At the peak of the move-in, Sho-Link handled 24 jobs and 71 workers at the AAPEX and SEMA shows.

     A special challenge was faced on October 27, the target installation date. At 8 am, there was no freight waiting, due to the difficulties presented at SECC, including no area to stage trucks, and the advent of a show moving out in Hall D at the same time.

     Exhibit Enterprises, Inc. had a strong presence on the shows. “Both the SEMA and AAPEX shows are very popular national and international draws, which result in extremely important on-site sales agreements for participants,” said Derek Gentile, EEI president and CEO. “Exhibit Enterprises creates innovative and attractive displays that best showcase our clients’ brands and products in these sales-oriented environments. To do this successfully, we must always have keen eye on a client’s budget and their marketing goals, to make the right impression while doing so in a cost-effective manner.”

     American Axle & Manufacturing, Bendix by Honeywell, Visteon Corp., and Honeywell contracted EEI to handle all the interactive marketing needs for SEMA and AAPEX.

     Visteon has been an EEI customer for nearly a decade. This year EEI designed display concepts, which communicate Visteon’s competitive advantage, its full range of product offerings and that its OE design experience translates into a better OE-quality product.

     “EEI delivered an impressive display design for AAPEX that not only met our requirements, but did it with great style and within budget,” said Mark Boyle, Visteon’s Aftermarket Marketing Director. “One goal for our SEMA booth is to gain market insight from future customers on our new Mobile Electronics opportunities, and EEI designed a display that will help draw customers to us.”

     Honeywell is a new client for EEI this year, for which EEI showcased as the umbrella brand for many high quality automotive products. Bendix by Honeywell’s display incorporated the company’s involvement with NASCAR racing (including a full-size car), as well as innovative movie theatre space, internet work area and relaxing space to meet with the media and customers. The area highlighted all of Bendix by Honeywell’s Family of Friction Premium Products and introduced the new Bendix Ceramlub.

     American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) gave EEI the challenge of designing an inviting, efficient and user-friendly space with a large presence of product in a medium-sized area, as the manufacturer looks to expand its involvement at AAPEX in the future. In three years, AAM has increasingly used the AAPEX show to grow its aftermarket presence and is pleased with the response of show goers to its line up of products.

     Expon Exhibits had several sets, including two new ones.

     The new 30 x 40 double decker set for CMA LLC China Marketing Alliance went well. With Chris Lieser as leadman and Gene Winther as supervisor, the first time out for this exhibit was smooth, on time, and on budget.

     Additionally, American Pacific Inc. displayed a 50 x 50 exhibit, with Larry Siers as leadman and Chris Winther as supervisor. The client stated, “The show exceeded expectations and everything seemed to have gone perfect.”

     Gene Winther, CEO of Expon Exhibits, acknowledged, “On behalf of Expon Exhibits and our clients, thanks again for a great job.”

     After the show, Linda Winther stated, “We just wanted to thank you for a great job at SEMA 2005. The exhibits are back, and you all did a great job on the repack. Sure made our jobs so much easier on the inventory and repack. We are all ready for SEMA 2006.”

     ICON Exhibits Bartlett Corporation’s set was also a huge success. Anji Dodd, assistant marketing manager with Bartlett, stated, “We could not have done it without them (the Sho-Link services). We look forward to planning for the upcoming SEMA show.”

     Sho-Link’s traveling personnel included Mike Haren, Steve Rojas, David Walter, Dale Armond, Jeff Brosseau, Jim Mount, Mark Hanson, Chris Leisner, and Denis Puszkiewicz.

     “Thankfully no major problems besides the usual freight and electrical delays that are the norm here in Las Vegas,” relates David Davila, Las Vegas City Manager.

     Larry Ciccotti commented, “David Davila, Mary Scherf, Bill Redman and staff responded to the challenge to the delight of all our clients.” He continues, “This was a well structured and implemented show by the new Las Vegas City Manager.”