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News - Fall/Winter 2008
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George Fern Company produced 24th CERNER show;
Turns KC Convention Center into Cerner Facility |
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George Fern Company recently produced the 24th Annual Cerner Health Conference in Kansas City Missouri, marking the company’s 24th time working with the show.
 “The Cerner Corporation is a very important client to George Fern Company. We have a solid relationship, which has been built over 24 years of working together,” said Jim Brown – Kansas City office.
An industry-leading event, The Cerner Health Conference provided over 7,000 attendees with opportunities to learn about key issues impacting healthcare, benefit from innovative knowledge, build their network with industry experts and colleagues from around the world and attain insight from Cerner and its industry partners.
George Fern Company works closely with the CHC conference team on all aspects of the show from graphic design and theme, planning and logistics of Cerner booth equipment to security.
“We work as an extension of the conference team to bring the event theme into all aspects of the show,” said Jim.
This year, the George Fern Company team turned the Kansas City Convention Center into a Cerner Facility by installing graphics on the sidewalks, windows and walls throughout the convention center’s meeting space and exhibit halls.
According to Jim, the team wanted the attendees to feel as if they were at a Cerner office, not a convention center.
“The George Fern Company team is instrumental in ensuring CHC is a success both on our tradeshow floor through exhibit management and signage and throughout the convention center through designing structures for us and really bringing the convention center to life. We’ve gotten several comments over the past couple of years that attendees feel they’re stepping into one of the Cerner offices. Part of this is because George Fern Company really helps us come up with creative ways to use the existing space to our benefit through signage, branding and the structures we use each year,” said Shelly Miles, acting Interim CHC Team Lead.
Besides working on the Cerner Health Conference, George Fern Company works daily on all of Cerner’s local event and meeting needs as well as their tradeshow group on booth graphics for their booth properties.
“George Fern Company knows our company, the event and how we work and think,” said Shelly. |
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GCCC’s Battelle Hall undergoing renovations
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 The SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center’s Battelle Hall and the Connector are being remodeled.
“The new entrance will integrate Battelle Hall with the rest of the facility, as well as provide a sense of arrival at the Greater Colum¬bus Convention Center,” said SMG Regional General Manager Craig Liston.
The 90,000-sq.-ft. Battelle Hall will be transformed into a carpeted ballroom – the largest in the state of Ohio. It will feature a special ceiling with fins that can be illuminated in 65,000 different color variations. Upon completion, Battelle Hall will offer 52,000 sq. ft. on the main floor and nearly 25,000 sq. ft. on the mezzanine level. The space is flexible and can be divided into five different configurations.
There will be 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting rooms and expanded public seating areas added on the facility’s first floor.
“The goal of the project is to reinvent Battelle Hall as the largest ballroom in Ohio,” said Liston. “We intend to significantly increase the occupancy rate by booking more meetings, trade shows and banquets in this attractive new space.”
According to Sherry Chambers, CMP, Senior Director of Sales, tradeshow organizers are looking for affordability, easy dock access and an exhibitor-friendly facility when booking a site for their events. The Greater Columbus Convention Center offers all of that, plus a linear facility with flexible space that is easy to navigate and within walking distance of dining, entertainment, attractions and sporting events. |
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 With 100 years of experience in the service industry, over 1,000 events produced annually and an expanded nation-wide presence, George Fern Company has a commitment to customer service and satisfaction; it is how the company has maintained its ranking among the top three service contractors in the industry by Tradeshow Week since 1993. And, that commitment is at the core of Randy Balthrop’s, Production Manager – Nashville office, operating philosophy. Recently honored at the Autozone National Sales Meeting, held in Memphis, TN, as an “Extra Miler,” Randy is continuously recognized by clients, show staff and coworkers as the go-to-guy who will lend that helping hand.
“Our sales staff thinks the world of Randy and enjoys his presence on job sites. Everyone loves his easy-going demeanor and commitment to getting things done right and efficiently. He’ll do absolutely whatever it takes and never with a complaint,” said Nick Stammler, General Manager – Nashville office.
Randy joined the George Fern Company team in January of 2005 after being referred to the company by a friend who thought Randy was well-suited for the position although he had no previous experience in the industry. Now, approaching his four-year anniversary with George Fern Company, Randy’s commitment to service and customer satisfaction is duly noted by clients.
“Randy did an excellent job representing what George Fern Company is about. He was always on top of any task of project that needed to be completed and was prompt and courteous in dealing with our many needs and the needs of our clients. He is truly a pleasure to work with,” said Tami Alexander, Home Design & Remodeling Shows in Knoxville and Chattanooga, TN.
According to Nick, Randy is considered an “extra miler” at George Fern Company as well as on site at other tradeshows.
“It’s simply his ability to help wherever needed without having to be asked. He’s not afraid to pitch in whether it be loading trucks, skirting tables or gathering show requirements from clients,” said Nick.
While continuous praise often catches Randy by surprise, he attributes his success with clients to teamwork. Randy says that he constantly asks show management if there is anything needed from him or his crew and that everyone chips in to satisfy the customer.
“I realize just how important everyone’s role is in whatever job there is to do. I’ve been lucky in that no matter what, I can go to or call anyone on the George Fern Company staff and get advice or a solution to the problem,” said Randy. |
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George Fern Company Announces Promotions
Steve Larsen Named General Manager
of George Fern Company’s Louisville Office |
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(Louisville, KY, October 24) – George Fern Company, a leading national service contractor, has announced that Steve Larsen has joined its staff as General Manager of the Louisville, KY office.
Larsen comes to the George Fern Company from GE Healthcare, where he was Surgery Service Controller. Prior to that, he spent more than five years at Modern Exposition Services in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“Joining the George Fern Company team is an exciting opportunity. I especially appreciate the company’s proven track record of exceptional customer service and diverse portfolio of customers,” said Larsen. “I look forward to being involved in the day-to-day operations of the business and leveraging the expertise of individuals throughout the entire Fern network.”
To contact the George Fern Company’s Louisville office, call 502-367-0254. Or email Larsen at SLarsen@georgefern.com. |
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| Sheila Pannell and Randy White in New Roles |
(Cincinnati, OH, October 28) – The George Fern Company, a leading national service contractor, has announced promotions of two industry veterans.
Sheila Pannell has been named Vice President, National Sales. Pannell, who is based in Kansas City, will oversee the business development efforts of the national sales managers and account executives.
Pannell has been a National Sales Manager for George Fern Company since 2001 when they purchased Hubbell Tyner, where she worked for 21 years. She brings decades of working closely with key accounts and industry experience to her new role.
Randy White has been promoted to Regional Director of Sales for Kentucky and Indiana. In this role, White will work with the Louisville and Indianapolis offices focusing on building and maintaining relationships with new and existing clients as well as local industry partners such as facilities and convention & visitors bureaus.
White, who is based in the Louisville office, has been with the George Fern Company for 13 years as an account executive. Prior to that, he spent 12 years with the Kentucky Exposition Center.
“Sheila and Randy are well respected by their peers as well as throughout the industry and will provide great value in their new leadership roles,” said Aaron Bludworth, Chief Operating Officer. “Both have played key roles in our team’s past success and will continue to do so as we look toward future growth.”
To contact the George Fern Company, call 888-621-3376.Or email Pannell at SPannell@georgefern.com or White at White at RWhite@georgefern.com. |
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| George Fern Company Announces Promotions |
(Cincinnati, OH, November 7) – The George Fern Company, a leading national service contractor, has announced promotions of three industry veterans.
Jim Miller has been promoted to Vice President of Sales for Texas, where the company currently has three branches. Miller has been in the industry for 30 years, including 10 years as president of Pinnacle Decorating Company, which was acquired by the George Fern Company in 2007. His experience prior to that includes a variety of operations, sales and sales administration positions with major contractors.
Brad Hutchings will serve as Assistant General Manager for Texas. A 22-year veteran of the exposition and tradeshow industry, Hutchings joined the George Fern Company team earlier this year, coming from Freeman Decorating Company, where he served as operations manager. Prior to being operations manager, he worked in sales, creative services and various production departments.
Jim Holcomb was promoted to Assistant General Manager for Kansas City. Holcomb has been with George Fern Company since 1991, and was freight manager for the Kansas City office prior to this promotion.
“All three of these individuals are key to George Fern Company’s future growth and are proven contributors to our current success,” said Aaron Bludworth, Chief Operating Officer. “As a company, we are fortunate to have these strong leaders on our team.”
To contact the George Fern Company, call 888-621-3376. Email Miller at jmiller@georgefern.com; Hutchings at bhutchings@georgefern.com; or Holcomb at jholcomb@georgefern.com. |
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