Champion Opens Orlando Office

Champion Exposition Services has opened a new office in Orlando – a 60,000 square foot facility that will serve as its operations headquarters for all the events it services throughout Florida and as home to its Florida-based sales team.

That team will include Beth Heffernan-Monaco, who recently joined Champion as director of sales and previously worked for GES Exposition Services.

Matt Landry, Champion spokesman, said the company previously had a lower-profile presence in the area. “For larger-scale events, we relied on production and logistical support from our Atlanta office,” he said. “This new facility will enable us to handle everything locally in Florida. This will allow us to build on what is a rapidly growing market for our company.”

The move is one of many steps Champion will take this year to strengthen its presence in Orlando and Florida, according to Champion General Manager Jim Audie. He said the company aims to expand its working relationships with providers throughout the tradeshow industry, especially the large number of hotel and hospitality providers in the Orlando area.

Champion began its presence in Orlando almost a year ago, when the company joined with George E. Fern to purchase Audie's general contracting company, The Audie Group. Audie assumed his role with Champion after the sale.

Landry noted that Heffernan-Monaco is the only new hire in Orlando so far, but the company has aggressive plans to add more personnel for the new office during the coming months.

Heffernan-Monaco has more than 17 years in the convention and tradeshow industry, with such organizations as Atlanta's Georgia World Congress Center, the 1996 Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games and GES. She is education chair for the Florida Chapter of the Intl. Assn. of Exhibitions and Events.