange year. Although most of our shows were stable, there was still a carryover effect of angst and uncertainty due to 9/11." EXHIBITOR I'D MOST LIKE TO BE STRANDED WITH: Michael Rubino of Magic Creations, because he "is a very creative merchandiser and has great insight into the myriad distribution channels within the discount retail market. He also has a good sense of humor." IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE: "As most shows set up or stage over the weekend, labor costs are a key driver, and overtime and double-time should be based on hours worked, not on day(s) of the week. I know ... wishful thinking." WE'LL KNOW WE'RE SUCCESSFUL WHEN: "Both exhibitor and attendee renewal rates exceed 95 percent."
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
SAM BUNDY, group president of the ASD/AMD Merchandise Group for VNU Expositions, is an old hand at this ... in more ways than one. He's been connected with the Associated Surplus Dealers since 1984, when a temp assignment introduced him to Walter Fletcher. Fletcher ran ASD's small tradeshows until a few years after Miller Freeman bought them in 1995 (ASD/AMD subsequently went to Bill Communications, then VNU), with Bundy as his right-hand man. In addition to being an expert on surplus merchandise shows, Bundy knows a thing or two about the TSW Fastest 50: ASD/AMD has won every year since the awards began.
Trade: ASIS Intl. Annual Seminar and Exhibits*MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
SHANNON BURCH, show manager
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1955. HELD IN 2006 IN: San Diego. WHO ATTENDS: Security professionals. WHO EXHIBITS: Companies that sell security technology.
Trade: ASTRO Annual Meeting*MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
Michelle Cordie, director of meetings, American Society for Therapeutic Radiology & Oncology
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1970. HELD IN 2006 IN: Philadelphia. WHO EXHIBITS: Companies with products or services involving radiation oncology. WHO ATTENDS: Radiation oncologists.
Association: AWFS Vegas*"Knock on wood — no pun intended — I can't really think of any." —Angelo Gangone (in response to the question: What was the worst tradeshow idea you ever had?)
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
ANGELO GANGONE, vice president of tradeshows for the Assn. of Woodworking & Furnishing Suppliers, is a former AWFS exhibitor who jumped the fence to show management three years ago. Since the association's executive director offered him the position, AWFS has reclaimed management of the show from an independent operator and moved it from Anaheim to Las Vegas.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1957. HELD IN 2005 AT: Las Vegas Convention Center. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "We have an incredibly dedicated and hard-working staff that functions extremely well as a team." STROKE OF GENIUS: "Making the move from exhibitor to exhibition producer." DEFINING MOMENT: As the 2005 show came to a close, "it was extremely gratifying as exhibitors were stopping us in the aisles and thanking us." BEST POTENTIAL OVERSEAS MARKET: Macau, "if they decide to make a concentrated effort to pursue the tradeshow business as Las Vegas has done." BEST YEAR: 2005. BECAUSE: "We were able to overcome a great many challenges that were a result of moving the show outside California for the first time in its history." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2001. BECAUSE: Power outages in three of the four exhibit halls for six hours during the busiest day of the show. EXHIBITOR I'D MOST LIKE TO BE STRANDED WITH: John Gangone of SCM Group USA, "our show's second largest exhibitor and my brother!" WORST NIGHTMARE: "Another power failure." IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE: "More available hotel rooms in Las Vegas." I'LL KNOW WE'RE SUCCESSFUL WHEN: "Our show fills every inch of the LVCC."
Trade: Catersource Conference & Tradeshow"When you grow this quickly, you obviously experience a few growing pains." —Jolene Ihle
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
Although JOLENE IHLE's background is in marketing, her 18 years as vice president of sales for Mintahoe Hospitality Group, a Minneapolis catering firm, is really what prepared her for her current role at catersource. "I know what caterers are buying, and I can find the right companies to exhibit in the show." The catering industry familiarity may have led Ihle to her most profitable tradeshow idea: developing sponsorship packages for exhibitors that directly relate to exposure at the tradeshow and showcasing products during the conference.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1991. HELD IN 2005 IN: Las Vegas. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "The entire catersource team is dedicated to growing the company." STROKE OF GENIUS: Saving the prime booth locations on the tradeshow floor for sponsors. "This alone has helped triple our sponsorships over the past two years." STROKE OF LUCK: "Having the word spread amongst exhibitors that this is a buying show and should not be missed." BEST POTENTIAL OVERSEAS MARKET FOR THE SHOW: Sydney, Australia. BEST YEAR: 2006. BECAUSE: The show doubled in size from the previous year. MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2006. BECAUSE: "When you grow this quickly, you obviously experience a few growing pains." EXHIBITOR I'D MOST LIKE TO BE STRANDED WITH: "One that is serving something tasty and frosty, or one of the good storytellers." IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE: "Absolutely nothing." MOST FATEFUL MOMENT: "When we increased the number of hours of the tradeshow. We now have equal time dedicated for catering education and for the tradeshow during our conference. Both are important." DEFINING MOMENT: When Fortune 500 companies started exhibiting at the show. I'LL KNOW WE'RE SUCCESSFUL WHEN: "We have to turn exhibitors away."
Trade: Coffee Fest* (East and Southwest)"The most profitable tradeshow idea I ever had was our discount admission coupon. ... It is nearly single-handedly responsible for the continued and sustained success and growth of the show." —David Heilbrunn
SHOWS LAUNCHED IN: 1994 (East) and 2001 (Southwest). HELD IN 2005 IN: Chicago (East) and Las Vegas (Southwest). MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 1994. BECAUSE: It was the first year Festivals Inc. produced any events outside of the greater Seattle area. At the Chicago show that year, 85 percent of the Coffee Fest staff had the flu. "All reported for work, but tempers were short, and I was putting out staffing-related and -created fires all day." IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE: The Seattle show's priority at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. After 15 consecutive years there, "we remain one of the lowest priorities for future dates." MOST FATEFUL MOMENT: Sept 11, 2001. "We were in the middle of launching Lifestyle Technology Show, a major consumer event, in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. When the towers fell, Lifestyle Technology Shows went down with them. This forced my attention back to Coffee Fest, where it has been since."
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
DAVID HEILBRUNN, show manager for the Coffee Fest shows and president of Lifestyle Events and the Intl. Academy of Specialty Coffee, was born in Kansas and raised in the Seattle area. When he's not producing Coffee Fest shows in Seattle, Chicago, Las Vegas, Beijing and Tokyo (the scheduled 2007 locations), he's dreaming about where his perfect retirement villa would be — ideally Whistler, British Columbia; Kona, Hawaii; or beside a river in Alaska. If he weren't a show manager, he'd be "relaxing on a tropical island (or) skiing."
Association: CTIA Wireless I.T. & Entertainment"(We knew) that mobile entertainment was hot before anyone else even knew it existed." —Kim Boyer , spokesperson for CTIA — the Wireless Assn.
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
ROB MESIROW pulls double duty as show manager and vice president of operations for CTIA — the Wireless Assn. Responsible for strategic planning, development and oversight of CTIA's trade events (including the mega-show CTIA Wireless), he's got his hands full. With a massive mobile content market still untapped, Mesirow is sitting pretty. Only a small percentage of mobile phone users so far have taken advantage of any type of download, meaning there's nowhere to go but up.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1996 as Wireless Apps. RELAUNCHED IN: 1998 as CTIA Wireless I.T. HELD IN 2005 IN: San Francisco. HELD IN 2006 IN: Los Angeles. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "This event has been growing by 100 percent year over year since the re-launch. In a matter of three years, the event grew from 1,800 attendees to 12,000 attendees." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2001. BECAUSE: "Wireless I.T. opened on Sept. 11. This was an emotional show, but CTIA was proud to provide a supportive community for the wireless industry during a time of crisis and uncertainty." STROKE OF GENIUS: "Knowing that mobile entertainment was hot before anyone else even knew it existed." FAVORITE CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS AT THE SHOW: Paris Hilton, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and professional skateboarder Tony Hawk.
Trade: Dealernews Intl. Powersports Dealer Expo*MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
TRACY HARRIS, vice president and general manager, Advanstar Communications
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1967. HELD IN 2006 AT: Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome, Indianapolis. WHO EXHIBITS: Manufacturers and distributors of aftermarket parts and accessories for motorcycles, personal watercraft, scooters and all-terrain vehicles. WHO ATTENDS: Retailers of motorcycles and related aftermarket products. 2006 ATTENDANCE: 21,019.
Trade: Electronic House Expo Spring/Fall (EHX)*"Our best year was 2006, because we really established the EHXs as top-tier events for the custom electronics industry." —John Galante
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
Born in the blustery, cold Midwest — Chicago, to be exact — it's only natural that JOHN GALANTE, vice president of EH Events, said his favorite place to hold a tradeshow was the Orange County Convention Center in Orlan-do. "They're the most customer-focused center and CVB in the country," he said. The tradeshow industry has been kind to Galante, particularly to his EHX shows, which he calls the best idea he ever had. But, he also said, he's had some bad ideas too, like a stand-alone tech show for builders.
SHOWS LAUNCHED IN: 2000. HELD IN 2006 AT: Orlando (EHX Spring) and Anaheim (EHX Fall). TSW FASTEST 50 SHOWS BECAUSE: "We grow the show strategically, category by category, and truly partner with the industry." BEST YEAR: 2006. BECAUSE: "We really established the EHXs as top-tier events for the custom electronics industry." WORST YEAR: 2001. BECAUSE: "The contraction of the tech industry and travel and economic downturns resulting from 9/11 really put a damper on our exhibit and attendance growth." FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE: Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. STROKE OF GENIUS: "Implementing a faux priority space selection for the show launch." STROKE OF LUCK: "CEA (Consumer Electronics Assn.) acquiring our original association partner and coming on board as sponsor of EHX." BEST POTENTIAL OVERSEAS MARKET: Milan, Italy. WE'LL KNOW WE'RE SUCCESSFUL WHEN: "We get 100-percent satisfaction ratings on both sides of the aisle."
Trade: EMS ExpoMEET THE SHOW MANAGER
Although his current gig is indeed his dream job, DAVE CAPLIN, EMS Expo show manager for Cygnus Expositions, said he appreciates the emergency medical services industry so much that, if he wasn't a show manager, he'd be a paramedic. It looks like his interest in the industry is more beneficial than he could have expected, as his most profitable tradeshow idea was launching EMS Expo. Caplin was born in New York and educated at Binghamton University.
"I love them all. Some stop bleeding, others restart your heart and others take you to the hospital." —Dave Caplin
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1989 in Atlanta. HELD IN 2005 IN: New Orleans. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: It "has kept close pace with the EMS and rescue community with timely educational content and corresponding exhibits." FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE AT THE SHOW: Mike Farrell aka Capt. B.J. Hunnicut of "M*A*S*H." STROKE OF GENIUS: Conceiving EMS EXPO in the first place. BEST YEAR: 2006. BECAUSE: It featured new conference content and introduced the collocation of Firehouse Central. MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 1999. BECAUSE: "The show was under transitional management that did not devote the focus and resources to maintain growth." EXHIBITOR I'D MOST LIKE TO BE STRANDED WITH: "I love them all. Some stop bleeding, others restart your heart, and others take you to the hospital. Who could choose?" WORST NIGHTMARE: Big storm clouds. DEFINING MOMENT: Watching attendees volunteer to stay in New Orleans and assist in the Hurricane Katrina rescue. "It really showed what people in EMS are capable of."
Trade: FIME Intl. Medical Expo*"I took a risk by overhauling the company, and the show really took off from there." —Brad Mandell
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1989. HELD IN 2006 IN: Miami Beach. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "We consistently deliver strong results for our exhibitors." BEST YEAR: 2006. BECAUSE: "We just keep growing." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2001. BECAUSE: Of the economy. WORST NIGHTMARE: A hurricane. STROKE OF GENIUS: "Hiring my staff in 2000 when I started. Everyone is still here six years later." STROKE OF LUCK: "Getting this job after practicing law for 10 years." MEASURE OF SUCCESS: "You are only as good as your last show." FAVORITE PLACE TO HOLD A TRADESHOW: "Las Vegas, because there are lots of venues and action 24/7."
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
Florida-born and -bred owner BRAD MANDELL received a law degree from the University of Florida. He used to work for a large law firm, where the Florida Intl. Medical Expo was his client. When FIME Expo restructured, Mandell was given an opportunity to manage the expo temporarily. He said, "FIME's producer had been in the tradeshow business for more than 20 years, even before computers and databases. I took a risk by overhauling the company, and the show really took off from there."
Trade: Firehouse World Exposition & Conference*"The show's most fateful moment was when our competitor's show failed in Sacramento and later in Los Angeles." —Robert Brice
SHOW LAUNCH: "We bought the show in 2000. It was called Fire Rescue West and was held annually in San Jose. In 2002 we rebranded the show Firehouse World and moved it." HELD IN 2006 IN: San Diego. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "We offer the best education. Education drives our attendance, and exhibitors support the shows that bring the most and best-qualified attendees." BEST YEAR: 2004. BECAUSE: "The fire service leaders who had just successfully brought the 2003 catastrophic wildfire season in Southern California under control came to speak at our conference." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2002. BECAUSE: "A competitor's show took place only 125 miles away and effectively split our market." EXHIBITOR I'D MOST LIKE TO BE STRANDED IN A SNOWSTORM WITH: "Pierce Manufacturing (Oshkosh Truck) because, besides fire trucks, they most likely make a truck that could plow us out." WORST NIGHTMARE: "There's a major fire over our show dates, and no one can attend because they're all out working the incident." IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE: More lower-cost hotel rooms close to the San Diego Convention Center. STROKE OF GENIUS: "Understanding that our conference content and, in particular, hands-on training, is what drives our attendance, and then investing in that training." STROKE OF LUCK: "Our competitor choosing to compete with us in Northern California first, instead of initially taking their event to San Diego."
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
ROBERT BRICE, group show director, public safety events, for Cygnus Expositions, was born in Monroe, La. Brice would like someday to be president of his own event management company, but if he weren't involved in shows, he'd be a charter boat captain — eventually retiring to the south of France. His worst tradeshow idea ever? "Giving firemen's axes as door prizes, which partygoers later used to extricate their baseball caps from the hotel's chandeliers."
Trade: Global Gaming Expo (G2E)*"We evolve and expand the event every year to meet the needs of a fast-changing and growing global industry." —Courtney Muller
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 2001. HELD IN 2006 IN: Las Vegas. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "We evolve and expand the event every year to meet the needs of a fast-changing and growing global industry." BEST YEAR: "So far, every year has gotten better, so 2005 would have been our best year." BECAUSE: "In 2005, G2E offered a stellar breadth of product, education and special events, and attracted the largest number of attendees in the show's history." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2001. BECAUSE: "We were head-to-head with another gaming event in Las Vegas, and the market was split." HISTORICAL FIGURE MOST LIKELY TO APPEAR AT THE SHOW: Al Capone. LEAST LIKELY: Sandra Dee. FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE: Clint Eastwood. BEST POTENTIAL OVERSEAS MARKET: "G2E Asia will take place in Macau next year." WE'LL KNOW WE'RE SUCCESSFUL WHEN: "Our exhibitors and attendees are happy."
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
Ask COURTNEY MULLER, group vice president for Reed Exhibitions, about her favorite city in which to hold a tradeshow and the answer is obvious: "Las Vegas, of course." Where else? G2E, which bills itself as a tradeshow hosted by the gaming industry for the gaming industry, is a natural for Sin City, and vice versa. Muller said G2E is her dream trade-show job — although you might not have figured that this Gastonia, N.C., native and University of North Carolina grad would end up running a gambling show.
Association: Global Pet Expo"In the nine years I have been here, the show has grown every year." —Andrew Darmohraj
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1958 as the APPMA Show. HELD IN 2005 IN: San Diego. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "We are the largest show in a high-growth industry." FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE: Lassie. STROKE OF GENIUS: Creating the "What's New" section of the show for first-time exhibitors. BEST POTENTIAL OVERSEAS MARKET: China. BEST YEAR: 2005. BECAUSE: "Our buyer attendance doubled in one year." WORST NIGHTMARE: "Wal-Mart deciding not to attend the show." IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE: "Lower room rates in San Diego; more restaurants in downtown Orlando." DEFINING MOMENT: "The decision to allow independent retailers to attend the show as buyers."
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
Queens, N.Y., native ANDREW DARMOHRAJ answered a New York Times ad seeking a special events director, and ended up at one of the country's biggest pet products trade groups. As senior vice president of the American Pet Products Manufacturers Assn., he's found it's the basics that make the most difference: charging premium rates for corner and island booths, convincing his board to raise rates annually. Changes like this have had the most impact on revenue.
Trade: The Great American Trucking Show*"Our success has had to do with pulling together all the tools and using all the resources we have." —Alan Sims
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
Great American Trucking Show Executive Director ALAN SIMS is a busy man. In addition to producing one of the fastest-growing shows in the country, he served the trucking industry this year as president of the Natl. Truck Dealers Assn. The Alabama native likes Dallas for shows, but looks to even balmier-weather locations for his dream job (running a bait-and-tackle shop in the Caribbean) and retirement (Hawaii, where his wife's family lives). And although he says there are "probably some bad decisions I've made," he's lucky enough to add that none of them have been "disastrous."
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1999. HELD EVERY YEAR IN: Dallas. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "We understand the marketplace, discern the exhibitors' needs, and deliver a large, qualified audience." FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE: Bart Starr, legendary quarterback. STROKE OF GENIUS: "Pulling together all of my company's publishing, data and event marketing in one package to provide a complete solution for exhibitors." BEST YEAR: 2006. DEFINING MOMENT: Securing all of the industry leading companies as exhibitors.
Trade: Greater New York Dental MeetingSHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1924. HELD IN 2006 AT: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. A FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: Of the increase in attendees over the last three years, particularly from other countries. WHO ATTENDS: Dentists and anybody who works in a dentist's office. FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE AT THE SHOW: Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. STROKE OF GENIUS: Applying and being chosen for the U.S. Department of Commerce Intl. Buyer Program. STROKE OF LUCK: "All the planning coming together with minimal challenges." BEST YEAR: 2005. BECAUSE: Of the more than 42,000 attendees. MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2002. BECAUSE: Of the aftermath of Sept. 11. IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE: "To enlarge the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center overnight to three times its current size and make classrooms with seating at different levels as in theaters." WE'LL KNOW WE'RE SUCCESSFUL WHEN: "We continue each year to be the largest dental convention and exposition in the world." BEST POTENTIAL OVERSEAS MARKET FOR THE SHOW: South America, Western and Eastern Europe, and Russia.
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
DR. ROBERT EDWAB, executive director, admitted to having "strange credentials for a show manager." Edwab is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who practices and teaches at New York University College of Dentistry. As a volunteer worker at the meeting for more than 25 years, he was quite familiar with the show, friendly with all the exhibitors and knew dentistry inside and out. So it was easy to say yes four years ago when the association asked him to run the show. "I love meeting and working with people, and enjoy long hours of work, so this mix was perfect," he said.
Trade: Greenbuild Intl. Conference & Exposition"Green building has become a major force in building and construction." —Kimberley Lewis
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
KIMBERLEY LEWIS, director of conference and events, U.S. Green Building Council, said her favorite place to hold a tradeshow is "where the price is right." The Baltimore native, who studied at Hood College, said her current job is her dream tradeshow job but, if she weren't a show manager, she'd be a teacher. And her perfect retirement villa would be in Vancouver, British Columbia.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 2002. HELD IN 2006 AT: Colorado Convention Center, Denver. A FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "Of our industry and the movement. Green building has become a major force in building and construction. Our show houses the products, and our attendees are the decision-makers and buyers." BEST YEAR: 2004. BECAUSE: "It was the last year where our attendees could see the growth potential, but still feel like a close community." EXHIBITOR I'D MOST LIKE TO BE STRANDED IN A SNOWSTORM WITH: "Greenlight Strategies. The owner is a member of our steering committee, has endless energy and talks a million words a minute. We would have a blast." IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE: "(Suppliers) would truly adopt our greening guidelines beyond our visit and make a true corporate commitment to sustainable practices within the local hospitality community." STROKE OF LUCK: "In Pittsburgh in 2003, with the new convention center just opening. Some of the construction was just finished in time for the show." DEFINING MOMENT: "In Pittsburgh, attendance grew so significantly from our pre-show estimates that the board truly committed to making Greenbuild a product that would continue."
Association: Hearth, Patio & Barbecue EXPO"I'll know we're really successful when the exhibitors recommend an increase in booth fees." —Kelly VanDermark
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1980. HELD IN 2006 AT: Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "With the popularity of outdoor living areas and home remodeling, there had been a huge demand for our manufacturers' products." EXHIBITOR I'D MOST LIKE TO BE STRANDED WITH: "Kozy Heat or any of our hearth product manufacturers, since they are experts in generating heat in their booths." WORST NIGHTMARE: "A labor strike or lack of natural gas or electricity in our outdoor burn exhibit area." STROKE OF GENIUS: "Walking the floor with a hot beverage cart after a hole was discovered in the convention center ceiling. The temperature was unbearable for a few hours." STROKE OF LUCK: "The snowstorm that started during the opening ceremony this year was over by the official start of the show." MOST FATEFUL MOMENT: Merger of the Hearth Products Assn. with the Barbecue Industry Assn., now named the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Assn. "The HPBExpo experienced a growth in barbecue exhibitors due to the merger."
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
It must have seemed like a slam dunk at the time, but KELLY VANDERMARK, director of meetings and expositions for Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Assn, conceded that one of the worst tradeshow ideas she ever had was a barbecue cook-off to showcase the barbecue grills on display at the show. "The grills were overlooked, since it became a feeding fest for attendees," she said.
Association: InfoComm Intl.MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
JASON McGRAW is senior vice president of expositions for the Intl. Communications Industries Assn. Born in Washington, D.C., he studied at George Mason University and has been involved in producing shows and events for almost 20 years. McGraw thinks "running a show management company and owning my own shows would be worth pursuing someday. If I weren't a show manager, I'd be a rock star."
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1950s as the NAVA Show (National Audio Visual Assn.). HELD IN 2006 AT: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando. A FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: Of expansion into growth market segments and providing outstanding customer service, new educational content and innovative technology events. BEST YEAR: 2006. BECAUSE: Of records in attendance, exhibit space, number of exhibitors, revenue and education session registrations. MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2002. BECAUSE: Of Sept. 11 and the recession. WHO ATTENDS: "Someone with a passion for audiovisual communications technology in their workplace." FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCEs AT THE SHOW: Brian Setzer; Cheap Trick; David Lee Roth; Earth, Wind and Fire; Hootie and the Blowfish; Huey Lewis and the News; Pat Benatar; and the Smithereens. WORST NIGHTMARE: "Show not ready to open, booths not finished and a line of angry exhibitors at the show management office demanding refunds because attendees didn't show up (which hasn't happened — but I have this same dream every year)." STROKE OF GENIUS: "Creating technology-specific pavilions and special events, such as an audio pavilion." STROKE OF LUCK: "Working for my fraternity adviser in college, who managed tradeshows." DEFINING MOMENT: "Breaking into the top 50 of the TSW 200 and making the Fastest 50." WE'LL KNOW WE'RE SUCCESSFUL WHEN: "Jay Leno makes a joke about us on 'The Tonight Show.'" BEST TRADE-SHOW IDEA: "Starting in the early '90s to offer free attendance guest passes to our exhibitors." WORST IDEA: "In '96 in Philadelphia, it was so hot during move-in that we turned on the air-conditioning with the freight doors open. Soon, condensation was raining down on many booths from the air handlers overhead. Fortunately, there was no permanent damage."
Trade: Intl. Pool & Spa Expo/Backyard Living Expo*"We have an awesome team of individuals who strive to stay in touch with the marketplace." —Donna Bellantone
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1957 in Houston. HELD IN 2005 IN: Orlando. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "We have an awesome team of individuals who strive to stay in touch with the marketplace. That allows us to continually find ways to bring buyers and sellers together and to improve our event." BEST YEAR: 2003 in New Orleans. BECAUSE: "This show was a culmination of two years of hard work to broaden the scope of the show and expand the educational offerings." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2001 in Phoenix. BECAUSE: "That was the year we acquired the event, along with several challenges: a facility that was too small for the event, 9/11 terrorist attacks and an unusually cold November. Since the Phoenix Civic Center was too small, we contracted the Bank One Ballpark across the street." WORST NIGHTMARE: "Converting Bank One Ballpark into a tradeshow facility while the Arizona Diamondbacks were competing in the World Series, and trying to convince the groundskeeper to stop watering the field." STROKE OF LUCK: Pulling off the Phoenix show.
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
You may never have heard of a small island in the British Virgin Islands named Tortola, but if you decide to venture there one day, you just might just find Texas-born DONNA BELLANTONE, associate show director of Hanley Wood Exhibition's Intl. Pool & Spa Expo/ Backyard Living Expo. She said it's the place where she'd have her perfect retirement villa. For now, she'll settle for being in her dream job. "I love what I'm doing, and I am working for one of the best companies around."
Trade: ISC West (Intl. Security Conference West)*"We respond to our customers' needs and stay ahead of the trends that affect the industry." —Dean Russo
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
As a group vice president for Reed Exhibitions, DEAN RUSSO's current job is his dream job. His most profitable tradeshow idea was launching the Urban Security section at ISC West. Russo was born in Darien, Conn., and studied at Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1969. HELD IN 2005 AT: Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. BEST YEAR: Every year. BECAUSE: "We continue to grow at a healthy pace." BEST POTENTIAL OVERSEAS MARKET FOR THE SHOW: "We just launched an ISC in Brazil and are seeking opportunities elsewhere around the world." DEFINING MOMENT: Sept. 11, 2001. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "We respond to our customers' needs and stay ahead of the trends that affect the industry." WHO EXHIBITS: Manufacturers of security equipment and products, and security service, dealer and installation companies.
Trade: JLC LIVE Residential Construction Show* — New England"JLC LIVE has some unique hands-on training events that are free on the showfloor. That keeps attendees coming back every year." —Lindsay Roberts
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1995. HELD IN 2005 IN: The Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: Of "an outstanding attendee-to-exhibitor ratio, well above the industry standard, that keeps exhibitors coming back." STROKE OF GENIUS: Convincing a fire marshal to allow 7-foot aisles at the show to allow for another full aisle of booths. BEST POTENTIAL OVERSEAS MARKET FOR THE SHOW: "None, this is a regional event, and we have a lot of areas here in the United States that we would like to tackle." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 1995. BECAUSE: "JLC LIVE was a tiny event launched from a magazine. It is regional in nature and grows only by word of mouth." MOST FATEFUL MOMENT: Launching a fourth regional event. DEFINING MOMENT: "Being bought by Hanley Wood Exhibitions, which turned the event around completely through tradeshow expertise and good senior management." IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE: "I'd double the size of the Rhode Island Convention Center to grow our event and become a TSW Fastest 50 show again."
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
LINDSAY ROBERTS, show manager of JLC LIVE Residential Construction Show — New England for Hanley Wood Exhibitions, would be a psychologist if she wasn't a show manager. And don't ask Roberts about her most profitable tradeshow idea. She's already said to TSW, "If I told you, I'd have to kill you."
Consumer-Hybrid: KioskCom Las Vegas*"My best stroke of luck was having a cover story on kiosks and self-service appear in USA Today the morning the show opened (in 2004)." —Lawrence Dvorchik
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
The worst tradeshow idea LAWRENCE DVORCHIK ever had was "that it was a good idea to give exhibitors plenty of room between aisles. It made attendance appear scarcer." Dvorchik, JD Events' general manager for KioskCom's Self-Service Expos, was born in the Southeast (Gainesville, Fla.), migrated to the Northeast, where he went to college (Penn State University and New York's Fordham University) and now works (Scotch Plains, N.J.).
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1997. HELD IN 2005 IN: Las Vegas. STROKE OF LUCK: Having a cover story on kiosks and self-service appear in USA Today the morning the 2004 show opened. BEST YEAR: 2004. BECAUSE: Kiosks and self-service began to really take hold in the mainstream. MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2002. BECAUSE: It was several months after Sept. 11, 2001. DEFINING MOMENT: When the show attracted the interest of professional show organizers, such as JD Events. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "We do all we can to make sure our exhibitors and participants always have a good show."
Trade: MemoryTrends Trade Show*"In reality, I'm a magazine editor charged with creating an event that turned out to be the right event at the right time." —Bill Gardner
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 2000 in Las Vegas, where it's been held ever since. HELD IN 2006 AT: Sands Expo & Convention Center. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "We pay attention to the needs of both attendees and vendors." FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE: Leeza Gibbons. STROKE OF GENIUS: "Hiring a show management company (Universal Event Management) familiar with Las Vegas and its facilities." STROKE OF LUCK: "Having great people to work with." MOST SATISFYING MOMENT: Moving from a ballroom show at the Riviera to the Sands in 2003. BEST POTENTIAL OVERSEAS MARKET: Australia. BEST YEAR: 2005. BECAUSE: Record attendance, record number of exhibitors. MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2000. BECAUSE: "We were new and decided in April to put on a show in August of the same year." IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE: The hotels', unions' and contractors' rates. I'LL KNOW WE'RE SUCCESSFUL WHEN: "No one complains about anything."
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
BILL GARDNER is a journalist in show manager's clothing. As editorial director for Enthusiast Media, he produces not only MemoryTrends, but the recently launched magazine of the same name, and Craftrends magazine, which once headlined the show. Honest, open and down-to-earth, he'll tell you what he knows; not what he thinks you want to hear — which is why exhibitors keep coming back in the face of market conditions that are weeding out buyers.
Association: NATPESHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1981. HELD IN 2005 AT: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE AT THE SHOW: Elton John at New Orleans' Louisiana Superdome. STROKE OF GENIUS: Making the back of the hall the most desirable part of the showfloor. BEST YEAR: 2001. BECAUSE: Of the Internet boom and the strong economy. MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2002. BECAUSE: Of the effects of Sept. 11, 2001, and a downturn in business. WORST NIGHTMARE: "(If) the show opened and I was still at home." WHO ATTENDS: Anybody in the television business.
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
In his 20-plus years with the Natl. Assn. of Television Program Executives, NICK ORFANOPOULOS has seen the NATPE show evolve dramatically, most significantly because of industry consolidation. As the show's senior vice president for conference operations and sales, Orfanopoulos in recent years devised an exhibition system that provided for maximum efficiency in floor space, turnkey booth packages, hospitality suites and function space. Born in Greece, he said his favorite cities to hold a tradeshow are NATPE's current home of Las Vegas and New Orleans, a former show location.
Trade: Natural Products Expo West/Supply Expo"Health and the environment are drawing national attention, and most everyone needs to offer an alternative product." —Sandy Voss
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
SANDY VOSS , tradeshow director of Natural Products Expo West/Supply Expo for New Hope Natural Media, is in her element. Educated at Iowa State University, the Woodstock, Ill., native said she would be a professional gardener or environmental activist if she weren't busy bringing together buyers and sellers of natural products. Voss remembers the days when everyone in her field was thought to be a Birkenstock-wearing tree-hugger, but that changed around 2003, the year "the mass market, large-scale, mainstream community came in droves" to the show.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1981. HELD: Every year in Anaheim. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: 2003–2005 was "a period in our industry of growth and expansion, in addition to our group fine-tuning skills in audience development and relationship-building sales." STROKE OF GENIUS: "For our team, branding Supply Expo — the whole package, exhibits, content and events. We had always been involving the ingredient side of the business, but had not done an effective job creating and supporting the community at the event." STROKE OF LUCK: "Working for a company that is passionate and committed to the industry it serves ... and having the industry represent core values of my own." BEST YEAR: 2006. BECAUSE: "We had a record-breaking year ... on both exhibitor and attendee sides." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2002. BECAUSE: "We felt the downturn of the economy, the effects on business travel, etc." IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE: "Unions, lighten up on the rules. Hotels, build some exhibit space." I'LL KNOW WE'RE SUCCESSFUL WHEN: "We move registration out of the convention center and our community still experiences the energy and intimacy of the industry as a whole, in addition to their specific segment."
Association: New England Grows!"We've nurtured a face-to-face marketing opportunity that's got meaning in an industry filled with good people." —M. Virginia Wood
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
Although M. VIRGINIA WOOD, executive director of New England Grows!, hails from Rochester, N.Y., and went to college in Ohio (Ohio Wesleyan University, to be specific), she's pretty much all about New England. Boston, the site of her show and a stone's throw from her office, is — not surprisingly — her favorite place to hold a tradeshow. Wood is quick to point out that she didn't grow her show single-handedly, as she had the stroke of genius to hire Mary Simard, conference and tradeshow director.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: Boston in 1993, "as a combined effort between the landscape contractors, wholesale nursery growers, arborists and retail garden center organizations that had been meeting independently for years — some as far back as 1912." HELD IN 2006 AT: Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. WORST NIGHTMARE: "We don't like to talk about snowstorms at New England Grows! In fact, snow is considered a four-letter word in our office." DEFINING MOMENT: "The day we opened the doors in Boston on Feb. 1, 1993, and 4,000 people showed up." (This year, 14,275 people attended the show.) BEST YEAR: 2005. BECAUSE: "We took a gigantic leap of faith and moved New England Grows! from the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center to the newly opened Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. It was a pivotal experience for everyone involved." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2005. BECAUSE: "There were a few kinks yet to work out." FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE: Roger Cook, landscape contractor who appears on TV's "This Old House." "Roger is an active member of New England's horticulture community, and he's been in the trenches with us from the start as both a volunteer and an elected leader."
Trade: Oil Sands Trade Show and Conference*"Canada has one of the largest deposits of oil sands in the world and, because we are a very safe country to work in, we have had a lot of attention placed on the exhibition and conference." —Wes Scott
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
WES SCOTT grew up in Alberta, the site of the world's largest deposit of oil sands which, thanks to advancing technology, puts him and his show right at center stage of today's robust global oil industry. Plus, he claimed, the tradeshow business is "an addiction!"
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1994. HELD IN 2006 AT: Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. WHO ATTENDS: Oil producers. WHO EXHIBITS: Petroleum service providers. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "Of higher oil prices and better technology. The extraction of oil from oil sands is now very economical." BEST YEAR: 2005. BECAUSE: "The attention of the world was on Canada's huge reserve of oil sands deposits." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 1999. BECAUSE: "The show was a bit ahead of its time, and the development of oil sands was not entirely economical in the early days." WORST NIGHTMARE: "It actually just happened in 2006. The facility we hosted this show at was under construction. Four days before the show we thought (we) might have to cancel." IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING: "We turn down visitors and exhibitors because there are not enough hotels in the city." FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE: "In 2005 we invited Ron James, a Canadian comedian, to entertain during our reception. He was an excellent addition to our event."
Association: PACK EXPO Las Vegas*MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
Hmmm, let's see if we can figure this one out: JIM PITTAS was born in Elgin, Ill. (a suburb of Chicago), grew up there, and studied at Roosevelt University, also in the Windy City. So, what would you guess his favorite place to hold a tradeshow is? It's a no-brainer: "Chica-go, Illinois, my home- town," he said. But if you pegged him for someone who wants to stick close to home forever, guess again. He said he'd like to retire on the South Carolina coast.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1995. HELD IN 2005 AT: Las Vegas Convention Center. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "The show's exhibitors continue to meet marketplace demand for new and innovative packaging solutions." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2001. BECAUSE: "The show dates were Sept. 10–12. The show remained open following the attacks, observing a moment of silence, providing TV screens in the lobby for participants to follow the news and organizing a prayer service for the victims. The decision to remain open during one of the most tragic events in U.S. history was a difficult one, but remaining open was ultimately considered positive because it allowed 20,000-plus people in town for the show to have other people to react to the news with." BEST YEAR: 2003 (the next show, since it's biennial). BECAUSE: "Despite the previous show, we achieved a 90-percent exhibitor renewal rate and set new highs in visitor attendance, including a 50-percent increase in international attendance."
Consumer-Hybrid: Pennsylvania RV & Camping Show*MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
Pennsylvania Recreational Vehicle & Camping Assn. Executive Vice President Rebecca Lenington
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1967. HELD IN 2006 IN: Hershey, Pa. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: Of huge demand for recreational vehicles and the move in 2004 to a much larger venue. WHO EXHIBITS: Manufacturers and suppliers of recreation vehicles and campgrounds. WHO ATTENDS: RV dealers, campground operators and prospective RV owners.
Trade: Performance Racing Industry Trade Show"The annual PRI Trade Show is the meeting place for members of the dynamic hardcore worldwide racing industry." —Steve Lewis
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
STEVE LEWIS , producer of VNU Exhibitions' Performance Racing Industry Trade Show, is a California native. He and his team are just as proud of the profitable Action Sports Retailer and Out-door Retailer shows as they are of PRI, but the racing show's the one whose popularity is growing at a meteoric pace. Although the show and its previous location, Indian- apolis, were a natural fit, Lewis had to move it to Orlando last year because it outgrew the Indianapolis Convention Center.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1988 in Louisville, Ky., with 169 exhibitors. HELD IN 2006 AT: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "The racing industry has been on a dramatic growth curve these last few years. The trade event is basically a mirror image of the industry it represents. Each year since the very first show we have recorded an increase in exhibit sales and attendance." WHO ATTENDS: Everyone involved with the racing business. FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE: Superstar drivers John Force and Tony Stewart. STROKE OF GENIUS: Hiring famous racer and engine builder Smokey Yunick as a business consultant. "Smokey gave us great insight as to the thinking and market behavior of the primary audience we service." STROKE OF LUCK: Bringing the show to Indianapolis (home of the Indianapolis 500). As a result, "we had a tremendous growth surge in booth sales as well as attendance for a 7-year run. We had to move the show to Orlando in 2005 because it outgrew the Indianapolis Convention Center." MOST SATISFYING MOMENT: "When we opened the doors for the first time last year in Orlando. This was a major move to bring the PRI Trade Show so far south and out of the attendance sweet spot we enjoyed in Indianapolis. The doors opened, and the throngs of buyers came in at such a terrific rate the convention center had to adjust the escalators so they all went in the down mode so the lobby could be cleared." BEST POTENTIAL OVERSEAS MARKET FOR THE SHOW: Germany.
Trade: The PPAI Expo"We reach peripheral markets, and our event engages members and creates great experiences." —Darel Cook
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
DAREL COOK , director of expositions and meetings, Promotional Products Assn. Intl., was born in Fort Sill, Okla., but got out as quick as he could: three days later. "We moved to San Antonio, and I am definitely a Texan. I graduated from Texas Tech and look forward someday to relaxing in the Texas Hill Country."
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1914. HELD IN 2006 AT: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "We reach peripheral markets, and our event engages members and creates great experiences." BEST YEAR: 2003. BECAUSE: "We decided to move to Mandalay Bay nine months out from the event, to a building under construction with a staff of limited experience. The show grew 37 percent in attendance, and we re-established it." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2002. BECAUSE: Post-Sept. 11, a weak show and a mature market. EXHIBITOR I'D MOST LIKE TO BE STRANDED IN A SNOWSTORM WITH: Any of the customized wine bottle producers. FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE AT THE SHOW: Cal Ripkin Jr. STROKE OF GENIUS: "Bringing in experienced tradeshow people from my days at Miller Freeman." STROKE OF LUCK: "Having my mentor available for contract work when we decided to move (from Dallas) to Las Vegas." MOST FATEFUL MOMENT FOR THE SHOW: April 17, 2002. "We decided to move to Mandalay Bay." DEFINING MOMENT: Jan. 14, 2003, 9:30 a.m. "Opening day for our 'new' event. The lobbies were packed." WE'LL KNOW WE'RE SUCCESSFUL WHEN: "We don't have to produce marketing pieces."
Trade: Premiere Orlando*"We provide the best guest experience to all attendees and exhibitors that participate in our event." —Howard Britt
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
HOWARD BRITT , president of the Premiere Show Group, found his way from Glasgow, Ky. through Ohio University to the beauty show business. He did it, he said, by building and keeping close relationships with all his exhibitors. Although he claims he's got the perfect job, he knows that if he were going to do something else, it would probably be in sales.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1994. HELD IN 2006 IN: Orlando. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "We provide the best guest experience to all attendees and exhibitors that participate in our event." BEST YEAR: 2006. BECAUSE: "Every year we build upon last year's experience." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 1996. BECAUSE: "We didn't anticipate the show would double in size, and we were caught a bit off guard." EXHIBITOR I'D MOST LIKE TO BE STRANDED WITH: "Whichever one has the biggest and most powerful snowmobile." WHO ATTENDS: "Any beauty industry professional who strives to be the best in what they do and rise above their competition." FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE AT THE SHOW: Nick Arrojo from "What Not to Wear". WORST NIGHTMARE: "That Florida's infamous hurricane season will interfere with the show." IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE: "Exclusives, and that encompasses a lot of different areas." STROKE OF GENIUS: "Being able to keep quality staff. That's probably the smartest thing I've done." STROKE OF LUCK: "That the Orlando market was open for this event." DEFINING MOMENT: "Moving the event from a hotel to the convention center." BEST POTENTIAL OVERSEAS MARKET FOR THE SHOW: Australia. WE'LL KNOW WE'RE SUCCESSFUL WHEN: "All the exhibitor contracts come in without us having to place calls for any of them."
Association: Sunbelt Builders Show"Who doesn't want to attend the Sunbelt Builders Show?" —Kristi Sutterfield
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
KRISTI SUTTERFIELD runs the Sunbelt Builders Show as part of her job as executive director of the Texas Assn. of Builders. She was born in Dallas, lives and works in Austin, studied at Texas A&M University, claims she'd be a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader if she couldn't be a show manager, and dreams of the blue skies and green grass of the Texas Hill Country.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 2000. HELD IN 2006 AT: Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "We have approached our show with an entrepreneurial attitude of thinking outside the box while examining successful components of other tradeshows." BEST YEAR: 2005. BECAUSE: "We began to see the results of years' worth of initiatives paying off. Now it's very hip and 21st century!" MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2000. BECAUSE: "We were in San Antonio during the heat of the summer, and to get to our exhibits you had to walk through the dog show." WHO ATTENDS: "Who doesn't want to attend the Sunbelt Builders Show?" FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE AT THE SHOW: Texas Gov. Rick Perry in 2004. IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE: "That the hotel be more of a partner with the show." STROKE OF GENIUS: Partnering with the Natl. Assn. of Home Builders and moving the tradeshow to an exceptional self-contained hotel-convention center that has great ambiance. STROKE OF LUCK: "Assembling a group of volunteers and staff that had virtually no tradeshow experience, but who were committed to the vision of creating the best event." WE KNOW WE'LL BE SUCCESSFUL WHEN: "We outgrow the Gaylord Texan, and every exhibitor wants to be a sponsor."
Association: SHOT Show*MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
JIM BUCKLEY , vice president and show manager, doesn't lie awake wondering why he made such a terrible decision about the SHOT Show — because he hasn't made one. When asked what his worst show idea was, he said, "Haven't had it ... yet." He said his current role was not only his dream job, but that he also didn't have another profession in mind he'd rather be doing.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1979. HELD IN 2006 IN: Las Vegas. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "We add new product segments to keep the show fresh." BEST YEAR: 2006. BECAUSE: "It was our best attended and largest event." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2001. BECAUSE: "We were in a city (New Orleans) where the mayor sued the industry." FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE AT A SHOW: "I don't have a favorite, but we have had Charlton Heston, Tom Selleck, John Ratzenburger, LeeAnn Rimes, Travis Tritt, Lee Ann Womack and Dwight Yoakam."
Trade: SURTEX"SURTEX is the only show in North America for original art and design." —Rita Malek
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
RITA MALEK was George Little Management's show manager for SURTEX during the years it is being recognized as a TSW Fastest 50 winner. (Gina DeLuca does the job now.) Malek, with GLM since 1994, is currently show manager for the New York Home Textiles Show and Ex•Tracts: New discoveries in beauty and wellness, and sales manager for Global Home Textiles.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1986. HELD IN 2005 IN: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: It "is the only show in North America for original art and design, and has continued to grow by providing the newest and best color, texture and design trends in the art and design industry." STROKE OF GENIUS: Coining the term "SURTEX on Stage." WHO ATTENDS: Private label retailers, interior designers and manufacturers of home furnishings, apparel, gifts, greeting cards and paper products. WHO EXHIBITS: Surface and textile designers.
Trade: TEAMS Conference & Expo*MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
LISA FURFINE is associate publisher of Schneider Publishing. This is the third year she's brought TEAMS in as a winner. Along with TEAMS, Furfine is also involved with SportsTravel magazine. Her second career choice would be a left-handed major league pitcher.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1998. HELD IN 2006 IN: Las Vegas. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "Of our obsession with delivering value to sponsors, exhibitors and attendees." BEST YEAR: 2006. BECAUSE: Of record attendance. WHO EXHIBITS: The meetings and hospitality industry. FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE AT THE SHOW: Bob Costas. STROKE OF LUCK: "Having Florida Power and Light workers staying in our headquarters hotel during TEAMS 2005, one week after Hurricane Wilma." MOST FATEFUL MOMENT: "Having a successful show despite Hurricane Wilma." DEFINING MOMENT: "Not knowing everyone in attendance." WE'LL KNOW WE'RE SUCCESSFUL WHEN: "We win the TSW Fastest 50 for the fourth consecutive year."
Consumer-Hybrid: Topeka Boat & Outdoor Show"Cat Daddy is a catfish fisherman from the Midwest. He can tell a fishing story unlike anyone else I have ever met."—Kevin Hummer
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
KEVIN HUMMER, CEO of RJ Promotions, knows boat shows, flower shows — even log home shows. He's got 20 of them on his calendar each year spread all the way from Sarasota, Fla., to Wichita, Kan., to Sandy, Utah. And though he admits "every show is dynamically different with different challenges (including the perhaps misguided launch of the onetime UFO Abduction Show)," he seems to have a system down pat. "My dream job is to be exactly where I am now, working with top industry professionals putting on shows all over the United States."
HELD IN 2006 IN: Topeka, Kan. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "When we purchased the show in 2000, exhibitors were eager for a change. We were anxious for the challenge. We changed the floor plan to make room for 10′×10′ exhibit spaces, which immediately improved exhibitor relations." FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE: "Cat Daddy is a catfish fisherman from the Midwest. He can tell a fishing story unlike anyone else I have ever met." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2003. BECAUSE: "The show was hit with a major snow storm. Topeka was covered in five to eight inches of snow. The entire city stopped for the weekend." WHO ATTENDS: "Men are more likely to attend the show, but men attending with their wives are more likely to make a large purchase." WORST NIGHTMARE: "We had a live shark encounter one year. Talk about a fish story." IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING: "Hotels do not take a proactive role with consumer shows. They focus on heads on beds for tradeshows." STROKE OF GENIUS: "Investing in the boat show. I was looking at other investment opportunities at the same time as well, and I am glad I went with my instinct."
Trade: Spring and Fall VON*MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
SCOTT KARGMAN'S a New Yorker born and bred, but he said his favorite tradeshow city is San Jose, Calif. He's currently in his dream job as CFO and COO of pulvermedia (which owns the VON shows). Not everything, though, has been smooth sailing. His worst tradeshow idea was agreeing to do a show in China shortly after the government announced a ban on all VoIP products. "Luckily, they have relaxed these restrictions since then," he said.
SHOWS LAUNCHED IN: 1997. HELD IN 2006 AT: Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (fall), San Jose McEnery Convention Center (Calif.) (spring). A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOWS BECAUSE: "Our community represents one of the strongest technology sectors worldwide and VON represents the industry with its close ties to the community." BEST YEAR: 2004. BECAUSE: "Voice over IP technology was accepted as the real deal, not just a what-if technology. Our show was on the rise again following a tough couple of years." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2002. BECAUSE: "Combination of factors: a new owner who didn't understand the real idiosyncrasies of the community that Jeff Pulver built and the fallout from the attacks of Sept. 11 on corporate travel." FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE AT THE SHOW: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. STROKE OF GENIUS: "Architecting the repurchase of our VON brand in January 2003." MOST FATEFUL MOMENT: "Jeff buying the company back from Key3Media in January 2003 and being able to capitalize on the real growth wave about to happen."
Trade: World Tea Expo"As the local police where I grew up can tell you, I never did respond well to being told I couldn't do something."—George Jage
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
With the idea of World Tea Expo (then called "Take Me to Tea Expo") still brewing, GEORGE JAGE, president of the show, was sitting at a bar in Canada with one of the largest tea importers in the world. The fellow told Jage that he liked the youngster, and didn't want to see him waste time and money creating a show that wouldn't work. If Jage weren't already determined to make his tea expo a success, that comment would have been enough to make the Chicago native, tea connoisseur and son of an exhibition producer do anything to prove the importer wrong. And he has.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: March 2003. HELD IN 2006 AT: Hilton Las Vegas. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "Fifty percent smart luck; 50 percent dumb luck." MOST SATISFYING MOMENT: "The first day of the first show. Nobody knew what to expect (including me)." BEST POTENTIAL OVERSEAS MARKET: Dubai, United Arab Emirates. BEST YEAR: 2006. BECAUSE: Of a 60-percent increase in attendance, "primarily due to the rebranding of the event." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: 2004. BECAUSE: "I tried to run before I could walk and launched a second show in 2004. It hurt sales for the primary event the following year." EXHIBITOR I'D MOST LIKE TO BE STRANDED IN A SNOWSTORM WITH: "I moved from Milwaukee to Las Vegas, so I don't have to answer this question." IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE: "More positive interaction between contracted workers and our customers."
Association: WRLA Prairie Showcase Trade Show & Convention"Our first show, more of a convention really, was in the early 1900s, on a train from Winnipeg to Vancouver."—Caren Kelly
MEET THE SHOW MANAGER
CAREN KELLY is manager of marketing and tradeshows for the Western Retail Lumber Assn., and does considerably more than just run a hardware tradeshow. Kelly is also editor of a bi-monthly industry magazine, the YardStick and an e-newsletter, The Tool-Box, as well as Web mistress for the lumber association and its art director. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, has been very good for her shows, but if she had her way, she'd be producing and managing shows in a warmer climate.
SHOW LAUNCHED IN: 1990. HELD IN 2006 IN: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. FOCUS: The Canadian lumber, building materials and hard goods industry on the prairies. A TSW FASTEST 50 SHOW BECAUSE: "Of the continued support from our members in the building supply industry and the hard work of the tradeshow committee." BEST YEAR: The most recent one. BECAUSE: "Each year we learn what works and what doesn't, and we only get better." MOST CHALLENGING YEAR: Probably the first one in 1990. EXHIBITOR I'D MOST LIKE TO BE STRANDED WITH: iLevel by Weyer-haeuser, because they have popcorn and drinks. FAVORITE CELEBRITY APPEARANCE AT THE SHOW: Country band Doc Walker. IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE: Faster elevators in the host hotel. STROKE OF GENIUS: Adding more booth space and selling it. STROKE OF LUCK: Meeting the executive director of the WRLA and being offered this position. WORST NIGHTMARE: Hiring a bus shuttle service that didn't know the host city. MOST FATEFUL MOMENT: "Freezing rainstorm the opening day of the show. But it only slowed down our attendees; it didn't stop them from coming." BEST POTENTIAL OVERSEAS MARKET FOR THE SHOW: "A tropical island."
* Multiple-year winner
