Marketing Firm mdg Expands Its Footprint with Chicago Office Opening
May 24, 2017
Trade show marketing firm mdg has expanded its foorptint by opening a new office in Chicago to service several clients based in the area.
The downtown office will be led by Leana Salamah, account strategist and executive director, who has experience on both sides of the client/agency relationship.
Salamah was proactively recruited by ownership to serve as a strategic lead for existing Chicago clients and to be a resource for other association and for-profit event clients looking for audience acquisition solutions.
“Chicago, with its reputation as a world-class event destination and association headquarters, is an ideal location for mdg,” Salamah said.
She added, “By bringing the in-person component of the agency brand to the Midwest, we are better positioned to help these organizations achieve a broad range of objectives - from audience acquisition to membership development."
Some of the clients the Chocago office will serve include the National Restaurant Association, ISSA, BAI, the International Carwash Association and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
mdg owners Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes and Vincent Polito said they believe in creating a footprint in the markets they serve, having opened branch offices in Washington, D.C., in 2013 and Reston, VA, in 2014.
“Our largest concentration of clients is still in the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area, but next on the list is Chicago,” Hardcastle-Geddes said.
She added, “This move will facilitate more face-to-face interaction between mdg and current and prospective clients, which, after all, is the driving force of the events industry itself.”
Polito echoed the sentiment and said, “Over the past couple of years, mdg has developed quite a bit of new business from clients in Chicago, Milwaukee and Indianapolis. As such, we want to ensure that we are readily available for meetings to discuss everything from big-picture strategy to day-to-day tactical execution to evaluating the results of our campaigns.”
The Chicago office will be staffed by a team of marketing strategists and live event experts and will be supported by mdg specialists (messaging, branding, digital, international marketing, VIP attendee acquisition, etc.) from the East and West Coast offices.
"mdg's presence in Chicago speaks to our city's importance as a leader in the meetings industry and will enhance Chicago's attractiveness to Midwest-based organizations in this space, as well as those looking for their next event venue,” said David Whitaker, president and CEO of Choose Chicago.
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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