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Summer 2001
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Always
Adding a Personal Touch
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“2001:
A Diecutting Odyssey” was held by the International Association of Diecutting
and Diemaking (IADD), May 1-3, at the Nashville Convention Center.
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This event attracted 85
individual exhibiting companies, filling 80,000 net sq. ft. of exhibit space with
products such as diemakers, laser cutting systems, proofers, embossing equipment
and much more. More than 500 attendees saw state-of-the-art equipment in operation
and attended interactive seminars and sessions.
IADD
Executive Director Cindy Crouse said, “This is the first time that the IADD
has undertaken a trade show and educational program of this magnitude. Our show
included materials and equipment weighing from 2 pounds to 30 tons. We had a wide
variety of special needs and many challenges on site which could not have been
anticipated.” She went on to say, “Through the entire planning process
and implementation, the service we received from the George E. Fern Company was
clearly top notch.” |
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The
IADD is an international trade association, serving more than 900 diecutters,
diemakers and industry suppliers. Operating since 1972, the IADD strives to serve
as a worldwide leader and catalyst in inspiring industry success.
Crouse complimented the George E. Fern Company
staff for providing excellent customer service. “It seems as if each and
every Fern employee went out of their way on our behalf. Not only are they clearly
experts in their areas of responsibility, but
they provided us with a personal
touch that is out of the ordinary.” |
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Water,
Water Everywhere ... Quality Service for Over Two Decades
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The
Water Quality Association (WQA) gathered for the 2001 WQA Exhibition and Convention
in Orlando, FL, March 27-31. The Orange County Convention Center Halls E1 and
E2 were filled with nearly 600 booths and over 4500 attendees.
Each year, the George
E. Fern staff creates customized entrances, signs and displays, keeping
the look of the show fresh and interesting. The 2001 WQA Exhibition
and Convention relied on the talent and expertise of the George E.
Fern Company staff to place a water bottling system in the exhibit
space. Two fork lift operators placed the heavy equipment, which was
25 ft. wide x 8 ft. tall.
Attendees previewed the latest in water quality products such as water filters,
pipes, cuppings, purification systems, distillation drinking water systems, water
softeners and more. The WQA Convention also offered 30 educational seminars pertaining
to the industry’s latest issues such as antitrust laws, the treatment and
removal of arsenic, ultraviolet light technology and more.
Jeannine Collins,
show manager, complimented the George E. Fern Company on working with her staff.
“They are very seamless in working with our team. The George E. Fern Company
staff integrates and gets the job done to make our show a success.”
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Weathering
the Challenges - Customers Can Count on the George E. Fern Company
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When
the International Cemetery & Funeral Association (ICFA) held the 2001 Annual
Convention and Exposition at the Caesars Palace Pavilion in Las Vegas, March 11-14,
the George E. Fern Company met several challenges, both predictable and unpredictable.
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The
first day of the ICFA Expo, Las Vegas experienced record-breaking 75mph winds.
Since the Caesars Palace Pavilion is a tent structure, the Fern staff was faced
with stabilizing the signage and displays. A predictable challenge to the show
was placing the massive mausoleums, weighing over 50,000 pounds … and in
no danger of blowing away!
Nearly 49,000 net sq. ft. of exhibit space
was filled with industry products such as full-size mausoleums, grave markers,
caskets, computer software and lawnmowers. Over 1500 attendees benefited from
industry-related seminars covering topics such as sales and marketing, grounds
maintenance and new product evaluation. |
The
ICFA was founded in 1887 and has over 6,000 members in the U.S. and in 28 countries.
Today, ICFA is the only trade association representing the funeral service, cemetery
and memorialization industry.
The George E. Fern Company’s creative
and custom design work enhanced the success of the ICFA Annual Expo. Show manager
Pam Davis said, “We wanted a different look to our show and the George E.
Fern Company delivered with distinctive displays, piping and drapes.” The
George E. Fern Company’s state-of-the-art equipment and team of talented
designers ensure that all clients project a professional and unique image.
Pam Davis felt confident and relaxed with the George E. Fern Company serving
the wind-swept event. “They always deliver personalized, one-on-one service
that makes the ICFA Annual Convention and Exposition a success.”
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Expert
Shares Tips on Increasing Show's Effectiveness
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Tradeshow
Week Magazine recently shared Allen Konopacki’s expertise in an article,
“Four Easy Steps Can Turn Tradeshow Leads into Sales,” by Joan Mather,
appearing Dec. 11, 2000. Konopacki is president of Incomm Center for Research
and Sales Training.
1. Write down what buyers say and
review notes. This can significantly improve the quality of follow-up
information.
2. Always ask the prospect what is wanted in
the follow-up. This helps the salesperson sort the browsers from buyers, quickly
identifying the best leads.
3. Always avoid asking yes-or-no questions.
Open-ended questions reduce false leads.
4. Follow up the top 20 percent
of leads every 60 days for one year. Sending four to six follow-up mailings can
double sales results.
For more news about the tradeshow industry, go
to www.TradeshowWeek.com.
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Focus
on a Facility
First
Show in Expanded Convention Center by George E. Fern Company
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The Greater Columbus Convention Center,
Columbus, OH, recently celebrated the completion of an $85-million renovation
and expansion project, which increased its size from 1.4 to 1.7 million square
feet. Over 120,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space was included in the expansion, making
a total of 426,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space available.
Retail
and restaurant spaces are features of the expansion and over 65 percent of the
space has been leased or reserved. Restaurants include TCBY, Subway, All American
Hamburgers, Mykosos Gyros and more. The retail segment offers stores such as Neilsen’s
Stores, Staley Shoe Repair, Galleria Leather and Luggage, Krema Nut Company and
Thai Handcrafts. |
The
convention center expansion kicked off with the Wild Turkey Show, served by the
George E. Fern Company. The center offers a total of 61 meeting rooms, two ballrooms,
1,100 additional parking spaces, and is enhanced by new carpeting, tile, paint,
wall coverings and more.
For information contact the Greater Columbus
Convention Center, 614-645-5165, or visit the web site at www.ColumbusConventions.com.
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Partnering
for Success
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The
George E. Fern Company serves as the official exposition contractor for more than
800 events annually. Here is a partial list of recent contracts.
•
American Association of School Librarians –
November, 2001 in Indianapolis, IN, and October, 2003 in Kansas City, MO.
• Promotional
Products Association – Mid South – Nashville, TN,
in August, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
•
Credit
Union National Association – Annually
in September/October. In 2001 the show will be in San Francisco, CA; Orlando,
FL, in 2002 and Reno, NV, in 2003. •
Women’s Basketball Coaches Association
– Annually in March. San Antonio, TX,
in 2002; Atlanta, GA, in 2003 and New Orleans, LA, in 2004.
•
Mid-South Graphic Art Expo
– Nashville, TN, in April, 2002.
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Wild Turkey Convention/Sport Show – annually
in February. Charlotte, NC, in 2002; Nashville, TN, in 2003 and Columbus, OH,
in 2004. • Design
Build Expo – Boston, MA, in October, 2001. |
