Mark Johnson On Stage at EDPA Access 2022

How Mark Johnson is Shaping the Exhibition Industry

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.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjohnsonstar/

Website: https://www.exhibitoronline.com/index.asp

Mark Johnson, Owner and CEO of Star Group

Mark Johnson
Dutch Pavilion Shanghai 2010

Charles Pappas – Flying Cars, Zombie Dogs, & Robot Overlords (Part 2)

Jeff Hannah Interviews Charles Pappas – Exhibit Industry Historian

In this episode, host Jeff Hannah interviews Charles Pappas, author of Flying Cars, Zombie Dogs, & Robot Overlords, and senior writer at Exhibitor Magazine. Charles is like the Indiana Jones – Captain Ahab – Mr. Peabody of the exhibition industry. He dug up lost expo photos in Shanghai and located forgotten fair buildings in Mexico City. He has spent years sleuthing out not just the economic IMPACT but cultural IMPRINT of trade fairs – which is a key point of his book. The impact of trade fairs last long beyond the end of the event. Charles has covered the expo industry for Exhibitor Magazine for many years – and is the industry’s de facto historian.

In part 2 of this interview, Jeff explores the things that Charles has learned from his extensive international travels, in particular how those things relate to good and bad practices in exhibitions. Charles explains the Dunning–Kruger effect, and how business can be impacted by a lack of knowledge of certain subjects. They discuss the use a sensory attractions – kinetic structures, technology, sand painting, art, fragrances and storytelling. Jeff talks to Charles about his level of interest in cultures and how that knowledge can and should be applied to the exhibition world.

This interview was recorded in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Flying Cars, Zombie Dogs, & Robot Overlords Book on Amazon

Charles Pappas on LinkedIn

Exhibitor Magazine

Email: cpappas@exhibitormagazine.com

Dutch Pavilion Shanghai 2010

Charles Pappas – Flying Cars, Zombie Dogs, & Robot Overlords (Part 1)

Jeff Hannah Interviews Charles Pappas – Exhibit Industry Historian

In this episode, host Jeff Hannah interviews Charles Pappas, author of Flying Cars, Zombie Dogs, & Robot Overlords, and senior writer at Exhibitor Magazine. Charles is like the Indiana Jones – Captain Ahab – Mr. Peabody of the exhibition industry. He dug up lost expo photos in Shanghai and located forgotten fair buildings in Mexico City. He has spent years sleuthing out not just the economic IMPACT but cultural IMPRINT of trade fairs – which is a key point of his book. The impact of trade fairs last long beyond the end of the event. Charles has covered the expo industry for Exhibitor Magazine for many years – and is the industry’s de facto historian.

In part 1 of this interview, Charles explains how he became interested in world’s fairs and exhibitions, and the many shows that he has personally visited and studied. They talk about how governments use their pavilions at world fairs to market and sell themselves to the world, something Charles refers to as culture to consumer (C2C). Through fascinating examples Charles reveals interesting past exhibits which have really changed the world. They also discuss opportunities that companies often miss when exhibiting, and some of the huge mistakes that they make. Charles provides an incredibly insightful and historical perspective on the importance of trade shows, exhibitions, and world’s fairs to the global economy.

This interview was recorded in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Flying Cars, Zombie Dogs, & Robot Overlords Book on Amazon

Charles Pappas on LinkedIn

Exhibitor Magazine

Email: cpappas@exhibitormagazine.com