PRESS RELEASE

 

The Expo Group

Show Manager of the Year

2008 Award Winners Honored

 

 

Irving, Texas – Nov. 7, 2008 – Five winners were awarded The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year (SMOTY) Awards last night in Baltimore. The ceremony at the Walters Art Museum raised almost $10,000 for charity.

 The 9th annual SMOTY award winners are:

·         Tier I – 1 to 150 booths: Kendra Nicastro, Co-Owner, KC's Creative Events LLC

·         Tier II – 151 to 300 booths: Paul Kent, Vice President and General Manager, IDG World Expo

·         Tier III – 301 to 700 booths: Sandra Toms LaPedis, Area Vice President and General Manager, RSA Conferences

·         Tier IV – 701 to 1,500 booths: Robert Brice, Vice President, Cygnus Business Media

·         Tier V – 1,501+ booths: Larry Schur, President and Show Manager, All Baby & Child Inc.

 Honorees receive $1,000 from The Expo Group for their favorite charity as well as the iconic SMOTY crystal obelisk. Winners’ charities are posted at http://www.theexpogroup.com so their peers and friends will have the ability to show their support by making a donation online.

 The five winning show managers demonstrated innovative practices, a strong customer service philosophy, a commitment to success and an ability to overcome obstacles. All nominations were judged by an independent panel consisting of Robert Dallmeyer, President of RD International; Michael Hughes, Associate Publisher, Tradeshow Week; Sam Lippman, President, integrated show management & marketing; and Donna Sanford, Publisher, EXPO Magazine.

 "This year's group of SMOTY winners represent some of the most entrepreneurial winners we have ever recognized,” Ray Pekowski, President and CEO of The Expo Group. “Each has taken an idea and groomed it into a widely recognizable show in their own community or in the industry at large. Their individual dedication and service to their attendees and exhibitors is worthy of recognition and the exact reason we started the SMOTY Awards nine years ago -- to give credit where it is due."

 The gala this year was sponsored in part by Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and Wyndham Jade with in-kind support from Classic Catering Co. of Baltimore and Rob Wilson of RC Photographic Productions.

The Expo Group SMOTY awards are open to anyone in the industry responsible for producing a show, regardless of any affiliation with The Expo Group. This year’s nominees were suggested by co-workers, vendors, exhibitors, board members and themselves. Nominations for the 10th annual SMOTY Awards will open Dec. 1 at www.theexpogroup.com/smoty.

The Expo Group a Single Source® general service contractor fulfilling the needs of show organizers, corporate planners and exhibitors. The Dallas-based company also has offices in Las Vegas, San Jose, St. Louis, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

For more information and/or photos, contact Dana Freker Doody at 972-580-9000 or send an email to ddoody@theexpogroup.com.

###