This 20’ x 20’ island display was transformed into a whimsical fun land for the Polaroid I-Zone Group’s participation at the International Toy Fair last February. The booth attracted attention with bright colors, playful props, eye-catching graphics and unique photo opportunities in front of artistically crafted backdrops offering a variety of themes, shapes and colors. A large vertical product display area was strategically positioned in the center of the booth and was effective in spotlighting the newest line of children’s products, including cameras and film. The exhibit was designed and manufactured by The Rogers Company, an exhibit firm based in Mentor, OH.
The Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA) has changed the site of its 2000 show. TS2, The Trade Show About Trade Shows, will take place July 25-28, 2000, at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. "The association is thrilled the nation’s capitol will be the venue for TS2 in the year 2000," said Michael J. Bandy, TSEA President. "The Washington D.C. location will appeal to the many local show organizers who are looking for more exhibitor training opportunities for their clients." For more information, contact TSEA, 5501 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151; (Tel) 703-941-3725, (Fax) 703-941-8275, (Web site) www.tsea.org.
The recent merger of Katz Digital Technologies, of New York City and Photobition Group PLC of the U.K., has produced one of the largest graphic facilities in the USA. Now known as Photobition New York, the new firm announced it is consolidating all three of its current New York locations into a centralized 110,000 sq. ft. site in Manhattan. Due to the merger, distribution of Premier Display Systems’ line of pop-up and custom displays has been expanded in the USA. Photobition manufactures these systems, known for their portability and configuration flexibility, and custom designs the graphics. Michael Sklar, Photobition’s Chief Operating Officer, said, "The emerging Photobition Group offers infinite options for producing any type of graphic project virtually anywhere in the world." Compendium Connection, a new digital media management service from Photobition New York, offers global, 24-hour access to a full spectrum of creative files. It is especially valuable for multi-site companies that distribute graphics between locations. For more information, contact Photobition, 360 West 31st Street, New York, NY 10001; (Tel) 212-594-4800, (Fax) 212-594-4488.
The Ford Motor Co. is celebrating its centennial with the opening of its "Spirit of Ford," interactive automotive science and technology center. Spirit of Ford will offer guests opportunities to experience the creative process behind automotive technology with hands-on exhibits, a full-motion assembly line simulator ride, and a NASCAR pit stop. Other exhibits include a studio of advanced design techniques, an animated crash test analysis station and the world’s largest hologram of its kind. Spirit of Ford’s exhibits were developed by Busch Creative Services/St. Louis, MO; Peckham, Guyton, Albers & Viets, Inc./St. Louis, MO; Science North/Sudbury, Canada and PPI/Portland, OR, along with Ford’s top designers.
Nutmeg Exhibit recently announced the addition of three key personnel to its staff: Jacki Miller is responsible for Show Services & Freight Coordination Services; Shirley Grob has been named Graphic Designer and Matt Weber is Graphic Technician. Nutmeg Exhibit is a custom trade show booth manufacturer based in Windsor, CT
The Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA) has released its 1999 Salary Survey for Exhibit Managers revealing that after three years of relatively flat wages, exhibit managers earned their biggest salary increase in a decade. Average salaries rose a record 7% from $46,231 in 1998 to $49,680 in 1999. The survey also found that more exhibit managers are getting bonuses, up more than 4.3% from last year, and the amount of such bonuses has increased an average of 15% from $3,869 to $4,429. Exhibit managers who earned between $55,001 and $65,000 posted an impressive bonus increase of more than 60% from $3,969 to $6,354; those who earned between $35,001 and $45,000 also recorded an above average increase of 18.25% from $2,804 to $3,317. Although women continue to dominate the industry, (77.6% of the respondents were female,) they are paid significantly less than their male counterparts. Women earn an average of $46,903 which is 26.5% less than men, who earn an average of $59,329. The gap is slowly narrowing though. During the past five years, it has decreased 9%.
Sony Signatures, the Licensing Division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group recently asked Route 66 Products, a Los Angeles, CA-based multi-media production firm, to develop a custom, touch screen program for its trade show exhibits. For its 1999 Licensing Show exhibit, Sony featured 12 different touch screen units to provide convenient, instant access to Sony’s promotional materials for booth visitors.
Komatsu America delivered an exciting message to thousands of attendees of the recent CONEXPO tradeshow in Las Vegas. Called "Komatsu Now," the presentation, created by Cincinnati-based Jack Rouse Associates, was a live news broadcast program. The stage featured a 4x4 video wall, and sixteen video monitors. Other activities in the exhibit included product area interactive stations, a 360 degree video surround and a bulldozer simulator.
Outwater Plastics Industries has introduced its new line of Real Wood Veneer Sheets and Real Wood Veneer Edging. The Real Wood Veneer Sheets comprise 1/42" thick genuine wood veneers permanently bonded to a paper backing. They are available in nearly 40 different wood species. The Veneer Edging is produced in fleece backed, preglued and peel & stick adhesive varieties. For more information, contact Outwater Plastics Industries, 4 Passaic St., Wood-Ridge, NJ 07075; (Tel.) 800-631-8375; (Fax) 800-888-3315.
Mark Bric Display Corp. has introduced its Flexiframe FoldUp exhibit designed to make the set-up of Flexiframe even faster. The Flexiframe FoldUp features the lightweight and sturdy Flexiframe plastic extrusion frames connected with a special metal folding hinge. The Flexiframe FoldUp displays are hinged together to allow simple set up of the display by flipping up the top row and then expanding the bottom section into the desired arrangement. It is currently available in four standard models: a 3-panel table top unit, a 4-panel screen with headers, a 6-panel backwall with headers and an 8-panel backwall with headers. For more information, contact Mark Bric Display Corp., 1005 Hercules Road, Hopewell, VA 23860; (Tel) 804-452-2198, 800-742-6275, (Fax) 804-452-2319, (Web site) www.markbric.com.
SkandaLights/Display Supply Company of Itasca, IL and Exhibit Specialty Products of Holliston, MA, have joined forces to create Display Supply and Lighting, Inc. DS&L will be headquartered in Itasca, IL with an office in Holliston, MA as well. Walter Filipowicz, President of SkandaLights/Display Supply Company, will remain in Itasca, IL, and will serve as President and Chairman of the new entity. Dennis Wojcicki, SkandaLights/Display Supply Company’s Vice President/CFO, will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer, overseeing administrative and financial function from the Company’s headquarters. Jo Filipowicz will serve as a Vice President, overseeing customer service and distribution, from Itasca, IL. Rob Cohen, CEO of Exhibit Specialty Products, will serve as Vice President of DS&L, responsible for manufacturing, business development and marketing, based in Holliston, MA.
PeopleVision produced an animated version of the ADT Automotive "winged lion" logo for the NADA ‘99 trade show. The People Vision character is a larger than life version of the logo that features a three dimension face projection. As the show begins, the lion roars and is transformed into a live projection of a human actor wearing lion makeup. The actor is in a micro studio on the show floor and is able to see and hear the audience. After the show, Leo interacts with the audience. PeopleVision produces creative special effects for trade shows and special events. For more information, contact PeopleVision, 324 West Westfield Avenue, Roselle Park, NJ 07204; (Tel) 908-298-9876.
A new 35,000 sq. foot Jelly Belly Visitor Center at the Herman Goelitz Candy Co. factory in Fairfield, CA, beckons fans of Jelly Belly jelly beans. The new Jelly Belly Visitors Center is the launching area for factory tours and an educational activity center. Activities in the Center include a working candy kitchen exhibit where visitors can view the making of sweet treats. The Center has an espresso bar, as well as a Jelly Belly Cafe. A retail store area sells all 200 candies produced by Goelitz, gifts and the famous Belly Flops, Jelly Belly bean "seconds." The new Jelly Belly Visitors Center is designed to be an exciting and educational experience for all visitors.
VisionQuest Display, Eden Prairie, MN, designer and manufacturer of display products, has introduced the telescoping "Variscope" Display Stand. Adjustable in width, as well as height, it easily adapts to any size banner. With the versatility of one Variscope Stand, banners from 30"W x 36"H up to 112"W x 96"H can be presented. The Variscope Stand handles a wide range of interior banner presentation needs from tradeshows to meetings and events to the retail sales floor. Used singularly or configured together to form towers, zigzags or a winged backwall, the Variscope makes an impressive presentation of banner graphics. The Variscope Stand is anodized aluminum with nylon connectors and steel base feet. Easy to carry at only 14 pounds, it is also very compact and portable. For more information, contact VisionQuest Display, 7591 Atherton Way, Eden Prairie, MN 55346; (Tel) 612-906-9121; (FAX) 612-906-9122.
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