GES CANADA Presents a New Line of Specialty Furniture
 

In October 2008, GES CANADA launched a new line of specialty furniture. GES CANADA selected contemporary furniture pieces to broaden our range of products and add a modern flair to our furniture offering. GES CANADA’s new specialty furniture line includes a selection of 5 different stools, 3 new styles of cruiser (bistro) tables, a custom designed literature stand, and many options for soft and lounge style seating. All new furniture items are available for Show Organizers and Exhibitors to rent at shows serviced by GES CANADA, in the Toronto market and limited availability in Montreal. Please click here to see our new line of specialty furniture, or contact our Exhibitor Services team for more information @ 905-283-0500.

GES Acquires Poitras Exposition Services
Acquisition complements GES CANADA service offerings

MONTREAL, July 5, 2007 – GES Exposition Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Viad Corp (NYSE:VVI) announced today the acquisition, by a GES affiliate, of Poitras Exposition Services, the largest exhibition services company in Quebec City. The purchase became effective June 29.

"Poitras is the market leader in Quebec City and has a long-standing reputation of excellence in the market it serves," said Kevin Rabbitt, GES president and chief executive officer. "This acquisition will strengthen GES CANADA's leading market position throughout Canada."

Mike Lecour, GES CANADA executive vice president added, "Poitras has a dynamic management team and both companies share many of the same clients in different geographical areas. We look forward to working with the Poitras team to provide seamless exhibition services to our clients across Canada, the United States and Europe through the GES Worldwide Network."

In addition to official service contractor services, Poitras provides furnishings, exhibits and design, graphics and material handling services.

"The employees of Poitras are excited to be part of the GES Worldwide Network," said Anne-Pierre Paquet, Poitras general manager. "GES CANADA is a first class operation with a superb management team and we look forward to the opportunities we now have to provide even better service to exhibition clients."

GES CANADA, the leading official services contractor in Canada, has major operations in provinces of Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

GES acquires Pro Show Services
Acquisition complements GES CANADA service offerings

GES Exposition Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Viad Corp (NYSE:VVI) announced today the acquisition of Pro Show Services, a leading convention services contractor based in Edmonton, Alberta. The purchase will allow GES CANADA to complement its current service offerings in Western Canada. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to Viad Corp earnings beginning in 2005.

“We are very pleased to have Pro Show Services become a part of our team,” said Paul Dykstra, president and chief executive officer for GES. “Pro Show has excellent business relationships with many of the Canadian convention venues that will allow us to deliver a consistent service to our customers as their shows move throughout Canada.”

“We believe this is a win-win for the Canadian tradeshow market”, said Dennis Upright, president of Pro Show Services. “We have steadily grown Pro Show over the years and now it’s time to join forces with a great company like GES. Together we will bring a higher level of service for exhibitions and events in Canada.”

Pro Show Services is the official general services contractor for numerous facilities and hotels in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Banff and Regina as well as many key Alberta show managers. They are also the official contractor for both the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames hockey teams.

GES CANADA, the leading convention service contractor in Canada, has major facilities in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta. The acquisition of Pro Show supports the growth of its network of operations throughout Canada.

“This is great news for our clients and our team, especially in Western Canada,” stated Mike Lecour, regional vice president for GES CANADA. “The Pro Show acquisition gives us a strong presence, adding significant resources to our established operations in Alberta.”

Las Vegas-based GES Exposition Services, a premier provider of exhibition and event services in the tradeshow industry, is a subsidiary of Viad Corp (NYSE:VVI), a $1.6 billion revenue, S&P MidCap 400 company based in Phoenix.

GES provides convention and trade show managers with comprehensive exhibitor services including planning, logistics, material handling, floor plans, exhibit rentals, signs and graphics, installation and dismantling, electrical distribution, lighting, carpet and furnishings, and automated freight and package receiving. GES services many well-known shows including the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), the Food Marketing Institute, the Consumer Electronics Show and MAGIC.

GES Toronto Services the Canadian International Auto Show

GES CANADA’s Toronto operation just completed another huge and successful event - The Canadian International Auto Show.

With over 150 exhibitors and more than 850,000 square feet of exhibit space in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and SkyDome, this event is widely recognized as Canada’s premier automotive exposition and is Canada's largest annual consumer show.

More than three hundred thousand people flocked to Toronto's downtown core in February to experience the show and view new, prototype, concept, and vintage vehicles at the Auto Show. Automobile Associations and numerous automotive accessories were also on display.

"DESIGN MEETS DESIRE", was the theme for the 2004 Show, encapsulating the experience delivered to visitors - design being the technique, desire being the emotion. Brought together they serve to re-ignite the consumers' love affair with the automobile.

GES CANADA had ten days prior to the show to decorate and co-ordinate the move-in of all vehicles and displays into the two massive adjoining exhibition facilities and only two days to dismantle and move it all out. It took months of masterful planning, precise execution and a small army to make this happen.

GES CANADA is proud to be the Official General Services Contractor for the Canadian International Auto Show.

GES CANADA Named Official Contractor for Metro Toronto Convention Centre

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) has announced the appointment of GES CANADA as its Official General Services Contractor and Show Decorator. GES CANADA is Canada’s leading provider of decoration and general contractor services for trade and consumer shows, conventions and corporate events.

“We are extremely pleased to be selected by MTCC as their Official Show Decorator,” said Mike Lecour, regional vice president, GES CANADA. “This status is a credit to our dedicated and highly valued staff. We all look forward to working with the MTCC team, while helping both current and future clients experience successful, seamless events.”

GES CANADA is the leading supplier to Canada’s top shows with more than 30 years in the tradeshow industry, four full-service operations in Canada, 133 full-time employees and a record of servicing 380 events annually.

“GES CANADA has clearly demonstrated their ability to provide exceptional customer service commensurate with the high levels of service our clients have come to expect,” said Barry Smith, president and chief executive officer, MTCC.

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is the #1 convention and tradeshow facility in Canada, hosting over 700 events annually ranging in size from large international conventions to small, local corporate meetings.

GES Exposition Services provides convention and tradeshow managers with a wide range of services including planning, logistics, material handling, floor plans, exhibits and design, signs and graphics, installation and dismantling, electrical distribution, lighting, carpet and furnishings, and automated freight and package receiving. GES services many well-known shows including the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), the Food Marketing Institute, the Consumer Electronics Show and MAGIC.

GES Exposition Services is a subsidiary of Viad Corp (NYSE:VVI), a $1.6 billion revenue, S&P MidCap 400 company based in Phoenix. With headquarters in Las Vegas and offices in every major convention market across North America, GES' expertise includes exposition general service contracting, corporate event services and comprehensive exhibitor services. For more information, visit www.ges.com.

American Library Association Selects Toronto

Toronto was extremely pleased to host the American Library Association at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in June of 2003. This is a very large Annual Meeting of Library Scientists, complete with a large exhibition component that filled both the North and South Halls of the Convention Centre.

ALA Management had been hesitant about booking Toronto because of the recent SARS outbreak in the city. Much research went into their decision to move ahead with their Annual Meeting and they kept daily tabs on the SARS issue in the weeks and days leading up to their event.

GES CANADA spearheaded a labour wage reduction through the Toronto Labourers Union - Local 506, specifically for the American Library Association event, in an effort to persuade them to remain in Toronto. The success of this initiative was due in large part to the 506 Union members and their management and it went a long way in helping the Toronto economy recover from the SARS outbreak.

We applaud the management of the American Library Association for their courageous decision to move ahead with their Toronto convention. It was a difficult decision, as they had to weigh the facts concerning the SARS outbreak against real and perceived health uncertainties. We are very grateful to the American Library Association for their diligence in researching and analyzing the facts.

Place Bonaventure Contract Win

En 2003, Exposervice Standard / GES CANADA Montréal a renouvelé avec les autorités de la Place Bonaventure le contrat lui permettant d’offrir en exclusivité les services d’électricité. Par la même occasion Exposervice standard est devenu le fournisseur exclusif pour les services de manutention, d’accrochage, d’eau et de d’air comprimé.

Cette entente arrivera à échéance en 2008.

SHOWTECH Renews Exclusive Contract

GES CANADA’s Electrical/Mechanical Division, SHOWTECH Power & Lighting recently renewed their Exclusive contract to provide electrical, lighting and mechanical services at the Toronto Congress Centre.

The Toronto Congress Centre is a 500,000 square foot facility designed to host conferences, meetings and exhibits. SHOWTECH has been working in partnership with the TCC since it opened in 1995.

Don Hobson, General Manager of SHOWTECH Power & Lighting advises “We are now the preferred provider of Electrical, Mechanical and Lighting services at the ‘Triple Crown’ of Toronto facilities – The Metro Toronto Convention Centre, The International Centre, and the Toronto Congress Centre”. Don attributes SHOWTECH’s success to his staff, who have worked tirelessly to provide the best services to our customers.

Please visit SHOWTECH Power & Lighting’s website at http://www.showtech.ca