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Going Global
What does it take to be a truly valued
exhibit partner for International Business?
Panelists
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Stephen Benedetti
Peter Theodorides
Voicu Sferdianu
Irene Rodriguez
Hazem Hamada
• Cam Stevens, Moderator
Stephen Benedetti
Title Director, International Projects
Company Heilmaier Messedesign
Location Germany
• Began his trade show career in Arizona in the late ’90s as Show Service Coordinator
at Dietrich & Ball
• Moved to Heilmaier Messedesign in 2001
• For the past 10 years has initiated and grown the international projects division
Peter Theodorides
Title CEO/President
Company Vision Ltd.
Location Greece
• Chair of PR & Marketing Committee at IFES
• Member of the Board for HAEEC (Hellenic Assoc of Exhibition and Event Contractors)
• Studies in American International Schools and graduated from the American College
of Greece with a degree in Marketing Management
• Speaks English, Spanish and Greek
• Born in Caracas, Venezuela and move to Greece 28 years ago
Voicu Sferdianu
Title Owner, Managing Director
Company eXpo Design System
Location Romania
• For the past 10 years I have built and developed the main Romanian stand
• Currently working mainly in Europe and less on the domestic Romanian market
• Since 2011 I have been the Chair of the Membership Committee in IFES
Irene Albarrán
Title CEO
Company Expoquarzo SA de CV
Location Mexico City
• Founded by Eduardo Albarrán in 1976
• Began in the exhibition world as Branch Manager in Guadalajara
• 1 yr later, became Manager of Expoquarzo’s digital print house in Mexico City
• As a commercial manager, she specialized in the exhibit market, focusing on design,
marketing and sales as well as R & D of graphi, portable displays and signage
• Expoquarzo is an active member of OSPI, EDPA, MPI and AMPROFEC
Hazem Hamada
Title President, CEO
Company United Group
Location Egypt
• 15 years experience in the International exhibiting marketplace
• Started as an architect working in Austria
• Moved to Egypt where he founded his company
• Specializing in exhibition stand construction
• Considered a market leader championing Egyptian pavilions world-wide
• Opened branch office in Dubai in 2004 to serve Middle East marketplace
• Active member of IFES
Sankar Karuppiah
Title Overseas Projects
Company Endlos Japan Co Ltd
Location Tokyo, Japan
• Fluent in English, Japanese, Bahasa Indonesia, Tamil
• In charge of meetings and securing all overseas projects and managing/coordinating
an onsite team
• In charge of bringing Japanese projects overseas and managing/coordinating an
onsite team
•In charge of Interior works exports and materials acquisition of Chinese products and
services
Cam Stevens
Title President, CEO
Company Stevens Exhibit Design Group
Location Toronto, Canada
• Almost 25 years in the Industry
• Member of EDPA for 14 years
• VP, Education for EDPA for 4 years, and Chair of Research Committee for 7 years
• President of EDPA in 2012 and a member of OSPI
• Specialize in bringing exhibitors from Overseas to North American exhibitions and
bringing North American exhibitors overseas through a partner network
Question 1
• What characteristics are most important to
you when selecting a partner to assist you in
another country?
Question 2
• What are the major differences between
costing and planning a show in the USA vs
Europe or Asia?
Question 3
• What is the best way to meet a prospective
supplier to consider as a partner?
Question 4
• Can you share an experience when servicing a
customer abroad that surprised you from
what you expected?
Question 5
• How should American suppliers change their
style/attitude somewhat when coming to your
country/region?
Question 6
• When is it best to rent locally vs shipping in a
custom stand?
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Going Global – Q & A Period
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