New Digs For Champion

Lisa Plummer -- Tradeshow Week, 1/18/2008 1:21:00 PM

While much of the business world is tightening belts in preparation for what experts say may be a tough year ahead, general service contracting companies in the tradeshow industry seem to be in expansion mode – at least in Las Vegas. 

Freeman and GES Exposition Services have both increased staff and created new positions at their Las Vegas offices, The Expo Group has expanded its local operation and Shepard Exposition Services opened a new Las Vegas facility last month. 

Not to be left behind, Champion Exposition Services is making its own moves in Vegas, opening a new office January 16. The new digs, in a high-rise on Howard Hughes Parkway, is minutes away from the heart of the Strip.

Todd Neely, Champion vice president of sales, believes the close proximity to the action not only puts the company physically closer to events, but also allows it to stay abreast of industry trends and news. He also said the location would be more convenient and accessible for clients.

The expansion was necessary in order for Champion to obtain a larger share of the growing Las Vegas market, Neely added. 

“The meeting industry in Las Vegas is growing, and the expansion of new properties with convention centers has grown immensely and will continue to grow with more plans of construction in the immediate future,” he said.

The new office is the headquarters for sales, administrative and executive divisions, while the 100,000 square foot West Sunset Road facility (which opened in 2002), will continue to handle design, construction, and warehousing. So far, three sales representatives, out of nine employees, are running the new location. Champion will add more staff this year as needed, Neely said. 

The Howard Hughes is the eighth Champion office in seven cities nationwide, with others in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Corporate headquarters are in Boston.

Champion opened its first Las Vegas office in 1998.