CLEVELAND, Ohio, July 20, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Anne Abbott, President of Tradeshow Multimedia Inc. (TMI) knows the rigors attendees go through finding potential vendors and customers on the floor of a tradeshow. Her job is to provide services to associations and professional organizations that make their trade show or conference more productive for attendees. She spends 40 plus weeks a year flying from the company headquarters in Cleveland to major shows in New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and all points in between.
TMI has come a long way since their humble beginning. Abbott recalls, "When we started 18 years ago, we had messaging computers and literature kiosks at the entrance to the Exhibit Floor directing people to exhibitor booths. In 1984, we were the first to have computerized information systems for our clients. Today, we provide many more Web-based services such as Internet Cyber Cafe's to include ShowMail(tm), ExpoMap(tm), ExpoPlanner(tm) and our latest service, ExpoToGo(tm), at all the major convention centers in the U.S."
Technology has changed the way associations provide services to attendees and TMI has helped them lead the way. Incorporating innovative Internet solutions to the trade show experience, TMI operated Cyber Cafe's are constantly crowded with attendees as they stay in touch with their office and family via email; place orders on company Web sites; or send quotes to prospects immediately. TMI's messaging centers allow attendees to schedule important meetings or arrange business dinners with prospective clients at the show.
Always looking for ways to streamline the trade show experience, in February 2001, TMI launched its latest service application, ExpoToGo(tm). Paul Erickson, Chief Technical Officer, and Abbott's partner has combined the technology of the Palm Pilot, an accessory for busy professionals-on-the-go, with the event guide. This provides attendees to the trade show, session schedules, and an exhibitor list in the palm of their hand. ExpoToGo(tm) application works with Palm OS, Windows CE and WAP.
August 12-14, 2001, the INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE WEEK(r) held in conjunction with the NATIONAL HARDWARE SHOW(r) and BUILDING PRODUCTS EXPOSITION will have nearly 3,000 exhibitors from around the world, including hundreds of first-time exhibitors, showcasing their latest innovations on four floors, which cover over one million square feet of exhibit space at McCormick Place in Chicago. William P. Farrell, President, and CEO of American Hardware Manufacturers Association, a Schaumburg, Illinois-based trade group and event sponsor said, "We are always looking for ways to add value to our Show. We feel that there is a true benefit for attendees, as well as exhibitors, in being able to conveniently access, from a personal handheld device, the entire Hardware Show exhibitor list and schedule of events to efficiently navigate a show of this size."
"We have eight show managers and we still have to deal with the rigors of flying from coast to coast," says Abbott, "but it's very satisfying to know that the associations and organizations who contract with us are getting the best that technology has available. ExpoToGo(tm) makes navigation easy for attendees at their events as it brings the entire tradeshow to the palm of their hand."
For more information on this or other services, visit www.tmiexpos.com or call Hannah Woods at (216) 738-0533.
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CONTACT: Tradeshow Multimedia Inc., Mayfield Heights, Ohio
Hanna Woods
(216) 738-0533