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Winter 2004Attention
to Detail, Personal Service Make Event Successful
George E. Fern Company Adds Online Services
Online Event Services Put Information at
Your Fingertips
Move-In & Move-Out
Required a "Strong" Team Effort
Focus
on a Facility - Major Expansion & Renovation Planned for Kansas City's Bartle
Hall
Medical Professional Gathered from
Around the World for Conference
Partnering
for Success
Industry Speaks
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Attention
to Detail, Personal Service Make Event Successful |
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The
Association of Iron and Steel Engineers (AISE), now known as The Association for
Iron & Steel Technology (AIST), held its annual convention from September
30-October 2 in Pittsburgh, along with the 52nd Iron and Steel Exposition. The
event, representing one of the steel industry’s largest gatherings, was the
first major convention to be held after the grand opening of Pittsburgh’s
newly renovated David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
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The
expansion includes a 40,000-sq.-ft. ballroom/multi-purpose space, which will be
one of the largest in the Midwest and is expected to open in the fall of 2006.
The existing 23,900 sq. ft. ballroom will remain in place for smaller banquets
and other events. Additional renovations are slated to be finished by 2005. |
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The
George E. Fern Company played a leading role in the success of AISE’s exposition.
“I have great respect for the staff of George Fern because they understand
our needs and know exactly what we want,” said Gerry Kane, AISE manager of
advertising and conventions. “Our account executive, Mike Julian, could step
right in and take over the show; he knows us that well. The attention to detail
and personal service that we get from George Fern is extremely important to the
success of our show.”
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AISE has worked with the George E. Fern
Company for the last five years and has established a solid working relationship
with full confidence that the company provides the best equipment and customer
service. “By taking the time to sit with our trade show team and find out
what we really need, the George Fern team listens, takes requests into consideration
and uses the information to have the equipment ready prior to arrival at the convention
site. With a staff that is always willing to help out in any capacity, they find
the quickest and most economical way to solve any problems or concerns without
missing a beat,” said Kane. |
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George E. Fern Company Adds Online Services |
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The
George E. Fern Company is pleased to announce the release of Online Event Services,
a suite of comprehensive, web-based tools designed specifically to assist exposition
managers with exhibit space sales, floor plan and exhibitor list management. Our
Online Event Services are comprised of: Interactive
Online Floor Plan – This innovative selling tool was developed to aid
show management in the marketing and assignment of booth space. The Interactive
Online Floor Plan allows exposition managers to maintain a live (always current)
floor plan on the Internet where potential exhibitors can view available space
and obtain space application and other collateral materials. This feature improves
the response time between exhibitor and exposition manager and reduces the need
for printing and postage.
Searchable
Exhibitor List/Directory – This complete virtual listing of exhibitors,
which can be searched by name or product category, adds value to both the exhibitor
and attendee experience. Along with the Interactive Online Floor Plan, the Searchable
Exhibitor List can provide attendees with the means to locate exhibitors and products
in advance of visiting the exposition floor. In addition, where arrangements are
made, this Searchable Exhibitor List can serve as an electronic show-site directory
of products and exhibitors for attendees.
Custom
Exhibitor Information Cards – This tool provides a company “business
card” for each exhibitor that typically includes company contact information,
mailing address and a description of the exhibiting organization’s products
and services. Contact information also includes one-click access to exhibitor
email and website address.
Administrative
Systems – This user-friendly administrative feature allows show management
to perform real-time updates and changes.
Other
services, including Online Ordering and Electronic Service Kits, can also be made
available through our E-Service Center. Please
visit our website at www.geofern.com/services.htm or call 888-621-3376 to learn
more about how these services can help exposition managers with exhibit space
sales, floor plan and exhibitor list management.
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Online
Event Services Put Information at Your Fingertips |
The
George E. Fern Company now offers several on-line tools for show managers, exhibitors
and attendees. |
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Interactive floor plans provide a way for clients to manage their exhibit
space and market available exhibit space via the Internet.
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The searchable exhibitor list is a complete virtual listing of exhibitors
that can be searched by name or product category.
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The custom exhibitor information cards display exhibitor details and provide
convenience for attendees and added value to exhibitors.
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A user-friendly administrative system allows show management to perform
real-time updates and changes, ensuring that the floor plan and exhibitor list
are always current.
For
information, contact the George E. Fern Company at 888-621-3376. |
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Move-In &
Move-Out Required a "Strong" Team Effort |
Reflecting
this year’s theme, exhibitors and attendees headed for a “New Frontier”
for the 2003 Building Component Manufacturers Conference (BCMC), October 8-10.
The conference was held in Phoenix, Arizona – its western-most locale in
15 years. |
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One hundred and eighteen
exhibits in the Phoenix Civic Plaza included manufacturers of metal plates, equipment,
construction hardware and other suppliers of products and services for the structural
building component industry. Approximately 2,500 attendees, including component
manufacturers, architects, engineers and builders gathered to see the latest products
and machines, learn about new technology, attend educational sessions, network
and share ideas about how to improve their businesses.
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Wednesday morning Brad Sherwood, comedian and cast member of the hit TV comedy
“Who’s Line is it, Anyway?” kicked off the show with an improvisational
performance. He entertained the audience with his hilarious take on the structural
building component industry.
The
George E. Fern Company team has been servicing the BCMC for 10 years.
One
of their biggest challenges is ensuring that all of the large machines and heavy
equipment make their way into the exhibit hall. Jim Pruitt, account executive
for the George E. Fern Company, and his team handled over 700,000 pounds of equipment
during move-in and move-out for this year’s event.
“The
George E. Fern Company took care of all of the exhibitors’ special requests
and needs,” said Peggy Pichette, director of sales for the BCMC. “They
made move-in and move-out flow seamlessly and made my job a whole lot easier.”
The
BCMC is already planning to partner with the George E. Fern Company in 2004 when
the show moves to North Carolina’s Charlotte Convention Center. |
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Focus
on a Facility - Major Expansion & Renovation Planned for Kansas City's Bartle
Hall |
 | Currently
boasting 389,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and 134,000 sq. ft. of meeting space,
Kansas City’s Bartle Hall is preparing for renovation and expansion. Located
in the heart of downtown, Bartle Hall spans eight city blocks and is surrounded
by other buildings. Thus, big improvements are a challenge.
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The
expansion includes a 40,000-sq.-ft. ballroom/multi-purpose space, which will be
one of the largest in the Midwest and is expected to open in the fall of 2006.
The existing 23,900 sq. ft. ballroom will remain in place for smaller banquets
and other events. Additional renovations are slated to be finished by 2005. |
“The
goal of these renovations is to fuse all of the previously renovated parts together,
making the facility one seamless package,” said Bill Langley, interim director
of Bartle Hall.
Technology improvements will include the latest in video-conferencing
and Internet service. A new kitchen and 1,000 new parking spaces are being created
as well.
When all is said
and done, the $140-million expansion, renovation and technology upgrade will add
135,000 sq. ft. to the convention center.
For
information, contact Bartle Hall, 816-513-5051, or the George E. Fern Company’s
Kansas City office, 816-221-0525 | 
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Medical
Professionals Gathered from Around the World for Conference |
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October 7-10, more than 2,300 people gathered in Kansas City for the annual Cerner
Health Conference. The majority of attendees came from the Midwest; however others
traveled from all over the globe, including Australia, the U.K., Germany and Canada.
Attendees participated in hands-on demonstrations that showed how Cerner products
have helped facilitate their health care businesses. At the convention, Cerner
clients saw the new solutions Cerner has available and were given the opportunity
for private demonstrations and lessons on how to use Cerner products.
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more than 350 educational sessions and meetings during the conference, the
George
E. Fern Company was responsible for ensuring the correct signage was in place
for all of the activities. “There was an immense amount of directional signage
as well as marketing signage,” said David Masterson, account executive for
the George E. Fern Company. “Part of our job was to make sure the hundreds
and hundreds of signs were in the correct place and people knew where to go.” |
For
the convention section of the conference, the George E. Fern Company designed
and constructed the Cerner Pro Shop for the sale of Cerner products; a café
area within the tradeshow area, using bright and bold colors to grab the attention
of the attendees; a large information kiosk; and the “Uniontown Hospital.”
The “Uniontown Hospital” was a mock hospital set up within the tradeshow
area to give attendees live-code demonstrations of how they can successfully use
Cerner’s unified technology.
“All
the members of the George E. Fern Company team are a delight to work with,”
said Leslie Kenagy, program manager for the Cerner Health Conference. “Their
leadership, combined with an excellent working relationship, allows us to do what
we do best and vice versa. It’s a two-way street with the George. E. Fern
Company.” | |
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| 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.
• Kansas City RV Show – Annually in February 2004, 2005 and 2006 in Kansas City, MO.
• National Association for Campus Activities, National Convention – February 2005 in Minneapolis, MN.
• Golf Show – Annually in February 2004, 2005 and 2006 in Overland Park, KS.
• National Association for Campus Activities, South – October 2004 in Winston-Salem,
NC & September/October 2005 in Chattanooga, TN.
• Kansas City Boat Show – Annually in February in 2004, 2005 and 2006 in Kansas City, MO.
• House-Hasson Hardware Dealer Market – January 2004 in Nashville, TN & July 2004 in Knoxville, TN.
• National Association for Campus Activities, Mid-America – October 2004 in
Covington, KY.
• Metropolitan Lawn & Garden Show – Annually in February 2005 and 2006 in Kansas City, MO.
• US Foodservice – February 2004 in Greenville, SC; May 2004 in Charlotte, NC; September 2004 in Greensboro, NC.
• Johnson County Home & Garden Show – Annually in February 2004, 2005 and 2006 in Overland Park, KS.
• Tennessee Healthcare – Annually in September 2004, 2005 and 2006.
• Remodeling and Decorating Show – Annually in February 2005 and 2006 in Kansas
City, MO.
• Central Ohio Home and Garden Show – Annually in February 2004, 2005 and 2006 in Columbus, OH.
• Kansas Livestock Association Convention – Annually in December 2004 in Wichita, KS.
• Fall RV & Boat Show – Annually in
September 2004, 2005 and 2006 in Kansas City, MO.
• Tennessee Beef Agribition – Annually in March 2004, 2005 and 2006 in Murfreesboro, TN.
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The Industry Speaks
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“[The George E. Fern Company's] eagerness to help, flexibility and hard work make it seems as if we have an extesion of our own staff working with us. ”
Amy Szmania
Ohio Dental Association
Show Site: Columbus, OH
“The George E. Fern Company is the best expostion service contractor I have worked with I will recommend your services to all my future clients.”
Kristin Wright
American Association of School Librarians
Show Site: Kansas City, MO
“[The George E. Fern Company's] conscientious effort and cooperation in doing profesional, high-quality work has always been appreciated. Not only does [Shirley Soltis] provide the best service, she has an excellent team to execute every detail.”
Stacey Smith, CMP
Sprint
Show Sites: Dallas, TX and Kansas City, MO
“[The George E. Fern staff's] patience, attention to detail and humor have proven to be a wonderful touchstone for myself. They are partners in the truest sense, picking up when we need the help, showing us the way and keeping us on track. The best part is that our roughly 2,500 attendees benefit from a well-thought-out design of the venue, making their conference experience worth their investment in attending. They have reportedly shown us their ability to adapt to our needs and to make our project their own.”
Leslie Kenagy
Cerner Corporation
Show Site: Kansas City, MO
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