Offering world-class education, innovative firefighting apparatus and fire industry technology, products and services for fire and rescue professionals from across the globe, the 2024 Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) International achieved a blazing success with its most highly attended event in its 89-year history. Organized by Clarion Events, the annual trade show and conference is also one of Indianapolis’s largest conventions. 

Who, When & Where: FDIC International 2024, April 15-20, Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

Show size: The event attracted 36,537 fire industry professionals and 811 exhibitors across 495,749 square feet.

Looking back: Attendance grew by 6% with 34,357 attendees in 2023. Contributing to this growth was the 8% uptick in conference and training attendance, which welcomed 15,663 attendees in 2024 compared to 14,450 in 2023.  

New features & products: In addition to the latest electric firetrucks and apparatus on display, the show also featured the latest in technology for personal protection equipment, rescue tools, drones, robotics and thermal imaging. FDIC’s new Lucas Oil Stadium Experience featured experiential activations dedicated to firefighter health and wellness, command and control technology, emergency services and a drill yard and rescue zone featuring on-the-show floor training using advanced simulation technology. 

Beyond the show floor: The event kicked off at the beginning of the week with Hands-On Training, where participants were shuttled to 14 different locations throughout greater Indianapolis and Illinois for live fire training classes. The conference program also includes more than 255 classes and workshops that take place Monday-Friday, with the exhibit hall open Thursday–Saturday.  

Additionally, FDIC hosts and produces several co-located and niche events at the beginning of the week, including Women in Fire, The Tall Buildings Summit, Metro Officers Innovation Briefing and JEMS Innovation Summit, which bring together specialized audiences and high-ranking officers for peer-to-peer learning and sharing. 

What they are saying: “We are thrilled to continue to see growth year over year for FDIC International, in its 89^th year!” said Eric Schlett, executive vice president, Clarion Events Fire Rescue Portfolio. “It is not lost on us that FDIC comes to life because of the continued support of the fire service, sponsors, exhibitors and partners. Their profound sense of purpose and dedication inspire us to bring together content and activations that push boundaries and redefine industry standards. Our unwavering commitment is to bring together the best and most trusted minds in the field to train, innovate and provide tools to keep those on the job safe.” 

Looking ahead: FDIC International will return April 7-12, 2025, to the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium. Exhibit space is already sold out, fueling expectations for another robustly attended trade show and conference.

Informa, the international B2B events, B2B digital services and academic markets group (which owns Exhibit News Now), issued an update on trading, key appointments and progress on its TechTarget combination. When the world’s largest trade show organizer makes a move, market analysts and industry leaders take note. 

Here are three takeaways that impact the events sector.

1. Expecting to reach 2024 financial forecast: ”All Informa’s businesses are performing ahead or in line with 2024 targets, delivering growth and momentum which sees us delivering at the upper end of guidance range,” said Stephen A. Carter, Informa group chief executive. The current 2024 guidance range is between £3,450m-£3,500m ($4,335-4,398m*) with high single-digit growth predicted for group underlying revenue. For comparison, Informa reported 2023 revenues of £3,189.6m ($4,007.9m*), an increase of 30.4% in group underlying revenue growth.

2. Investing in marketing. Jill Dougan joined the Informa leadership team in the newly created role of group chief marketing officer to create further value from Informa’s brand portfolio, intellectual property and growing first-party data. She brings more than 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, customer insights, data insights and brand, both in B2B and B2C companies. Most recently, Dougan worked at British Gas. 

“I am excited to be joining such a fast-paced, international business as Informa,” Dougan said. “The Group has a unique set of specialist brands and first party data, and significant embedded value across its portfolio of intellectual property, creating numerous growth opportunities in today’s increasingly data-driven, digitally enabled world.”

3. Combo with TechTarget on track. The proposed creation of the NASDAQ-listed new TechTarget is on track for Q4 2024. Informa continues on its proposed combination of Informa Tech’s Digital Businesses (Industry Dive, Omdia, Canalys, NetLine and the Digital Media Brands) with U.S.-listed TechTarget. Headquartered and listed in the U.S., the new TechTarget will accelerate Informa’s ambition in B2B digital services, with a clear goal to become a leading B2B growth accelerator for Technology companies. Informa expects completion in the second half of the year, with New TechTarget launching from Q4 2024.

Read the full release here, which was issued on May 8.

* Exchange rate on May 13: 1 GBP = 1.25655 USD

The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) released its 2024 CEIR Index Report, which analyzes the U.S. B2B exhibition industry’s performance in 2023 and provides an economic and exhibition industry forecast through 2026. The resilient trade show industry is on track to make a full post-pandemic recovery in two years, according to the report that was released on April 24.

Why it matters: “Despite the expectation of moderating economic growth, the exhibition industry is poised to gain from the intrinsic business value of face-to-face participation,” said Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company, which produced the report in partnership with CEIR. “The Index showed renewed momentum in exhibition activity at the end of 2023, and our models indicate continued growth through the forecast horizon with full recovery in 2026.”

Big picture: CEIR reported on the industry’s impact on the U.S. economy in 2023, contributing:

• $90 billion to US GDP, compared to $78 billion in 2022
• $161 billion in business sales, supporting 2.5 million jobs in 2023 (full- and part-time jobs plus self-employed persons). This is an improvement from 2022, when the industry contributed $138 billion in business sales and supported 2.2 million jobs.

Deeper dive: Compared to 2019, the B2B exhibition industry grew from a value of 74.4 to 89.0 from 2022 to 2023, recording a 19.6% year-over-year gain. Despite the increase, the 2023 index still trailed 2019 by 11.0%.

How it works: As an objective measure of the annual performance of the exhibition industry, the CEIR Index measures year-over-year changes in four key metrics to determine overall performance: net square feet (NSF) of exhibit space sold, professional attendance, number of exhibiting companies and gross revenue, and provides data across 14 key sectors, including:

• Business Services
• Consumer Goods and Services
• Discretionary Consumer Goods and Services
• Education
• Food 
• Financial, Legal and Real Estate 
• Government 
• Building, Construction, Home and Repair 
• Industrial/Heavy Machinery and Finished Business Inputs 
• Communications and Information Technology 
• Medical and Health Care 
• Raw Materials and Science 
• Sporting Goods, Travel and Entertainment 
• Transportation

What they’re saying: “The Index is grounded in consistency with government-reported data based on a variety of data sources,” added CEIR CEO Cathy Breden. “Tourism Economics has augmented the analysis with the incorporation of additional data sources that more fully capture the visitor economy serviced by our industry, and you will see that the report is communicated in an easily digestible and visually appealing format.”

The details: To purchase the complete 2024 CEIR Index Report or individual sector reports, go here. For more insights into the report, read CEIR Vice President of Research Nancy Drapeau’s blog post here.

Modular trade show exhibit systems manufacturer Aluvision opened its third specialty showroom and first-ever parts depot in Las Vegas.

Why it matters: Stocked with Aluvision components like connectors, frames, full-length corner profiles and puck lights, the fully operational depot, which is located 20 minutes north of The Strip, provides emergency support or last-minute parts and accessories for exhibitors working Vegas-based trade shows, while the showroom houses an extensive array of Aluvision’s sustainable, modular systems and event design solutions. 

What to see: Beyond samples of Aluvision’s vast range of profiles, corner accessories and various powder-coated color options, guests can see and even step into some of Aluvision’s immersive LED innovations at the showroom, which will be regularly updated with the company’s latest advancements and new products.

Who will be there: The Vegas showroom is open to anyone interested in learning more about Aluvision’s products and processes, and event designers and sales executives are welcome to bring their clients to the new location, according to Aluvision officials.

What they’re saying: “Our aim is to demonstrate the limitless combinations and elegant design that Aluvision systems offer,” said Dirk Deleu, co-founder of Aluvision alongside Ann Vancoillie. “As we continue to innovate and engineer new solutions, we will update this showroom along with our others so that customers can physically experience the Aluvision difference.”

Following the success of its inaugural edition in The Netherlands last June, Women in Exhibitions (WIE) announced its second Women in Exhibitions World Summit, taking place Nov. 18-19 at I Chiostri di San Barnaba in Milan, Italy.

Big picture: Dedicated to empowering and advancing women professionals in the global exhibitions and events industry, the summit will build upon the previous edition’s success by further elevating conversations surrounding gender equality and leadership in the exhibitions industry, according to WIE officials.

Why it matters: With the theme of “Building bridges, breaking ceilings,” the event will include keynote presentations, panel discussions and interactive workshops. Participants will have the opportunity to gain insights, share experiences and network with fellow professionals committed to driving positive, sustainable change, according to WIE officials.

What they're saying: “We are thrilled to announce the upcoming second edition of the Women in Exhibitions World Summit,” said Oana Cipca, senior business development manager international exhibitions, MECC Maastricht, who is WIE founder. “Following the overwhelming success of our inaugural event, we remain committed to empowering women professionals and championing diversity within our industry. We look forward to welcoming participants from across the globe as we continue our collective journey towards a more inclusive and equitable future.”

What's next: Fondazione Fiera Milano and Fiera Milano are providing support for this summit, which will mark the creation of the Italian Chapter of Women in Exhibitions.

Backstory: Launched in 2018 to support the continued professional development of women working in exhibitions and provide opportunities for them to meet and network, Women in Exhibitions currently has six international chapters operating and new chapters are being launched progressively. Informa Connect’s VP of Group Content for Meetings, Sports and Travel Danica Tormohlen serves on the executive committee of the North American Chapter of WIE.

Looking ahead: The two-day program will offer a variety of sessions, ranging from Build your own brand: How to become a good network to Stronger Together: How Women & Men Move Mountains Together. Speakers include Informa Markets, Creative Content Copywriter Pharma Joseph Kearney and Informa Global Brand & Event Specialist and Leader Silvia Forroova. Further speakers and sessions will be announced soon. View the agenda and register for the event here.

Main image: Milan at night
 

U.S. B2B trade show and conference producer Emerald posted a 9.1% increase in revenues in the first quarter (Q1) 2024, compared with the same period last year, according to its 2024 Q1 financial results released on May 7.

Emerald generated Q1 revenues of $133.4 million, an increase of $11.1 million compared with Q1 2023 revenues of $122.3 million. Company officials attributed the growth to increased exhibitor and attendee metrics for events in its strongest categories, such as The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show KBIS, Prosper and the International Pizza Expo, as well as the acquisition of Hotel Interactive.

By the numbers: Organic revenues, a non-GAAP measure that takes into account the impact of acquisitions, scheduling adjustments and discontinued events, were $128.6 million for Q1, an increase of $13.5 million, or 11.7%, from $115.1 million for Q1 2023, primarily due to higher volume of exhibitors and improved pricing. Net income amounted to $11.0 million for Q1, compared to net income of $7.1 million for Q1 2023.

What they are saying: “2024 is off to a strong start, driven by our unwavering commitment to customer centricity and year-round engagement,” said Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky. “This focus has not only fueled early re-bookings into 2025 but has also provided us with excellent forward visibility into our revenue trajectory.”

Why it matters to exhibitors: “For many businesses, trade shows are the No. 1 selling or marketing event of the year, and a big part of our on-going efforts has been to highlight this value proposition and make ROI more transparent by developing value-added tools and metrics that we believe will deliver an even better trade show experience,” said Sedky in the recorded Q1 earning call.

Q1 trade show highlight: KBIS 2024 posted record attendance of 41,500 registered visitors and attracted more than 670 exhibitors, a 30% increase from 2023, according to a press release. Held Feb. 27-29 in Las Vegas, the 60-year-old show, which is produced by Emerald and owned by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), was part of Design & Construction Week (DCW), the co-location of KBIS and The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)’s International Builders’ Show (IBS). 

Operational highlights: Emerald reported its core trade show business is strong with year-over-year growth in revenue driven by increases in exhibitors, attendees and pricing. In January, Emerald acquired Hotel Interactive, a producer of hosted buyer events serving the hospitality, senior living and casino industries via the BITAC series of events.

Deeper dive: According to Emerald CFO David Doft,  the company’s successive quarter of solid organic revenue growth was supported by strong exhibitor counts and pricing trends. “Our customers rely on Emerald’s events to generate new leads and transact in high volumes, leading them to view our shows as an investment rather than an expense,” Doft explained. “As we grow our revenues, we expect to better leverage our operating cost base to drive even greater profitability and free cash flow generation.”

RELATED: Earnings: Emerald Reports Double-Digit Growth in Year-Over-Year Revenue for 2023

Looking ahead: “After completion of the first quarter and with the visibility we have into the remainder of the year, we believe the company is on track to deliver on our growth and profitability targets for the year of between $415 million and $425 million of revenue and between $110 million and $115 million of adjusted EBITDA,” Sedky said.  

Stock conversion: “Last week marked a significant milestone for us as we completed the conversion of our outstanding convertible preferred stock into common stock,” Doft said. “This milestone not only simplifies our capital structure but also positions Emerald as an even more attractive investment opportunity as all shareholders can now share equally in the free cash generation of the business.”

Nationwide general service contractor and event production company HERITAGE opened its latest full-service production facility in Chula Vista, Calif., which is located minutes from San Diego area meeting and convention venues like the San Diego Convention Center, Gaylord Pacific, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, Manchester Grand Hyatt, Hotel del Coronado, Town and Country San Diego, Sheraton San Diego Hotel and more.

Offering a comprehensive range of exposition services, including event design, print production, carpet, furnishings, logistics and technology solutions, the new facility will enhance HERITAGE’s capability to offer premium trade show and conference event experiences, streamlining its operations in the region while enhancing its ability to deliver industry-leading customer service and products, according to HERITAGE officials. 

“Our San Diego facility brings our unique brand of creativity, efficiency and quality to a proven and fast-growing market,” said John Bettag, HERITAGE senior vice president - business development. “It’s a testament to our dedication to growing alongside our client partners while continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in event production, enabling amplified support of our client partners throughout the greater Southern California market, including Long Beach, Los Angeles and Anaheim.”

The expansion is the culmination of a long-planned strategic move that will enable HERITAGE to support its existing national client base while bringing a locally based event solutions partner to meet the growing demands of the San Diego and Greater Southern California events industry, added HERITAGE President Ryan Yemm. 

“The opening of our San Diego facility marks a significant investment in the region and an important milestone in our continued growth strategy complementing our existing network across the nation,” Yemm said.

What’s the state of the exhibition industry in the Middle East and Africa (MEA)? In an exclusive interview, we caught up with Naji El Haddad, regional director of MEA for UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, to get the scoop on the annual in-person Regional Conference, held April 15-17 at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda.

Serving in his role for more than five years, El Haddad shared his insider’s view on what’s trending in the region for exhibitions. 

Here are excerpts from our conversation. Watch or listen to the full interview here.

1. Key markets for exhibitions in the region: In terms of the biggest markets, the Gulf is doing well. Notably, the UAE is the largest single market. Saudi Arabia is gearing up for a big growth. Qatar as well. They hosted the world cup among other large-scale events, including the Web Summit, the Geneva Motor Show, for example. When it comes to Africa, South Africa is the biggest single market. Egypt is still a big market with 120 million people, and Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia also have big market sizable venues and a good number of events.

2. Regional outlook: Saudi Arabia represents today the highest growth in terms of new business opportunities. UAE continues to be the leader in terms of number of exhibitions and sizes of exhibitions. One of the challenges in the region, besides the unrest, is the talent. We need to upscale our talent. 

3. MEA UFI Chapter: We count 66 members, who represent around like 7% or 8% out of the total of UFI membership that has grown to 860 members from 80-plus countries. The majority of our members are organizers, venues and convention bureaus and tourism boards.

4. Why Kigali: The way we select the destinations for our regional conferences is they submit a bid to host. There are a set of requirements they need to fulfill. The Rwanda Convention Bureau, our host, offered everything that a conference would be looking for. At UFI, our mandate is to support the rising economies and destinations. Rwanda is one of those exciting destinations in our region, and we hosted the MEA regional conference in Africa.

5. The venue: It was a very nice and very convenient venue because it was like a compound at the Kigali Convention Center and the hotel, which is Radisson Blu. They are under the same management, and it's a gated area so you feel safe. It's super green and super clean. Our delegates enjoyed it so much because there was so much daylight and so much greenery. Many of the delegates went in the morning or the evening for a run or walk within the compound. It is close to the Kigali airport, less than 20 minutes.

6. Challenges for exhibitions in Africa: Africa is a very big continent and divided into at least three or four regions. One of the major challenges in Africa was venues. The lack of big venues restricts the possible accommodation of large events. For example, dmg CEO Geoff Dickenson said that for one show in Africa they had to build multiple tents that are four times the size of the original venue. There is a need for new venues and with this comes investment opportunities.There is a potential for big shows to thrive in Africa. 

7. Talent development in Africa: The second challenge that was highlighted is international experience. There is no issue, of course, with finding talent in Africa. Over 50 percent of Africa's population is within the youth age bracket, but international experience may be needed. This is where education programs, such as Certified Professional or Exhibition Management School or other association programs are needed in the country. 

8. Changing dynamics: We spoke about leaders of the future and how women can apply for jobs in leadership. Obviously, there are challenges, but the key takeaway is that professionals should stand up and should apply for these jobs without having the pre-thought that “I will not be accepted because this role might go to man.” The dynamics are changing. The landscape is changing, but it will take some time, as the experts agreed. One interesting fact about the UFI program is 45% of our speakers were females. 

Viad Corp., a global provider of exhibition management and experiential marketing services, reported first quarter (Q1) 2024 revenues of $273.5 million, an increase of $12.7 million or 4.9% from Q1 2023.

For Q1, GES, which includes Spiro, reported revenues of $236.3 million, compared with $228.1 million in the same period last year. GES reported an increase of $8.1 million or 3.6% year-over-year, which the company attributed to continued underlying growth that more than offset a $4 million decline due to the timing of major non-annual shows.

Context: GES is a global exhibition management and experiential marketing company offering a range of services to event organizers and brands through GES Exhibitions and Spiro. GES Exhibitions is a global exhibition and trade show management business that partners with exhibition and conference organizers as a full-service provider of strategic and logistics solutions throughout North America, Europe and the Middle East. Spiro is a global experiential marketing agency that partners with brands around the world to manage and elevate their experiential marketing activities.

Q1 trade shows: From January to March, GES produced a number of major U.S. trade shows, including: 

• GES and onPeak supported the HAI HELI-EXPO 2024, held Feb. 27-29 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The association trade show drew 15,000 industry professionals and more than 600 exhibiting companies. HAI announced a new association name, Vertical Aviation International (VAI) and a rebranding of HELI-EXPO as VERTICON. View a video here.
• GES supported the World of Asphalt and AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo, held March 25–27 at the Nashville Music City Center. The event drew 400 equipment manufacturers, and the exhibit floor encompassed more than 207,000 square feet, a 14,000 square-foot increase compared to 2022’s event. Read the post-show release here.
• GES executed Questex’s International Beauty Show (IBS New York) and the International Esthetics, Cosmetics, & Spa Conference (IECSC New York), held March 3-5 at the Javits Convention Center. The co-located shows featured more than 500 brands, showcasing their newest products and innovations in the nearly 100,000 square feet of exhibit space. Read the post-show release here.

Recent activations: In recent months, Spiro worked with a number of global brands to produce events and activations, including:

• Metamates event for 6,000 Meta employees in London. Read more about the program here.
• Partnering with SAUDI AIRLINES & CSM Sport & Entertainment, Spiro delivered an exhilarating fan experience and brought bespoke content to life for 25,000 excited race fans at Formula E’s Diriyah E-Prix.
• Last fall, GES produced Future Proof: The World’s First Wealth Management Festival, held Sept. 10-13, 2023, in Huntington Beach, Calif. Read more about the event here.

Deeper dive: GES adjusted EBITDA of $18.9 million increased $2.2 million year-over-year, which company officials said was primarily due to higher revenue and improved margin. Viad invested $20.7 million in capital expenditures for Q1, including $4.3 million for GES.

What they are saying: Steve Moster, Viad’s president and CEO, commented, “We delivered solid first quarter results that were in line with our expectations. GES continues to deliver strong profitable growth, with a 70 basis point year-over-year improvement in its Adjusted EBITDA margin.”

ENN Related: EARNINGS: GES AND SPIRO PARENT COMPANY VIAD POSITIVE ON 2024 AFTER DOUBLE-DIGIT REVENUE GROWTH IN Q4 2023 

2024 Outlook: GES expects revenues of $260-$280 million, with EBITDA of $34.5 to $38.5 million for Q2 and revenues up in the low double-digits for the full year with EBITDA of $80 to $90 million.

Looking ahead: "With accelerating business activity ahead and signs of robust demand for our extraordinary experiences at both Pursuit and GES, our favorable full year outlook remains unchanged,” Moster said. “We continue to expect year-over-year consolidated adjusted EBITDA growth of approximately 16% to 30% in 2024 with strong free cash flow.”

Main image: World of Asphalt 2024

After 20 years in business producing trade show booths, corporate events, retail interiors, pop-up activations and road shows with clients ranging from aspiring startups to Fortune 500 companies, Maple Grove, Minn.-based Exhibit Partners LLC rebranded as Storylink Creative, effective May 1. 

Driven by business growth and expanded offerings, the evolution marks a milestone in the company’s repositioning as a full-service creative agency, according to Founder and CEO Matt Williams.

“When I launched Exhibit Partners in 2004, it was an exhibit house with a mission of changing the way business was being done,” Williams said. “Our focus on long-term relationships built on trust and core values — as well as our willingness to grow and adapt alongside our clients and the face-to-face marketing industry at large — has led to incredible organic growth.”

He added, “Now it’s time to tell the world how we’ve evolved into a creative storytelling agency that goes beyond brand narratives.”

In addition to exhibits and events, Storylink Creative now boasts services ranging from brand development and competitive analysis to full video and digital asset production services, as well as strategic data analysis. The agency’s comprehensive list of capabilities also includes asset management, permanent installations (including the design and fabrication of corporate and retail interiors), website development, the creation of integrated digital sales tools and much more.

“This is our way of drawing a line in the sand and saying, ‘We are no longer just an exhibit house,’” said Storylink Creative Director of Strategy Travis Stanton, who joined the company last September after a 17-year career at EXHIBITOR Magazine. “We have invested the resources and energy in acquiring a diverse team with extraordinary expertise in trade shows, of course, but also retail, technology, digital, storytelling and the list goes on and on.” 

He continued, “We are poised to accommodate our clients’ needs no matter what medium their projects take. Our sweet spot is connecting brands with their target audiences, crafting memorable moments that live on and building trustworthy, transparent, long-term relationships that place principles, our people and our partners over short-term profits.”

We caught up with Williams to find out more about the company and what the name change means for exhibitor clients and prospects. Here’s what we learned.

Who are your top clients?

Red Bull, Hyatt, Ecolab, Land O’ Lakes, Topgolf

What are the top shows that your top clients exhibit in? 

National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), IMEX, Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), Natural Products Expo West, National Restaurant Show

How many employees do you currently have? 

45

What will the name change mean for exhibit managers?

The intention is to bring radiance and a narrative that connects with all audiences authentically, regardless of where or how those engagements occur. Our partners already knew our services extended beyond the exhibit hall, but this brand evolution is our way of conveying that to the world. We can accommodate their needs regardless of the medium. 

Additionally, we’re bringing a higher level of storytelling into the mix because we believe in storytelling’s ability to connect brands with people and key messages with memories. Ultimately, an exhibitor’s message has to cascade beyond the initial audience. 

Attendees need to feel empowered to reshare that story with their internal stakeholders when they get back to the office. That’s where so many exhibiting strategies fail. They either haven’t thought about the story they want to tell through their presence at the show, or their key messages dissipate so quickly after an event because they aren’t crafted to be memorable and shareable. Storylink is the solution to that all-too-common problem, because we are laser-focused on creating a ripple effect by enabling those stories to be shared through people. 

Tell us about the company’s growth trajectory since it was launched in 2004.

The best entrepreneurial companies are rooted in evolution. Evolve or die. Our consistent, year-over-year growth has been the result of our ability to evolve alongside our clients and the industry. In fact, we’ve evolved so much in the past 20 years that we outgrew our name. That’s not just a testament to our success, but also our clients’ level of trust in us. 

In many ways, that flexibility to evolve quickly and efficiently as needed has been driven by the fact we have cash reserves and no private money behind us. That also allows us to do the right thing and put people and principles over short-term profits. We definitely strive to put people first, as I’ve found the most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur has been watching good people accomplish their goals, whether that’s a client exceeding expectations or an employee finding a home and family within our team – and become better humans as a result. It’s about people, and we’re in the people business. So people have to be the priority.

Will you share one recent client project that you are most proud of? 

I’m most proud of the feedback we have received from both new and long-time clients. It’s so rewarding to read their glowing reviews and see their appreciation of how our individual employees have gone above and beyond. We really are blessed with the best clients in the industry, and that’s something we do not take for granted. They continue to see how our additional capabilities can expand and enhance our relationship, and that’s exactly what we hope to see all our clients do as we move forward with this rebrand.

Why the name change and why now?

It’s time. But what’s important to understand is that while May 1 was Storylink’s official launch date, we’ve really been living as Storylink for the past year. We didn’t slap a new name on the building with the intent to grow into it. We did the work proactively. In many ways, we became Storylink before we even settled on a name. So for our loyal clients, it’s business as usual, with the exception being they’re now more aware of our offerings outside of their past projects with us. They’re more aware of our programmatic approach. Nothing we do ever ends with a specific event or campaign. When one story’s over, we’re already thinking about the next chapter, their brand vision and how to get there.