The Classic: A Day to Remember

September 11. A day no one will forget, and everyone will make time to honor. It also just so happened to be the day of this year’s The Classic golf tournament. For the EDPA Northeast Chapter, The Classic is a day of networking, friendly competition and of rallying members together in support of a great cause. The Classic is always planned for the first Monday in September following Labor Day and has only ever fallen on this most historic day once before in the seven years the event has been run.

The day could not have turned out better. In typical Massachusetts fashion, the weather forecast for the day was one of rain and thunder (and lightning, a golfer’s worst fear). Yet, the ‘golf gods’ were certainly looking down on us as the inclement weather held off through the entire tournament and, in fact, the sun made an appearance during the awards ceremony that concluded the day. We had an amazing turnout; the best so far in the post-COVID era. There were 69 total golfers for The Classic 2023, along with 22 non-golfers attending simply for the networking and enjoyment of the day (including 10+ volunteers). What’s more, we had record-breaking numbers of sponsors for this event: 28 in total.

In a move made to reinvigorate excitement and engagement in this annual charity golf tournament, this year’s Chapter Board made the decision to donate proceeds from the event to a 9/11-inspired organization. For one, it just made sense, given the event day and its deeper meaning to every person regardless of industry or job status. For another, the Board recognized the opportunity to be more inclusive of Chapter members outside of Massachusetts (where two of the Chapter’s biggest annual events are held). Specifically, it fit within the Chapter’s goal to increase membership and participation in New York and New Jersey, and what better way to incite involvement than by selecting an organization close to the heart of those communities?

Since its inception, The Classic has supported the EDPA Scholarship Foundation; a very important charity to the industry at large and which receives an outpouring of support from many Chapters and EDPA member companies. While this organization certainly relies on its fundraising efforts to give back to our industry’s children with scholarships for higher education, the Chapter Board felt that this year, The Classic should support a new organization that also relies on donations to function and serves its communities. The three main pillars of the Chapter mission are to advocate for the growth and stability of events and customer experience industry, provide educational opportunities for its members outside of conference workshops, and to give back to all its communities through volunteer efforts and monetary support. It was for this reason that the Chapter Board made the decision to change up charities for the first time and go with an organization that would appeal to its ‘southern border’ members for its closeness with those communities. After carefully vetting through several organizations, the Board chose HEART 9/11. Standing for Healing Emergency Aid Response Team, HEART 9/11 was formed by members of the FDNY, NYPD, PAPD and the NYC Building Trades who bonded in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. HEART 9/11’s mission is to respond immediately to natural and man-made disasters, rebuild community centers in hard-hit areas to meet grassroots needs and recover by building resiliency for individuals, families and communities. Most importantly, 93% of donations made to HEART 9/11 goes right to their programs. (HEART 9/11 currently has a Gold rating with Candid on the delivery of program services they provide.)

This move obviously resonated with Northeast Chapter members, with not just our ‘regulars’ of sponsor companies and golfers who have been the mainstay for this event’s fundraising, but a host of new faces and new organizations in the events industry that attended. Perhaps it was also the addition of some new sponsorship levels (in a range from $100-$1,550 to accommodate giving budgets of all sizes), or the chance to win a $25,000 grand prize for making a hole-in-one at one of the Par 3s. Not to mention a great selection of prize items to fit any golfer’s wish-list to bid on for our raffle. Or maybe it was the fact that this year’s winning team would be bringing home a trophy and not just bragging rights for getting the best score, plus the introduction of two hole games to make the day’s event that much more fun, that helped bring in such a high headcount of sponsors and attendees (for hole games, there was ‘Battlechip,’ a cornhole-meets-golf game where golfers played for chances to be entered in a 50/50 raffle and get a drink ticket for participation, and ‘Cornhole-in-One,’ where players tried their luck at sinking a bean bag into the cornhole board for a chance to win the custom-made cornhole boards for the game plus a Yeti cooler filled with goodies).

With all these reasons and more, The EDPA Northeast Chapter was able to raise enough money to donate $5,000 to HEART 9/11; the most the Chapter has ever been able to donate from this annual event. It was certainly a history-making day for this EDPA Chapter, and an event we will always remember.

And while it’s the Northeast Chapter that puts on this annual golf tournament fundraiser for its members, we truly could not do it without their support, donations and participation.

A HUGE Thank You Goes Out to the 2023 The Classic Golf Tournament Sponsors:

2XL Imaging

Fusion Imaging

Donovan Logistics

Elevation 3D

ICL Imaging

Hill & Partners

BlueHive Exhibits

Eagle Management Group

Sacks Exhibits

4 Productions

Willwork

Exhibit Technology

EFW Tradeshow

Display Supply & Lighting, Inc.

Trussworks (Exclusive US Distributor of Prism Lighting Group)

VectorFive

Available Light

Classic Exhibits

Team Worldwide

Creative Dimensions

Agam

CSI Worldwide

Aluvision

Momentum Management

Access TCA

Brumark

Exposures

Exhibit City News

Combined Efforts: Chapters Collide 2023 Recap

Back for it’s third year, the Chapters Collide mega-networking and social event hosted in collaboration by all the EDPA Chapters took place this year at the 8UP Elevated Drinkery & Kitchen in downtown Louisville. It was the “after party” of all after parties - an evening event from 9-11pm off the heels of the EXHIBITORLIVE welcome reception and several other “after parties” hosted by exhibitor companies.

Yet, despite the late hour, EDPA members showed up in droves - highlighting the success of this event overall in enticing engagement and interest, as well as EDPA members’ thirsts for meeting up with fellows in their industry. We had record-breaking attendance with over 250 attendees and nine individual chapters represented, along with 18 total sponsors! (Ron Burgandy even showed up for the party, so it was definitely ‘a big deal.’)

All Chapters had a raffle of some sort; for us at the Northeast Chapter, we raffled off a special package for our annual fall fundraiser and networking event, The Classic Golf Tournament. Our lucky winner, who will receive (1) free ticket to the event plus (1) free night stay at an area hotel of their choosing ($350+ value), is none other than Gina Porcaro of Classic Exhibits!

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this event.

We were having so much fun, we forgot to take photos… But you can still get a visual recap of the event by watching this video, produced by EDPA member IPME!


Thank You to This Year’s Sponsors!

Rallying Recap: Rally at the Alley 2023

While sometimes sequels can be a let down from the original, the complete opposite can be said about the 2023 edition of the EDPA Northeast Chapter’s annual fundraiser, “Rally at the Alley.”

On March 23, NE Chapter members far and wide came together at Foxborough’s Splitsville restaurant and bowling center in the heart of Patriot Place, this time to benefit Dana Esposito, EVP Strategy of BlueHive Exhibits.

It was clear from the event turnout and proceeds collected that Dana’s 25+ years in the industry has not gone unnoticed. The room was full of present and former colleagues from pretty much every company she has worked for, as well as other industry colleagues and associates, all of whom are still connected with Dana and counted as friends.

In fact, this year’s event came in at record-breaking attendee numbers for guests and bowlers as well as for donations and sponsorships. We had 115 attendees, 68 bowers, 20 sponsoring companies and an additional 6 companies contributing during the event. In total, the EDPA Northeast members and member companies raised $17,038.18 for Dana and her family to help offset her medical costs.

Dana, who suffered a broken and fractured pelvis, broken and fractured ribs, a fractured sacrum, and broken and fractured transverse process bones in her lower back when she was thrown from a horse while on a charity horse ride on November, 20, 2022, walked (!) into the party to tumultuous applause and cheers.

Since the accident, Dana has had surgery at Mass General and was there for a week and a half before being moved to Spaulding Rehab, where she could not even sit up when she first arrived. After two and a half weeks of rigorous physical therapy, she was able to go home a week ahead of schedule and had been wheelchair-bound since Spaulding. In early March, Dana began walking again, and has since continued her recovery to be able to walk with only the assistance of a cane.

Dana has been in our industry for over 25 years. She is an exhibit designer, and a creative and corporate leader, championing the success of the companies she works for, their clients, and future industry talent. She is on the EDPA Board of Directors, is the Co-chair of the EDPA University Affiliation Committee where she manages the mentorship program and was one of the founding members who restarted the EDPA Northeast chapter.

We are so proud of our members for coming together in support of a dear friend and colleague who clearly has dedicated her life to this industry. It was a fantastic night full of fun, networking, bowling entertainment and, of course, celebrating Dana.

About Agam, 2023 Sponsor

Agam is a Proud Supporter of the EDPA Northeast Chapter


Did you know?

At Agam, we specialize in wholesale manufacturing. For 40 years we have been creating highly customized and modular solutions combining metal and wood fabrication. Unlike any other wholesale producer, we have the most extensive inventory of materials and the most comprehensive equipment to produce custom solutions fast. The design possibilities are endless. Please contact us to explore how we can help you grow your business as an outsource partner.

Click here to learn more about Agam.

About Aluvision, 2023 Sponsor

Aluvision is a Proud Supporter of the EDPA Northeast Chapter

Did you know?

As an innovative developer and worldwide supplier of high quality modular systems for the exhibit and event industry, Aluvision combines bold imagination with unmatched engineering and manufacturing expertise.

The original Aluvision frame system offers unlimited solutions for straight and curved walls, LED walls, hanging signs, light walls, displays and retail environments. Partners can always rely on ample, fast delivery and outstanding customer service. 

Aluvision inspires and connects partners on their creative journey to design and build modular environments with a constant focus on durability, reusability, precision, flexibility and modularity, not to mention always looking forward with R&D. 

Founded in Belgium in 2003, Aluvision currently employs over 120 people and services more than 3 000 partners worldwide. The company has a large production facility and inspiring showroom in Deinze (BE) and Atlanta (USA), as well as a warehouse in Sydney (AUS).

 Aluvision, your partner in modular stand solutions.

Click here to learn more about Aluvision.

EDPA Northeast Chapter Makes an Impact at Career Fair for the Trades

EDPA Northeast Chapter Makes an Impact at Career Fair for the Trades

On Tuesday, March 7, members of the EDPA Northeast Chapter packed up their cars with banner stands, table drapes and promo materials and headed to Media, Pennsylvania for a career fair at the Williamson College of the Trades.

 The accredited junior college is home to approximately 280 students who are required to live on campus and conduct themselves under the virtues of the school: with Faith, Integrity, Diligence, Excellence and Service. (Students attend on full scholarships that cover tuition, room, board and textbooks.) With academic programs for trades including carpentry, electrical, landscape construction and management, machine tool technology, masonry and power plant technology, students graduate in just three years with an Associate in Specialized Technology degree.

 For Ashley Balassone, Director of National Accounts at CSI Worldwide and EDPA Northeast Chapter President, Kayla Gott, Senior Account Executive at Agam and Northeast Chapter Secretary, and Ben Solberg, Production & Detailing Specialist at Hill & Partners and Northeast Chapter member; the experience was just as rewarding for themselves as it was for the students they met.

 The event, identified by EDPA’s Future Workforce Committee for its opportunity to engage with future professionals of the industry, was well-attended by the College’s students who came prepared with printed resumes and a thirst for learning what they could do with their impending specialty degrees.

 “The students were pretty overwhelmed by the amount of opportunity and job offerings within the events industry,” reported Ashley. “None of them were familiar with the industry; their only experience being career fairs and ‘tabletop’ type events.”

 “Seeing their excitement in sharing not just one job type but an entire industry of interrelated and intertwined roles for companies across the country was telling of the promise of the future of this industry,” added Ben.

 “The three of us together were a perfect instance to illustrate the impact of a career in this industry,” said Kayla. “My company being a custom manufacturer of framing systems, Ashley’s specializing in labor management and Ben’s creating exhibits and event experiences, we were able to share how our roles differed and how they related in putting on an event.”

 There was a true moment of connection between young professionals all around as the students and EDPA members jived over the new machinery that the school had received that the students were eager to try out.

 And it wasn’t just talk about entry-level shop positions or summer internships currently available in the trades. With so much of their own careers still ahead of them, Ben, Ashley and Kayla spoke to experiences of older members of the industry having turned a trade skill like carpentry, electrical or machining into a career path that led to upper management positions in sales, operations and business administration.

 In total, these three EDPA “Future Leader” delegates collected 21 resumes from students interested in job and internship opportunities, and who seemed more than willing to relocate for a job to get in the door of the events industry. The majority were pursuing degrees in carpentry, machinery and masonry, with a handful in electrical.

 With industry education, support and advocacy as main pillars of the EDPA mission, and the Future Workforce and Future Leaders committees empowering EDPA members to get involved in shaping the future of the industry, the Northeast Chapter took this career fair as an opportunity to rise to the occasion.

 

This will certainly not be the EDPA Northeast Chapter’s last opportunity to get in front of students, and we’re always looking for ways to engage the industry’s future professionals. Check back regularly on our list of events for an upcoming career fair near you, or if you know one you’d like to attend on behalf of the EDPA Northeast Chapter, let us know by emailing info@edpanortheast.com.

 

If you want to learn more about Future Workforce and Future Leaders, including how you can get more involved with on behalf of your EDPA Chapter, click here: https://www.edpa.com/future.

About CSI Worldwide, 2023 Sponsor

CSI Worldwide is a Proud Supporter of the EDPA Northeast Chapter


Did you know?

CSI Worldwide is a national service contractor for exhibit installation and dismantle. We are the longest standing labor company in the event industry with 50 years of experience.  Our business is built on personalized attention and excellent service. Whether tradeshows, events, museums, retail or experiential – CSI is here for you.

We don’t just build booths.

We build relationships, partnerships, friendships, reputations, and experiences.


Click here to learn more about CSI Worldwide. 

Resources

TRADE SHOWS. CORPORATE EVENTS. BRANDED ENVIRONMENTS.

Join a Powerful Workforce

The Northeast Chapter is committed to helping connect people to organizations across the Northeast, and empowering the future workforce of the industry to become its leaders. Below are some resources to connect you with job opportunities and networking groups to help get your career started!


JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Agam - Elkridge, MD - Visit the Website

custom manufactured aluminum products serving trade shows, events, retail and interiors


Creatacor - Clifton Park, NY - Visit the Website

Full-service custom exhibit firm specializing in trade shows, marketing events, mobile tours and complete trade show program management


BlueHive Exhibits - Worcester, MA - Visit the Website

full-service Design and build firm for custom trade show exhibits, private events, corporate interiors and branded environments


Continental Woodcraft - Worcester, MA - Visit the Website

custom Architectural millwork for healthcare, education, government, municipalities, high-end lobbies with amenities, restaurants, and retail

RES Exhibits - Rochester, NY - Visit the Website

Full service custom exhibit design and build firm

Aluvision - Duluth, GA - Visit the Website

The Aluvision frame system offers solutions for straight and curved walls, LED video walls, suspended signs, light walls, displays and retail environments

Acer Exhibits, Havre De Grace, MD - Visit the Website

Completely custom trade show exhibit design, fabrication and turnkey management services

REQUEST TO BE CONTACTED

Don’t see an applicable job or opportunity near enough to you? Submit your information on this Google Form to be contacted by an area organization when something opens up: https://forms.gle/hurw2zXe7HVJL2vN9

(Note: By filling out and submitting this Google Form, you consent to be contacted by an EDPA Northeast Chapter member organization for a job opportunity. Your contact information will not be shared outside of this purpose, with any other organization or 3rd party, for any reason. If you would like to request your information to be deleted, please contact us at: info@edpanortheast.com.)


NETWORKING GROUPS

Click to Join these Social Channels

EDPA Future Leaders (LinkedIn Group)

EDPA Northeast Facebook

EDPA Northeast LinkedIn

MORE ABOUT EDPA & FUTURE WORKFORCE…

About Willwork, 2023 Sponsor

Willwork is a Proud Supporter of the EDPA Northeast Chapter


Did you know?

Willwork is an event solution provider that has been setting companies up for success for over three decades! In that time, we’ve been at the forefront of the event industry, turning blank spaces into brand playgrounds ready for customers and clients to experience.

Providing top-quality labor is our specialty. Our team of skilled professionals understands the ins and outs of what makes a great activation, delivering truly wowing environments in convention centers, retail establishments, entertainment arenas, festival grounds, hospitality spaces, and even digital meeting spaces. From initial conversations to final execution, we’re with you every step of the way, ensuring that it meets your objectives.

We believe that every event is an opportunity to create something special. Let Willwork help you make your next event a success.


Click here to learn more about Willwork.

About AFR Furniture Rental, 2023 Sponsor

AFR Furniture Rental is a Proud Supporter of the EDPA Northeast Chapter

Did you know?

AFR Furniture Rental offers stylish, modern furniture and display rentals for corporate meetings, trade shows, conferences, and conventions nationwide. 

 Effortlessly enhance your trade show booths, exhibit displays, or conference venues into impactful and engaging experiences with our deep catalog featuring an unbeatable selection of quality furniture, accessories, and displays at your fingertips. Elevate your booth or event design with advanced 3D space planning, easy online ordering, and expert client support agents who are available to help you throughout the entire process.

 With 45+ years of experience, 24 warehouses across the US, and a growing family of 550+ passionate and wildly creative teammates, AFR provides you with the highest degree of service and versatility available today. Enjoy the flexibility and peace of mind that come along with selecting an innovative, stress-free furniture rental company that exhibitors, exhibit houses, and contractors have relied on for decades. Author the moment with AFR.


Click here to learn more about AFR Furniture Rental.