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Going Global

What does it take to be a truly valued exhibit partner for International Business?

Panelists

• Stephen Benedetti• Peter Theodorides• Voicu Sferdianu• Irene Rodriguez• Hazem Hamada

• Cam Stevens, Moderator

Stephen Benedetti

Title Director, International Projects

Company Heilmaier Messedesign

Location Germany

• Began his trade show career in Arizona in the late ’90s as Show Service Coordinator at Dietrich & Ball• Moved to Heilmaier Messedesign in 2001• For the past 10 years has initiated and grown the international projects division

Peter Theodorides

Title CEO/President

Company Vision Ltd.

Location Greece

• Chair of PR & Marketing Committee at IFES• Member of the Board for HAEEC (Hellenic Assoc of Exhibition and Event Contractors)• Studies in American International Schools and graduated from the American College of Greece with a degree in Marketing Management• Speaks English, Spanish and Greek• Born in Caracas, Venezuela and move to Greece 28 years ago

Voicu Sferdianu

Title Owner, Managing Director

Company eXpo Design System

Location Romania

• For the past 10 years I have built and developed the main Romanian stand• Currently working mainly in Europe and less on the domestic Romanian market• Since 2011 I have been the Chair of the Membership Committee in IFES

Irene Albarrán

Title CEO

Company Expoquarzo SA de CV

Location Mexico City

• Founded by Eduardo Albarrán in 1976• Began in the exhibition world as Branch Manager in Guadalajara• 1 yr later, became Manager of Expoquarzo’s digital print house in Mexico City• As a commercial manager, she specialized in the exhibit market, focusing on design, marketing and sales as well as R & D of graphi, portable displays and signage• Expoquarzo is an active member of OSPI, EDPA, MPI and AMPROFEC

Hazem Hamada

Title President, CEO

Company United Group

Location Egypt

• 15 years experience in the International exhibiting marketplace• Started as an architect working in Austria• Moved to Egypt where he founded his company• Specializing in exhibition stand construction• Considered a market leader championing Egyptian pavilions world-wide• Opened branch office in Dubai in 2004 to serve Middle East marketplace• Active member of IFES

Sankar Karuppiah

Title Overseas Projects

Company Endlos Japan Co Ltd

Location Tokyo, Japan

• Fluent in English, Japanese, Bahasa Indonesia, Tamil• In charge of meetings and securing all overseas projects and managing/coordinating an onsite team• In charge of bringing Japanese projects overseas and managing/coordinating an onsite team•In charge of Interior works exports and materials acquisition of Chinese products and services

Cam Stevens

Title President, CEO

Company Stevens Exhibit Design Group

Location Toronto, Canada

• Almost 25 years in the Industry• Member of EDPA for 14 years• VP, Education for EDPA for 4 years, and Chair of Research Committee for 7 years• President of EDPA in 2012 and a member of OSPI• Specialize in bringing exhibitors from Overseas to North American exhibitions and bringing North American exhibitors overseas through a partner network

Question 1

• What characteristics are most important to you when selecting a partner to assist you in another country?

Question 2

• What are the major differences between costing and planning a show in the USA vs Europe or Asia?

Question 3

• What is the best way to meet a prospective supplier to consider as a partner?

Question 4

• Can you share an experience when servicing a customer abroad that surprised you from what you expected?

Question 5

• How should American suppliers change their style/attitude somewhat when coming to your country/region?

Question 6

• When is it best to rent locally vs shipping in a custom stand?

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Going Global – Q & A Period

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