That Special Book in My Life

Book collection

The books I could read over and over again is Stephen King's It and The Stand. Both have great characters and great descriptive language.

TradeshowLogistics nominated for EACA 2010 Intrepid Award

ATLANTA — TradeshowLogistics, a creator of show management solutions, has been announced as a nominee for the 2010 Intrepid Award presented by EACA.

EACA annually presents its Intrepid Award to an individual, organization or consortium that has made great contributions to the cause of customer service in the trade show industry. The EACA Intrepid also recognizes the quality of character combining courage and staying power. 

TradeshowLogistics and its president, B.J. Enright, were nominated for efforts that embrace the service contributions of the EAC community, delivery of full transparency of show floor costs and expenditures to show organizers, and for creating solutions that reduce the cost of material handling. TradeshowLogistics’ consultative services include:

• The TL Open Floor Concept addresses the needs of the show organizer while enabling exhibitors to control costs through fully transparent service offerings.
• The TL Operational Cost Analysis enables show organizers to view an itemized show floor service and equipment budget on a live spreadsheet (actual costs without markups or cost shifting) then use this information to set the rates for equipment and services provided to exhibitors through the contractor of their choice.

Other Intrepid finalists are: David Causton of the MPEA, Amanda Helgemoe of Nuvista, Bob Lessin, Business Rep., Local 831 and Sue Huff of Medtronic. “We are honored. It feels great to have your contributions listed among others who have made such valuable contributions to our industry,” says Enright. EACA members vote for the winner, which will be announced on Tuesday, July 13 at the EACA Annual Conference Awards Luncheon in Boston.

Hot Dog Havoc: Chestnut Downs 54; Kobayashi Busted

Champ successfully defends title before key rival is dragged off stage.

It was hot, it was sweaty, it was gross -- and in the end, it wasn't even close.

From the moment the clock started its 10-minute countdown, Joey Chestnut ran away from the rest of the field of 16 competitors and won his fourth consecutive Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y.

[READ MORE from ABC news]

More Photos

From the moment the clock started its 10-minute countdown, Joey Chestnut ran away from the rest of the field of 16 competitors and won his fourth consecutive Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/w_DietAndFitness/hot-dog-havoc-joey-chestnut-downs-54-wieners/story?id=11086481

If I Had Unlimited Resources, I Would not be spending my time writing a blog.

With unlimited powers comes great responsibility and I would create a business that would employ a lot of people and help a few people I know and perhaps do not know. If I could clean up the Gulf of Mexico I certainly would. I then live there a few months out of the year.

Experient Assists Clients with Relocation after Nashville Flooding

TWINSBURG, Ohio — As historic flooding of the Cumberland River leaves Nashville and other middle Tennessee areas reeling since the May 3 inundation, Experient, the source for integrated meeting and event solutions, has been hard at work assisting its clients whose events are affected.

Among the events impacted by flooding is the Romance Writers of America's 2,000-person Annual Conference, scheduled for July 27 to 31 at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

With Opryland's beautiful indoor atriums slowly draining from ten feet of water and the venue closed for the next 90 days to assess the flood damage, Experient stepped up to assist RWA with relocation.

Linda Walter, CMP, strategic account manager with the Experient St. Louis office, immediately began the search for a facility suitable for RWA's event.  Within 48 hours, Walter researched and negotiated a contract with the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, and the document was signed by mid-afternoon May 5.

According to Allison Kelley, CAE, executive director of RWA, "the deal we got would not have been possible without our relationship with Experient.  Once other groups received notice of cancellation from the Opryland Hotel, there was frenzy to book rooms elsewhere.  Not counting the hotels in Las Vegas, there are less than 30 hotels [in the U.S.] that have adequate meeting space and the double rooms we need.  Linda Walter has been working around the clock, and with her help and the fact that Experient has a standard contract already in place with the Swan Dolphin, the deal was easily done."

"The team at Gaylord Opryland should be commended for their pro-active approach to helping groups make the move as seamless as possible for the attendees and exhibitors," said Gary Schirmacher, Experient senior vice president, strategic account services. "The focused work that both the Gaylord Opryland and the Walt Disney World Swan/Dolphin team did for RWA allowed us to get the deal done very quickly, which greatly helped attendees who were anxiously waiting for the announcement of where the conference would go.  High levels of communication between all parties were essential in this process being so efficient."

Excellence Awards Winners Announced at KioskCom in Las Vegas

Excellence Awards Winners Announced at KioskCom in Las Vegas

Companies Receive National Recognition for Innovation in the Self-Service Industry

 

LAS VEGAS, NV (April 14, 2010) – KioskCom Self Service Expo and The Digital Signage Show have opened yet another successful conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.  Welcoming thousands of qualified buyers and more than 200 exhibitors, this year's event proved that more and more end-users are seeing the value customer engagement technology initiatives.

 

The event closed its first day with one of its most highly anticipated features, the official Self Service Excellence Awards presentation ceremony.  The awards are unique to the industry for their primary focus on both deployers and technology providers. Industry excellence was recognized in seven different categories, and also announced was the Overall Winner and Deployer of the Year.  The 2010 winners include:

 

·         Category: Best Retail Deployment: 
The Tire Information Center Interactive Kiosk, submitted by: Saitech International 

 

·         Category: Best Travel/Hospitality Deployment: 
US Airways Extends Self-Check-In to the Curb, submitted by: NCR Corporation

 

·         Category:  Best Entertainment/Gaming Deployment:  
AT&T Experience Kiosk Project, submitted by: KioWare Kiosk Software

·         Category: Best Healthcare Deployment:  
Fujitsu America / Allscripts - Med-Serv™ 50 Patient Kiosk Solution, submitted by: KIOSK Information Systems and Fujitsu America, Inc.

·         Category: Best Other Industry Deployment:  
Greenopolis Recycling Kiosk/Waste Management, submitted by: Nanonation

·         Category: Best Overall Software Solution:  
AT&T Experience Kiosk Project, submitted by: KioWare Kiosk Software

 

·         Category: Best Hardware/Enclosure Design:  
Ecast IQ™: Enclosure for Interactive Media Solutions, submitted by: Ecast
`

·         Industry Deployer of the Year:

Chuck Simmers from Amtrak

 

 

Waste Management's Greenopolis Recycling Kiosk, submitted by Nanonation, took the Best of Show prize scoring the highest of all the winning entries. 

 

Entries were received from a host of sources nationwide and were judged solely on their own merit with winners not being limited to event exhibitors. The categories within the KioskCom Self Service Excellence Awards were judged by a panel of seasoned professionals representing firms that have deployed self-service technology, analyst firms, associations and media.

 

"These award winners are a prime example of the innovation that continues to come out of our industry," said Lawrence Dvorchik, General Manager for KioskCom.  "All of the entries we received exemplified how effective self service and other customer-engaging technologies can be and the ROI they bring to businesses across a variety industries and specialty areas."

 

Named by Tradeshow Week as one of the 50 Fastest Growing Trade Shows in North America three times, KioskCom Self Service Expo has continued its reputation as the most critical, strategic, largest and longest running conference and tradeshow for kiosks and self service media and technology, worldwide.  The expo has maintained more than a decade of success by delivering critical content and strategies to ensure deployment success directly from end-user companies that utilize these technologies within their organizations.

 

Building on their success, JD Events recently announced that KioskCom and The Digital Signage Show will converge to become Customer Engagement Technology World.  Beginning November 2010 in New York, this evolution will shine a spotlight on the expanding role of customer engagement in business success and improved ROI, addressing topics that are more reflective of what the industry has become and where it is going.

 

Customer Engagement Technology World will fuse the best resources and education tools KioskCom Self Service Expo and The Digital Signage Show have to offer with new, innovative features added to an already impressive mix of sessions and reasons to continue exploring the strategies and content solutions that create successful customer engagement.

 

For more information about KioskCom Self Service Expo's spring or fall shows, please visit: http://www.kioskcom.com. 

 

For more information on The Digital Signage Show's spring or fall shows, please visit: http://www.thedigitalsignageshow.com.

 

Follow us on Twitter: @KioskCom & @DigitalSignShow 

Connect with us on LinkedIn 

 

About JD Events

JD Events is dedicated to the creation of targeted and innovative industry-leading events that deliver results. The company brings together highly qualified buying audiences, education-rich content and high-level networking opportunities -- all geared toward increasing business transactions in the markets it serves. For more information on JD Events, visit http://www.jdevents.com or contact Joel Davis at joel@jdevents.com.

 

Tradeshow Week ceases publishing

LAS VEGAS — I have in my possession the last issue of Tradeshow Week. It was in today’s mail.

On Friday it was announced that the magazine is shutting down. I read the news on my iPhone on Sunday afternoon while watching The Apprentice. I often catch up on news while watching television by going through my various iPhone Apps and bookmarks. Tradeshow Week happens to be one of the mobile bookmarks I check on a regular basis.

By now most trade show industry insiders are aware of this somewhat shocking news.

For the record, it was announced on April 16 that Tradeshow Week is no longer publishing any additional print issues and that its Web site will close on April 30. Its parent company, Reed Elsevier, announced almost a year ago, in July 2009, its intentions to substantially exit its Reed Business Information-U.S. publishing business, while retaining some specific businesses.

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NAB Show Draws Big Numbers

News from Tradeshow week…

LAS VEGAS — The NAB Show drew 88,044 attendees to the April 10-15 show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, compared with 82,650 last year, a 6-percent increase, according to the Natl. Assn. of Broadcasters. "Content professionals from across the globe turned out in force at The NAB Show, and we're delighted by the extraordinarily positive feedback from both attendees and exhibitors," said NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton.

BlogWorld signs deal with Hanley Wood Exhibitions

DALLAS — Hanley Wood Exhibitions and BlogWorld & New Media Expo today signed a partnership agreement at MTO Summit in Chicago whereby HWE will assume management responsibilities of the BlogWorld & New Media Expo event, beginning with the show scheduled for October 14-16, 2010 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV.
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Crowne Plaza Chicago renovates ballroom

ROSEMONT, Ill. (PRWEB) March 18, 2010 — The Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel & Conference Center, 5440 N. River Rd., has taken another step toward total transformation with the opening earlier this month of the remodeled O’Hare International Ballroom.

In conjunction with the new ballroom opening, anyone who books an event at the hotel through June 30 will receive 10 percent off the total bill, according to Patty Connolly, Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare general manager.

The 23,500-square-foot ballroom — one of the largest column-free rooms in the O’Hare area – has new high-end décor with state-of-the-art LED chandeliers and finishes mirroring the property’s recently renovated guest rooms and suites. [READ MORE]

Travelocity named official travel Partner of Vegas Uncork’d

Tickets on sale now for epicurean extravaganza, May 6-9.

LAS VEGAS — Vegas Uncork’d Presented by Bon Appétit, the four-day culinary extravaganza held each Mother’s Day weekend that celebrates Las Vegas as the most exciting culinary destination in the world, announces it has teamed up with travel industry leader Travelocity as its official travel partner for the third year in a row.

Vegas Uncork'd presented by Bon Appétit features a roster of Las Vegas' top culinary talent and is made possible by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and its participating anchor resorts: Bellagio, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Wynn | Encore Las Vegas, joined this year by associate partner The Venetian | The Palazzo.

[READ MORE]

San Diego Convention Center Secures Land for Expansion

SAN DIEGO— After more than 18 months of review, the Unified Port of San Diego authorized the transfer of six acres of land from Fifth Avenue Landing to the San Diego Convention Center Corp. (SDCCC), opening the door for an expansion of the San Diego Convention Center. The expansion calls for the addition of 200,000 square feet of exhibit space, 100,000 square feet of meetings rooms, 80,000 square feet of multi-purpose ballrooms and 40,000 square feet of bay-front retail space. The overall gross square footage of the expansion totals 1,266,719 square feet.

The expansion cost, including a proposed pedestrian bridge linking Fourth Avenue with the waterfront, is estimated at $752.7 million.

“This is a major milestone in our efforts to expand this regional economic engine…,” says Bob Nelson, Chairman of the SDCCC Board of Directors. “As our recent efforts to secure future bookings of Comic-Con International demonstrates, we need more space to keep our most valued clients and ensure San Diego remains a top choice for conventions into the next several decades.”

News from Ohio…

Experient honors its Top Suppliers of the Year

Award recipients recognized at Experient annual conference

TWINSBURG, Ohio — Experient, the source for integrated meeting and event solutions, recognized its top supplier partners during the Experient EnVision annual conference in Ft. Worth, Texas March 10-13.

Supplier of the Year awards recognize the best of the best of Experient partners each year and are an opportunity for Experient to honor those suppliers who demonstrate outstanding character and integrity, provide innovative ideas and solutions, and maintain high quality customer service.

"It takes great partners to help our team achieve new heights,” said Scott Durkin, Experient vice president of partner development, “and these suppliers are at the top of their class.”

Suppliers of the year are Beverly Anderson, associate director of events, Hilton Anatole; Cindy Goldberg, national sales manager, Harrah’s Entertainment; and Christian Schmidt, national sales manager, VAE.

[READ MORE]

Double Decks Unlimited to Close after 14 Years in Business

This is a surprising item posted on the Exhibitor Web site…


Double Decks Unlimited, Inc. has decided to close their doors after 14 years in business. "Our rental inventory has kept us afloat for the last few years but without the balance of rentals and purchased decks we're forced to make this very difficult decision" said Lisa Campbell, President.

As a result, their entire rental inventory is now available for sale. This includes columns, beams, struts, joists, stairs, landings, guardrail, handrail and skids with castors.

"I want to thank all my friends and colleagues who have supported us over the years. Ellie and I will miss working with everyone, especially on the complicated projects we've been involved in. Creative designers have always kept us developing new construction solutions."

Double Decks Unlimited, Inc. will officially close on April 15, 2010. Future builds will be considered on a per project basis. The above e-mail address will be way to contact them after that date.

E-mail Lisa at  lisa@doubledecks.com  for details and a complete component list


Best of luck Lisa!

Exhibitors misled at Expo! Expo!

IAEE and The International Center for Exhibitor and Event Marketing admonish construct Data Publishers a.s. for improperly soliciting, misleading exhibitors

 

DALLAS, 24 March 2010 - The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and The International Center for Exhibitor and Event Marketing (The Center) have issued a warning to all members and exhibitors of Expo! Expo! IAEE's Annual Meeting & Exhibition after confirming indisputable evidence from several sources that Construct Data Publishers a.s. from Slovakia is actively and improperly soliciting exhibitors to participate in its fair guide "free listing."

The advertising solicitation is very cleverly composed and misleading. The offer is not a free listing at all but is an advertising order that if completed and signed, imposes a three-year-long advertising obligation costing the exhibitor several thousands of dollars.

IAEE President Steven Hacker, CAE, said, "IAEE vigorously condemns the activities of Construct Data Publishers a.s., and believes it constitutes an unfair infringement and improper intrusion into the business affairs of the IAEE. These illicit practices are confusing and detrimental to the business of IAEE and its members."

[READ ENTIRE STORY]

The Wienermobile

Have not seen this in years.

Travel Promotion Act is Now Law

Travel Promotion Act is Now Law

 

DALLAS - 4 March 2010 - President Obama signed the Travel Promotion Act today which represents an enormous victory for the exhibitions, meetings and travel industries. The legislation, led by the lobbying efforts of the U.S. Travel Association and dozens of supporting organizations, including IAEE, took almost three years to pass through Congress.

 

"All IAEE members who visited Washington D.C., who talked with, wrote and called their Congressional representatives and senators share in this important victory," says IAEE President Steven Hacker, CAE. "Working in tandem with our partners across the industry ensured that our messages were both heard and acted upon. It is now time to go about the work of recapturing international market share for the business travelers who are so important to our domestic trade shows and events."

 

In the last decade, the U.S. lost substantial ground in the global travel market to other nations. The economic loss to the nation is estimated to be in excess of billions. Now that the Travel Promotion Act is law, the U.S. will have a source of travel promotion support for the first time.

 

The Act creates a public-private Corporation for Travel Promotion that will be supervised by the U.S. Department of Commerce and will also interact with the Departments of State and Homeland Security. An 11-member board will be created representing a broad cross-section of interests that depend upon international travelers. An executive director will run the day-to-day operations of the corporation that will create marketing and communications programs designed to attract more international visitors.

 

No taxpayer dollars will be used to support the corporation. Funding will be provided by both a new fee that will be paid by foreign travelers who are exempt from paying U.S. visa fees and annual private sector contributions.

 

In a related matter, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) is currently conducting research with Oxford Economics to determine the extent of economic losses to U.S.-based exhibitions arising from the tardy processing or denial of U.S. visas to foreign nationals. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the impact has been substantial. Results of the ground-breaking research will provide additional tools with which to modify U.S. visa and entry policies, thus enabling more business travelers to attend exhibitions and similar events in the United States.

 

For more information about the Travel Promotion Act, visit www.ustravel.org.

Jastrem retires from post as GES President

Jastrem retires from post as GES President
Dykstra to lead GES while search is conducted

PHOENIX — Viad Corp announced that John Jastrem, president of Global Experience Specialists’ business unit, has stepped down from his post and will retire. Paul Dykstra, president, chairman and CEO of GES' parent company Viad will assume the role while a search for his replacement is conducted. The announcement was made on March 22.

Jastrem has led the company since July when he replaced former GES President and CEO Kevin Rabbitt.

"I would like to thank John for his years of service at Viad, first in leading a turnaround at Exhibitgroup/Giltspur and more recently in consolidating and rebranding GES and EG," Dykstra said. “We thank him for his leadership in this role and wish him all the best.”

Dykstra served as president and chief executive office of GES from 2000 to 2006 before being named presidend and chief executive office of parent company, Viad in 2006. Jastrem will be available to the company on a consulting basis to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

“It has been a great experience for me to lead the team in revitalizing the Exhibitgroup/Giltspur organization by installing a client-centric and winning culture,” Jastrem said. “I want to thank all of the employees across Viad who have worked so tirelessly over the past several months to create the combined GES organization and I wish them great success.”

Huffington Post: Alexander Haig, Former Secretary Of State, Dies

 

		Alexander Haig, Former Secretary Of State, Dies
	WASHINGTON — Former Secretary of State Alexander Haig, a four-star general who served as a top adviser to three presidents and had presidential ambitions of...

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Telecom show is canceled

Not so great news according to Trade Show Week…  The Telecommunications Industry Assn. and USTelecom Assn. recently announced their jointly owned show, Supercomm, is canceled again.

Association spokespeople confirmed that the show’s cancellation is due to management company Expocomm Events, a Reed Exhibitions and E.J. Krause & Associates partnership, opting not to manage the tradeshow this year because of financial projections.

The show, which recently took place Oct. 21-23 at McCormick Place under the management of Expocomm, was held for almost two decades before the two associations parted ways and held separate shows in 2006. They reunited the following year under the NXTcomm brand, and changed the name to Supercomm for last year’s show.

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