What are Fern’s main responsibilities?As the third largest official service contractor in the U.S., Fern’s produces over 1,000 trade shows and up to 500 other events a year. This past year we had 17 shows on the TSE Gold 100 list, including the No. 1 and No. 2 shows in the country: The Utility Expo […]
Insights
The 3 Key Numbers of Exhibiting©
In life for many or some, the number 13 evokes fear and is seen as unlucky. In fact, there’s even a phobia name for it…TRISKAIDEKAPHOBIA! The fear of the number 13. Before you think I have gone off the deep end, there is a reason and a very logical one as to why I am telling you this…and it relates specifically to Exhibitions and Exhibiting.
67% of Companies Don’t Have a Plan When Exhibiting…
Ok it’s very cliched to say it but “Fail to Plan, plan to fail” but let’s take this a step further if you fail to plan and invest a lot of money in exhibiting at the same time, you are not only wasting an opportunity, you are also wasting money…a lot of money.
Regaining Momentum in the Events Industry…
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 […]
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 […]
Winning the Race with Two Flat Tires…
Planning an annual trade show or convention is a year-long team effort, much like a NASCAR team prepares to compete in a race. You assemble your team and put the best people in the right positions. You recruit your sponsors to ensure it’s a financial success. You build your car, being sure that you have […]
Opening Day 2020
Today was supposed to be Opening Day, the start of my favorite time of the year. Baseball season, the unofficial start of spring, a time of optimism and happiness. A time when 30 teams would carry the hopes and dreams of millions of fans who would hang on every pitch, every hit, and defensive play over […]
The Rolling Stones, Bourbon, and Experiences…
Recently, a few things happened that caused me to reflect about the work we do at Fern, our industry and the value of live, face to face events and how they were meant to be experienced. The common thread that resonated for me was that live events are meant to be fully experienced in a […]
Civility- Where has it gone?
A few weeks ago, something happened that made me start to consider the concept of civility. I honestly don’t recall what triggered the thought in my mind, but it could have been any number of things. One thing did become apparent to me. Civility is a virtue that protects tolerance. Tolerance not only allows us […]
