The Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA) is a US-based non-profit organization created to promote the development of the trade show industry and the expertise of professionals in exhibit and event marketing. The TSEA collects and disseminates statistics pertaining to the exhibit industry in order to improve the effectiveness of exhibiting.
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In October, 1966, a group of manufacturers attended an Exhibitor's Seminar in Columbus, Ohio, sponsored by the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Exhibit Designers and Producers Association. During the course of this meeting, a group of companies volunteered to form the nucleus of a national exhibitors association to "voice the industrial exhibitor's feeling concerning the effective use of the trade show as a marketing medium".
Mr. Raymond Snyder of the Reliance Electric Company, who was Chairman of the committee, suggested a survey to determine the interest of other manufacturers in a national exhibitors association. The committee conducted this survey by letter, addressed generally to the "trade show manager" of some 2,200 major companies, pointing out the need for improvement of the trade show medium and asking if there was interest in forming an association of exhibitors to work together toward this end. Approximately 400 companies responded affirmatively-many of them taking time to comment on their own exhibition problems. They indicated a clear-cut need for a group to act as industry spokesmen.
On the basis of the response to this survey, the committee began to set up a national association. After an intensive search, the group retained the services of Smith, Bucklin & Associates, Inc., a Chicago-based trade association management firm, to act as Secretary-Managers for the new association. William W. Carpenter, SmithBucklin Vice President, was named NTSEA (National Trade Show Exhibitors Association) Executive Secretary.
The TSEA facilitates networking in respect to the trade show industry with regional TSEA chapters in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/ Fort Worth, New York, Northern California, Southern California, and Toronto.
The TSEA has a number of sister association, among them are the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, Exhibit Designers & Producers Association (EDPA), Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association (HCEA), International Association for Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), Exhibitor Appointed Contractors Association (EACA), and Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).
TSEA Red Diamond Congress 2010 - Members of the Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA), comprising the world’s exhibit marketing leaders, along with exhibit builders, agencies, show producers and other vested suppliers are openly collaborating at levels never before seen. Results of such collaboration are expected to create new efficiencies that will ultimately serve and benefit the exhibit and event marketing ecosystem as a whole.
With that goal in mind, TSEA convened its inaugural Red Diamond Congress event, a three-day leadership summit held in Orlando, FL, April 25-27, 2010. The event brought together many industry leaders to directly address such key issues as third-party audits and housing and labor practices. Results included significant understanding and collaborative insight into the issues, potential solutions and a roadmap forward.
The full white paper was produced in association with George P. Johnson. The following are examples of the key findings and recommendations:
- 95% of attendees believe that certified, independent, third-party attendance and demographic data would help validate continued investment in a show. - Housing bureaus should adopt a customer service orientation when dealing with corporate marketers, in recognition of their status as true value generators. The needs of exhibitors and their companies should be considered at all times. - More efficient and effective labor management can free up allocated budget and resources. These, in turn, can be invested into additional activities and promotions that can (1) improve the performance and increase the overall value of corporate exhibit programs and (2) enhance profit for show producers.
Face-to-Face Connections - developed by the Trade Show Exhibitors Association, brings buyers (Guests) and sellers (Hosts) together to determine if there is the potential for a business match.
In an efficient and cost effective way, the Guests and Hosts meet in pre-planned, 30 minute sessions that are private, focused and results-oriented. Think of it as “speed dating” for the exhibit and event industry.
The TSEA provides for its members a community monitored certification program geared towards obtaining Continuing Education Units (CEUs). CEUs are nationally recognized units earned through participation in qualifying educational programs. By gaining CEUs, a participant eventually obtains the highest recognition of professional achievement within the exhibit industry, which is the Certified Manager of Exhibits (CME). This is the only association-sponsored certification program that recognizes professionalism in exhibit management and marketing.
TSEA also administers the CME/H designation for the Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association.