Showfloor Buzz – December 15, 2019

EACA News

EACA Board Met at EDPA ACCESS   The EACA Board met last week in Tucson at EDPA ACCESS and discussed the following:

  • EACA App Development – beginning the testing phase this week so full release can be ready for 2020 Q1
  • Las Vegas Double Deck PermitAs of December 10, Clark County has issued a temporary stay of permit requirement.
  • Skills USA – EACA looking for local volunteers to connect with tech schools
  • Salary Survey – EACA to conduct salary survey for benefit of our members.  Launching in January
  • UBC Collaborative Training – EACA recommends next leadership training to take place at UBC Training Center in July.
  • EACA Board – EACA looking for nominees for open Director’s spot.  Any EACA member interested in serving on the EACA Board should email [email protected].

Clark County Double Deck Permit Update.    As follow up to yesterday’s notice from Clark County on the temporary stay to the building permit requirement for double deck exhibits, they have issued a proposed change to the ordinance which is attached here.

In addition, they have sent out an impact questionnaire for input on these proposed changes.   Responses to the questionnaire are due by January 3, 2020 at 5pm.     Following the review of impact questionnaires, Clark County will host a public hearing in mid-January.  The date and time of that meeting is yet to be announced.  Please make your thoughts and opinions known at your first convenience.     Meanwhile, we will keep you appraised of any and all future developments with this issue.

Local Reps Needed for Skills USA Outreach.    In EACA’s efforts to identify and attract the next generation of EAC trade show professionals, the EACA Board has initiated an outreach campaign to connect with SkillsUSA.     SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to insure America has a skilled workforce.  Our industry faces a challenge of an aging workforce that needs to be replaced by a new generation of motivated, skilled workers.    SkillsUSA is an invaluable resource of that talent and the EACA is looking for local representation in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Skills USA hosts local and regional events in these states and EACA reps will be points of contact for opportunities to inform students at these events about potential careers in the trade show industry.   For more information on how you can support the EACA Talent Initiative email [email protected].

Upcoming EAC Registration Schedule   The EACA has a busy schedule of EAC registration shows coming up this Winter.  Here is the schedule for the next couple months:

  • Winter Fancy Foods                                    Jan. 19-21                        San Francisco, CA
  • Game Developers Conference                   Mar. 16-20                        San Francisco, CA
  • Enterprise Connect                                     Mar. 30-Apr 2                   Orlando, Fl

EAC Member News

Industry Saddened by Passing of Bob Lessin.   Longtime union business representative of IUPAT Local 831 and industry leader, Bob Lessin, passed away on November 19.   Bob had been dealing with what he thought was he was stomach problems.  On October 30, he was diagnosed with 4th stage pancreatic cancer and on that same day he had a debilitating stroke which resulted in his hospitalization for a couple of weeks.   He was later transferred home under hospice care and passed on November 19.

Sho-Link Promotes Rob West <Exhibit City News>  Rob West has been promoted to VP Operations at Sho-Link.   West started his career as a union carpenter in 1995 with West Displays and Sho-Link.   He relocated to Orlando where he worked initially as a leadman and was quickly promoted to Assistant City Manager and then City Manager in the same year.  In 2006 he was promoted to regional manager and in 2017 he was names senior director of field operations.

Exhibitpro CEO Lori Miller Honored  <Exhibit City News>  Lori Miller was selected as a Columbus Smart50 2019 honoree for her achievements building and leading Exhibitpro to its current success.  The Columbus Smart50 awards select top executives from companies with offices in Central Ohio.

 

Industry News

Classic Exhibits Adds Eco-Systems Product Line < Exhibit City News>    For more than 12 years, Portland, Ore.-based Classic Exhibits and Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits have been strategic partners in manufacturing, marketing and design.    Effective Jan. 1, their partnership will evolve with Classic Exhibits incorporating Eco-Systems’ ecoSmart product line into to its extensive offerings and adding employees into the Classic family.

Eco-Systems was launched in 2007 as a designer and builder of modern exhibits using eco-friendly materials. From the beginning, the company offered contemporary designs built from the highest quality sustainable materials, including recycled aluminum extrusions from Classic Exhibits.

Tarsus Connect Acquires BizBash  <TSNN> Tarsus Connect has today announced the purchase of BizBash, the iconic trade media company for event and meeting planners, further expanding Connect’s market-leading position. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The acquisition of BizBash adds four premier events — including the BizBash Live in New York and L.A. shows for event pros — to the current Connect portfolio of more than 30 national, regional and vertically focused events around the United States.

Oregon Convention Center Completes Remodel <TSNN> It’s a big month for Portland, Oregon: Last week, its Oregon Convention Center officially completed a momentous $40 million renovation. It marked the first large-scale renovation to take place at the facility since it was built three decades ago, and also took place during OCC’s busiest year to date — a feat in itself.   The renovation included updates to public spaces throughout the venue to improve accessibility, creating a new plaza to serve as a flexible outdoor space option for events, and elevated design touches that reflect the building’s surroundings.