New Business Contracts: Event Advisory Group, SmithBucklin, Spargo, NTP Events Sign Business

September 7, 2017
2018 Air, Space and Cyber Conference

Summertime ended with a flurry of new and existing business being contracted between suppliers and event organizers in the trade show industry, ranging from Event Advisory Group to SmithBucklin to Spargo and National Trade Productions.

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) has contracted with Event Advisory Group (EAG), an event consulting firm, to continue supporting the organization to improve the performance of their event portfolio based on the recommendations EAG made after conducting their unbiased 360° Review this past spring.

Realizing the importance of implementing EAG’s recommendations and the need to do so in the most efficient and effective manner possible, NSTA has engaged EAG to serve as an extension of their staff for the next 12 months in support of their conference, marketing and sales teams in the planning and implementation of new programs, initiatives and technologies.

“Working with EAG has been a most rewarding experience. What a pleasure to work with such a team of competent, friendly and experienced individuals!” said Delores Howard, NSTA’s associate executive director for conferences and exhibits/sales.

She added, “EAG’s 360° Review was efficient, thorough, focused and invaluable to the enhanced success of our event portfolio.

The Neurocritical Care Society (NCS) has selected SmithBucklin, the association management and services company more organizations turn to than any other, to provide full-service association management. A 20-year association industry veteran, Dale West, CAE, will serve as NCS’s chief executive at its headquarters in Chicago.

Founded in 2002, NCS is dedicated to improving the healthcare and outcomes of patients with life-threatening, neurological illnesses by promoting quality patient care, professional collaboration, research, training and advocacy. Its membership comprises 2,200 multidisciplinary healthcare providers worldwide.

In choosing SmithBucklin to provide association management, the NCS Board of Directors noted how the company’s depth of knowledge and skills in all areas of society management – including member administration, annual meeting management, marketing and branding, education and certification administration – will help the society to meet its strategic growth goals in the months and years ahead.

“The board was impressed with SmithBucklin’s depth and breadth of resources, proven practices and respected thought leadership,” said Michel T. Torbey, M.D., President of NCS.

He added, “The board feels that this new management partnership will help the society further build on our foundation of member value, growth and further recognition in the healthcare community.”

SPARGO assumed responsibility for the management of exhibit and sponsorship sales for the American Society for Cell Biology’s 2017 and 2018 ASCB|EMBO Meetings and 2019 and 2020 ASCB Annual Meetings. Additionally, SPARGO will sell advertising in ASCB’s three publications and other digital communications.

The Annual Meeting, which has seen steady attendance growth over the past four years, brings together scientists from all over the world to discuss new experimental results and techniques in various domains of basic science and creates the environment for broader discussions on topics ranging from what is cell biology to the future of biomedical research, funding, training, and publishing. The Learning Center at the Annual Meeting will continue to feature technical and scientific exhibits, integrate the poster sessions, and host the popular Tech Talks and microsymposia presentation theaters in which cutting edge content is delivered by the exhibiting companies.

The ASCB|EMBO 2017 meeting will be held Dec. 2-6 in Philadelphia. The Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region boasts a large concentration of medical and academic institutions. Holding the conference in this region makes it affordable and convenient for both domestic and international scientists to attend.

“We are proud to partner with SPARGO,” said Alison Harris, ASCB's Director of Meetings. “Our aim is to continually improve the meeting experience for attendees and exhibitors, and we’re confident that SPARGO’s experienced team of event management professionals will help us fulfill this mission.”

NTP Events will extend its contract with the Air Force Association (AFA) to manage booth sales, exhibitor marketing and operations for its 2018 Air, Space and Cyber Conference.

"NTP was contracted to manage services for AFA's 2016 and 2017 Air, Space and Cyber Conference as well as the 2017 and 2018 Air Warfare Symposium," said Christopher Harar, NTP Events president.

He added, "Adding the 2018 Air, Space and Cyber Conference was a natural extension of our partnership. We are proud to service not only the AFA, but also our country through these events."

The Air Force Association's Air, Space & Cyber Conference is the nation's premier event for defense and aerospace professionals from across the globe. This year's event features a sold-out tradeshow floor and a 20 percent increase in the number of exhibitors.

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.