EACA offers viewers a comprehensive library of all the distributed Showfloor Buzz newsletters. Click on the title of the article to view it's contents.

Review All Articles > December 17th 2008 - Vol 11, Issue 48

EACA Showfloor Buzz

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

   This is the final issue of the Showfloor Buzz for 2008.   In recognition of the successful completion of another year of chronicling the issues of greatest interest to all EACA members, we thought we would offer a look back at some of the significant stories we covered in 2008.

The EACA wishes each and everyone of our members, and industry colleagues, a Happy Holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

The next issue of the Showfloor Buzz will be published on January 7, 2009.

EACA NEWS

Some of our key accomplishments this year included:
 
•    The EACA celebrated its 10th Anniversary on May 8, 2008, and produced its 10th Anniversary Member Directory.
   
•    The association added 25 new Annual members, and 17 new members who signed up as a “Show Only” membership to take advantage of the enhanced services of EACA’s online EAC registration system.

•    EACA was retained by the Orange County Convention Center to register all contractors that work in the building.

•    EACA’s EAC registration shows included IHA, NRA, NXTComm, IMTS, Pack Expo, FPME, CPP, NACS and RSNA.

•    EACA held its 10th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA in July 2008.

•    EACA held its third Winter Meeting in Miami, FL in December 2008 in conjunction with EDPA.

•    The EACA expanded its Customer Service Training program delivering customer service training to more than 300 showfloor workers in Chicago, Washington, DC, Philadelphia and Las Vegas.

•    EACA, once again, was a presenting sponsor of the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic, as the RSMGC broke new records in funds raised and recipients assisted.

YEAR IN REVIEW

<Tradeshow Week> The long-planned expansion of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York is "dead," according to New York State Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, who held a hearing Thursday on West Side development plans. "Dead is dead," said Brodsky of the proposal, whose price tag has ballooned from $1.8 billion to more than an estimated $4 billion.

ESCA, SISO, IAEE and MATSO Reiterate Their Strong Opposition to Exhibition Facilities Use of Exclusive In-House Vendor Services      ESCA and the three associations representing the non-profit and for-profit tradeshow organizing industry have restated their condemnation of exhibition facilities that require show organizers to use exclusive, appointed in-house vendors for services widely available in the marketplace, needlessly driving exhibitor costs higher. The Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO), International Association for Exhibition Managers and Events (IAEE), and Major American Tradeshow Organizers (MATSO) collectively produce over 5,000 tradeshows in the United States each year.

IAEE Says No to Drugs    <Tradeshow Week>   The Intl. Assn. of Exhibitions and Events has adopted a policy aimed at achieving drug-free workplaces in the exhibitions and events industry. Its first step: random drug testing for all IAEE employees.

Evil of Exclusivity Is Relative   <Heidi Genoist -- Tradeshow Week>   An apparent contradiction has me stumped, so I'm going to try to work it out here. It has to do with exclusives, so I'm hoping all those readers who like to write us letters on this topic will pitch in and help me figure out what's going on.

In last week's issue, my editor-in-chief, Michael Hart, wrote a story covering three major tradeshow industry associations' objections to exclusive contracts (see “Groups Restate Stand Against Exclusives,” Jan. 14). Judging from the timing of the joint statement the associations made and developments in a case involving exclusive contracts at the San Diego Convention Center, one had to do with the other.

I won't bother reiterating what's already in the article. A summary suffices: Exclusives are bad! That's according to the Intl. Assn. of Exhibitions and Events, the Society of Independent Show Organizers and the Major American Trade Show Organizers. The Exhibition Services & Contractors Assn. joined the protest with its own statement Jan. 14.

But, wait ... if you go back one more week, you'll find at least one person associated with these organizations saying, “Exclusives are good!”

That person is Doug Ducate, president of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (an institution intricately associated with IAEE). Ducate wrote a letter to the editor (see “But the Plaintiff Still Didn't Win,” Jan. 7) objecting to a statement made by Scott Bennett, president of Nth Degree, in an article about an exclusive labor arrangement at the New England Intl. Auto Show (see “Exclusive on Labor Ruffles Feathers,” Dec. 10).

According to Ducate, Bennett erroneously stated that a case in which exhibitor-appointed contractors sued to be able to do business on a show Ducate managed a couple of decades ago was decided in favor of the contractors. In fact, Ducate corrected, the court ruled that the show organizers had the right to make and enforce their own rules as they saw fit. In the case Ducate cited, the ruling was that Freeman was the exclusive provider of services that companies like Nth Degree wanted to provide at the show.

So, in other words, facility management is wrong if it tries to keep out the competition, but show management is in the right if it does the same thing.

Am I reading this right?

Orlando Chapter to Host Customer Service Training.    The Orlando Chapter of the EACA will host a Customer Service Training for all showfloor workers there on March 19-20, 2008 at the Orange County Convention Center.

Showfloor workers in Orlando will have the option of taking part in this four program on either the morning of March 19, or in the afternoon that day..   The 4 hour program will be delivered twice that day to accommodate different worker schedules.

Former  SISO Chairman Lew Shomer Selected as its Executive Director  <Trade Show Executive>- After a six-month process of  evaluations and interviews, the board of directors of the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) awarded its management contract to Shomex Productions and named Lew Shomer the  executive director. Shomer was SISO’s chairman in 2004 and served on  SISO’s Board of Directors for nine  years. His firm produces career fairs in numerous cities throughout the U.S.

Congratulations to Kelly Faist (PMMI) and family on the arrival of    Katherine Theresa "Katie" on Sunday, February 3rd (Superbowl Sunday) at 11:11 PM.

Katie weighed in at 7 pounds and 14 ounces.

High school gym named for Willwork founder  <Exhibit City News>   For Willwork founder and President William F. “Bill” Nixon, hard work and dedication is a way of life. So much so, in fact, that former players, colleagues and friends appealed to local town administrators to have the new high school gymnasium named in his honor on Feb. 1.

National Labor Management Conference in Las Vegas Puts Focus on Customer Service!    The EACA, along with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and ESCA, sponsored the National Labor Management Conference in Las Vegas, NV on March 7-8, 2008 at the UBC Training Center.

More than 100 labor leaders and trade show contractors industry attended this joint event, along with facility management from several of the largest convention centers in the nation.   The watchwords for the event were “customer service” – and all were focused on how labor and management, in combination, can enhance the exhibitor customer’s experience of participating in trade shows.

The intent of the conference was to raise the diffcult issues that impede labor’s and management’s ability to better service the needs of the exhibitor.   While there were no simple or easy solutions present, the very process of raising these topics in an open forum did a great deal to create a greater environment of collaboration and cooperation among all in attendance.

20th Exhibitor Show Gets Great Reviews!      The Exhibitor Show took place in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay again this year, celebrating their 20th year in existence.  By all accounts the most recent installment was a great success from the exhibitors and attendees who were present.

Orlando Chapter Hosts Customer Service Training.     The Orlando Chapter of the EACA hosted its first Customer Service Training for showfloor workers on March 19-20, 2008 at the Orange County Convention Center.

More than 70 showfloor workers took part in this four program, called Customer Service Level 1.   The CS Level 1 program, the first four hours of a 16 hour Customer Service program focused on the differences between dealing with a customer who is having a bad day, versus dealing with difficult people.

Tornado-Damaged GWCC Expects to be Back in Action in Time for Late March Shows
<Trade Show Executive>  A direct hit from a tornado that roared through downtown Atlanta March 14 knocked the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) out of action for an estimated full week.

Airlines to begin charging for additional checked luggage  <Expo Web News> United Airlines and US Airways have announced that starting May 5, 2008, the companies will charge a $25 service fee for the second bag that a passenger checks on a domestic flight, and higher fees for additional bags beyond the first two.

2008 Rally at the Alley is Great Success!     On March 27, the New England Chapter of the EACA hosted its Fourth Annual event in support of the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic and had achieved its best results yet.   Once again this year, the Rally at the Alley was held ot benefit a local trade show professional and her family, Bonnie DiStasio of Champion Logistics Group, Boston.

EACA Sales Tax Survey      The results from the recent EACA Sales Tax Survey clearly showed that our members have a wide variety of ideas around Sales Tax Liability.    There are some who don’t collect sales tax when it appears you should, and some that collect it when appears you shouldn’t.

Two more airlines cease operations.   <M&C Midweek News> Less than a week after Aloha Airlines ceased operations, ATA Airlines and Skybus have followed suit.

EACA 10th Anniversary Member Directory.     The EACA, in conjunction with Exhibit City News, will be publishing a special edition of its membership directory to commemorate its 10th anniversary in 2008.

TSEA Names New Executive Director   <Tradeshow Week>   Margit B. Weisgal has been named executive director of the Trade Show Exhibitors Assn. and current TSEA President Stephen Schuldenfrei has announced his retirement. Weisgal has been with exhibitor training and consulting firm Sextant Communications for almost 20 years and in 2007 received TSEA's Distinguished Service Award.

Airlines to pay more for bumping passengers  <Expo Web News> The U.S. Department of Transportation has increased the amount of money the airlines must pay passengers who are involuntarily bumped from overbooked flights. The amount of compensation is dependent upon the amount of time a passenger is delayed in reaching his or her final destination.

Weak dollar propping up US hospitality industry   <eArtistotle Travel Mole Newswire>
Why is the US hospitality sector of the economy remaining strong? Perhaps in large part because of the weakening US dollar.

Happy Birthday EACA!.      On May 8, 1998 more than 75 EACs met at McCormick Place to consider the idea of forming a national association that would not only represent the interests of EACS but would provide enhanced services and ideas to the entire trade show industry.

That idea was overwhelmingly endorsed that day and was the first official meeting of the EACA.

Now we are proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of that first meeting, as well as the successes and achievements of our association over the past ten years.

More Fuel Surcharges      <M&C Midweek News>   Last week, in response to the increasing cost of oil, Delta Air Lines raised fuel surcharges on domestic tickets to $65 per flight, an increase of $10. Roundtrip fuel surcharges now stand at $130. Within days, the increase was matched by American, Continental, Northwest, United and US Airways.

Buzz Celebrates 500th Issue!      The EACA is proud to publish its 500th issue of the Showfloor Buzz today.   Started in 1998 as a means of  building community and keeping all EACA members informed of important issues in our industry, the Showfloor Buzz has chronicled many developments and changes over the past 10 years.    

2008 Intrepid Award Nominees!      The Intrepid Award is awarded to the individual, organization or consortium that has made great contributions to the cause of customer service in the trade show industry.

The Five Finalists for this year's Intrepid Award are:

David Causton, MPEA.      David is the General Manager for McCormick Place in Chicago.    He is constantly looking for innovative ways to deliver more value to exhibitors at McCormick Place, and is often seen reaching out to all industry stakeholders to find ways to improve the exhibitor’s experience at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

Joe Mondelli, EACA Chicago.      Joe is the EACA Chicago Chapter President (formerly with MC2) who has spearheaded EACA’s efforts to develop a showfloor worker training program there.

Bob Lessin, Business Rep., Local 831    One of the most popular places for I&D companies
to provide services for their exhibitor clients is in Southern California.  That’s because the
quality of the workers in Decorators Local 831 and their service minded approach to display
installation is second to none.

Mia Rampersad / IHA.    Mia is the Vice President of Meetings and Tradeshows for the International Home & Housewares Show.   She has created a culture of service excellence on her show management staff that is without parallel in our industry.

Anah Corley, Stetson Convention Services.   Anah is VP of Business Development for one of the tradeshow industry’s most eco-friendly general contractors, Stetson Convention Services.   Their focus on the green initiatives that are now taking our industry by storm is to plan for sustainability along alongside plans for success.   Anah is a clearly recognized leader in this effort not only at Stetson but also at the federal government.

Also Remember to Cast your Vote for the EACA Hall of Fame.    The EACA would also like to remind all its members to cast their votes for the EACA Hall of Fame.   If you would like to cast your vote and need the 2008 Hall of Fame Ballot, you can either grab it here or at the EACA web site.

This year’s nominees are:
Steve Barry Jr, TWI
Dick Gorbett, Global & Atlas Van Lines
Tom Mobley, Global Spectrum
Art Ursin, Poirot

Orange County Convention Center Announces Contractor Security Program    The Orange County Convention Center announced today that it will work with the Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Association (EACA), a non-profit organization, to implement an online database system for all contractors working at the center.

EACA Announces 10th Annual Conference!     The EACA is hosting its 10th Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA on July 28-29, 2008, in conjunction with TS2.   This year’s event will place a special focus on the EACA’s 10th Anniversary.    EACA members are invited to come together to celebrate this milestone as we review the accomplishments of the past ten years and begin to chart our course for the next ten.

CRAIG SMITH OF FREEMAN TO RETIRE     Don Freeman, chairman and CEO of Freeman, announced today that Craig Smith, president of the U.S. audio visual solutions division of Freeman, has decided to retire as of September 30, 2008.

Congratulations to Mike and Debbie Kadow and Family on the birth of their grandson, Alex Michael Kadow on June 6.   Alex weighed in at 9lbs. 3oz and according to his granddad was born with a golf club in his hand.   Look for him on the links in a couple years!

Gorbett Elected to EACA Hall of Fame.    Upon tallying the votes for the 2008 class of the EACA Hall of Fame, Dick Gorbett, formerly of Global Van Lines and Atlas Van Lines has been elected to the EACA Hall of Fame.

IRS Adjusts Mileage Rate  <M&C Midweek News>   In a rare mid-year adjustment, the Internal Revenue Service, which usually sets mileage reimbursement rates in fall, has increased the rate business travelers can claim by eight cents, to 58.5 cents per mile, effective yesterday.

Exhibit Designers and Producers Association Names New Managing Director     The Exhibit Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) announced today that Frank Skinner has been named managing director of EDPA.    Skinner brings a comprehensive and unique blend of skills to EDPA in the areas of association management, marketing and mixed-media development.

College of Cardiology Offer Advanced EAC Registration.  The College of Cardiology is once again offering “pre-approved” status to all EACs that have serviced exhibitors at their show in the past.

Pre-approved EAC status for ACC.09 (Orlando, Expo dates: March 29-31, 2009), are available  provided EACs complete and return the show provided form and submit your certificate of liability insurance by August 22, 2008.

Olympic rookie Shannon Rowbury,  daughter of 20-year Nth Degree veteran Gary Rowbury,  will look to make her Olympic debut for the United States this summer in Beijing.   She hopes to contend for a medal in the women's 1500m.

Global Spectrum Gets First OK in Miami Beach   <Tradeshow Week>  The City of Miami Beach Commission gave preliminary approval to Global Spectrum to operate the Miami Beach Convention Center in conjunction with Messe Schweiz, which organizes Art Basel Miami Beach. SMG, manager of the venue for the past 17 years, also bid on the contract.

Bludworth Named COO of Service Contractor George E. Fern  <Trade Show Executive>  Aaron Bludworth will join the George E. Fern Company as chief operating officer (COO) after nearly a year at GES Exposition Services in Las Vegas where he served in a dual role of vice president of corporate events and vice president of sales. 

Mondeli Wins 2008 Intrepid Award.      Joe Mondelli of The TERM Group was awarded the EACA’s highest honor, the Intrepid Award, at the EACA Annual Conference last week. The EACA Intrepid Award is given to the individual, or company, that has made the greatest contribution to the cause of customer service in the trade show industry in the past year, in the view of the EACA Membership.

New Board of Directors for 2008-09       The EACA introduced its new offers and directors for 2008-09 at the Annual Meeting Breakfast in Philadelphia last week.     The EACA officers and directors for the coming year are:

Ron Mestichelli, Spectrum Show Services    President
Bernie Massett, MC2    Vice President
Bruce Cantwell, On Location    Treasurer
John O’Shea    Czarnowski
Susan Renner Johnson    Immediate Past President

Randy Bott, Momentum Management    Director
Jack Savage, YRCN, Inc.    Director
Peter Eelman, IMTS    Director
Anthony Lopez, McCormick Place    Director
Geri Shaffer, Aesculap    Director
Bob Ryley, GES    Director
Al Kirschner, Freeman    Director
John Perry, Teamsters    Director

Jim Wurm, EACA    Executive Director
Don Svehla, Exhibit City News    Ex-Officio Director

Thanks Again to our Annual Conference Sponsors.     The EACA 10th Annual Conference was a great success in Philadelphia last week, and the EACA would, once again, like to thank and recognize all of our sponsors who helped make that possible.

Presenting Sponsor
UBC Metropolitan Regional Council

Platinum Sponsor
Freeman

Gold Sponsor
Eagle Management
ExpoServices USA

Silver Sponsors
CORT Tradeshow Furnishings
Employco Services
MC2
On Location
Renaissance Management
Spectrum Show Services
The TERM Group

EDPA Announces Partnership with Red 7 Media   At its Board of Directors meeting last week, the Exhibit Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) announced that it has reached an agreement with Red 7 Media for the management of EDPA and the Exhibit Designers and Producers Association Foundation (EDPAF).  During the month of August, EDPA and EDPAF management responsibilities will be transitioned from the Kellen Company to Red 7 Media.

Former Director of the Cobo Center expected to plead guilty to federal charges<Expo Web News>  Efstathios Louis “Lou” Pavledes, former Director of the Cobo Convention Center in Detroit, is expected to plead guilty to federal charges alleging he manipulated deposits to his bank account to avoid triggering bank laws that require all deposits of more than $10,000 be reported to the government

New England Auto Show to Restrict Labor Options? The Showfloor Buzz has received an unconfirmed report that the New England Auto Show is contemplating the continuance of its controversial practice of restricting exhibitor’s labor options for its show.  According to last year’s show rule, all New England Auto Show exhibitors were required to use the general service contractor for labor to erect and dismantle their exhibits.

SMG Selected for New Stint as Colorado Convention Center Management    <Trade Show Executive>  Denver has decided it has a good thing going with SMG and has recommended that the incumbent managers of the Colorado Convention Center be awarded a new series of contracts totaling 12 years.

Economy Stymies Las Vegas CC Expansion  <Tradeshow Week>    Citing current economic conditions, a Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority spokesman said some renovations of the Las Vegas Convention Center have been put on hold. The previously planned renovations that involved the North and Central halls and meeting rooms will continue with a projected 2011 completion date and a cost of $395 million, according to LVCVA spokesman Jeremy Handel. The second and third phases of the renovations have been postponed.

Chicago Randy Announcement   The 6th Annual Chicago Randy was a fantastic success once again. We raised just under $10k to be donated to the RSMGC. We had a touch and go weather day, but the odds were with us and the rain stopped just in time for tee off. We thank all of our golfers, sponsors, raffle donors, volunteers and committee members for all their support, effort and time:
Forty percent of event producers to add green initiatives   <Expo Web News>  Forty percent of event producers anticipate launching green initiatives in the next 12 to 18 months and another 43 percent have already done so, according to The Green Event Imperative: The First Annual EMI Insights Report on the State of Green Event Marketing published by the Event Marketing Institute, EXPO's sister company.

Please Support the RSMGC 2008 Recipients!  The 2008 Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic, which will take place at Chateau Elan on October 24, 2008 in Braselton, GA (outside of Atlanta), has announced its recipients for 2008.   They are:

•    Jim Dock, Expotechnik, Taylor Mfg., I&D, Heritage Communications
•    Keri Mincy, daughter of Ron Mincy of The Design Agency
•    Jeff Gates, PRG Hi-Tech Rentals
•    Jim Vrzal, Skyline Atlanta, GES     
•    James Wetherington, Optima Graphics   
•    Bonnie DiStasio, Champion Logistics Group
•    Richard Cornett, Zenith LaborNet   
•    Mike Skutor, The TERM Group
•    Jane Perchinske, Champion Nationwide Contractor

EACA to Participate at IAAM’s International Convention Center Conference.        Jim Wurm, Executive Director of the EACA, will participate in a panel discussion at IAAM’s Int’l Convention Center Conference in Portland, OR on September 26, 2008 at the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower

Hurricane Ike slams Galveston, spares Houston    <M&C Midweek News> Hurricane Ike, which hit the Texas coast as a category 2 storm on Saturday, has shut down Galveston, prompting the Houston Chronicle to call it a "ruined city."

Czarnowski Launches Field Safety Program.   Czarnowski recently took a significant effort to make show floor safety an essential and ongoing priority with their people and the industry-at-large.   Although various show-related safety courses are offered by OSHA and various industry associations, they are often voluntary and limited in scope.   Czarnowski took the initiative to fill this void by working with a highly regarded safety expert to develop a comprehensive, first of its kind, safety and health certification program specifically for the trade show industry.

Nth Degree To Raise Money for the 14th Annual Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic     Nth Degree will be making a special effort to raise funds for the RSMGC this year by reaching out to all employees on the showfloor in cities across the country.

Viscovich To Receive IAEE Chairman’s Award.     The Showfloor Buzz has learned that Ken Viscovich, International Rep for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, will be recognized at the IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events) Annual Meetiing with their Chairman’s Award.

Combined air, hotel and car costs expected to increase 13 percent in 2009     <Expo Web News>    Combined air, hotel and car costs are expected to increase 13 percent in 2009, according to the 2009 Industry Forecast released by London-based Advito, a travel management consulting firm. The price hikes can be attributed to unfavorable currency exchange rates, rising local taxes and market uncertainty.

Stetson Departs Intl. Builders Show   <Tradeshow Week>  Wayne Stetson is leaving his position as CEO of the Intl. Builders Show and senior vice president of the Natl. Assn. of Home Builders convention and meetings group effective Jan. 30. The Intl. Builders Show was No. 9 on the most recent Tradeshow Week 200.

EACA Adds Professional Development Network to Web Site.   The EACA has added a new capability to its web site in our ongoing efforts to serve our members.    While many people have begun to explore the advantages of such virtual networks like “Linked In”, the EACA Professional Development Network will take that idea to the next level and beyond.

Size limits on inflight liquids to be lifted next year, says TSA     <T&E Magazine>  The Transportation Security Administration is working toward loosening restrictions on liquids, gels and aerosols and hopes to remove the size limits by next fall, according to a blog entry by TSA administrator Kip Hawley.

EACA CS Training in Philly     The EACA will be presenting is Level 1 Customer Service training program to the Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters in Philadelphia next week.   The training program will take place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia and will be held in Room 301 on Monday, November 24 and Tuesday, November 25.

IRS to Drop Mileage Rate    <M&C Midweek News>  The Internal Revenue Service last week announced it will drop the standard reimbursable mileage rate to 55 cents per mile as of Jan. 1, 2009.

EACA Brings Customer Service Training to Las Vegas.   In support of its ongoing efforts to “raise the level of service excellence on the showfloor’, the EACA will bring its Customer Servcie Training Program to Las Vegas on December 15 and 16.

LVCVA Hosts EACs at Annual Meeting.   The Las Vegas Convention/Visitors Authority will host the EAC community in Las Vegas for an annual meeting at the Las Vegas Convention Center on December 16.

EITF To Meet December 18.    The Exhibit Industry Task Force is scheduled to meet, via conference call, next week on December 18 to discuss new developments in the effort to make nationwide Drug Testing a reality in the trade show industry.

PASSINGS IN 2008

The following industry professionals, colleagues and family members left us this year.


Mike Hough, founding member of SISO, passes away. <Expo Web>    Mike Hough passed away recently at the age of 65. He was a founding member of the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO). He also was a founding partner of A/E/C Systems, a worldwide trade show for the design and construction industry. Hough authored the book The Profitable Tradeshow.

The EACA would like to extend its condolences to the family of Ron Fritkin, as well as everyone at Fritkin-Jones who passed away last week.    Memorial services were held for Ron last Sunday in Skokie, IL.

The EACA Extends Condolences to the Family of Chuck Michel on the passing of his father, Charles F. Michel who passed away on Tuesday January 22.       Chuck is in New Business Development with Group 360 Visual Communications in St. Louis, MO.

Our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues sof Rick Goldammer of Freeman I & D who passed away on February 16 .   We have no further details other than Rick had been ill for sometime.

Our Condolences to the Rogal Family. The EACA would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to Rick Rogal of Nth Degree, and his family, on the passing of his mother, Joan.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in the memory of Joan Rogala can be made to: TideWell Hospice and Palliative Care Fund 5955 Rand Boulevard Sarasota FLA 34238.

Our condolences to the family of Dan Sclocchini,  whose mother Dolly died on 3/13/08. 

EACA Extends Condlences to the Ackert Family.   We are saddened to inform you of the passing of Tom Ackert’s (Executive Director of the Orange County Convention Center) mom, Marcie Ackert. Mrs. Ackert passed away recently after a brief illness.    Service arrangements will be provided when available.

Leading Hotel Exec Michael Dimond Dies of Heart Attack   <Trade Show Executive>  Michael Dimond, whose four-decade career in the hotel and convention industry culminated with his retirement in 2006 as senior vice president of sales and marketing at The Broadmoor, died of a heart attack June 23.

William Reilly, Founder of Primedia and Summit, Passes Away  <Trade Show Executive>  Bill Reilly, who teamed with private equity firms to found Primedia and later Summit Business Media, died October 17 at the age of 70 after a year-long battle with cancer.

Our condolences to Linda Rubin, and her family on the passing of her mother, Jessie Marie Snyder, 80, who passed away on Thursday, December 5th.  

300 Exhibit Services & Events Open for Business in Orlando and Washington DC     300 Exhibit Services & Events, a provider of installation and dismantle services, is now open for business in Orlando and Washington DC and have hired Robert Gruver as Southeast Regional Manager, and LaShane Smith as Orlando City Manager.

FINAL THOUGHT FOR 2008

The only people who never fail are those who never try.

-- Ilka Chase  

American author, actress, humorist (1905-78)

Publisher's statement.     The Showfloor Buzz is a publication of the Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Association (EACA) which is dedicated to "raising the level of service excellence on the showfloor." 

This publication is sent free of charge to all EACA members each Wednesday, and to non-members four weeks later.   Annual subscriptions to current issues of the Buzz are available to non-members for $49.95.    Please send subscription requests to jimwurm@eaca.com.

EACA members are also permitted to submit job postings to the Buzz free of charge for a one time listing.   Member job postings can be extended for additional weeks in the Buzz as well as posted to the EACA web site.    The costs for extending your job posting are one month for $50, 2 months for $85, and 3 months for $125.

If you have news from the tradeshow floor that you feel is important to the success of our members,  or our industry's customer, the exhibitors, please forward it to the EACA  @ 541-317-8768 or email us @ jimwurm@eaca.com