How Exhibit Company Ohio Displays Has Survived 2 Pandemics and 5 Wars
April 20, 2021
Five score and two years ago, Frank Addis founded Ohio Displays Incorporated, which notably created early signs for Cleveland’s original Home and Flower Show — a precursor to modern trade shows.
The company, based in Elyria, Ohio, has lasted long enough to come full circle. Way back in 1919, when Addis launched the business, the country was mired in a health crisis we now know as the Spanish Flu. So in 2021, overcoming a little thing like COVID-19 is old hat.
“We’re in our second pandemic and the doors are still open,” said Bob Miller, ODI’s senior vice president and Addis’ great grandson.
Always Evolving
Miller has few doubts that the company will make it through COVID-19. Staff size is lower than it used to be but key employees remain and work has resumed on building trade show booths to be displayed later this year. In the meantime, Ohio Displays expanded its repertoire to provide valuable marketing assistance to longtime clients even as shows didn’t go on or went completely virtual.
It’s all in more than a century’s worth of survival. Beyond the pandemics, the company has outlasted five wars, two depressions and multiple recessions.
“We didn’t overcome hurdles over the past 102 years by remaining status quo,” Miller said.
He credits his staff’s hard work and positive attitude, including doing the “little things” for clients for the continued success.
At its core, Ohio Displays is a well-respected and (obviously) long-standing designer of trade show exhibits. Clients include the old Ohio Bell telephone company and Republic Steel. Miller and company describe working relationships in decades even as the services have extended beyond state lines.
ODI sells products and also trust, Miller explained. “When people ask me what I do for a living, I say my job is to keep Murphy’s Law away from my clients,” he said.
Growth Strategy
As the clients keep growing, so does Ohio Displays. In the early 2000s, it bought three local exhibit companies. Prior to the merger, the groups were “friendly competition” who Miller remembers getting to know as a child of the industry. In 2015, ODI merged with Alexis Exhibits to further add to its customers and offerings.
ODI’s all-in-one services expanded last year when there were no trade shows. Instead, Ohio Displays became de facto marketing experts — creating content and social media material for clients looking to stay connected with their business community. He predicted that one off-shoot of the pandemic is that more exhibitors will take the time to create Facebook and Instagram posts prior to a show to build excitement for their booth.
ODI is already building exhibits for the fall, with modifications reflective of the pandemic. Clients are being offered slightly bigger spaces to ease traffic flow, encourage social distancing and fill in any potential empty slots, Miller said. Promotional masks with company logos are going to be the most prevalent giveaway items, he added.
“Trade shows are going to come back slow, but stronger than ever,” Miller said. “We’ve learned virtual trade shows are nice filler but not a replacement for a [live] show.”
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Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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