Leadership

Pat Alacqua: Industry Trailblazer and Co-Founder of Nth Degree (Part 2)

Posted on by Jeff Hannah | In Best Practices, Communications, Leadership, Marketing, North America, Podcast, Relationships, Strategy, United States, Verbal Communications

 

Leadership, Growth, and Mentorship with Pat Alacqua

In this second episode,Jeff Hannah delves into Pat Alacqua’s journey as a leader and entrepreneur, exploring the emotional and strategic dynamics of building and eventually selling Nth Degree. In this rare interview, Pat Alacqua also candidly reflects on the toll of seeing valued team members move-on over time – a natural yet bittersweet reality of leading a fast-growing business in a thriving industry where the demand for trained and skilled professionals constantly grows.

Pat discusses the complexities of growth, including the decision to hire people from outside the trade show industry to drive transformation and innovation. Jeff emphasizes the importance of a rigorous hiring process, which included assessments supported by an industrial psychologist to ensure alignment with the company’s values and culture – an approach that was uncommon for entrepreneurial companies at the time. Pat also shares his philosophy on hiring and leading great people, underscoring the value of surrounding oneself with individuals who bring diverse mindsets and perspectives to the table.

A lifelong learner, Pat reflects on how leadership is more about asking the right questions than it is about having all the right answers. He shares how continuous learning has shaped his approach to influence—building alignment, securing support, and inspiring others—all of which require patience and intentionality.

Pat also opens up about some of his greatest life challenges, the lessons they taught him, and how mentorship has been a cornerstone of his career. He passionately believes in “paying it forward” by mentoring and guiding others, and he credits much of his own success to those who mentored him along the way.

Jeff also asks about Pat’s decision to sell Nth Degree, his perspective on that decision, and his broader view on defining success. Pat talks about how growth is not just about transforming a company but about how it also transforms the people involved in that journey. He reflects on how rare and fulfilling it is to build a business with a continuous growth trajectory.

This episode is packed with insights on leadership, learning, and the power of mentorship, offering listeners valuable lessons from Pat’s remarkable career.

Stay tuned for more insights in Episode 3.

Part 1 of my interview with Pat.

Part 3 of my interview with Pat.

Pat Alacqua on LinkedIn

Website: https://www.patalacqua.com/

Email: pat@patalacqua.com

Pat Alacqua: Industry Trailblazer and Co-Founder of Nth Degree (Part 1)

Posted on by Jeff Hannah | In Best Practices, Branding, Communications, Leadership, Marketing, North America, Podcast, Storytelling, Strategy, United States, Verbal Communications

 

Foundational Strategies and Industry Impact with Pat Alacqua

In this first episode of the three-part series, Jeff Hannah conducts a rare interview with Pat Alacqua, co-founder of Nth Degree, exploring the foundational strategies and challenges that defined the company’s early days. Beyond co-founding Nth Degree, Pat has built multiple successful businesses across other industries and continues to collaborate with business leaders through his consulting services and online leadership and business growth tools, guiding them through challenges to achieve sustained growth. Together, they reflect on how the trade show industry has evolved, Nth Degree’s innovative approach to building a labor management company, and the critical importance of training and education in shaping their team and culture.

Pat shares how Nth Degree carved out its niche in the industry by focusing on differentiation, emphasizing core values like education, training, and exceptional customer service. He explains how they anticipated customer needs and proactively solved problems to set themselves apart in a fast-growing competitive landscape. Pat reflects on the high levels of risk involved in starting Nth Degree and scaling it to handle increasingly large and complex projects.

Listeners will gain insight into the legendary antitrust legal case in Dallas, Texas, where Nth Degree and its partners faced significant challenges. Although the directed verdict was not in their favor, over time they won in the court of public opinion, ultimately changing the direction of the trade show industry. This led to the development of new industry categories like “independent labor contractors,” which are now commonly referred to across the industry as “exhibitor appointed contractors” (EACs).

This episode also highlights how Nth Degree developed industry practices and terminology still in use today, such as “leadmen” and “floor managers.” They recognized the need for robust systems and processes to effectively manage rapid growth and scale the company without sacrificing quality or service. Pat’s reflections provide valuable lessons on leadership, perseverance, and innovation in a dynamic industry. Drawing on his extensive career experience, Pat also shares actionable insights to help business leaders overcome challenges and scale their companies successfully.

Stay tuned for more insights in Episodes 2 and 3 of the three-part series as Jeff and Pat continue to explore the challenges and triumphs that shaped Nth Degree and the trade show industry at large.

Part 2 of my interview with Pat.

Part 3 of my interview with Pat.

Pat Alacqua on LinkedIn

Website: https://www.patalacqua.com/

Email: pat@patalacqua.com

Jessica Turnbull Interview

Show-Up & Stand Out: Australian Trade Show Strategist, Jessica Turnbull (Part 2)

Posted on by Jeff Hannah | In Age, Australia, Best Practices, Branding, Branding, Culture, Design, Dusseldorf, Europe, Gender, Germany, Language, Leadership, Loose Time, Marketing, New Zealand, North America, Perth, Podcast, Relationships, Storytelling, Strategy, Sydney, Time, United States

Down Under Dynamics: Trade Show Strategies with Jess Turnbull (Part 2)

In Part 2 of this two-part interview, host Jeff Hannah talks with trade show strategist Jessica Turnbull of The Exhibit Company in Australia, during EXHIBITORLIVE 2024.

Continuing our enlightening conversation with Jess Turnbull, we delve deeper into the world of exhibitions and client engagement. With a relaxed demeanor characteristic of Australians, Jess brings a wealth of insights garnered from advising and training clients on engagements, ROI, and related topics. Emphasizing the importance of booth staff training and clarity of focus, Jess guides exhibitors on how to maximize their opportunities on the show floor. Drawing on her experiences, she contrasts the hospitality-driven approach seen in European exhibits with the more selective approach prevalent in Australia.

As we explore the concept of being “on” during shows, Jess underscores the importance of presenting one’s brand in the best possible light. From discussing the underlying reasons for exhibiting to the strategic placement of coffee on Australian stands, Jess shares invaluable perspectives that resonate with exhibitors worldwide.

In this insightful continuation, Jess Turnbull provides a nuanced exploration of the art of exhibiting and the intricacies of client engagement. Join us as we uncover the strategies and tactics that define successful exhibition experiences and gain a deeper understanding of the evolving landscape of trade shows in Australia.

The Exhibit Company is an international custom exhibit agency, headquartered in New South Wales, Australia. They are uniquely positioned to work with brands for shows all across Australia. Their unique approach is based on strategy, creative design solutions, and solid project management. The Exhibit Company is not simply focused on providing an exhibit. Their holistic approach encompasses pre-show promotional activities, determining and tracking ROI, lead tracking & management, and booth staff training, among many other services.

Part 1 of my interview with Jess.

This interview was recorded live at the amazing Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee with host Jeff Hannah.

The Exhibit Company

Jessica Turnbull on LinkedIn

Email: jess@theexhibitcompany.com.au

Jessica Turnbull Interview

Show-Up & Stand Out: Australian Trade Show Strategist, Jessica Turnbull (Part 1)

Posted on by Jeff Hannah | In Australia, Best Practices, Branding, Branding, Covid-19, Culture, Design, Dusseldorf, Europe, Gender, Germany, Language, Leadership, Loose Time, Marketing, New Zealand, North America, Perth, Podcast, Relationships, Storytelling, Strategy, Sydney, Time, United States, Verbal Communications

 Down Under Dynamics: Trade Show Strategies with Jess Turnbull (Part 1) 

In Part 1 of this two-part interview, host Jeff Hannah talks with trade show strategist Jessica Turnbull of The Exhibit Company in Australia, during EXHIBITORLIVE 2024.

During this conversation, Jess shared insights into her journey, having co-founded The Exhibit Company with her stepfather, Chris Lamb some years ago. Their approach to the business is truly distinctive, placing strategy at the forefront – followed by outstanding design. It’s evident that their forward-thinking mindset has positioned them ahead of the curve, consistently delivering clear value to their clients across the continent.

Navigating the intricacies of trade shows, Jess emphasized the significance of a holistic approach, spanning pre-show preparations, on-site engagement, and post-event follow-ups. It’s critically important to make the absolute best use of your opportunities on the show floor – to really SHOW-UP – and give it your best!

While virtual engagements have their place in the marketing mix, you really must make an intentional effort to cut through all the “white noise” out there. The inherent value of face-to-face interactions remains undeniable, particularly in the Post-COVID era that we are in. This shifting landscape has brought about a change in overall attendee profile, with a noticeable uptick in the quality and focus of participants.

This conversation with Jessica Turnbull provided invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of exhibitions and the importance of strategic thinking in producing impactful experiences. Jess touched upon the dynamics of international install timelines, drawing comparisons between the USA, Europe, and Australia, before reflecting on the timeless wisdom encapsulated in Parkinson’s Law. Join us as we uncover the nuances of exhibiting in a post-pandemic world, and the enduring principles that shape our industry.

The Exhibit Company is an international custom exhibit agency, headquartered in New South Wales, Australia. They are uniquely positioned to work with brands for shows all across Australia. Their unique approach is based on strategy, creative design solutions, and solid project management. The Exhibit Company is not simply focused on providing an exhibit. Their holistic approach encompasses pre-show promotional activities, determining and tracking ROI, lead tracking & management, and booth staff training, among many other services.

This interview was recorded live at the amazing Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee with host Jeff Hannah.

Part 2 of my interview with Jess.

The Exhibit Company

Jessica Turnbull on LinkedIn

Email: jess@theexhibitcompany.com.au

Jeff Hannah & Francisco Collazo

Three Generations in Mexico with Francisco Collazo (Part 2)

Posted on by Jeff Hannah | In Age, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Culture, Design, Dusseldorf, Ecuador, Europe, Germany, Graphics, Language, Latin America, Leadership, Loose Time, Mexico, North America, Podcast, Puerto Rico, Relationships, Time, United States

A Look into the Life of Industrial Designer Francisco Collazo

This is Part 2 of a two-part interview with international industry leader and designer Francisco Collazo, Partner and CEO of SISTEXPO (Sistemas de Exposición) in Mexico City, Mexico.

In this fascinating conversation, Francisco Collazo shares his extensive journey into the exhibition industry, tracing the evolution of his career from its inception as a young boy working with his father. More than 40 years later, Francisco’s company is now well into its third family generation and has established an outstanding reputation for themselves globally in the industry.

Host Jeff Hannah asks Francisco to share the transformative shifts he has witnessed in the Mexican exhibition landscape over the years, offering valuable insights into the dynamic nature of the industry in Mexico. Nowadays, most of the exhibits are custom-built, wooden exhibits versus system exhibits; many are still build and burn (one time use).

Francisco highlighted his knowledge of system exhibits, shedding light on the diverse range, some of the history, and how he became an expert in this area. He mentions his past interactions with historical system influencers, such as Hans Bruder (global leader of OCTANORM for over 50 years). Some of the systems they discussed are beMatrix, Aluvision, Agam, OCTANORM, SYMA, and meroform,

They discuss the primary exhibition venues in Mexico, and how those have evolved over the years in their respective areas:

Palacio de los Deportes

World Trade Center Mexico City

Centro Citibanamex

Expo Guadalajara

Jeff and Francisco share their common bond of their pathways to becoming an industrial designer. Francisco shares how he is particularly passionate about giving back to future generations of designers and design programs at various universities. Francisco’s heavy involvement in international and local industry associations underscored his commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing with others across the industry.

Francisco’s international work experience is a key focal point, illustrating the intricacies and nuances of navigating business across borders – particularly in Latin America.

Francisco opens-up about the unique experience of collaborating with family members in the industry, providing a glimpse into the dynamics of working alongside loved ones. He shares his outlook on navigating some of those challenges – and well as the reward of working with his family in the formation of this third-generation business. They specifically mention the work that his son Paco Collazo is doing with Happy Projects, based in Atlanta.

Jeff asks Francisco about his legacy, where he emphasizes continuous innovation, building connections, and providing the highest level of service possible (beyond what is happening on the trade show floor).

Host Jeff Hannah summarizes this interview by stating, “good stuff to build a business on; good stuff to build a life around.”

SISTEXPO are international exhibit and event builders, headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico. They are uniquely positioned to work across North America and South America, with a reach far beyond – into Europe and elsewhere around the world. SISTEXPO designs and builds exhibits for trade shows, works as a general contractor for entire exhibitions, provides international pavilions, and produces full-scale events. Well into their third family generation, SISTEXPO has a strong track record of over 40 years and continues to be heavily involved in international associations and works with many global brands. They are proud members of IFES, EDPA, ESSA, bePartner Network, MPI, OSPI, and AMPROFEC.

This interview was recorded live at the amazing Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, in Bonita Springs, Florida (USA) with host Jeff Hannah.

Francisco Collazo on LinkedIn

Website: https://www.sistexpo.com/

Jeff Hannah & Francisco Collazo

Three Generations in Mexico with Francisco Collazo (Part 1)

Posted on by Jeff Hannah | In Age, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Culture, Design, Ecuador, Europe, Germany, Graphics, Language, Latin America, Leadership, Loose Time, Mexico, North America, Puerto Rico, Relationships, United States

A Look into the Life of Industrial Designer Francisco Collazo

This is Part 1 of a two-part interview with international industry leader and designer Francisco Collazo, Partner and CEO of SISTEXPO (Sistemas de Exposición) in Mexico City, Mexico.

In this fascinating conversation, Francisco Collazo shares his extensive journey into the exhibition industry, tracing the evolution of his career from its inception as a young boy working with his father. More than 40 years later, Francisco’s company is now well into its third family generation and has established an outstanding reputation for themselves globally in the industry.

Host Jeff Hannah asks Francisco to share the transformative shifts he has witnessed in the Mexican exhibition landscape over the years, offering valuable insights into the dynamic nature of the industry in Mexico. Nowadays, most of the exhibits are custom-built, wooden exhibits versus system exhibits; many are still build and burn (one time use).

Francisco highlighted his knowledge of system exhibits, shedding light on the diverse range, some of the history, and how he became an expert in this area. He mentions his past interactions with historical system influencers, such as Hans Bruder (global leader of OCTANORM for over 50 years). Some of the systems they discussed are beMatrix, Aluvision, Agam, OCTANORM, SYMA, and meroform,

They discuss the primary exhibition venues in Mexico, and how those have evolved over the years in their respective areas:

Palacio de los Deportes

World Trade Center Mexico City

Centro Citibanamex

Expo Guadalajara

Jeff and Francisco share their common bond of their pathways to becoming an industrial designer. Francisco shares how he is particularly passionate about giving back to future generations of designers and design programs at various universities. Francisco’s heavy involvement in international and local industry associations underscored his commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing with others across the industry.

Francisco’s international work experience is a key focal point, illustrating the intricacies and nuances of navigating business across borders – particularly in Latin America.

Francisco opens-up about the unique experience of collaborating with family members in the industry, providing a glimpse into the dynamics of working alongside loved ones. He shares his outlook on navigating some of those challenges – and well as the reward of working with his family in the formation of this third-generation business. They specifically mention the work that his son Paco Collazo is doing with Happy Projects, based in Atlanta.

Jeff asks Francisco about his legacy, where he emphasizes continuous innovation, building connections, and providing the highest level of service possible (beyond what is happening on the trade show floor).

Host Jeff Hannah summarizes this interview by stating, “good stuff to build a business on; good stuff to build a life around.”

SISTEXPO are international exhibit and event builders, headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico. They are uniquely positioned to work across North America and South America, with a reach far beyond – into Europe and elsewhere around the world. SISTEXPO designs and builds exhibits for trade shows, works as a general contractor for entire exhibitions, provides international pavilions, and produces full-scale events. Well into their third family generation, SISTEXPO has a strong track record of over 40 years and continues to be heavily involved in international associations and works with many global brands. They are proud members of IFES, EDPA, ESSA, bePartner Network, MPI, OSPI, and AMPROFEC.

This interview was recorded live at the amazing Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, in Bonita Springs, Florida (USA) with host Jeff Hannah.

Francisco Collazo on LinkedIn

Website: https://www.sistexpo.com/

Mark Johnson On Stage at EDPA Access 2022

How Mark Johnson is Shaping the Exhibition Industry

Posted on by Jeff Hannah | In Asia, Best Practices, Branding, Branding, Communications, Covid-19, Culture, Europe, Germany, Language, Latin America, Leadership, London, Marketing, Middle East, North America, Podcast, Storytelling, Strategy, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

How Mark Johnson is Shaping the Exhibition Industry

Industry veteran Mark Johnson is re-shaping the world of exhibitions with his deep passion, foresight, and encompassing vision for the future. Mark has garnered significant attention with his recent acquisitions of EXHIBITOR Group, as well as Featherlite Exhibits. In this episode, host Jeff Hannah asks Mark about his acquisition of EXHIBITOR Group, and how he is re-imagining the future of it. Mark introduces Dan Raynak as the new CEO/President of EXHIBITOR Group, and talks about the unique and ongoing mission for the company. Mark’s fiery passion for the exhibition industry can be felt as he discusses a more inclusive future for EXHIBITOR – with the introduction of additional tools and resources. Mark also discusses the outlook for EXHIBITORLIVE 2023 and beyond, including future potential show locations.

EXHIBITOR is widely recognized as a producer of educational conferences – and is exploring ways to build upon this globally recognized brand – including potential international expansion of educational programming and CTSM Certification. EXHIBITOR and the EDPA (Experiential Designers & Producers Association) have recently formed a partnership to provide ongoing professional education to EDPA members through EXHIBITOR’s Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) program.

Mark Johnson is the Founder / CEO of Star Exhibits & Environments, and also owns several other companies. Mark built an outstanding reputation in the exhibition industry through decades of international work and leadership in industry associations such as EDPA and IFES. He was formerly President (2005) of EDPA (Experiential Designers & Producers Association). He was involved in the creation of the EDPA Foundation, where he continues to serve as Treasurer. He was instrumental in supporting and promoting IFES (International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services) over the years in various ways. Mark has been instrumental in the exhibit design education programs at both Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), and Bemidji State University (BSU), from the early stages of development to current day. In 2021, Mark was honored as one of the Ten Most Admired CEOs by the MSP Business Journal.

EXHIBITOR Group is the global leader in trade show and corporate event marketing education. EXHIBITOR does this through many platforms, including: EXHIBITOR Magazine, EXHIBITORLIVE, the Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) program, EXHIBITOR FastTrak, EXHIBITOR eTrak, and others.

A leading global marketing solutions provider, Star Exhibits and Environments values a customer-intimate approach, lasting partnerships, powerful strategic direction, and consistent execution. Star’s comprehensive design, fabrication, installation, and property management services support trade show, retail, corporate interior, event and selling environment initiatives.

This interview was recorded live at EXHIBITOR FastTrak in Providence, Rhode Island, with host Jeff Hannah.

Mark on LinkedIn

Exhibitor Media Group

Mark Johnson, Owner and CEO of Star Group

Mark Johnson
potters wheel

The Great Global Reset

Posted on by Jeff Hannah | In Age, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Authority, Bahrain, Best Practices, Brazil, Chile, China, Communications, Covid-19, Cuba, Culture, Dusseldorf, Ecuador, Europe, Gender, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Kuwait, Language, Latin America, Leadership, Mexico, Middle East, New Zealand, North America, Podcast, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Relationships, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Strategy, Taiwan, Thailand, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Verbal Communications

The Great Global Reset – Jeff Hannah Speaks at IFES

In this episode, we are re-airing a webinar with Jeff Hannah called The Great Global Reset, presented by IFES (International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services), as part of an ongoing series called IFES Solutions. All countries and cultures on the planet are feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact is monumental – and will likely have more significant repercussions on humanity than any other crisis we have seen in our lifetimes. The coronavirus pandemic is already permanently reshaping culture as we speak. The trade show and event industry is being hit particularly hard as well – and is being forced to shift, innovate, and re-think. In this webinar we will explore COVID through the eyes of culture – and some elements of the Great Global Reset.

This interview was recorded in Dayton, Ohio but broadcast globally in April 2020.

Email: jeff@globalexhibitor.com

Jeff on LinkedIn

Joey DiFranco & Jeff Hannah Rethinking Events

Rethinking Events with Joey DiFranco & Jeff Hannah

Posted on by Jeff Hannah | In Best Practices, Branding, Communications, Covid-19, Design, Graphics, Language, Leadership, Marketing, Non-Verbal Communications, North America, Podcast, Relationships, Strategy, United States, Verbal Communications, Videos

Joey DiFranco & Jeff Hannah – Thought Leadership in Virtual Events

In this episode, we are re-airing a panel interview with Jeff Hannah and Joey DiFranco from the main stage at Rethinking Events, a recent virtual event which explores how virtual events are exploding and developing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Joey is a media futurist and expert in experiential technology. Joey is also the Director of the NEXT Lab at Exhibit Concepts – “New Experiential Technologies” – which is focused on all things technology-related, such as virtual events, augmented reality, virtual reality, audio-visual, and much more. Jeff Hannah is the Vice President of Interiors, International, and Creative at Exhibit Concepts, and has oversight of the NEXT Lab. Both of these industry thought leaders are interviewed by Masten Worley, Director of Sales at Exhibit Concepts.

This is a dynamic conversation which explores the role of virtual events in the overall marketing mix, what kinds of mistakes companies often make when implementing online events. They talk about the challenges and difficulties of creating and managing virtual events. And, they discuss what the future may look like in terms of the mix between virtual and in-real-life (IRL) events.

This interview was recorded in Dayton, Ohio.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-difranco-creative/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyhannah/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mastenworley/

Bin Yu CEO of HitLights

Bin Yu – “My American Dream”

Posted on by Jeff Hannah | In Age, Asia, Authority, China, Communications, Culture, Hong Kong, Language, Leadership, Lighting, Non-Verbal Communications, North America, Podcast, Relationships, Taiwan, United States, Verbal Communications

Bin Yu of HitLights Shares His American Dream

In this episode, host Jeff Hannah interviews Bin Yu, Ph.D, Founder & CEO of HitLights, a top provider of LED technologies for trade show exhibits, and other industry sectors. Bin is a native of China, but pursued his American dream by earning his Ph.D. at Louisiana State University (LSU) in the USA. He shares part of his fascinating entrepreneurial journey, what inspires him, and the mindset which has helped him to succeed in so many areas of life.

Jeff also discusses with Bin the differences between the Chinese and American cultures and business environments, the concept of guanxi, learning as a lifestyle, and leading millennial employees.

HitLights has offices in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in Chino, California, and in Shenzhen, China.

As founder of HitLights, Bin makes a positive impact by developing loyal and caring relationships. His company HITlights has won 2017 and 2016 Honoree of the LSU 100: Fastest Growing Tiger Businesses, The Company doubled the revenue in 2018 and launched the China-Shenzhen E-commerce office. Bin Yu has been nominated 2016 Young Businessperson of the Year by Business Report. Bin is a man of many passions, entrepreneurship, connecting/bridging, environmental protection, and LED lighting solutions. These passions have helped to sculpt the way he does business. As an EOer-Orange county, he is really grateful for the benefits that EO has brought in the last 6 years.

Giving back to the community is deeply important to Bin, and he likes to make business reflect that. So, his company Hitlights gives internship opportunities to LSU Fellowship (Entrepreneur) Program every year, and they sponsor the 2nd and 3rd LSU Student Incubator’s annual Venture Challenge.

His personal and family life purpose is to make an impact and spread positive energy by learning and connecting. He is an active runner and love scuba-diving and meditation.

This interview was recorded at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Email: byu@hitlights.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/binyuled