Momentum Management, Inc

Gaining Momentum! Tips from the Trade Show Floor - Part 5

2012-01-26T14:17:00.000-08:00

Hi Hillary,

Welcome to January's "Gaining Momentum"! In addition to our trade show list and city profile we send you each month, Momentum Management would like to help you to continue to "gain momentum" in the trade show world with our "Gaining Momentum" tips. This email is just a short list of common sense solutions to everyday problems you may run into.

We'll also be posting these on our facebook page so if you have any comments or suggestions in addition to our tips, please take a few minutes to comment on our page.

We welcome any tips from you that we can add to our "Gaining Momentum - Tips from the Trade Show Floor" email. If we use your tip in an upcoming issue, we'll mail you a Starbucks gift card! Annette Jester with Art & Display replied back after a previous issue with her helpful hints which you'll see highlighted below. Thanks Annette!
--Your Momentum Management Team

Kaci Bledsoe - Momentum Management Billing Coordinator

Tip #11 (for iPhone, iPad users)

Pressing the power and home button together on your Apple device creates a picture of your current screenshot.

Creating a screenshot of your screen on any iPone or iPad is as easy as a touch of a button. Simply press your home screen and the power button at the same time and it creates a photo of your screen and saves it in your 'camera roll' on your phone. You can easily send the photo to someone via a text message or email. This can also be helpful when someone is unable to open a certain type of file like .pdf or .xlsx. By sending them a "picture" of the document open on your screen, they should be able to open it no matter what type of device they are working with. If you are using an Android device, you can download an app called "Screenshot It" to get similar results.

Annette Jester - Art & Display

Tip #12-16

Visit Starbucks as often as possible during breaks to keep yourself refueled.
Keep visqueen down as long as possible so that you won't stain the carpet when you spill your coffee.
Use a backpack instead of a purse or nice laptop carrier/brief case. No one wants to steal an ugly back pack!
Bring works gloves.
Bring a BIG black felt pen, preferably with your name or company logo on it because it will likely be "loaned" out.

Momentum In The Exhibit City News...

2012-01-06T12:27:00.000-08:00

From Ideas to Innovation:

Benchmarking Best Practices

Momentum Management was founded in 1991 by Randy Bott and a small group who shared a common vision of creating a nationally recognized labor management company. The company currently handles installation and dismantle service request for tradeshows and other events across the U.S. and Canada.

“After all these years I couldn’t be happier with the direction we’re headed and the progress we’ve made,” said Bott.

Three years ago, Randy brought Rick Bellerjeau to the company as general manager. What made this appointment unusual is that Bellerjeau’s background is not in either the tradeshows or labor industries. In fact, Bellerjeau came from a technology background.

“With a background in another industry,” said Bellerjeau. “I could look at the company through a different prism. Randy is a very forward thinking leader, and he believes in benchmarking best practices across industries.”

In the technology industry, companies understand the value of strategic partnerships. Companies partner and leverage strength, and through strategic partnerships, all of the partners become stronger. How could this be an advantage in the I&D industry?

Bellerjeau ‘s fresh eyes saw an industry dominated by fear. Because the tradeshow industry depends on acceptance of a creative effort, there is a personal element to customer acquisition. Will they like the exhibit? Will it ‘wow’ senior management? Will someone else get the business? Will they buy it?

Not only is the pressure personal, but time pressure is a big part of the industry. Deadlines are tight, as are schedules and delivery dates. With this in mind, Momentum shifted its focus away from the fear of cannibalization to committing to work with exhibit houses in order to understand what exhibit builders mean when they say they sell value to a client. What type of delivery do they promise? And how does a company like Momentum help them keep their promises?

Momentum is on a path of keeping track of continuous improvement. The company takes labor, a commodity, and adds innovation to reinvent themselves and the industry.

In doing so, Momentum is redefining service in the I&D segment with systems, processes, training and action. Bellerjeau, as general manager, believes in taking people to another level, specifically in taking a union employee who is part of a labor force that has done things the same way for decades and reintroducing this person to a new concept.

“The first step was to get our product, our labor force, to be excited about exceeding themselves on the show floor,” he said. “There are some companies that will throw their partners under the bus to make themselves look good; we’re not one of them. We know that our whole culture is about the client experience on the show floor exceeding everyone’s expectations.”

“We focus on our people, on training and on presenting the bigger picture, the whole vision,” Rick continues. “There’s a consistency to our approach from the time the dock doors open until the show opens. We know that our customers back at the corporate office are worried that something might go wrong. Maybe they’re launching a new product and they know that the show is important. It’s the primary place where they can meet their customers and they realize that a lot of business is started on the show floor.

“We’re a communications company as well as a labor company. Communications dissipates fear, and when the exhibit houses put our processes and procedures in their RFPs. It works. Our processes turn price discussion into value discussions. Especially in a down economy, we want to provide the highest level of service and sell value. In our work, we demonstrate how our vision is working as we build a culture of partnerships, value and customer focus. We make the fear go away.”

Gaining Momentum! Tips from the Trade Show Floor - Part 4

2012-01-06T11:57:00.000-08:00

Welcome to December's "Gaining Momentum"! In addition to our helpful trade show list, Momentum Management would like to help you to continue to "gain momentum" in the trade show world. Every other month, we'll send out a short list of common sense solutions to everyday problems you may run into.

We'll also be posting these on our facebook page so if you have any comments or suggestions in addition to our tips, please take a few minutes to comment on our page.

We welcome any tips from you that we can add to our "Gaining Momentum - Tips from the Trade Show Floor" email. If we use your tip in an upcoming issue, we'll mail you a Starbucks gift card! Katana Luther with Skyline replied back last month with her helpful hints which you'll see highlighted below. Thanks Katana!
--Your Momentum Management Team

Mike Ciufo - Northeastern Regional Manager

Tip #7 - Bring a big spray bottle of one part fabric softener, one part water. Spray it on the carpet to eliminate static (just don't spray too close to any plugged-in equipment).

Tip #8 - This may seem obvious, but never forget your first aid kit. You never know when you may need it!

Katana Luther - Skyline Exhibits and Events

Tip #9 - To avoid any possible theft, never wrap pallets containing flat screens or other valuable items in clear shrink wrap. It's better to always wrap in black wrap so that passersby cannot easily view items waiting to be unwrapped or shipped off.

Tip #10 - When filling out the outbound MHA for show management, make sure that you write clearly and note each item in the appropriate line on the form for each item you have shipping out of the show. Don't look at the MHA for the items shipping to the show and write down the exact same items, weight or description because it is likely that the number of pieces shipping out and their description will be different than what was sent in.

Gaining Momentum! Tips from the Trade Show Floor - Part 3

2011-10-20T08:43:00.000-07:00

Welcome to October's "Gaining Momentum"! In addition to our helpful trade show list that graces your inbox each month, Momentum Management would like to help you to continue to "gain momentum" in the trade show world. Each month, we'll send out a short list of common sense solutions to everyday problems you may run into.

We'll also be posting these on our facebook page so if you have any comments or suggestions in addition to our tips, please take a few minutes to comment on our page.

We welcome any tips from you that we can add to our "Gaining Momentum - Tips from the Trade Show Floor" email. If we use your tip in an upcoming issue, we'll mail you a Starbucks gift card! Helen Richie with ACI Design replied back last month with her helpful hint which you'll see highlighted below. Thanks Helen!

--Your Momentum Management Team

Glen Ruggiero

TIP # 5

Glen Ruggiero - National Account Executive

After focusing our previous Gaining Momentum email on "target times", we thought we'd give another useful tip regarding the dismantle. 'When to begin the dismantle?' may seem like an easy question to answer. To avoid overtime charges, many clients request that the dismantle begins the day after show close, but we have found that many times, it is safer and more cost-efficient if the client begins the dismantle as soon as possible after the show close. Take a look at the chart below. (And for a refresher on last month's Tips and Tricks, click here.)

Beginning the dismantle at show close:

PROS	CONS
Your client's product can be secured at show close.	If product is being left on the floor overnight, you risk the possibility of theft or damage.
Your booth can be packed and ready to be picked up for shipping first thing in the morning. This can be very beneficial if the booth is trans-shipping to another show.	If your crates are not returned to your booth in a timely manner, you risk paying for the labor as they wait for the crates to arrive to finish packing the booth. Note - if your booth is located near the loading dock, there is a good chance your crates will be some of the last ones to be delivered.
The client or supervisor can leave town earlier saving in travel costs and time away from the office.	Possibly more overtime charges as most shows tend to break later in the afternoon.

TIP # 6

Helen Richie - ACI Design

"One thing we always tell our customers: Never leave your purse or laptop unattended during setup and dismantle, in any way. We had a customer who had two booths at the show and walked across the aisle for about 10 minutes. When she came back her laptop was gone!"

Go here to see tips 1 and 2:

Go here to see tips 3 and 4:

Gaining Momentum! Tips from the Trade Show Floor - Part 2

2011-08-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

Welcome to "Gaining Momentum"! In addition to our helpful trade show list that graces your inbox each month, Momentum Management would like to help you to continue to "gain momentum" in the trade show world. Each month, we'll send out a short list of common sense solutions to every day problems you probably run into.

We'll also be posting these on our facebook page so if you have any comments or suggestions in addition to our tips, please take a few minutes to comment on our page.

We welcome any tips from you that we could add to our "Gaining Momentum - Tips from the Trade Show Floor" email. If we use your tip in an upcoming issue, we'll mail you a Starbucks gift card!

Thank you so much for all you do for Momentum Management!

--Your Momentum Management Team

Rich Carlson - Las Vegas City Manager

1. Equipment Count - Know your equipment needs when placing your order so that the labor shows up to your booth with the necessary equipment. Otherwise, they may have to leave the booth to retrieve equipment after the start time. (Saving you time and money!)

2. FedEx - FedEx rarely picks up packages from the show floor, so before shipping out FedEx, make sure you know the show's shipping regulations. This will save you money on forced freight or your labor company making the delivery for you. (Which Momentum will be happy to do for you if ever necessary!)

3. Baby Wipes - I know this sounds funny, but it is a cleaner and a disinfectant. It will clean hands, food spills, shoe scuffs, and will soothe irritated rashes caused by excessive show floor walking.

Andy Deeb

One issue that comes to mind that can help you avoid unnecessary charges is "target times" while scheduling labor. It's a small detail that often gets overlooked on the busy trade show floor. Make sure the labor isn't scheduled to begin until several hours after the target time... and on the dismantle, double check to make sure the truck isn't sent in until the correct time.

Note: After Andy brought this concern to our attention, many other common mistakes that often occur during the dismantle were brought to the table. The dismantle is a very common place where hours are wasted when many small details get overlooked. Please stay tuned for next month's "Gaining Momentum" email for more tips and tricks focusing on a smoother dismantle.

Gaining Momentum!

2011-06-07T12:53:00.000-07:00

Welcome to "Gaining Momentum"! In addition to our helpful trade show list that we send out each month, Momentum Management would like to help you to continue to "gain momentum" in the trade show world. Each month, we'll post a short list of tips you may find helpful next time you are on the floor. If you would like to be added to our email list, please email Hillary Hull and she can add you to our list.

We'll also be posting these on our facebook page so if you have any comments or suggestions in addition to our tips, please take a few minutes to comment on our page.

Also, we welcome any tips from you that we could add to our "Gaining Momentum - Tips from the Trade Show Floor" email. If we use your tip in an upcoming issue, we'll mail you a Starbucks gift card!

Thank you so much for all you do for Momentum Management!

--Your Momentum Management Team

John Ramaglia - VP of Operations

EAC Forms

One of today's challenges, as a result of the economy, is that both show and exhibit house coordinators are simply overwhelmed by many details and deadlines. A critical one that often slips through the cracks is getting your EAC forms in early. Often the deadlines have been moved up by general contractors and show management companies for various reasons. Having them come in late often results in your desires to use us or any other exhibit appointed contractor (EAC) removed, forcing you to use the GC's labor.

Momentum is sending you EAC requests based on our history together in advance of the deadline to help you to remember this detail. We're also sending out reminders of deadlines that you have not known about as we become aware of so that you can be proactive. Even so, when you get your "early reminder", help us help you. That's how we're trying to Redefine Service to you.

Matt Cornell - Southern California Manager

Outbound Shipping

Using FedEx as an outbound shipper can be risky. FedEx comes to a convention center once a day for pick up and if the paperwork is delayed or someone misses their freight, then it could be shipped via the general contractor carrier or to their warehouse. Also, when a show dismantles on a weekend, there is even more of a chance FedEx will not show up at all. If it is a small box, allow Momentum Management or the client to take it to FedEx. FedEx drivers have a tight schedule and do not like to wait in line for their pick up at a convention center.

Welcome John Knoska as new Chicago City Manager!

2011-05-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

Momentum Management would like to introduce the newest member of our team to you. We are proud to announce John Knoska as the new city manager of Chicago. John will be replacing Bart Cassell who is moving on to new responsibilities. John has worked with GES / Expo Services for the past 25 years and brings solid experience to one of Momentum’s strongest cities. John’s most recently served GES as city manager of Chicago.

“John Knoska joining our company is significant. His addition further demonstrates our commitment to bring in highly-qualified people who match our vision of Redefining Service. John has the abilities to lead our company in strategic locations like Chicago. His depth of knowledge and experience in our industry will be a key to our success going forward,” says General Manager Rick Bellerjeau.

John was introduced to the trade show industry by his father more than 25 years ago. His background includes working on trade show booths, projects, laying out projects, and managing all aspects of city management. His experience in Chicago will be of great value to all of Momentum’s clients.

President and Founder Randy Bott said, “As I look across all our cities, John’s arrival further strengthens an already very strong team. Our focused implementation of our strategy has helped Momentum Management enhance the customer experience across the nation. These are exciting days for our company.”

John lives in the Chicago-area with his wife, Mary and his two daughters, Maya, 14 and Mary Jane, 11. When not on the show floor, you may find John running the streets of Chicago. He has run the Chicago marathon three times and plans to run again in 2012.

John Knoska

jknoska@momentummgt.com

630-618-0113

Record attendance at CES 2011!

2011-05-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

From: Exhibitor New Network

Independent Audit Confirms Record International Attendance at the 2011 International CES

5/12/2011 - The International CES® announced that 31,677 industry professionals from outside the U.S. attended the 2011 International CES January 6-9, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Up 30 percent from last year, international attendance at the 2011 CES set a new record for the show’s 45-year history. An independent audit, performed by Veris Consulting LLC, confirms CES’ status as the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow and North America’s largest annual tradeshow of any kind. Overall, the 2011 International CES welcomed 149,529 technology attendees during its four day run.

Veris is certified by the Exhibition and Event Industry Audit Commission (EEIAC) to perform audits. Veris Consulting provides an independent, third-party verification of International CES attendance, demographics, records and record-keeping systems. As part of the Veris audit, each CES attendee is counted only once, and show size is calculated using only exhibit space sold, not hallways or bartered space. An independent audit is required to be certified by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and the International CES is believed to be the only UFI approved event in its category.

“The 2011 International CES was the must-attend event of 2011 and featured astounding innovative debuts including Android Honeycomb, Ford’s Electric Focus, Motorola’s Atrix and Microsoft’s Avatar Kinect,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, producer of CES. “This audit verifies that CES brings together the global technology industry, including Fortune 500 executives, retail buyers, content providers, entertainment executives, venture capitalists, engineers and media from all over the world who want to experience the latest and greatest tech products.”

Technology innovation spanned more than 1.6 million net square feet of exhibit space, as an estimated 20,000 new products were launched by more than 2,700 exhibiting companies at the 2011 CES. More, international attendees represented 140 countries, demonstrating that global technology executives travel to CES to do business. Aside from the U.S., the top 10 countries represented in terms of attendees were: Canada, South Korea, Japan, China, United Kingdom, Mexico, Taiwan, France, Germany and Brazil.

More than 40,000 top decision makers and senior level executives attend the International CES for its unparalleled networking and business opportunities. The Veris audit confirms that 43 percent of 2011 CES attendees are senior level executives, on par with last year. Presidents, CEOs and/or business owners made up 16 percent of attendees. Nearly one third of all attendees are the final decision makers when it comes to new product purchases and partnerships with new companies, with 97 percent identified as having buying decision influence. More than 11,500 attendees represented companies with more than $500 million in total annual sales, up 37 percent over 2010 CES.

Leaders from diverse business areas including entertainment, retail, education, engineering and financial services attend the International CES, according to the Veris audit. More than 12,000 retail-buying organizations, 6,500 manufacturers and 3,500 engineering companies came to the 2011 CES. Additionally, more than 9,500 attendees from the content development and entertainment industry came to CES’ inaugural year of the Entertainment Matters program, providing entertainment executives the chance to experience the products and technologies that deliver their entertainment to the consumer.

Top government officials attended the 2011 International CES. One hundred government leaders from the U.S. Cabinet, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, Federal Communications Commission, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of the United States Trade Representative, U.S. International Trade Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency attend CES to learn where technology is heading.

Influential media attend CES every year to report on the latest technologies and trends in the consumer technology industry. The 2011 CES drew more than 5,000 press and industry analysts.

The CES audit provides absolute verification of exhibition records, including direct on-site observation, examination of registration systems and testing of attendee records. Post-show analysis included direct confirmation sampling, reconciliation of attendance lists, elimination of duplicate names and verification of demographic data with the source of documentation.

Final audit numbers may differ from preliminary estimates given on-site due to additional badge pick-ups and badge reader reports. This audit complies with the industry standards for audits adopted by both the Exhibition and Event Industry Audit Commission (EEIAC) and the International Association of Exhibition and Events (IAEE).

For full audit results, please visit www.CESweb.org/exhibitors. The 2012 International CES is scheduled for January 10-13 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Gaining "Momentum" in Minneapolis!

2011-05-01T18:15:00.001-07:00

Minneapolis CC Sees Increases in Its Consumer Shows

From http://www.tsnn.com/news-blogs/minneapolis-cc-sees-increases-its-consumer-shows

April 28, 2011

by Rachel Wimberly

Minneapolis Boat Show

The first part of this year has started off on a bright note for the Minneapolis Convention Center, with several consumer shows scoring increases in attendance, compared with last year. The shows ranged from a 6-percent increase all the way to a 26-percent increase in attendance.

The shows that reported higher attendance were the Minneapolis Boat Show, Minneapolis RV, Vacation & Camping Show, Minneapolis Home and Garden Show, Twin Cities Auto Show and Northwest Sportshow.
Besides more people at the shows, they also opened their wallets once they were there on the showfloor and bought more than in previous years, according to Meet Minneapolis officials, the city’s CVB.

“Indications are that consumers felt more confident about their personal financial situations and came to these shows to make purchases that they had perhaps been delaying for the past few years,” the CVB officials added.

Jennifer Thompson, show manager of the Minneapolis Boat Show and Northwest Sportshow, said those two shows saw attendance increases of 26 percent and 14 percent, respectively, compared with last year’s shows.

“Boat dealers at the Minneapolis Boat Show saw sales at the show that they hadn’t seen in years,” Thompson said.

She added, “At our recent Northwest Sportshow, attendees were booking trips with resort owners again, the fishing tackle retailers had one of their best shows in years and boats and RVs continued to sell.”

Katie Smith, director of sales and marketing at the Minneapolis Convention Center, said, “After two to three years of staying in and saving, Minnesotans are ready to get out and do things. Consumer confidence is up, and attendance and sales numbers only reinforced this trend.”

Another sign that people are more willing to spend money is the Minneapolis CC also saw increases in retail sales, with sales up 11 to 38 percent, compared with last year.

These sales occurred in stores located within the center, such as Kelber Catering service and Dunn Bros. café.

Things are looking up!

2011-04-15T07:37:00.000-07:00

Although our industry's numbers were down as a whole last year, the 3rd and 4th quarters were up. The trends don't lie and Momentum is feeling the growth!

Let us know how we can help you and add you to our growing business!

CEIR Releases Annual Index Report for 2010

The research organization presented mixed forecasts for the state of the industry.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 By T.J. Raphael

The Center for Exhibition Industry Research [CEIR] released its full-year 2010 results for its Index Report Monday. Metrics measured across its customary categories—net square feet, exhibitors, attendees and revenue—combined to show a decline for a third straight year.

CEIR president and CEO Douglas Ducate was on hand at the SISO CEO Summit held this week in Bonita Springs, Florida to release the report.

While the third and fourth quarters in 2010 showed welcome increases across the four metrics, they weren't enought to counteract the overall decline, which hit 2.4 percent for the year. That decline, says the report, was the industry hitting bottom, and better years are predicted to be ahead.

Out of the categories, revenue suffered the largest decline in 2010, falling 8.4 percent.

According to CEIR, show attendance is the leading indicator of industry health, and the organization found a kernel of optimism behind that category's 2.4 percent growth for the year. Job growth in the U.S., if it stays on track, will be the sector to watch, says CEIR, since it directly impacts attendance at events.

The 2010 report added a new element, a three-year predictive feature, which was compiled and analyzed Dr. Allen Shaw of GECA and Dr. Jeff Werling of Inforum. While about half of the 14 industry sectors the Index Report tracks showed growth, this was enough for the team to forecast "modest recovery" for the industry over the next three years.

Indeed, while metrics for first quarter 2011 have not been released yet, a third consecutive quarter of growth for the industry could be a sign of a sustained recovery going forward.

A little more to love - (brotherly love that is)!

2011-03-11T05:39:00.000-08:00

So, what do you think of when you think of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?

Cream Cheese?
Philly Cheese Steaks?
The Liberty Bell?
The "City of Brotherly Love"?

Well, if you are a part of the trade show industry, you may be thinking 787 million dollars! That is the price of the gorgeous new expansion at the Pennsylvania Convention Center! See the article below that was featured in TSNN this month. Not only is this a great addition for the success of the trade show industry, but it's boosting the economy in endless ways!

This new expansion in Philly is a GREAT indicator that the trade show industry is going nowhere but UP! Momentum Management's forecast is no different - we are growing more than ever and we are proud to be a part of this great industry!

Pennsylvania CC Opens Doors to $787 Million Expansion

March 4, 2011

by Rachel Wimberly

The Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia officially has gone from being the 24th largest trade show venue in the United States to the 14th largest when it opened a 239,000 square foot expansion that will now give it 679,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space.

The entire facility boasts one million square feet of usable space and has the largest contiguous exhibition space in the northeastern U.S.
A ribbon-cutting to commemorate the official opening of the expanded space took place March 4, and a grand opening is slated for June.
“Philadelphia has an amazing opportunity to become the standard bearer for the hospitality and tourism industry,” said Ahmeenah Young, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority.
She added, “Our ongoing focus is to make sure that the experience each group, attendee and exhibitor has in the Philadelphia region exceeds their greatest expectations.”

The $787 million expansion, completed on time and on budget, now gives the facility the ability to host two large events simultaneously.
“Today, we are taking our level of customer service to greater heights with the opening of an expanded Convention Center,” said Jack Ferguson, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The entire city is rolling out the welcome mat. Customers from across the country are buzzing about Philadelphia and expansion.”

He added, “We already have $2.7 billion in future expansion business on the books. On behalf of our 1,000-member businesses we want to offer our congratulations to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the staff of the Pennsylvania Convention Center for delivering a world-class venue for our customers.”

The expansion also will draw in larger groups that will take up the entire center, such as the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses, booked March 18-24, which will use 5,200 hotel rooms on peak and 27,000 hotel rooms total, generating an economic impact of $31 million, according to Ferguson.
Another new show that will fill the center in May will be Lightfair International, with 3,500 hotel rooms on peak, 13,000 hotel rooms total and an economic impact of $23 million, he added.

“We have six shows this year that fit that profile that we never could have gotten before the expansion,” Ferguson said.

The PCCA expects visitor traffic to increase to 1.5 million per year, and research indicates the expanded center also will create 2,000 hospitality industry jobs, generate $10 million in income tax revenue for Pennsylvania and contribute $150 million annually to the regional economy.

Momentum Management hires marketing director

2011-03-08T08:11:00.001-08:00

Written by Exhibit City News

Tuesday, February 22 2011 13:55

Momentum Management Inc., a national labor management company that focuses on labor services including installation, dismantle and supervision for trade shows, has announced the addition of a Director of Marketing.

Hillary Hull, the new Director of Marketing, previously worked for Ruth’s Chris Steak House as the Director of Sales.

“It has been really exciting to create and manage all the many different areas of Momentum’s strategic plans for the sales side of this organization,” said Hull. “Having used many of these approaches in the past, I already know the work. Seeing the work at Momentum has been a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to continued progress.”

Hull’s primary responsibility will be to further develop and communicate Momentum Management’s brand across the trade show industry. Other responsibilities include brand and technology development as well as further expanding Momentum Management’s sales strategies.

“We’re very excited about the addition of Hillary,” said general manager Rick Bellerjeau. “Our goal of redefining service across our segment requires clear communication between our clients, partners, and co-workers.”

Randy Bott, President and Founder of Momentum Management, is already fond of Hull’s work.

“We’re touching more clients in more ways that we ever have before,” he said. “Our web traffic alone has doubled since October. That’s a trend that is defining itself in real orders coming in. I’m very pleased with the overall strategy we’ve got going now in both sales and marketing.”

Congratulations to the ATL for a GREAT 2010!

2011-01-07T10:59:00.001-08:00

Atlanta Has a Banner Year in 2010

(click here for full article)

By Rachel Wimberly

Published on January 3, 2011

There likely are a lot of cities across the United States that won’t mind seeing 2010 in a rear-view mirror, as they look forward to what they hope is a better year to come.
But, one city that has reason to celebrate last year’s triumphs is Atlanta, with a record-breaking 19 citywide conventions.

Room night bookings also were up a whopping 33 percent, compared with 2009, according to Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau officials.

Messe Frankfurt USA President David Audrain (on left)
and Mark Sussman, ACVB’s director of trade show
sales, at IAEE’s Expo! Expo!

“2010 proved to be a banner year,” said William Pate, president and CEO of ACVB. “In partnership with the meeting planner, our staff was focused on getting people to the conventions through marketing and public relations efforts.”

He added. “Atlanta has the offerings that customers are looking for, and now that the economy is improving, we’re seeing convention travelers come back.”
Last year was a tough year to get attendees to events, but, according to ACVB officials, 25 of the 33 largest conventions that met in the city in 2010 met or exceeded their attendance goals.

Medical meetings, in particular, had a good year in 2010, with five medical meetings coming to Atlanta in November alone.

One of the November shows, Medtrade, which ran Nov. 15-18 at the Georgia World Congress Center, also had a strong year, attracting 11,756 attendees and exhibitors to the show – a 38-percent increase, compared with the 2009 show.

Medtrade’s success paid off for Atlanta since the show rebooked in 2014.

“We definitely feel Medtrade 2010 was successful,” said Kevin Gaffney, Medtrade’s group show director. “Medtrade attendees and exhibitors enjoy the business-focused environment that is present in Atlanta.”
He added, “Ease of travel, plentiful venues for entertaining and the support and efficiency of the Georgia World Congress Center staff all contributed to the overall success of the event.”

This year ended on a high note for Atlanta at the recent International Association of Exhibitions and Events’ Expo! Expo! held in December in New Orleans.

Messe Frankfurt USA’s Texprocess Americas, the leading international trade show for processing textile and flexible materials, which is collocated with Techtextil North America, signed a letter of intent at ACVB’s booth for 2014 and 2016. The collocated shows also will be held in 2012 in Atlanta.

Atlanta also expects a solid year in 2011, with 16 citywide conventions on the books, according to ACVB officials.

One Response to 'Atlanta Has a Banner Year in 2010'

Subscribe to comments with RSS or TrackBack to 'Atlanta Has a Banner Year in 2010'.

Camelback Trade Show Displays said,

on January 4th, 2011 at 4:09 pm

2010 wasn’t all bad elsewhere either. Our industry easily survived the recession and it will get even better in 2011.

Momentum Management Adds Another Account Executive

2010-12-22T12:21:00.000-08:00

Momentum Management, Inc announces the addition of Glen Ruggiero to its account executive team. Adding this new position is part of Momentum’s overall strategy to redefine service within the trade show industry.

Ruggiero will focus largely on the east coast leveraging the Momentum Relationship Cycle as a differentiator. Using this innovative technique allows Momentum to enhance the installation and dismantle approach across the company’s client base.

Ruggiero began his tenure with Momentum in 2002 as a lead man on the show floor. He then moved into the corporate office as an account coordinator before transitioning into the role of account manager for the west coast sales team.

“I believe Glen brings a unique perspective to the sales side having worked at various levels within the industry. By leveraging our consultative process with clients, he reflects the kind of approach we’re fostering within the organization,” says Rick Bellerjeau, General Manager. “Glen’s new role within the company is just another way that Momentum Management is redefining service in the trade show industry.”

Momentum Management, Inc. is a national labor management company that focuses on all aspects of labor services including installation, dismantle and supervision for trade shows, store and museum installs and other events. For more information, please visit www.momentummgt.com.

Momentum Management Grows Executive Team

2010-11-05T12:15:00.000-07:00

Momentum Management has expanded its executive team with the addition of Rick Bellerjeau as General Manager. Rick Bellerjeau, the former President of Tellermate, Inc. and founder of Greater Share Consulting initially joined Momentum as a consultant last summer.

Bellerjeau joins a veteran team headed up by President and Founder Randy Bott and Vice President of Operations and Co-Founder, John Ramaglia.

Rick Bellerjeau, who has served on the executive staff of Tellermate, Datatec Systems, and eDeploy, brings real world experience to the Momentum Management team.

“I joined Randy last fall as the new General Manager because I can see the incredible opportunity we have to reshape our industry. I believe that services will be the key to moving forward in this difficult economy. The changes made over the last year are increasing our share of customer and market. Success is always about execution and adhering to plan. So far, so good”, says Bellerjeau.

Momentum Management has implemented a unique customer-centric method, the Momentum Relationship Cycle, for enhancing the installation and dismantle of trade show booths by working strategically with their extensive partner base. This innovative technique is new to the trade show industry and is proving to be very beneficial to Momentum Management’s customers.

“In the past 20 years, we have grown one of the strongest national labor management organizations by providing outstanding quality and service to the trade show industry, says Momentum Management President and Founder, Randy Bott. “Rick has taken what we’ve started to develop and is moving us to a new level. Based on the feedback we’ve gotten so far, we’re on to something.”

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Momentum Management,Inc. is a national labor management company that focuses on all aspects of labor services including installation, dismantle, and supervision for trade shows, store and museum installs and other events. For more information, please visit www.momentummgt.com.

Momentum's Marketing Coordinator Interviewed for EC News Article

2010-11-04T21:09:00.000-07:00

A Unique Perspective on the RSMGC - written by D'Anna Hurley

Click here to view the article in the Exhibit City News online!

One of the first events you discover when joining the tradeshow industry is the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic. Since its inception in 1995, the RSMGC has grown into an industry-wide event that brings colleagues from all corners of our industry together for a great cause. In honor of this event’s distinguished history as well as its draw to industry novices, this article explores the perspective of both an event founder and an RSMGC newcomer. Rich Johnson, account executive at Renaissance Management, and Hillary Hull, marketing coordinator at Momentum Management, offer their individual outlooks on the RSMGC.

Q: Tell me about your participation in the Randy Smith this year; were you a volunteer, did you play golf, etc?Rich: I actually played golf this year. This is only the second time in 16 years I’ve actually played. You know the old joke about us? “Where else can you play a seven hour round of golf and not get pissed off?” Well that’s us! I also think I found more beer carts than fairways.

Hillary: I volunteered this year by helping sell the raffle tickets upon registration and driving the beverage cart around the course to supply our golfers with drinks and snacks throughout the day. This gave me the opportunity to meet the participants and understand why this event is so special.

Q: Has there been a moment that stands out to you the most in all the years you have participated in this event?
Rich: Each Randy kind of stands alone and each is unique in its own way, sort of like a golf swing itself. I guess a tangible way to sort them is by the different host venues. Berkeley Hills is much different than Chateau Élan, which is much different than our ancestral home Hidden Hills. So, I guess each individual participant can compartmentalize their moment or memories by venue, whether it was a golf shot they nutted or a particular recipient speech. Personally I miss making the banquet films, they have always been special moments for me.

Q: How has the event evolved over the years?
Rich: Mike Boone has a succinct saying, “Once you go than you’ll know” and that’s right on and we get confirmation of this from each first-timer. Then, I look at the core group of long-term Randy participants that are kind of like dogs hanging their heads out of a car window - they really, really like it and can’t get enough of it. So I guess each year we keep getting more dogs in our car hanging their heads out the window, or the same dogs hanging their heads out the window. Sometimes in the past, it rained and we had to roll the windows up on them but, they still smudged their noses on the windows. The other evolvement level is obviously the recipients.

Our net has been cast for a lot of years now and unfortunately there continues to be a strong need for our help. I believe the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic, and our affiliated events, is closing in on one hundred recipient families since our inception in 1995. I don’t know how to communicate what that milestone number means. It’s mixed emotions, I guess. It’s the inherent Good Friday nature of the event, which is why we focus so heavily on the Easter Sunday celebration part. As the Reverend Reid Sherwood always says, you can’t have one without the other.

Q: Why did you get involved with this cause?Rich: I personally got involved in the event with my partner and co-founder, Ted Peterson, after Randy Smith died. We had the idea of holding an event to help his wife Jenny and two young children Justin and Austin. The initial idea was to invite our co-workers and friends to participate. We were very fortunate to have a lot of friends in the Atlanta community that supported this since the beginning.

What shocked us was how we were able, from day one through today, to bring competitors together on this one day for the good of the cause. That continues to amaze me and is the one of the core reasons for our success. Remember that great story about the Germans and the English on Christmas Day during WWI? They had a cease fire, came out of their respective fox holes, had Christmas dinner, got loaded and played soccer. Well that’s kind of like us, except we get loaded and play golf before going back to our respective fox holes to fire muskets and lob cannon balls at each other again.

Hillary: Being new to the industry this year, I had never heard of the RSMGC. After participating in the 2010 bowling event sponsored by the southeastern chapter of the EDPA, I began to research the foundation and absolutely fell in love with what this organization does for our industry. Volunteering for this event was the least I could do to help our industry partners in need.

Q: From your perspective, what makes this event different than other charitable events?
Rich: I think what sets our event apart is that it is very personal. Each of us has known many of our recipients personally.I think it’s a tribute to our sense of community, and that these tragedies are real and can happen to any of us at any time. It’s a good feeling knowing that if any one of us suffered a tragedy, the event will be there for us and our families in our time of need.

Hillary: The fact that this organization helps our industry peers makes it very unique. I have been so impressed by the generosity and caring attitudes of my tradeshow colleagues. By example, they are willing to contribute whether it’s a customer, their strongest competitor or someone they’ve never met. To witness an event where everyone comes together for one common cause is amazing.

Q: As a first-timer how do you see the event growing in the years to come? Did this year’s event encourage any of your colleagues to participate next year?
Hillary: I have certainly been inspired to promote this cause to my colleagues to participate in the future. My hope is that we can spread the word about this organization to as many industry professionals as possible.

Q: What does it mean to you to be a founder of this event and to participate every year?
Rich: I guess it means a lot, although to what extent I’m not sure anymore. Yes, Ted and I were the original drivers, but I almost feel we’re getting old and in the way. We have a tremendous support staff around us. Like I said at the banquet, inertia doesn’t move the
Randy, real people do. And those real people are Jim Wurm, Sandra Braun, Robert Laarhoven, Kellie Shevlin, Dave Walens, Bobby Prihoda, Sharon Bingham, Kathy Peterson, and the one and only Mike Boone. This board brings a lot of energy, ideas and enthusiasm. And the onsite volunteers have just done a wonderful job forever, they’ve got it wired. I honestly believe Ted and I could step aside and this thing would hum right along, probably even better on some levels.

Q: Has your first time participating in the Randy inspired you in any way?
Hillary: Most definitely. When people set aside personal and business schedules for a common cause like this, good things happen. It’s also quite humbling to hear that many of our colleagues who have received this money are previous participants in the tournament as golfers and volunteers. I think it is a valuable way to grow as an individual, a company and as an industry as a whole. I worked at the raffle ticket table early in the day and I was absolutely blown away by the generosity of this year’s participants. Given the current economic situation, I think many people truly understand the importance of this organization and gave with open hearts to help those in need.

Q: How would you measure the success of this event?Rich: I guess the ultimate success would be if we could have a Randy that was all Easter Sunday, no Good Friday, which would mean that to thank God we would have no recipients, no families in need. It may be naïve but it’s worth hoping for, right? To answer your question directly, the measurement of success is hard to quantify. I look at itfundamentally as I don’t think anyone comes to the Randy and says afterwards; Gee why did I do that? That sucked. I think we’re old enough and honest enough that people really enjoy themselves and feel good about participating. And isn’t that the best feeling in life, helping someone else?

Hillary: As a new volunteer, I think this event was a huge success. I am inspired by the willingness of our golfers and the generous donations given to help give to those in need.

Q: What did you take away from the Randy on a personal level? Rich: For me it’s absolutely the recipient families. Myparticular personal relationships with the recipients are exactly that, personal. I can’t really express in detail what that relationship means to me. Although, I can say I’m saddened by the fact we’ve gotten so big in recent years that I cannot have the same relationships with all the families as I have had in the past.

Hillary: I think I was encouraged by the overall excitement of the event. Whether they were golfing or volunteering ... everyone was genuinely excited to be there and participate in the day.

Q: What was your favorite part of the day this year?
Rich: I would have to say the first thing that comes to mind was Jack Berenato knocking in the hole-in-one and winning the $25,000.00 cash prize. Jake is one of less than ten people (eight to be exact) that has been to every Randy event and for one of our original guys to do it, is just tremendous. Although, according to my math, Jake has played 64 par 3’s at 16 Randy’s, I guess it’s about time he knocked one in.

Another special moment was being able to give Reid Sherwood his original “Sponsor of the Year Award” from 2008. Reid is the epitome of the altruistic nature of this event. We love him and he loves us. And the last special moment was Big Joe William’s speech at the banquet. Here was a gentle giant of a man truly humbled by the magnitude of the Randy and his family being a recipient. I also enjoyed his speech which talked about how he organizes cleanup programs in his home neighborhood with other families, and how it is spreading throughout the city of Atlanta and its surrounding counties. I thought that was a tremendous message.

Hillary: Being able to meet so many people and witness the open hearts of those involved. Everyone at the tournament was there for one common goal – to help our peers in need. This event and meeting the people involved has made me proud to be a part of the tradeshow industry.

Q: (Since Rich brought it up) How did it feel to witness the first-ever hole-in-one during the RSMGC this year? Witness 1, Tara Jung: It was very exciting! Teresa and I were screaming and jumping up and down! It’s the first hole-in-one I’ve ever seen, so I am not sure who was more excited us or Jack!

Witness 2, Teresa Whittier: It was so amazing. After having a few close calls earlier in the day, Tara and I were already feeling a little hopeful that we could have our first Randy hole-in-one winner. Sure enough, the ball went right in and the cheers began. Word travelled fast as participants sped over on their carts to find out who the big winner was; Jack Berenato.

Q: Will we see you on the course next year?
Rich: I hope so. One of my many regrets is that I haven’t been playing all these years. In hindsight, micromanaging the placement of the players’ golf clubs and making sure the raffle was properly rigged wasn’t the best use of my time. Now if we could only talk Ted into playing, that would be great. I can’t begin to tell you how much he has meant to this event for the past 16 years. We’re also contemplating a venue change for next year, for no other good reason than we can’t Velcro on the 11 to our new Randy Berkeley hats.

Hillary: Of course. I won’t be putting on my golf shoes, but I look forward to seeing familiar faces again, and doing everything possible from a volunteer perspective to help raise money for this incredible organization.

Q: What is your hope for the future of this event?
Rich: My personal hope for the future of this event would be to bequeath this to the next generation. That would be a great legacy to hand down to them. Have Justin and Austin Smith, Tyler and Josh Peterson and my daughter Jessica take it over. I do see some inherent problems with this plan, the first would be that our kids would be in the exhibit business. I am not sure as parents we would encourage them joining this crazy industry. We would love to keep the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic going as long as everyone will have us. It is, in my opinion, the very best snapshot of our industry every year. We cannot thank the participants, sponsors and volunteers enough for all they do to make this event happen. Theirgenerosity in the giving of time, resources andreal emotion is what made this the success it is.

Hillary: That this event will grow year after year and we will be able to raise enough money to help our industry families when the need arises. It is truly a wonderful event that I hope to be a part of for many years to come.

HCEA announces top Medical Trade Shows

2010-10-19T12:25:00.000-07:00

MOMENTUM MANAGEMENT

is working hard at all the top medical shows!

Have you scheduled your install and dismantle labor for

2010-2011 medical shows?

http://www.momentummgt.com/

HCEA Announces Top 50 Largest U.S. Medical Meetings

ATLANTA — The Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA) has released its list of the top 50 largest

U.S.

medical meetings held in 2009. The listed meetings include both actual and rounded attendance figures self-reported by the event organizers. Below are the top 10 medical meetings from the list:

Rank	Association Name	Total Attendance	Professional Attendance
1	Greater New York Dental Meeting	59,166	37,206
2	Radiological Society Of North America, Inc.	56,824	26,363
3	American Academy Of Orthopaedic Surgeons	33,440	17,624
4	American Dental Association	32,000	20,000
5	Chicago Dental Society	31,333	16,644
6	Society For Neuroscience	30,581	25,794
7	FIME Intermed USA	30,306	n/a
8	American Society Of Clinical Oncology - Annual Meeting	29,600	23,500
9	Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society	27,627	12,766
10	Massachusetts Dental Society - Yankee Dental Congress	26,138	19,683

The top 50 largest medical meetings are ranked by reported total attendance, which measures all registered participants at a convention, including exhibitors. In the case of a tie, professional attendance is used to further determine the rank.

To see the full list visit www.hcea.org/research_top50.asp.

HCEA is the only association solely dedicated to improving the effectiveness of all conventions, meetings and exhibitions for the healthcare industry. HCEA represents organizations involved in healthcare convention marketing and exhibitions.

Momentum Management Supports the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic

2010-10-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

Momentum Management's Marketing Manager, Hillary Hull (left), volunteered her time at the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic on October 4. This foundation helps to raise money to support fellow trade show colleagues who are unable to work and support their families. The 2010 golf tournament had 144 golfers participate and 50 volunteers and all the money raised helped 7 families in need.

See the video link below to learn more abou the RSMGC!

The Plan B Chaos

2010-10-05T12:56:00.000-07:00

Do you ever worry about the chaos of having to go with the much dreaded "Plan B"? Work with Momentum Management and leave your worries at our front door! We will take care of you (and your Plan B!)

Check out this article - Exhibitor Magazine Article - PLAN B

Material Handling brings NEW SHOW to the ATL in 2012!

2010-09-27T10:51:00.000-07:00

Click here to go to the TSNN web site for a full view of this article.

When the Material Handling Industry of America decided to bring its new biennial trade show – MODEX – to Atlanta in 2012, it wasn’t just because of the city’s famed southern hospitality. It also was a strategic move the association had been considering for a while because of the Panama Canal expansion that is scheduled to be completed in 2014 and the expected major impact that will occur within the material handling sector as a result.

“We see the expansion of the Panama Canal to be a major supply chain game-changer and have positioned MODEX 2012 as the event that can help exhibitors and attendees capitalize on the new dynamics,” said John Nosfinger, CEO for MHIA. “Over 40 percent of North American manufacturing and distribution locations are now within a 500 mile radius of Atlanta.”

The Material Handling Industry of America’s ProMat trade show

He added, “Georgia and the Southeast are also home to extensive intermodal and logistics hubs that drive supply chains now and will continue to in the future. Currently, 90 percent of the global top 35 3PLs have operations in Georgia and more than 48 of the largest retailers have distribution centers.”

William Pate, president and CEO of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the new show is a perfect fit for the city’s strategy to target specific industry sectors. “What we’ve been doing is to really focus on industry sectors that have been growing,” he added. MODEX is signed on for 2012 and 2014 and holding dates for 2016 and 2018, Pate said.

MODEX is estimated to attract 20,000 attendees, 500 exhibitors and have a 150,000 square foot showfloor. Nosfinger said MHIA is in talks with several other entities for possible collocations and his organization hopes to have many of them on board when the show launches Feb. 6-9, 2012, at the Georgia World Congress Center.

MHIA had been mulling over launching a new show for a few years, he added, and considered not only Atlanta, but also other locales such as Orlando and Las Vegas. However, Nosfinger said, “At the end of the day, all markers pointed to Atlanta for us.”

Pate said that the show and Atlanta were a good fit, adding, “The announcement of MODEX is the delivery of Atlanta’s strategy to attract meetings from segments that are showing expansive growth. Atlanta is an important hub for logistics and supply chain industries and, therefore, a natural fit to be the hub for tradeshows in this segment.”

MODEX is just one of five major associations within the supply chain industry that will hold its meeting in Atlanta in 2011 and 2012, collectively bringing more than 33,000 industry professionals to the city for their business, according to ACVB officials.

In addition to MODEX, the Warehousing Education & Research Council; the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals; International Air Cargo Association; and the National Industrial Transportation League and Intermodal Association of North America will all convene in Atlanta.

‘We’ve been watching the economy and catching the areas that are growing or expanding,” Pate said. Other areas of focus for new business include alternative energy, medical and financial, he added.

The Value of Value - What Can It Do For You?

2010-09-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

Quote of the Month

September 2010

"Value-oriented services, the adding of value through services, will be the catalyst that will lead us out of this down economy. This has been the reality in exiting down turns in the past. It will be the turn today as well."

--Rick Bellerjeau - Momentum Management

Just another way the iPhone is changing the way the world does business.

2010-09-17T13:41:00.001-07:00

What is an EAC letter?

2010-09-08T12:34:00.000-07:00

One question you will be posed with in the trade show industry is "Have you turned in your EAC form?" If you are new to the industry - or just new to the I&D part of the industry - you may not know what exactly an EAC form is! Allow us to explain.

Thanks to one of our great sales reps, Kaete, for putting this information together.

EAC Letter

Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Letter

Non Official Contractor Form

Notification of Intent to Use Exhibitor Appointed Contractor

An EAC letter or Exhibitor Appointed Contractor letter informs the general contractor (and or convention facility) that there will be someone other than themselves performing work at a venue. This form can also be Notification of Intent to Use an Exhibitor Appointed Contractor or Non-Official Contractor Form. Not all shows have this requirement, but nearly all of them do. Typically, this form is in the printed Exhibitor Services Manual -- or it could be found on-line.

The EAC form will ask what type of work is to be performed (AV, I&D Labor, Supervision only etc). It will also ask for the name of the contractor (Momentum) and probably our address, phone and contact name. This form often requires a signature of the Exhibitor or their agent (person assigning the labor on their behalf). They do not want the EAC (Momentum, etc) to fill out the form because they want to be sure that the Exhibitor has truly authorized the assignment.

Once the EAC form is submitted to the entity requesting the form (GC or Show Management) a copy of the submitted form should be faxed by the exhibitor to Momentum (770-777-4070). At this point, the EAC will submit certificates of insurance for General Liability & Workmen's Comp listing the GC & Show Management as additional insured. Typical limits requested for this coverage is $1,000,000, but may be more. This assures the GC that they will not be liable should one of the EAC’s men get hurt or hurt someone else in the area under their jurisdiction.

EAC forms are often the first form due in the Exhibitor Services Manual. Typical deadlines are about 30 days prior to the installation of the booth, but some shows can require the forms due as much as 90 days prior. Some shows are very strict about enforcing the deadline, making no exceptions. Other shows are lax about the deadlines and just want the forms turned in for their files. If your deadline has already passed, do not despair. Give Momentum Management a call and we will check to see if it can still be submitted. If you have any additional questions regarding your EAC form, you may contact our corporate office at 770-777-4100.

Are your graphics working for you?

2010-09-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE TAKEN FROM THE HCEA NEWSLETTER - 9/2010.

A New Perspective on Graphics - Christine Farmer, Senior Convention Manager, sanofi-aventis US.

Traditional advice about planning exhibit graphics is to think of billboards: after all, is driving down the highway all that different from walking down the aisle at a convention? In both cases, images attract and connect us to the company or product portrayed.

At conventions, graphics give attendees instant visual input to make a decision: Do I want to stop here and pursue a face-to-face relationship with this company or this brand? More than we care to admit, we are used to making decisions based on visual attraction, and graphics play an important role in shaping our preferences.

Good traditional wisdom, as far as it goes.

But it doesn't go far enough to cover the concerns of marketers in a highly regulated industry nor the mandate to educate rather than sell, the stated goal of the personal encounter at medical conventions.

The current regulatory environment is daunting, with the head of FDA's Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising, and Communications (DDMAC), Tom Abrams, telling marketers to show "more self restraint and increased self regulation. " Couple that with the recent "Bad Ad Program" that not only encourages healthcare providers to report misleading promotional activity but also provides for DDMAC exhibits at "specifically-selected medical conventions...to distribute education materials" that will tell doctors how to report potential violations—and what you get is a legal and regulatory firestorm, leading to an increasingly conservative view toward all promotional materials.

Naturally this conservatism extends to graphics which are not only reviewed for approved content and images, but now are scrutinized to determine whether enough fair balance copy is displayed. The creative challenge is not for the faint of heart.

Moreover, since education is the purpose of a promotional exhibit, the drill-down learning process, a process shaped by our use of the Internet, extends to the display of graphics in a very real way. Unlike the friendly billboards, convention exhibit graphics are meant to be viewed hierarchically. In other words, what do attendees see at 100 feet? at 10 feet? at 1 foot? Will these graphics be free standing? overhead? flat against the wall?

To meet these challenges, the account team starts with planning for graphics to be an integral part of the exhibit, not an afterthought. This means working closely with agencies to make sure that any lifestyle images or 'beauty shots' can be translated to a much larger format than the master visual aid demands. Constant communication with in-house legal and regulatory personnel is now a regular part of the process.

Next, decisions are made about the format for the graphics. Medical exhibits during the past two decades have been characterized by graphics mounted on sintra or displayed in light boxes. There is no reason that images have to be static simply because they've historically been that way. It's no secret that human beings are attracted to movement and light, and graphic displays that are dynamic have a much greater chance of capturing attendees' interest. Technology has given us many ways to incorporate light and movement—from lenticular graphics and LED screens to 3D images that don't require glasses.

You might ask: Where do "graphics" leave off and where does "multimedia" begin? And to answer a question with a question, do we need to have a cutoff point? Incorporating multimedia technology into graphics, particularly those in the 1 foot space, often allows an effective solution to not only delivering the approved promotional message but also to displaying fair balance copy. Technology that enlivens graphics attracts attendees but also helps to meet the current challenge of DDMAC surveillance and making sure that all promotional copy stays on message, drilling-down, if necessary, to fair balance copy.

Since the 2002 PhRMA Code was enacted, convention exhibiting is getting more challenging, but along with the challenges, there are new creative solutions to meet them. Exhibit graphics can move beyond sintra and light boxes and take advantage of the technology that not only solves problems but attracts visitors.

To see this article on the HCEA web site - click here.

10 TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL INSTALLATION AND DISMANTLE!

2010-08-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

The trade show floor can be like operating in a foreign country – with the various unions, terminology, and hazards. However, if you follow a few basic tips, you can successfully and economically navigate the waters of your next show.

Choose a quality labor partner

National coverage so that you can have consistency
Reputation for integrity and performance –ask around
Price – while cost per hour is important, keep in mind that comparing the rate of an independent contractor to a general contractor (GC) is not comparing apples to apples. Independent contractor labor is typically far more efficient, thereby resulting in few hours billed.

Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Letter (EAC Letter)

Check in your exhibitor services manual for the due date. This is typically 30 days prior to the show – but can be as much as 90 days.
Complete the form, send to the show contractor and send a copy to your labor contractor.
If it is past the due date, call your labor contractor, they may be able to work it out with the show.

Shipping

Choose a trade show experienced shipping partner
Price – do not compare the price of shipping with a van line (quality point to point transportation) to that of a common show carrier (consolidates loads, breaks down skids, rough ride). If you value your exhibit properties, they are not equal
Label each item on a skid separately. Skids sometimes get broken down

Pre-Plan

Complete all service orders well in advance (electrical, carpet, hanging signs, material handling, etc.) to get best rates
Electrical – be sure to include a dimensioned layout of where the electrical should go, along with an orientation for your booth (include surrounding booth numbers)
Send copies of all service orders to your labor partner

Set Up Instructions and Booth Renderings

Be sure to have detailed and accurate set up instructions
Send a copy of the instructions to your labor partner in advance
Bring a copy of the instructions with you
Have back up copies of your booth drawings at your office

Scheduling of labor – factors to consider when choosing start times

Scheduled Move In Time for your booth # - find this on the targeted move in plan or in your exhibitor services manual
City and Venue – some take longer to get the freight from the dock to the booth than others – ask your labor partner
Direct Shipment or Advanced Shipment – you can generally begin set up at or close to your targeted move in time only if you send your booth to the Advanced Warehouse.
Leave time for the electrical to be laid – and carpet if you rent from the general contractor. Idle crew hours are the responsibility of the exhibitor if mis-scheduled. We would be happy to help you eliminate idle time by consulting with you in advance.

Union Jurisdictions – every city is different

Read the rules in your Exhibitor Services Manual
In some cities you can set your own booth up – in others you can do almost nothing
For detailed information on a city by city basis, email kmiller@momentummgt.com and request our union jurisdiction guidelines.

Security Concerns

Theft is common in Convention Centers
If it is valuable – keep it locked up. Many people have access to the show floor. Your labor partner can not be responsible for your valuables.

Inventory List

Have a complete list of crates and inventory for inbound and outbound
If the outbound shipment is split, have a detailed inventory of which items ship to each destination
Provide this list to your labor partner.

Supervision

A supervisor who knows the details of your exhibit and also how the unions in that city operate will save you time, money, and frustration.
The supervisor must remain at the booth throughout the entire installation and dismantle.

Momentum Management Inc. has been a national provider of outstanding installation and dismantle labor for over 19 years. We would welcome an opportunity to help you be a success on the show floor.

Momentum Management, Inc

700 Abbey Court

Alpharetta, GA 30004

770-777-4100

comment@momentummgt.com

www.momentummgt.com

Welcome to Momentum Management's Blog!

2010-08-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the blog of Momentum Management. We plan to keep this up to date with useful articles relating to the trade show business - and any other interesting information that may be helpful to you and your business.

You can keep up to date with Momentum through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and our website.