Marshall Yard:

Lights, Camera, Action!  LDI 2007 - Kevin (the Mississippi Map Mascot) was sunbathing under his heat lamp, and was daydreaming about being on the big screen.  Kevin decided to call  some old relatives and ran across his family tree, not even realizing his ancestory he discovered he was related to Gamera, remember Gamera? From Godzilla.  Kevin got very curious about the live entertainment industry, not sure he will follow in Gamera’s footsteps but  I directed him to LDI Tradeshow 2007 - November 12-18th, 2007, Orange County Convention Center in Orlando Florida.

LDI is where there is an abundance of technologies for the live entertainment; industry, lighting, audio, special effects, projection and staging are just a few topics that are covered in several educational seminars and events through out the week. 

400 vendors were the last LDI tradeshow,  covering cutting edge topics.  LDI has been taking place for 20 years. A well know name  that exhibits at LDI tradeshow is Rose Brand, this is truly a success story worth reading; read how Rose Brand decided to start exhibiting at trade shows and the impact it has had for them.  Rose Brand started out selling cleaning cloths, and over the years developed into selling theatrical cloths and now if there is something you need in the entertainment industry, it is most likely that Rose Brand can help you. 

Looking for answers about starting to exhibit?

Holy Crap…and that ain’t no lie - Kevin came home with me, sported in his little blue cooler, mind you, its a ten minute drive, and he just pooped it all up! I’ve changed his water this morning - and Im sure I will be doing it again by nightfall!

 Interop will be taking place at Javits Convention Center in New York on October 22nd-26th, 2007.   Showcasing new technologies and the latest in IT.   There will be over 200 exhibits, and you will be able to get live demo’s with the latest and greatest in new technology.

Wireless Networks, Wireless Phones, Internet, Google, and Blogging, Kevin is a little confused so he dug deep into the tank and dug out his phone and decided to make some calls over the weekend. 

Given the headache we have had in the last few weeks over our new VPS - Virtual Private Server.  Kevin called me, SINCE the girls wouldn’t let him go home with me on his scheduled sleep over.  He asked that I give him some information on some of the technologies that will be showcased at this upcoming trade show.   Interop 2007 in October is actually going to be four trade shows in one! You will be able to attend Interop, VoiceCon, Mobile Business Expo and Outsource World ! I told him that the new VPS system that we have gotten has been a nightmare, not only for our inhouse IT guy, but for those involved with the walls of Catalyst Exhibits, Inc. With email going down mid week, and no answer from our VPS hosting company for over an hour, we all got some time to catch up on human contact. 

I explained to Kevin the in’s and outs of wireless communication, and he felt that he would stick with his land line.  He may be looking to borrow someone’s rollover minutes as he travels more, and is really intersted in getting in Nancy’s suitcase the next time she is out on the road.  

Okay, when I stumbled on to the Booth Crawl, that really intrigued out little mississippi map lush.. I mean mascot! He is going to pack his own bags and his martini & margarita glasses, and head out for the booth crawl.  Its a wonder how he fits in here so well!

Seeking out his morning brew, he ran across this email in his inbox, and had to share it.  Being the clean creature he is….NOT, it struck his little turtle funny bone! The original email was a complaint of dirty coffee mugs left in the conference room:  The follow up email was broadcast from one of our own account executives, after a long day, tucked in her office in the sub zero weather of our sales department, since Deb is flashing, we do have to keep the air cranked! Back to the email.

To the team:

Oh, alas, I am the culprit!  I must throw myself at the mercy of those that this has greatly affected and must beg for your forgiveness for my cruel and thoughtless actions.  Please know that this is something I have been struggling with for quite some time and my secret is finally out.  Hi.  My name is Mary and I am a member of Those Who Leave Coffee Cups Behind in Conference Rooms Anonymous.  I hardly slept a wink last night knowing that someone, somehow would happen upon the coffee cup used by my client that I so carelessly left behind for someone else to bear the burden of having to remove from the room and realize that I am indeed a member of Those Who Leave Coffee Cups Behind in Conference Rooms Anonymous (a founding member, I must add.)  Oh, if you only knew the anguish and pain this has caused in my life.  I find it affecting many aspects of my life.  For example, once I left the coffee pot on ALL NIGHT LONG!!!!  That’s when I hit rock bottom and knew I had a problem and must confront it head on.  So I ask you for your patience as I battle this struggle and appreciate all of your support so that I can one day be a member of the Those Who NEVER Leave Cups Behind in Conference Rooms, as apparently some of you are! 

Kevin was digging through some old files and found this amazing.  The funky trade show display that went up at RSNA 2006 for Siemens Medical, (Kevin was watching old time tv, hence “funky” he thought he could start a trend and bring back some of the old phrases) anyhow,  he couldnt belive the transformation before the doors open at the trade show.  Siemens Medical ups leads by 32%!

Giving you a before and after - it is amazing the hours of preparation that go into the exhibit building and the process.  Not only do trade show displays need to go up at the convention center - but they also need to be built in the exhibit house to make sure everything is exactly where it is supposed to be.  Just don’t give Kevin any power tools, he may end up putting holes where they shouldnt be.

Intersting stories on: exhibit booth

Well, can you imagine, Kevin was reading about the RSNA - Radiology Society of North America Trade Show, and he just had to run off to see what in the world it was all about. 

The RSNA - Radiology Society of North America - the home office is located in Oakbrook Illinois.  The RSNA Trade Show will be held at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois and will take place on November 25th - 30th, 2008. 

Kevin has put in request to Rich here to sit down and get some interesting facts about Trade Show Display Setup at RSNA.  Rich was busy catching up this morning, so stay tuned for an update on some inside stories.

RSNA Trade Show has some information on their website for Tours & Events that will be happening in Chicago during that time of year.  Bundle up though, Chicago is known as the windy city, yet was given the name because of the long winded politicians it had in place. 

Kevin would like everyone to know about the exhibit display that is at the Shedd Aquarium - Lizards & Komodo King.  He thinks it may be worth your while to take a gander at some of these unusual animals.  I doubt their tanks get as messy though Kevin!

Kevin went home today a little before lunch, my 15 year old son drove me to work and I held a very active Kevin in his little tiny cooler.    Boy, I must say..Kevin is a pig! I changed his water each day he was here, being its a hiatis, I didnt do the entire filter thing, and he made a mess of the tank!

I think his next stop will be with Mark Lynch..and they can throw back some Irish brew, or whatever those shanty Irish are drinking these days., I’d ask mom, she comes from the wrong side of the Irish tracks, but she gave up drinking, since her kidneys went out several years ago!
P.S….deb..sorry you thought he was a dead mascot..he was just on a little over nighter!

I brought little Kevin home yesterday, Lauren kindly packed his bags and we decided instead of being alone on the weekend with only JR to keep him company that we would do a satellite station here at my house.  Giving Kevin a break from the exhibit house and any trade show talk, he is sitting quietly in his weekend home. 

It appears he is a little confused about his new surroundings, but he has eaten and he has been sun bathing on his new rock.  I am not sure what he is truly thinking other than, what are those funny furry things that are staring at me from the floor.   My two cats….Stanley (who loves to drink beer) and Carly who is called the itty bitty little kitty, weighing no more than 3 pounds..she was the runt!