What A Difference A Year Makes!
As March Madness winds down, it has reminded me that when teams work together, they can accomplish the unbelievable, St. Peter's men's basketball team is a great example of that. The Peacocks demonstrated grace, passion, and grit to win each game as they advanced to the Elite Eight, fun to watch amazing teamwork in action! As always, GES has the extraordinary team of passionate, dedicated, and skilled experts you want to partner with. It’s an exciting time in our industry now that we are back to doing what we love at shows around the globe with fresh ideas and enthusiasm. I feel cautiously optimistic that things will continue to stay on this upswing we are all so glad to finally experience.
What a difference a year makes! The number of shows we have produced in 2022 already far outnumbers 2021. These last two years gave us an unprecedented opportunity to reset and to experiment, where we tested out new programs and maximized existing ones. Most importantly, we listened to feedback from our valued organizer partners and customers as we focused on client-centric innovations. While hybrid events are now part of our services, we are heartened to see that the power and the impact of face-to-face events has not diminished.
Our teams are busy creating extraordinary exhibitions with our clients, partners, vendors, and facilities. We are thrilled to see collaboration at every level, so here are a few key initiatives I’d like to share with you as we move into Q2:
You Spoke, We Listened
To help you be more innovative planning a show, we have introduced the GES Plus Series℠. The industry’s broadest simplification effort across multiple exhibitor products and services, we have thoroughly streamlined pricing structures, product options, and ordering processes to help you firm costs and clarify budgets as you prepare for shows. Programs include GES Hanging Signs+℠, GES Exhibit Furnishings+℠, GES Exhibit Flooring+℠, and GES Exhibit Systems+℠, GES Material Handling+ ℠, GES Electrical+℠, GES Transportation+℠, and GES Flooring+℠.
Building the Future of the Industry with New Hires
With a sincere dedication to growing our industry, our Account Associates Program has garnered a tremendous response thanks to an influx of referrals and recommendations from current participants, industry partners and friends. We have hired, trained, and mentored countless young professionals and enjoyed seeing these dynamic new hires become an integral part of our GES family. We’ve proudly watched as our young leaders have grown and contributed to our company, as well as the industry at large, by leading industry organizations - PCMA, IAEE, ESCA and more - in board positions and other significant roles. We are currently recruiting for our 2022 Account Associates Program that will begin in June. Do you know someone who would be a great fit to join our industry or someone who graduated within the past two years and is still looking for that next opportunity or a better career fit? Learn more about the program and send them our way!
Giving Back to Our Communities
Our commitment to giving back to our communities and the industry we serve is stronger than ever. We are aligning our industry sponsorship programs to benefit worthwhile organizations, and if you are interested, we can connect you so you may do the same. Since its inception, our community focus has resulted in $1 million+ in funding to those in need. In that spirit, we now offer clients the opportunity to work with our strategic partner Expo Auctions, where you can add activations in public areas or show floors that connect to a cause you support. We have already implemented these partnerships to raise funds for scholarships or local charities at IPPE, IWF, MODEX and more. “We provide a fully operational turnkey silent auction,” said Tony Rissley of Expo Auctions. “The association provides a high traffic location, then Expo Auctions curates the auction with items that fit the demographic. With virtually no work on the show's part, they have created a fundraising environment to give back to their association, foundation, or a local charity. It feels good to give back and people love walking away with something fun and exciting.” Within GES, our Business Development group recommended we spend April (Volunteer Month) giving our teams a day to give back, and so we encourage our clients to do the same.
Industry Research & Insights
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) plans to release the 2022 CEIR Index Report in early May, which analyzes the 2021 exhibition industry performance and provides an economic and exhibition industry outlook for the next three years. CEIR collects data directly from exhibition organizers, who are encouraged to provide their show data by using the Event Performance Analyzer. In exchange for submitting data for a valid B2B exhibition, this tool enables an organizer to instantly see how an event’s performance compares to CEIR Index benchmarks at no cost. Data submission is strictly confidential. Click here for more information. The annual CEIR Index Report for their shows’ market sector will be provided to participating organizers at no cost. Click here to purchase the complete 2021 CEIR Index Report as well as individual sector reports.
And finally, Silver Linings…The Challenge
If you had to do the last two years over again, what would you change? Did you find yourself shifting priorities or becoming more aware of your environment? What if you took 15 minutes out of your day that was just for you, to create a new routine, or have a heart-to-heart with a loved one, or to meditate or walk or read? My challenge to you is to take 1% of your day (that is approximately 14 minutes and 24 seconds!) to reflect, reengage and be in the moment. Find some balance. What can you do to spend more time making sure you are taking care of your own needs? 1% of your time - you can do it! I’m looking forward to seeing you back out at shows or an industry event. Be Safe and Stay Positive!
Until then, all my best,
Chuck