ELITeXPO News

Updated Covid-19 Statement

August 12, 2020 | admin | ELITeXPO News • Exhibit Logistics • Trade Show Exhibits • Trade Show Industry News • Trade Show Shipping | No Comments |

From: David Mihalik

ELITeXPO President, CEO

ELITeXPO is currently available and operating to serve all of our customers and future customers who are interested in preparing for the eventual re-opening of more trade shows in the near future. While we all are praying that the current vaccine in Phase 3 Human Trials proves to be successful, our trade show industry is moving ahead to show that trade shows can be produced safely. This has been evidenced by the recent Together Again Expo which ran at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando on July 24th. Over 4600 guests were registered and more attended for the one-day event which was represented by over 3600 organizations. It proved to be a great success and attendees stated that they felt safer on the show floor than they did walking through a retail store in Florida, at the time. That’s great news for our industry, as we can prove that we can safely get back to work and contribute to getting our economy rolling again. ELITeXPO was present at that event and can share with you our experience.

As we head through our 6th month of altered normalcy and anticipation that things will continue to be reduced into the 4th quarter of 2020, ELITeXPO has pivoted its product and service offerings to continue to be of value to our current and new customers who are also navigating this new normal until we all get a better understanding of when we will be getting back to face-to-face meetings. Our industry suppliers and manufacturers have quickly changed their manufacturing capabilities to provide safety products that are in much demand today. Also, as the shutdown of events lingers, more and more companies are evaluating a virtual exhibit space. ELITeXPO is here to help. We are currently producing 3D virtual exhibit spaces for our customers that we believe, will also be a part of their trade show pre and post show promotions long after physical exhibits return. Some of the current new product and service offerings that ELITeXPO is now offering include;

  • 3D Virtual Exhibit Programming – You NEED to evaluate this option!
  • Hand Sanitizer Stations – (Floor and Wall mounts) Sturdy & Made in the USA!
  • Sneeze Guards, Safety Barriers, Partition Dividers & Shields – Custom Fitted
  • Exterior Signage – Custom branded signage
  • Infrared Thermal Temperature Scanners (High Quality and No Touch)
  • Back Lit LED Large Formal Wall Mount Graphics (For office, residential and retail)

AND, we’re still working at what we have done for the past 33 years and will continue to do moving forward.

  • NON – Trade show Shipping Services – ELITeXPO moves freight of ALL kinds, PPE equipment, product freight, medical equipment and devices, materials for company events, Truck Loads, Less than truck loads, ground and air, domestic and international.
  • Complete Asset Management for any kind of inventory, long or short term

We’d like to thank all of our customers and friends who have supported us through this difficult time. Together we will make it through!

Recap of the Together Again Expo

July 31, 2020 | admin | • • • • • | ELITeXPO News • Trade Show Industry News • Travel | No Comments |

From: Rich Ryczek

ELITeXPO Account Executive

So…I attended the Together Again Expo in Orlando, FL on Fri 7/24 at the Orange County Convention Center.

What a RUSH !!!  Felt So good being back on Show Floor even if not doing what I usually do.  I was there as an Attendee.

4700 guests were registered with 3600 organizations represented.  Show floor was buzzing.

Event was a vision by Mark Yuska from Alliance Nationwide Expo with the help of many partners.  Spoke to him on show floor, said there will be more events like this very soon. Discussing one at the end of Summer and another early Fall in different Cities but most likely at smaller venues, i.e. hotel ballrooms.

Hope the Associations and Event Managers out there took note of this event to see that an event CAN run safely and successfully !!!

Event was well thought out and very organized. Had my temperature taken before I entered OCCC by a Florida Medic.  Temperature spot checks were done on show floor. Registration was fast and seamless. Floor aisles were a bit wider than usually.  Exhibitor booth spaces were the same 10×10 right next to each other with quite a few larger spaces occupied. Aisles were labeled “one way”.  They had separate Entry and Exit points from show floor.  Seating for Speakers on Show Floor were spaced 6’ apart.  Depth of seating was increased.  Had several large screens around seating area.  Hand sanitizers were everywhere.  Cleaning Service personal were staged on show floor wiping down regularly touched areas.  Even had a bathroom attendant in each to wipe down.  Everyone had masks on and was very conscious for each other’s safety.  A lot of elbow bumping.  Some hugs visible but most hello’s were non-contact.

Various Food Vendors were set up along the back wall of the OCCC with a couple Bar stations placed on show floor.

(I certainly missed paying $12 for 4 small pieces of chicken, 2 broccoli pieces, and 3 spoons of rice and $8 for a beer..…LOL).

A LOT of information was provided at this event.  The Panel discussions were quite interesting.  After all, it does take quite a bit of effort for all involved to put on an event.  Main thing being a venue must be accredited to allow a show to run.  Currently, only 5 venues at the moment have that ability (Orange County Convention Center,  Jacob Javits, San Diego CC are 3).

Walked the floor and did find a couple of interesting products being developed due the COVID19.   The Innovation of our Industry is amazing !!!

Mark at Alliance noted that future 10×10 spaces again will most likely be complimentary.  I’d be happy to man our booth at the next show.

Again, it was information overload.  If you have any questions/concerns, please ask.

Best part of this event based on my experience and opinion…

*** Honestly, I felt more SAFE on this show floor than going to a local Store, Restaurant, Bank, Gas Station, Bar, etc etc….. in my area !!!

I have the feeling it’s because our Industry is very professional, and we look out for each other.  The Tradeshow Industry is a large Family…and Family usually takes care of one another. This is certainly what I experienced from ALL involved in this show.   (The Association, General Contractor, Crews, Partners, Exhibitors, Attendees, Cleaning Crew, Security, Food Vendors, etc etc).

Take care and stay safe…

#tradeshowstrong

Returning to Work in a Socially Distant Environment

July 21, 2020 | Heidi Maschmann | ELITeXPO News • The Office • XPOCares - ELITeXPO CSR Program | No Comments |

From: Heidi Maschmann

ELITeXPO VP of Information Systems

Working from home has had its ups and downs but workers have felt safe not having to enter an office environment for some time. Returning to work can be a challenge for both employers and staff members as safety is now the number one priority. Employees are anxious and worried that their office environments will not offer enough protection from the Corona Virus. Employers are certainly concerned for the health of their team and have a lot to plan for to maintain a safe workplace that allows for social distancing, education and training, and health checks. There are  potential liability issues, as well, should someone get sick.

As more people are returning to their offices, employers need to pay attention to the CDC Guidance for Businesses & Employers and specifically, their Employer Information for Office Buildings.

Here are some of the Back-to-Work Guidelines:

  • Verify Building is Ready for Occupancy – Ventilation, Cleaning, Water System
  • Identify Hazards – Possible Exposure Assessment
  • Establish a Communications Plan
  • Modify/Adjust Seating, Furniture, Workstations to Allow 6’ Distancing
    • Turn Seating to Face Away From Each Other
    • Remove Seating to Maintain Social Distancing
    • Use Signs, Tape Marks, Decals to Mark Where to Stand When Waiting
    • Remove Coffee Pots, Water Coolers, Vending Machines
    • Increase Ventilation & Air Flow, Open Windows, Add HEPA Filtration & Ultra-Violet Irradiation
  • Increase Cleaning, Sanitation, and Disinfecting
  • Stagger Shifts
  • Post Signs for Visitors/Drivers to Call from Parking Lot
  • Post Signs To Mandate the Use of Masks & Encouraging Hand Washing
  • Provide Masks, Wipes, Sanitizer to Staff & Masks to Visitors

Another aspect of the pandemic that employers need to be aware of is Handling Exposure & Infected Staff:

  • Perform Health Assessments & Temperature Checks
  • Advise Staff to Stay Home When Sick
  • Separate any symptomatic person from other staff
  • Send Employee Home / Arrange Transport to a Medical Facility
  • Track Movement in the Facility
    • Areas Visited
    • Persons They Had Contact With
  • Ventilate the Areas They Were Known to Have Visited
  • Disinfect & Clean the Areas After 24 Hours
  • Notify Staff That Were In Contact With the Employee
    • Do Not Disclose the Name of Any Infected Staff Member
  • Document the Situation
  • Allow Work-From-Home, When Possible

For Symptomatic Staff – After COVID-19 Test

  • Negative – Return to Work Once Feeling Well (14 Days Still Recommended)
  • Positive – Return to Work After 14 Days With No Symptoms & Doctor’s Release Obtained

ELITeXPO has altered the focus of our business and so we are now offering a wide array of new products and services. We have several Safety Products Available for both Office and Retail Environments. Our heavy-duty Hand Sanitizer Stands are quite popular as they offer a durable solution for dispensing sanitizer for staff and guests. We also have a large assortment of Office Dividers available with many being customizable for various fillers from clear acrylics to branded graphics being used. They come in all sizes and varied shapes to allow for use in any environment. We even offer safety product lines with Face Shields, Masks, Tents & Signage, and Floor Decals.

Doing business will certainly look different for the foreseeable future. The key to staying successful is to protect your employees and clients as best as you can, both physically and emotionally. If you’d like more information or pricing for any of the products we have mentioned, please give us a call at 800-543-5484 or send us an email.

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