About
WHO IS ESCA?
Since 1970, the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association has provided a unified voice for service contractors and their partners in the exhibition industry. With more than 185 members throughout the United States and Canada, ESCA works closely with our members and other exhibition industry organizations to promote the exhibition industry and further the causes of our members.
ESCA IS:
- The association for firms engaged in providing services and materials for the exhibition, meetings, and events industry.
- A clearinghouse for exchanging information between members and all other entities in the vast exhibition, meetings, and events industry.
- Your source for leading general service contractors and their suppliers.
- A provider of information and assistance in the current business climate.
- An advocate for service providers on critical industry issues, including developing and distributing official “position papers.”
- A credible resource for other professional organizations in the industry.
- The resource for the establishment of best practices and ethical standards
Mission Statement
ESCA is dedicated to the advancement of the exhibition, meeting, and special events industries. Through the education, information exchange and level of professionalism shared by members and their customers, ESCA promotes cooperation among all areas of the exhibition industry.
History of ESCA
Since 1970 ESCA has provided a unified voice for service contractors and their partners in the exhibition industry. ESCA now has more than 175 member companies throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom and maintains alliances with IAEE, IAVM, SISO, EDPA, and CEIR to promote the exhibition industry.
Past Presidents
| Year | Name | Company |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Bob Ryley | GES |
| 2020-2021 | Neil McMullin | Fern |
| 2019 | Chris Schimek | Freeman |
| 2018 | Rich Curran | EXPO Convention Contractors, Inc. |
| 2017 | Julia Smith | Global Experience Specialists |
| 2016 | Lenny Servedio | Freeman |
| 2015 | Jay Atherton | Freeman |
| 2013-2014 | Bruce Nable | SER Exposition Services |
| 2011-2012 | Chuck Grouzard | Global Experience Specialists |
| 2009-2010 | Steve Hagstette | Freeman |
| 2007-2008 | Aaron Bludworth | George Fern Company |
| 2006 | Tom Drullinger | George Fern Company |
| 2004-2005 | Kim Methe | Freeman |
| 2002-2003 | Carl Mitchell | Shepard Exposition Services |
| 2001 | Barry Rappaport | Freeman |
| 2000 | Tom Blaine, Jr. | Blaine Convention Services |
| 1999 | Todd Iverson | GES Exposition Services |
| 1998 | Barbara Lane | GES Exposition Services |
| 1997 | Larry Arnaudet | Freeman |
| 1996 | Jim Reese | Champion Exposition Services |
| 1995 | Bill Polke | Freeman |
| 1994 | Jim Thompson | GES Exposition Services |
| 1993 | Elden Almquist | ATTCO Exposition, Inc. |
| 1992 | Craig Smith | Andrews-Bartlett |
| 1991 | Dale Van Ort | Freeman |
| 1990 | Hugh MacLean | GES Exposition Services |
| 1988 – 1989 | Ralph Iverson | Brede Exposition Services |
| 1986 – 1987 | Jim Caplin | United Exposition Service |
| 1984 – 1985 | Jim Moore | Moore Displays, Inc. |
| 1982 – 1983 | Norm Seeger | Badger Exposition Service |
| 1980 – 1981 | Sol Tolkin | Exposervice Standard, Inc. |
| 1978 – 1979 | John Reibold | Brede Exposition Services |
| 1976 – 1977 | Don Vaughn | Freeman |
| 1975 | Jim Howe | GES Exposition Services |
| 1973 – 1974 | Toby Aaron | The Aaron Group |
| 1971 – 1972 | Leon Manne | Manncraft/Greyhound |
| 1970 | Sam Katz | United Exposition Service |
Strategic Plan
ESCA’s Strategic Plan is a direct outgrowth of the ESCA Board of Director’s desire to position the organization for a sustainable competitive advantage. This approach improves the chances of organizational alignment and makes the best use of ESCA’s resources (time, money and effort). This Strategic Plan is designed to be a working plan with the flexibility to evolve as ESCA’s members needs and the competitive landscape changes.
