Aaron recently had the opportunity to be a guest on the The Business of Meetings Podcast with Eric Rozenberg where they talk about the impact of trade shows on the economy. Aaron discusses why he believes that face-to-face events will never get replaced with online events, and he also explains how we can help others […]
Overdue Changes and the Resilience of the Event Industry
Written for The Oregon Festivals & Event Association (www.https://www.oregonfestivals.org/) As I write this, it is Friday the 13th in November. As with any Friday the 13th, there are superstitions and talk about it being an unlucky day for it to occur in 2020 … well, what can we say about that. However, November the 13th is also […]
EXHIBITOR MATERIAL HANDLING JUST GOT A LOT EASIER…
“At its core 1Rate addresses what is perhaps the most confusing and frustrating aspect of the exhibiting experience, that proper calculation of material handling. We feel strongly that it should not be that way. The new model provides the exhibitor a level of predictability when it comes to calculating their expenses associated with trade show […]
FERN ANNOUNCES NEW EXHIBITOR FRIENDLY CANCELLATION POLICY
As part of an ongoing series of changes to the traditional official services provider model, Fern and its sister company, NexxtShow, have eliminated service cancellation charges. This change is intended to simplify the relationship between Fern/NexxtShow and the exhibitor while easing the exhibitor’s decision to commit to show participation, according to Fern CEO Aaron Bludworth. […]
FERN ANNOUNCES BREAKTHROUGH TESTING & SCREENING ASSESSMENT PLATFORM FOR TRADE SHOWS & LIVE EVENTS
Fern has announced a strategic partnership with ShareMy.Health, an innovative health care technology developer. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the partnership is launching Fern Health Check, a digital platform, available to all trade show and event organizers, that allows consumer-controlled sharing of health data.
A DOZEN YEARS AT FERN
Preface: If you think my writing wanders, try having a face to face conversation with me…squirrel! Twelve years ago, yesterday, I walked into Fern with the task of taking over the management of a company with a storied 99-year legacy. The company was hugely successful. Less than three years earlier, the company had transferred from […]
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…
The CEO’s Time Machine “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the […]
MONDAY MUSINGS – Exhibitions Day 2020
During the mid-1700s, Benjamin Franklin quoted a proverb in Poor Richard’s Almanac that tells about how a tiny nail was lost in a horseshoe, which led to the loss of a horse. The loss of the horse resulted in the loss of the rider, which then led to the loss of a battle. Because of […]
MONDAY MUSINGS…Can we learn from this and get better?
Today is Monday, May 4th. The first Monday following an April that none of us will soon forget. COVID-19 has changed our world in ways that none of us could have imagined. I keep thinking that our current reality is leaning more towards a Stephen King novel or a Hollywood movie; however, this is not […]
Fern Exposition Services announced their support as a founding partner for Go LIVE Together
Go LIVE Together Coalition Aims to Protect the Trade Show and Live Events Industry Coalition brings together live events industry leaders to urge local, state, and federal legislators to consider measures for support and recovery April 23, 2020 – Fern Exposition Services announced their support as a founding partner for Go LIVE Together, a coalition […]
MONDAY MUSINGS: I HAVE BEEN THINKING A LOT ABOUT EXPERIENCES…
The past few weeks have caused me to think a lot about ‘experiences’ both professional and personal. Personally, the past few weeks have reminded me of how vital experiences with my friends and loved ones are, they are the fuel that really drives me daily. Be it the daily experience of going to OTF for […]
Hang in There; New Beginnings Are Ahead
Though we, as a world, as industries, as businesses, and individuals, in most cases, are experiencing something unlike anything we ever have before; we are a resilient people with tremendous drive and an innovative spirit. These characteristics can be slowed and dampened but cannot be destroyed. My company, Fern, like others large and small, in […]
MONDAY MUSINGS: TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND READ THE PAPER
While reading the paper this weekend, a few thoughts dawned on me that I felt worth sharing if for no other reason than possibly providing a distraction during these troubled times and giving me an outlet to help me deal with what is going on. Let me start with me. While that may seem selfish […]
