After sending several applicants to him without success, I decided to go there myself. Two hours later, I was calling my mom to give my notice. I made the decision to leave the tempo- rary help business and get into “pipe-and- drape.”


That was 21 years ago.


Main Line Expo started as a subsidiary of Main Line Party Rentals, working mainly with area malls, delivering and setting up hundreds of 8- foot tables with throw covers. But we grew very quickly. During this time, a sales opportu- nity arose for me at Main Line Party Rentals to sell party rental equipment.


After a short period of doing this, I realized that my real passion did, in fact, lie in pipe-and- drape, and I was offered the opportunity to buy the inventory myself. My husband and I mort- gaged our house, and Main Line Expo was offi- cially in business.


We started from the garage of our twin home in April of 1991. Twenty one years later, we now have a 14,000-square foot office and ware- house in King of Prussia, PA.


Since that time, I also acquired a trade show company in Allentown that has been in opera- tion for 14 years. It is headed by Chris Connor, our General Sales Manager.


I would be remiss, however, not to mention that one of the main reasons I have been able to build my business so successfully is that Wayne Rensch, president of Main Line Party Rentals, was insistent that I learn how to per- form a job cost. I despised doing them, but I have since learned that one of the most impor- tant functions of an entrepreneur is to keep your business profitable. Otherwise, much of what I have learned about the trade show busi- ness has been self-taught through experience.


Main Line Expo is a full service trade show company whose success can be directly attrib- uted to our great staff that knows how to take care of client needs. Our mission is, and has always been: service, service, service - coupled with a lot of flexibility!


I believe that is why a major percentage of our business is comprised of return clients, some of whom we have been working with for 20 years.


For our clients planning a trade show, we at Main Line Expo will visit the venue, measure


the space, suggest how many booths can fit into it, and prepare a fire marshal approved floor plan. Next, we arrive with a crew to set up booths, including skirted tables, chairs, booth signs and carpeting. We also will remain on site to service the exhibitors’ needs as they move in. After the show, we take down everything once again and return it to our warehouse.


Another service we offer is called drayage. Many exhibitors and clients are not aware that they can send their products and pop up dis- plays to us at least a month in advance. We will warehouse them, transport them to the show, and deliver them to their booth. We also will set up their booths if needed, too.


When it comes to industry involvement, Main Line Expo belongs to many chambers of com- merce within the tri-state area. Networking at various chamber events is an important part of maintaining a presence for us in the events industry. In addition, our relationship with Mid- Atlantic Events Magazine, and more specifically Jim Cohn, has been of tremendous help when it comes to meeting new contacts and prospective business partners.


Amid all of our successes past and present, we’re very excited about the future, too. Our son, Mike, has come on board with a lot of corporate experience and will help to grow Main Line Expo to the next level.


The trade show industry has taken many turns over the past 20 years, but it has survived all those ups and downs because trade shows are still the best way to get products and serv- ices directly in front of the people who are look- ing for them.


I have seen a definite increase in the number of trade shows in 2012, and see the industry growing even more in the future.


For those just getting into the event or trade show industries, the best advice I can give is to network, network and network some more. Join as many associations as you can, and always keep yourself visible. Build relationships with others in your industry, too. These are criti- cally important.


But most of all, be dedicated to your job. Don’t ever turn down an opportunity that is present- ed to you, even if it is outside your comfort zone. Also, always work hard. Do these things and almost assuredly success will be yours.


Mid-Atlantic EVENTS Magazine 81


Many exhibitors and clients are not aware that they can send their products and pop up displays to us at least a month in advance. We will warehouse them, transport them to the show, and


deliver them to their booth. We also will set up their booths if needed, too.


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