| |
Spring 2003
|
|
Kansas
City Sportshow Celebrates 49 Years of Success |
C
an’t wait to get a jump-start
on the fishing season? 
Looking for the perfect RV or camper to take on your vacation this summer?
Thinking about purchasing a new Sport Utility Vehicle to use in all your outdoor
adventures?
The Kansas City Sportshow is where you could have found anything
and everything related to the great outdoors. Held from January 7-12, the Sportshow,
which celebrated its 49th anniversary this year, had over 400 exhibitors with
approximately 475 booths, filling 388,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space. Approximately
120,000 attended.
“Just
as the excitement of the holidays is dying down, it’s nice to go to a show
reminding you that spring is around the corner,” said Rick Tyner, general
manager for the George E. Fern Company’s Kansas City office. Tyner has been
the account executive on this show for the past 11 years, taking over for his
father, Don Tyner, who had serviced the show since its first year ... 49 years
ago!
 “We
have a wonderful working relationship with the George E. Fern Company,” said
Dave Perkins, from General Sports Shows, Inc., the company that produces the annual
Sportshow. “Rick Tyner and his team are simply the best. They are a great
bunch of people to work with and help the show go smoothly every year.”
The Sportshow featured marine
products such as the newest power boats, fishing boats, pontoon boats, ski boats,
motors, marine electronics, trailers, lifts, docks and personal watercraft. Also
featured were the latest ATVs and motorcycles, plus a complete line of RV products
including motor homes, travel trailers, van campers, trucks and conversion vans.
 Not only could attendees see the latest outdoor products but they could also
take advantage of some of the special features the show has to offer. Attendees
could watch the Rattlesnake Wranglers perform stunts with live rattlesnakes, participate
in micro-reality stock car racing or even fish for rainbow trout at the Willow
Creek trout pond, set up on-site.
Nineteen
states (mostly from the Midwest), six provinces in Canada and several foreign
countries (such as Australia) were represented in the travel section at the Sportshow,
encouraging people to visit their state, province or country. Visitors could also
attend seminars on everything from turkey hunting to bass fishing.
“We
look forward to doing this show every year,” said Tyner. “Being a part
of the Kansas City Sportshow is a great way to kick off the
new year.”
Back
to top
|
|
Setting
the Stage for Success at Kawasaki's National Dealers Association Meeting |
|
From
September 11 to 16, approximately 1,100 Kawasaki dealers from all over the
country gathered in San Antonio, TX at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
This event can mostly be dubbed as an annual meeting, but the best part of the
event for most of the dealers is the unveiling of the new product line. This is
the place where the dealers get their first look at what they will be selling
in the coming year.
|
 “We
depend on the George E. Fern Company’s expertise to help us achieve the overall
look of the new product showroom,” said Marc Nelson of Kawasaki Motors Corp.,
U.S.A.
“We have been extremely pleased with everything they have done
for us; that’s why we have used them for five years
in a row."
The
George E. Fern Company sets up the staging with pipe-and-drape booths and carpeting
for the new product showcase and mini tradeshow area. |
“What is unusual
about this show is the amount of theatrical value that goes into displaying all
the new ATVs, Jet Skis®, motorcycles and other products Kawasaki sells,”
said Mike Carter from the George E. Fern Company’s Nashville office. “Kawasaki
uses a lot of special lighting to highlight the products to make them really stand
out and catch the dealers’ attention.”
Not
only do the dealers get to view the new product lines, but they also attend meetings
and seminars to become as knowledgeable as possible
on all of these new products.
They learn about different aspects of selling the products and tips on how to
advertise and market in their area. |
Back
to top
|
|
Fund-Raising
Distributors and Suppliers Showcase Their Wares at Annual Tradeshow in Las Vegas
|
| Product
fundraising contributes nearly $2 billion each year to schools and school organizations
across the U.S., and most of these programs originate at the Association of Fund-Raising
Distributors and Suppliers (AFRDS) trade show. This annual event took place at
the Paris Las Vegas Hotel in Las Vegas, NV January 4-9. |
|
Exhibitors
from 153 companies occupied 307 booths, featuring various kinds of fund-raising
products and services, and filled 60,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space. Approximately
1,200 industry professionals attended the show, mostly representatives of companies
that work directly with schools to implement fundraising programs that help them
build new gyms, finance field trips and make a variety of other educational and
child enrichment programs possible. |
|
| Judy
Hill with the George E. Fern Company’s Nashville office is the account executive
on this show. “One of the things I have noticed about the show over the years
is the improvement in the quality of the products being featured. You can find
everything from fine chocolates to nice figurines,” she said. “You can
still find wrapping paper and that sort of thing, but the number of frozen-food
items has grown tremendously as well.”
“Judy
Hill and her team have worked with our show for seven years and really understand
our exhibitor and member needs,” said Russ Lemieux, executive director, AFRDS.
“I consider their organization an extension of our staff.”
The beautiful
surroundings of the Paris Hotel were also captivating for attendees. Hill said,
“I was amazed
by the attention to details and the interesting décor of the entire hotel.”
She added that one of the nice aspects of having the show in the Paris Ballroom
was that the casino was on the opposite side of the hotel. Therefore, attendees
didn’t have to weave through the game tables and slot machines to get to
the show. The Paris Hotel is located in the heart of the city on the world-famous
Las Vegas strip. | |
Back
to top
|
|
Cincinnati
Convention Center Announces Plans for Renovation & Expansion
|
The
recently unveiled plans for the renovation and expansion of the Cincinnati Convention
Center have created a lot of excitement in the Cincinnati area and nationally.
The $160-million new design for the convention center boasts more space, better
lighting, improved pedestrian flow and dramatic open areas.
According
to Don Emerson of the George E. Fern Company’s Cincinnati office, the renovation
and expansion only mean good things for clients. “The expanded meeting and
exhibit space and especially the loading docks will allow for the George E. Fern
Company to better accommodate our existing clients,” said Emerson.
| The
redesigned center will feature more than 750,000 sq. ft. including nearly 200,000
sq. ft. of exhibition space, more than 45,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, a 40,000-sq-ft.
grand ballroom and a 17,500-sq-ft. junior ballroom. There will be flexible walls
in the exhibit halls, meeting rooms and ballrooms, to be reduced or enlarged,
depending on the users’ needs. Access to the facility will also be greatly
improved through an expanded loading dock, featuring 17 berths and three semi-truck
portals into the exhibition halls. |
|
Construction includes
a renovation of the existing facility along with a new addition. Renovations are
scheduled to begin in January 2004 and construction on the expansion will begin
in early summer 2004. All work is scheduled to be completed in mid-2006. The facility
will remain open for conventions, trade shows and events throughout the expansion
and renovation process. Work on the convention center will be phased over the
next several years to minimize disruption for the convention center’s clients.
“Excellent
events need excellent space,” said Lisa Haller, president and CEO of the
Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The form and functionality
of the expanded and renovated center will provide that excellence, enabling Cincinnati
to better compete with peer cities for top meetings and conventions.”
These
sentiments sum up the anticipation and good will everyone in the industry feels
toward these changes. For information, call the Cincinnati Convention Center,
513-632-5378, or the George E. Fern Company’s Cincinnati office, 513-621-6111.
Back
to top
|
|
St.
Louis - More Than Meets the Arch |
|
If
you are considering St. Louis as a destination, get ready to see a whole new city.
St. Louis has been undergoing some massive changes, mostly to the hotel industry,
hoping to attract more people to experience all the amazing restaurants, professional
sports and other wonderful sights the city has to offer.
 The
first of the major downtown hotel booms is the addition of the Renaissance Grand
Hotel St. Louis and its sister hotel the Renaissance St. Louis Suites. Combined,
these hotels have brought 1,083 sleeping rooms to the front door of the convention
center. Both hotels are renovations of and additions to historic hotel properties.
Close to the convention
center, the new Hampton Inn at the Arch offers 190 rooms. The hotel has an indoor
pool, fitness center and a game room that overlooks the Arch and the Mississippi
River.
Several existing hotels have announced big renovation plans as well.
The
Marriott Pavilion Hotel unveiled a $17-million renovation that includes a new
lobby and a re-do of the hotel’s east tower. The Hyatt Regency at St. Louis
Union Station is renovating its 66 historic Regency Club rooms. By early summer
2003, the Radisson Hotel & Suites downtown will complete a total renovation
of its 454 rooms.
The
hotel boom isn’t the only exciting thing happening to St. Louis. Area attractions
are offering more for visitors to see and do. For example, the St. Louis Zoo recently
completed Rivers Edge, which houses spotted hyenas, cheetahs, Asian elephants,
hippopotamuses and many more exotic animals. This spring, they will unveil the
Penguin and Puffin Coast, including the first walk-through sub-Antarctic penguin
exhibit in a NorthAmerican zoo.
2004
brings two anniversaries for St. Louis – the bicentennial of the Lewis &
Clark expedition of 1804 that opened the American West and the 100th anniversary
of the 1904 “Meet Me in St. Louis” World’s Fair. Through September
6, 2003, the Missouri History Museum will host the National Lewis & Clark
Bicentennial exhibition, having on display the explorers’ journals and other
rare artifacts. There are many activities planned throughout 2004 in honor of
the 1904 World’s Fair.
For
more information on the exciting changes St. Louis is experiencing visit www.explorestlouis.com
or call 1-800-916-0037.
Back
to top
Inside
Happenings
|
Erica
Wells of the George E. Fern Company’s Indianapolis office receives an award
given to the outgoing chapter presidents of IAEM. Wells finished her term as the
Ohio Valley Chapter chair of IAEM on December 31, 2002 and is currently serving
as the immediate past chair. Accompanying Wells at IAEM’s annual Expo! Expo!
are (from left to right) Drew Perry; Tom Harris, executive secretary of the Ohio
Valley Chapter of IAEM; Mark Barnes, Greater Louisville Convention and Visitors
Bureau; Michelle Mangeot, Kentucky Fair and Expo Center; Erica Wells and Craig
Davis, Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitors Bureau. |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Members of the George
E. Fern Company team get ready for IAEM’s annual Expo! Expo!, which took
place in Orlando, FL December 10-12. Pictured (from left to right) Tom Drullinger,
Greg Pignatiello, Michael Cox, Sheila Pannell, Dave Thompson, Dick Shelley and
Mitch Isaacs. |
Back
to top
|
Partnering
for Success
|
The
George E. Fern Company serves as the official exposition contractor for more than
900 events annually. Here is a partial list of upcoming events.
•
International Lawn, Garden & Power Equipment Expo
– Annually in October 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, Louisville, KY.
•
National Youth Workers Convention
–
September 2003 in Phoenix, AZ; October 2003 in Charlotte, NC; and November 2003
in St. Louis, MO. • Archery
Trade Show Association
–
Annually in January 2004 & 2005 in Indianapolis, IN; 2006, city TBA.
•
CUPA-HR National Conference and Exposition
– October 2003 in Minneapolis, MN; October
2004 in Salt Lake City, UT; and September 2005 in Orlando, FL.
•
Log Home Living & Timber Frame Show
– February 2003 in Atlanta, GA; April
2003 in Hot Springs, AK; April 2003 in Kansas City, MO; May 2003 in Louisville,
KY; September 2003 in Charlotte, NC; and October 2003 in Columbus, OH.
•
Diecutting Symposium Education Conference
– June 2004 and 2006 in Nashville, TN.
•
Midwest Roofing Contractors
–
October 2003 in Cincinnati, OH. •
National Frame Builders Conference
–
February 2003 in Nashville, TN. •
North Carolina Manufactured Housing
– Annually in September 2003, 2004 and
2005 in Charlotte, NC. •
U.S. Foodservice
–
February 2003 in Myrtle Beach, SC; April 2003 in Gatlinburg, TN; May 2003 in Charlotte,
NC; and September 2003 in Greensboro, NC.
•
DB Drag Racing Association
–
2003 and 2004 in Nashville, TN. •
Veterans of Foreign Wars
–
2003 in San Antonio, TX; 2004 in Cincinnati, OH; and 2005 in Salt Lake City, UT.
•
Carolina’s Roofing & Sheet Metal
– Annually in January 2004 in Winston-Salem,
NC and 2005 in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Back
to top
|
|
|
