The EXHIBITOR Now Podcast: Recent Episodes
Mark Johnson and Mike Morrison
THE EXHIBITOR Now podcast is your source for the latest news and interviews with thought leaders in the trade show and live event world. Hosted by Mark Johnson, Owner of Exhibitor Group and CTSM, the ONLY University affiliated Certified Trade Show Marketer program, and by Mike Morrison, Industry Podcaster and National Sales Director at WS Display. Give us 30 minutes, and we’ll give you everything you need to know Now!
Legislative Action Day in DC ... Interviews with attendees and updates for the future podcasts.
Charles Pappas interviews Author and Writer Charles Duhigg on the very important aspects of being an excellent communicator. Kim and Mike promote Legislative Action Day and EXHIBITOR Education Week coming up, also chat on the challenges of sustaining industry growth in 2024 and the Sphere in Las Vegas in the news being used for a Conference Keynote in a few weeks!
David DuBois, President and CEO of The EXHIBITOR Group and Publisher of EXHIBITOR Magazine sits in with Mike to discuss the latest on the news front discussing the latest arguments in DC for Facial Recognition used by TSA, Labor Department reports and the economy in general. David and Mike also chat with Amy Calvert, CEO of The Events Industry Council who shares their latest work for the industry.
An episode of just Kim and Mike talking about the updates for The EXHIBITOR Group and the direction for the organization, upcoming activities for the group, and more. Also conversations centering on recent issues like the Tik Tok ban, Non-Competes and the FTC and Airlines required to make immediate cash refunds for falling short on flights!
Tommy Goodwin from ECA and Mike Morrison catch up on all things from the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance, advocacy points, and the upcoming Legislative Action Day in DC on May 30th. The Association Updates as well. The website mentioned during the show for Fraud reporting is REPORTFRAUD.ftc.gov
Rich Gibbons from SpeakInc chats with Kim and Mike about his job of finding the right speaker for the right event. Kim and Mike also chat about AI and AR in today's world, NIKE'S CEO assessment against remote work and airline travel to set new records this summer.
Well Being Alert! This one is a great discussion with Erica Brunke as Kim and Mike talk to her about her "I Am Remarkable" program. See more on that here, https://www.rmrkblty.org/iamremarkable
Also, Kim and Mike talked about Shop Marketplace in Cincinnati this week, where Mike spent the entire week. Also developments with the Duke Energy Center news, discussions regarding booth traffic trends and challenges, Charles Pappas winning an award, and more. Mike's books discussed during the interview are here :
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Kim and Mike chat with David Dubois and Monica Myhill from The EXHIBITOR Group and discuss their assessments of EXHIBITOR Live 2024 in Nashville as well as changes coming for 2024 and 2025's show in San Antonio. Kim and Mike also chat about air travel cost challenges, share results of a poll on the subject, trade show attendance upticks so far with 2024 shows and also the opening of the Exhibit Design Awards competition in its 38th year!
Julie Lynch from LynchPin Experiential and Jill Leithner from Intel Corporation chats with Kim and Mike regarding trends for 2024. Kim and Mike talk about his trip to PA and what it was like four years ago to the day with the COVID shutdowns, National Women's month and the strides made in that area and also the tragedy in Baltimore and how it will affect supply chain moving forward.
ESCA Executive Director Julie Kagy comes on the show with Mark Johnson (special guest host) and Mike Morrison to discuss the upcoming Summer Educational Conference registration opening this week, the new Industry Collective movement, and a very intense discussion about the recent developments in the area of DEI. Mark and Mike talk about the economy and its effects on the industry, AI usage in the day to day world for the industry as well as a look into second quarter for business.
Tommy and Mike catch up with all the advocacy updates in DC and with states through the ECA, Exhibition and Conferences Alliance with an urgent update which dropped at show time where $50M in funding has been allocated for Visa and Passport backlogs! Association s update activity along with the newest member to join ECA - ICCA!
Kim and Mike sit down with Mark Gnatovic and Andrea Christopherson from SearchWide Global to answer all the great questions about recruiting, job search, and the current job market. Kim and Mike also spend time discussing the new Independent Contractor versus W2 employee rule, the new FTC rulings regarding business scam enforcement as well as a new trend of the removal of hanging signs from trade shows.
Kim and Mike chat about Post-EXHIBITOR LIVE week, recap the week's events, and show... also speak with Interview Guest Emily Winters from Strings For Hope.
Mike Morrison and Kim Gishler begin the new era for The Exhibitor Now Podcast from Nashville, TN at The Opryland Resort. Kim and Mike chat about the show floor, activities, and activations, the announcement that 2025 will be in San Antonio, and more about the future of the show. BeMatrix stops by and chats about their plans for their products and more.
Chief Content Strategist Kim Gishler joins Mark and Mike to discuss upcoming changes with EXHIBITOR Group, EXHIBITOR Live, EXHIBITOR Magazine, and EXHIBITOR Now. Mark and Mike also talk new Federal Trade Commission and Federal Labor Law changes and AT&T major outages occurring.
Mark and Mike speak with EXHIBITOR Magazine Editor-In-Chief Emily Olson about the recent Barcelona-based ISE show and exhibit awards given there as well as updates for the upcoming EXHIBITOR Live Show Booth Awards and Best Of selections. Mark and Mike talk about Super Bowl impact, January Show records, and Tier 2 city show upticks in business.
The official podcast for ECA, The Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance and voice for its association industry members. A monthly look at advocacy and association news for Trade Shows, Live Events, and Experiential Marketing industries in today's world.
Mark and Mike take time to speak with Charles Pappas, Senior Writer for EXHIBITOR Magazine who gives us updates on the magazine, the upcoming EXHIBITOR Live event and more. Mark and Mike hit on Super Bowl weekend in Vegas, Freeman's latest on rigging rules and UFI's Global Barometer.
Mark talks with David Dubois and Monica Myhill regarding EXHIBITOR Live in just a few weeks, the CTSM Program with the new direction it will be taking, and more. Mark and Mike chat about Legislative Action Day 2024, the Fed and it's decision to not cut interest rates and will Apple's latest invention have a negative or positive effect on trade shows and live events?
Mike talks with Mindy Abel, Executive Director at The Anaheim Convention Center about their recent winning of the Overall Top Convention Center at One Million and Larger Square Feet with The EXHIBITOR Group as well as sustainability goals within their organization. Mark and Mike talk about how events in January have avoided major weather issues, Acquisition news, Freeman's latest report on event attendee considerations and sustainability attention rising in the hotel and event space world. Updates on EXHIBITOR Live as well
Mike chats with The Event Strategist Nicola Kastner on the topic of Event Budgets' low levels in regards to negative consumer sentiment... Mark and Mike talk about the trade show schedules in January, The new EIC, Exhibitions Industry Collective and the ultra-rich say "Tax Us More!"
Tommy Goodwin from ECA chats with Mark and Mike on the top issues for advocacy and also Mark and Tommy interview the new EIC group, Exhibitions Industry Collective and their efforts moving forward in 2024.
Mark talks with Emily Olson and Ben Barclay who are on the floor at CES this week and report on their findings. Also, Mark and Mike talk about Retail symmetry with Trade Shows and Live Events, Sustainability within the industry versus individual efforts of late, and the challenges of flat event design budgets and inflation!
Mike speaks with Tommy Goodwin from ECA about the 2024 Policy Agenda and where the focus will be on Federal, State, and Local governments for industry issues. Mark and Mike speak on CES, CANVA, and the national debt topping $34 TRILLION!
Mark and Mike revisit 2023 highlights and the top five shows. They also talk about "revenge tourism" and the final issue of EXHIBITOR Magazine for 2023!
Mike chats with Julie from ESCA in a redo interview about what's happening with their organization in 2024 and beyond. Mark and Mike celebrate Christmas Exhibitor Group style and discuss subjects like "B"leisure and travel for 2024.
Tommy and Mark talk about the Pell Grant and education advancement with recent committee-approved legislation which will move soon through the House and Senate, Chicago paid leave updates, and more. Association news included.
Mike chats with Ron on his big EDPA award at Access 2023, Mark and Mike talk advocacy updates, E3 is officially dead, new poll results, and EXHIBITORLIVE updates.
Mike chats with Sandra as the winner of the Ambassador of the Year for EDPA, Mark and Mike catch up from a week of slight illness but still alive and kicking! RSNA wrap-up report and updates on EXHIBITORLIVE... a new fee for attending the show is an important change and more!
Tommy and Mike talk the latest from advocacy on the hill and beyond, Pell Grant updates, Visas, and battles within Government.
Mark and Mike wrap up things from Florida from a record-breaking attendance event for EDPA ACCESS, Mike chats with Julie Kagy (despite background noise), and talks about the latest from RSNA and Yellow Trucking.
TURKEY TALK is on top of the agenda and Mark and Mike also discuss current issues and prepare for EDPA Access and ESCA Winter Awards Ceremony! Travel breaks records, Luxury spending is down, and EV technology advancement sees a blow with Ford in Detroit. EXHIBITOR staff to report on Freeman's RSNA show, new rigging rules, and more!
Mike chats with James Z. about industry trends, insights from the supplier side, and 2024 forecasts. Mark and Mike update the Government shutdown aversion, IFES/ECA Partnership, and EDPA Engage details announced in conjunction with EXHIBITORLIVE.
IFES Board Member Steve Riches from Laguna Displays talks with Tommy and Mike regarding the latest announcement of a Partnership between the two organizations. Tommy updates Mark and Mike on the latest from D.C., Advocacy VISA updates, and California electric forklift changes.
Mark and Mike chat with EXHIBITOR Editor Emily Olson about her role in the publication and the new content goals for the publication and online. Also, discussions regarding the awesome pre-registration numbers for EXHIBITORLIVE and exciting new activities coming in February's event. Finally, we have Vegas news updates and continue our discussion on AI.
EEI Global COO Kirk Brien sits down to talk with Mike about the industry effects in 2023. Mark and Mike chat about The UFI Global Congress results, Julie Kagy taking the reins at ESCA, and how ongoing labor strikes affect the trade show, live event, and experiential marketing industries.
Tommy Goodwin and Mark Johnson report on the activity they are participating in at the UFI Global Congress in Las Vegas this week. Tommy also reports on the latest D.C. craziness regarding the new Speaker of the House and legislation helping our industry. Association news updates as well!
Mark chats with Sachel Josefson from BSU about the university world and trends, Freeman's new rules on suspended displays needing State Permits, AI's latest challenges with META's lawsuits, and more.
TOYFAIR heads BACK to New York (not New Orleans), Mark talks about IMEX 2023, Mike speaks on Printing United 2023, and Mark and Mike talk about acceptable behavior in trade shows and in life. With wrap-up interviews from The Randy 2023 and more!
Tommy Goodwin chats with Kai from UFI for the upcoming Global Congress event in Las Vegas, association news updated, and Mark and Mike talk current events around the industry.
Mark and Mike sit down with Rich Johnson from Nth Degree (and Co-Founder of The Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic), and Exhibit City News' Don Svehla to chat about their years supporting the event. Mark and Mike chat about War, Vegas, and trying to achieve the optimal event strategy for the best ROI.
Mark and Mike share their experience on-site in Stone Mountain, GA for the Randy Smith Memorial outing. Jim Wurm from EACA (and director for the event) stops by and shares the latest.
Tommy and Mike breakdown the shocking or not so shocking antics happening in DC with the Speaker of the House situation, government shutdown avoided for a moment and more, ECA updates included and then Mark sits down with Cathy Breden to converse about her dual roles with IAEE and CEIR. Should be an interesting 4th quarter for sure from an Advocacy standpoint.
Transition is the word of the day with David Dubois and Cathy Breden as they chat over the new IAEE world of leadership. Mark and Mike talk about what divides the world today and its effect on our industry, AI and its impact on the industry, and more!
Mike speaks with EDPA Executive Director Dasher Lowe regarding the upcoming EDPA Access event in Bonita Springs, FL at the end of November. Mark and Mike chat about DOL's proposal for raising overtime thresholds, the impending Fed Shutdown on Oct. 1st, and California's Travel Ban lifted for state-funded employees.
Tommy speaks with Howard Givner on the latest from Professional Convention Management Association. We'll also have association updates and more.
Mike is on the road this week, roaming from Phoenix to San Diego and Tijuana, and talks with Highway 85 Creative's owner Guy Zwick about the creative journey so far. Mark and Mike observe 9/11 and talk about its lasting impact on the trade show and events world 22 years later. They also discuss the latest on MGM's cyberattack and Elon Musk's new Boring Project in Las Vegas (that's anything but dull).
Mark speaks with Charles Pappas, Senior writer at EXHIBITOR Magazine about his experiences with the organization for over 21 years... Mark and Mike chat about COVID updates, economic views as well as a recent poll from Mike about feelings for the remainder of 2023 for the industry.
Mark and Tommy talk about the recent CEIR Predict Conference and their takeaways from that event. The latest Association News and Advocacy Updates!
Mark has an introductory discussion with David and Kim, welcoming them to the organization and also outlining early strategies for the group for 2023-24. Mark and Mike chat about Freelancers, Retiring Veterans of the industry and Hurricane Idalia along with more from the EXHIBITOR Group!
Mike chats with Davis Holloway from Eagle Management regarding their view from a labor perspective for 2023 -24, Mark and Mike chat about a social media post about EXHIBITOR Live and feedback for Nashville, CEIR Predict coming up and COVID upticks.
Mark and Tommy catch up on the latest advocacy work on the Hill, Mike chat's with Kevin McLaughlin on Union updates and the associations give their latest news and updates!
Jason Weddle from Hamilton chats with Mike at The Chicago Randy about the companies' past and present from their perspective, Mark and Mike talk about the Maui Wildfires, Advocacy updates and Star celebrating 30 years this week and more!
Mark speaks with Freeman's Chief Client Officer Martin Moggre' regarding the acquisition of Sparks to the Freeman brand, Mark and Mike chat about EAC fees with response from GES on the matter, travel cost increases and welcoming Kim Gishler to Exhibitor Group.
Mike, Mark and Tommy talk about the latest on Advocacy while Congress is out of session, SISO's Vinnie Polito talks with Mike about the association's latest news and more on their upcoming Summer Conference in Salt Lake City, the associations report on what they are up to and more!
Mike attended the Chicago Randy earlier this week and spoke with Nancy Virene and Jackie Hake who are "The Boss Ladies" for the event, breaking down all the activities that happened... also news about travel, Freeman and Sparks joining forces and Yellow closing its doors. The EXHIBITOR Group announces their new Chief Content Officer on Monday and Here is the new link to listen to The Association Focus Podcasts from The EXHIBITOR Group... https://www.exhibitoronline.com/focus
EACA's Jim Wurm comes on the show and talks with Mike about General Contractors charging excessive fees for an exhibitor who uses an outside EAC to work on a display/booth and the ramifications of these actions. Mark and Mike talk about other topics in the industry as July comes to a close!
Brad Mayne joins Mike on discussing the IAVM activities and their upcoming Venue Connect event in Pittsburgh. Tommy and Mike catch up on all things advocacy for listeners in the industry.
Mark Johnson and John Hense discuss the recent Joined Forces Initiative between Nth Degree and Fern... Mark and Mike talk Yellow Transportation possible work stoppage, UFI Global Barometer and latest California 1099 rulings.
Mark Johnson and Mike Morrison meet up to talk about David Dubois becoming the President and CEO for The Exhibitor Group, the results of the Exhibitor Group webinar that took place this week and showed how the industry is changing and expectations are not the same old things! Mike interviewed three first time attendees at the ESCA Summer Educational Conference and more!
Tommy Goodwin from ECA, Mark Johnson from The Exhibitor Group and Mike Morrison from WS Display present a new Bi-Weekly Podcast to focus on Advocacy in the Trade Show, Live Event and Experiential Marketing industries in today's world. Also, we focus on the industry associations and their latest news and information for industry listeners!
As we continue to speak on the ESCA Summer Educational Conference, Mark interviews Laura Palker from the Exhibitions and Events Workforce Development Federation about her program and helping the industry, Mark and Mike chat about the UPS Strike potential and how it may affect the industry, hottest day recorded on earth this week and more!
Breaking news just before show time, Fern and Nth Degree have announced the merging of the companies. More to come... Mark and Mike speak with IAEE's Executive Director David Dubois at the ESCA Summer Educational Conference, discussions about the content of the conference and more.
Mike chats with IPME's Bill Hinchliff and Craig Rapoza from their Container World in Compton, CA after participating in the EDPA So Cal Chapter Fund Raiser for the EDPA Foundation in Huntington Beach. Mark and Mike talk about the upcoming ESCA SEC Conference, Carpet on the Show Floor (or the absence thereof) at San Diego's Comic Con, Live Event Ticket Junk Fees and more!
Mike speaks with Huntington Place General Manager Karen Totaro on the organization's new communication strategies with Union Labor at the Convention Center, The Exhibitor Group works in conjunction with Explori and The Exhibitor Advocate on a newly released study for Exhibit Marketers for industry information needed for decision making, the podcast learned that Industry Veteran Dalton Jenkins passed away in Mexico this week at the age of 65. Mark and Mike get ready for ESCA's Summer Educational Conference in Florida.
Mark and Mike chat with Hillary for our last CTSM interview from EXHIBITOR LIVE 2023, 2024 dates are set for Nashville and Mark and Mike chat about upcoming industry related news and events!
ECA's Tommy Goodwin and Mike wrap up a long hot humid day in DC for Legislative Action Day... CTSM member Corbin Butcher chats with Mark and Mike at Exhibitor Live about the program and its effect all the way over in Czechoslovakia! Mark, Tommy and Mike wrap up with what's next including a new Biweekly Podcast forthcoming, centering on Advocacy and Associations in the Trade Show and Live Event industries...
Mark and Mike open the show with a great discussion with Tommy Goodwin from The Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance regarding Legislative Action Day in DC next week. Then Mike chats with Exhibit Force's Gwen Hill about CTSM certification, and Mark makes the announcement regarding a search for a new President for The Exhibitor Group.
Mark speaks with Annette McClure about the CTSM program during EXHIBITORLIVE... Mike talks with Julie Kagy from ESCA about the upcoming Summer Educational Conference and activities in San Destin Florida in late June, Mark and Mike chat about the many upcoming industry activities and more!
Mike speaks with Jessica Sibila from The Exhibitor Advocate on their organization's work and also Mike chats with Betsy Earle from Event Driven Solutions, Diamond Level CTSM on today's industry status. Continuing series from EXHIBITORLIVE 2023 from Louisville.
A continuation of discussions from EXHIBITORLive 2023in Louisville as Mike speaks with CTSM Diamond Diane Benson and Mark chats with Claire Conway to gain their perspectives from the program and the week's activities.
Mark Johnson and Mike Morrison broadcast from the elite Container Studio from IPME and Mark starts out with a discussion with CTSM Diamond Glenda Brungardt,
Show wraps up with a recap and discussion with Bill Hinchliff from IPME and next year's talk for NASHVILLE, TN! (That's not official, but pretty DARN close, for my fellow southerners!)
Mark speaks with Andy Core, popular presenter at previous EXHIBITOR LIVE on the subject of mental resilience. Mark and Mike talk about the upcoming show, upcoming dates for events in June and more! See you in Louisville!
Corbin Ball, Presenter at EXHIBITORLIVE 2023 on the subject on the Metaverse in the Live Event spectrum speaks with Mark this week, while Mark and Mike dive into trade show calendars, E3's cancellation and updates for EXHIBITORLIVE where the podcast is happening on the show floor!
Mark Johnson speaks with Exhibitor Group President Dan Raynak, elaborating on the upcoming experiential aspects for Louisville's event that is just a few weeks away, Mark and Mike chat about the CEIR 4th Quarter Index, The latest webinar for Exhibitor Live and SPAMMERS! Watch out for them as they are in full force!
Mark speaks with Jim Gilmore, presenter at EXHIBITORLIVE 2023, Mark and Mike update the latest from ECA on Kentucky and California laws concerning live events and more!
Mark speaks with Paco Collazo from Happy Projects for a Euroshop conclusion, also Mark spends time with Mitchell Mauk who will be bringing back Gravity Free to EXHIBITORLive 2023 in Louisville and more!
Mark speaks with Michael McMahon from Hill and Partners on his first experience at Euroshop who was also a judge for the Booth Design Awards. Mark also speaks with Terri Morrison who is the author of the publication Kiss, Bow and Shake Hands... exploring the cultures and how they identify in best business practices. Terri will be a presenter at EXHIBITORLive. Mark and Mike wrap up with a salute to St Patrick Day and focus on EXHIBITORLive 2023 in Louisville, KY.
IPME's Bill Hinchliff speaks with Mark and Mike in the IFES Village at Euroshop 2023...Deckle and Moneypenny's Steve Deckle also took time out at Euroshop to speak about EXHIBITORLive and the activities coming in late April and then Mark and Mike sum up Euroshop's top five takeaways.
Mark Johnson and Mike Morrison speak with Exploring Inc's Dave Walens, Scan Displays Justin Hawes and Booth Educator and International Industry Expert Han Leenhouts during their initial phase of Euroshop 2023 in Dusseldorf Germany. Great discussion of the Expo and Event World so far in 2023!
Mark and Mike talk Euroshop 2023 and Exhibitor Magazine's Editor in Chief Travis Stanton talks about the Design Competition for Euroshop ... a lot of changes in this years' version to take note of. Things to carry to Germany and know before you go!
Mike has a talk with Dahlia El Gazzar from the Dahlia Plus Agency of Boston about how events are changing coming out of the pandemic. Mark and Mike recap the Super Bowl, activations and events in general and more!
In the continuing series of interviews from IAEE's Expo Expo, Mike speaks with IAEE's Nicole Bowman about the Recovery we are in with Trade Shows and Live Events. Mark and Mike highlight the topics from the interview, Euroshop coming up, and more!
Doug Bennett, Executive Vice President at Louisville Tourism speaks with Mike Morrison at IAEE Expo Expo to highlight all the positive aspects of having an event, trade show or conference in the largest city in Kentucky! Mark and Mike chat about their experiences there and their takes on the city which will host EXHIBITORLive 2023 in just a couple of months!
UFI's Kai Hattendorf drops in to talk with Mark and Mike about the top five trends for 2023 in Trade Shows and Live Events! Mark and Mike also shed light on other aspects on the industries for the immediate future.
Mike chats with Tommy Goodwin from Exhibition Conferences Alliance about 2023 challenges on the Hill in DC as well as Legislative Action Day June 1, 2023. Mark is back in Vegas for World of Concrete, Shot and Fancy Foods and the duo talks about the Good, Bad and Ugly in the Trade Show and Live Event World for 2023 so far!
Welcome to our inaugural show! Mark Johnson has been a roving reporter on the road and tells us about CES, HCEA and more! A discussion with the Pennsylvania Convention Center and IATSE over their new Safety and Hospitality initiative and Mark and Mike talk about entering 2023 in a bullish manner and swinging for the fences!