Tradeshow Tales:
A Fresh Perspective from a First-Time Attendee

Curious about what it’s really like to be onsite at a tradeshow? Last month, one of our newest Associate Account Executives, Lexi, stepped into the bustling world of tradeshows for the first time, attending the American Academy of Pediatrics Show (AAP).

From navigating the show floor to connecting with clients and learning the ropes of exhibit management, Lexi had an action-packed experience. We sat down with her to get the inside scoop on her most memorable moments, the challenges she faced, and her biggest takeaways from this exciting debut.

Q: What were your first impressions when you arrived at the show?
A:
I was blown away by how amazing the final product was! It was incredible to see it all come together and how every little detail makes such a difference in the booth.

Q: What would you say was the biggest takeaway from your first tradeshow experience?
A:
My biggest takeaway was how rewarding the whole experience was and the client’s reaction to our work! It proved that it is such a team effort and every person’s contribution matters to make the booth come to life.

Q: What skills do you feel you developed during this experience?
A:
I developed a much better understanding of the tradeshow experience and what it takes to create and execute a booth from start to finish. I also now understand how every little detail makes the biggest difference in the final product!

Q: What advice would you give to someone attending their first tradeshow?
A: Be observant! I found that asking questions and walking around to see the whole show itself was super helpful. Overall, just enjoy the experience and ask as many questions as you can!

Q: If you could sum up your experience in a single word or phrase, what would it be?
A:
Exciting and motivating!

Q: Do you have any final thoughts or reflections you’d like to share about this experience?
A:
Overall, I learned so much from my first show and could not have asked for a better experience. I feel so lucky to be a part of such an awesome team and I can’t wait to see what is to come!

Q: How has attending this tradeshow changed your perspective on your role in the company?
A:
It has made me beyond excited/ motivated to continue working on upcoming projects and getting to experience those shows as well. It is so rewarding to get to see the final product turn out so nicely and I also love how every show is different, which makes the job so exciting.

 

Interested in experiencing this for yourself? Come join our team!

Check out https://msmxp.com/careers-culture/ for more information on available positions!

Introducing In-House 3D Printing at MSM Inc.!

We’re thrilled to announce that MSM Inc. has expanded our capabilities with cutting-edge, in-house 3D printing technology! This new addition allows us to elevate our face-to-face marketing solutions and deliver even more personalized, innovative results for our clients.

For those unfamiliar with the process, 3D printing (or additive manufacturing) involves building physical objects from digital designs by layering material, such as PLA filament, until the final product takes shape. The benefits? Greater customization, faster turnaround times, and cost-effective production, making it an ideal solution for today’s fast-paced marketing world.

We’re excited to offer this new service and can’t wait to explore all the possibilities additive manufacturing will bring to our projects. Stay tuned as we continue to expand and innovate with 3D printing to better serve your needs!

 

As summer winds down, we’re reminiscing about the incredible time we had during MSM Summer Week earlier this month! It was a week filled with excitement, collaboration, and memorable moments.

Throughout the week, MSM employees participated in a range of team-building activities, from a lively cornhole tournament to a challenging trivia competition, and even a delightful cookout in the grass behind our building.

What truly made this week special was the sense of togetherness. All MSM employees—from our Rochester headquarters to our remote team members across the U.S.—came together in person to join in the fun.

The week’s festivities concluded with a grand finale: a picnic and baseball game at Innovative Field, where we cheered on our hometown heroes, the Rochester Red Wings, as they took on the Omaha Storm Chasers.

It’s been an unforgettable summer at MSM Inc., and now we’re energized and ready to embrace the Fall season ahead!

 

IMAGE GALLERY

(Rochester, NY) (August 20th, 2024) – MSM Inc. has earned a spot on the 2024 Top 100 list of fastest-growing, privately owned companies in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region.

Founded in 1993, MSM Inc. is a WBENC certified, woman-owned business that creates brand experiences for trade show exhibits, customer events, and environments. The company continues to grow through expanded service offerings, innovative ideas, transformative design, and helping customers differentiate with experiential storytelling.

“It is truly an honor to once again be named to this list with so many other great Rochester area businesses” says Founder & CEO, Donna Shultz in response to the news. “This is our tenth year being named to this list and we are so proud of the growth our company is experiencing.”

In recent years, MSM Inc. has seen significant growth with non-exhibit work, which is primarily made up of corporate spaces and branded environments. MSM’s latest project and hometown favorite is working with the Rochester Red Wings, including an upgrade of the Clubhouse, and a redesign of the Jack Daniels 10th Inning Bar at Innovative Field.

To be eligible for the Greater Rochester Chamber Top 100 program, companies must be privately owned, headquartered in the nine-county Greater Rochester/Finger Lakes region, and have earned at least $1 million in revenue in each of the three most recent fiscal years. The Greater Rochester Chamber Top 100 rankings are calculated based upon revenue, considering both dollar and percentage growth.

The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce plans to reveal the 38th annual Top 100 rankings at the awards celebration to be held on November 6th. If you would like additional information on MSM Inc. or have questions regarding this press release, please contact Devon Mannix at devon.mannix@msmxp.com.

MSM Inc. is a woman-owned experience agency based in Rochester, NY focused on delivering quality, service, and innovation in bringing brand stories to life. MSM is a top industry fabricator with recurring placement on Exhibitor Magazine’s Find It Top 40 List and Event Marketer’s Fab 50 List. Visit www.msmxp.com for more details.

employee-news / May 3, 2024

Welcome to Our Newest Employees!

The MSM Team is growing! We are thrilled to announce that we have added several new employees over the last quarter.

  • Rob A. has joined our team as a Warehouse Coordinator.
  • Kevin C. has joined our team as a Custom Fabricator.
  • Shawn K. has joined our team as a Coordinator on the Shipping & Receiving and Minibooth Teams.
  • Kailyn K. has joined our Client Services team as an Associate Account Executive. Kailyn interned with MSM this past Spring and we are excited to welcome her on a full-time basis.
  • Tammy W. has joined our team as HR & Recruiting Manager. Tammy has been supporting our recruiting needs and we are excited to welcome her to this new role.
  • Brittany V. has joined our team as a Customer Project & Billing Manager.

Please help us in welcoming these new employees!

MSM Inc. has earned a spot on the 2023 Top 100 list of fastest-growing, privately owned companies in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region.

Founded in 1993, MSM Inc. is a WBENC certified, woman-owned business that creates brand experiences for exhibits, customer events, and environments. As a leader in the event marketing industry, brands trust in MSM Inc. to solve their biggest face-to-face marketing challenges through their proven ability to create unforgettable experiences, while delivering an extraordinary level of service and partnership.

“We are thrilled to be recognized on the Top 100 List once again and this achievement is especially timely as we are celebrating our 30th Anniversary in 2023.” says MSM Founder & CEO, Donna Shultz in response to the news.

To be eligible for the Greater Rochester Chamber Top 100 program, companies must be privately owned, headquartered in the nine-county Greater Rochester/Finger Lakes region, and have earned at least $1 million in revenue in each of the three most recent fiscal years. The Greater Rochester Chamber Top 100 rankings are calculated based upon revenue, considering both dollar and percentage growth.

The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce plans to reveal the 37th annual Top 100 rankings at the awards celebration to be held on November 2nd. If you would like additional information on MSM Inc. or have questions regarding this press release, please contact Devon Mannix at devon.mannix@msmxp.com.

MSM Inc. is a woman-owned experience agency based in Rochester, NY focused on delivering quality, service, and innovation in bringing brand stories to life for live and virtual events, as well as temporary and permanent installations. MSM was the first agency RFP-certified by the Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA), is a top industry fabricator with recurring placement on Exhibitor Magazine’s Find It Top 40 List and Event Marketer’s Fab 50 List, and opened sister agency The Experience Shop in 2018 to expand its offerings in non-traditional event marketing experiences. Visit www.msmxp.com for more details.

press-releases / March 30, 2023

MSM Inc. Named Top Workplace for Ninth Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Katy Martin, Marketing Specialist
p. 585.232.4020 | e. Katy.Martin@msmxp.com

MSM Inc. Named Top Workplace for Ninth Year
For Small Businesses in Rochester, MSM Ranked Sixth of 54

(Webster, NY) (March 30, 2023) – MSM Inc. has received recognition by the Democrat and Chronicle as a Top Workplace in the Rochester area, which marks nine years for the company.

white logo with Top Workplaces 2023 Democrat & Chronicle

Top Workplaces collects and processes surveys from company employees across the country and serves as the leading employer recognition program. The title of Top Workplace is awarded according to feedback shared by the company’s employees.

Shelly Heberger, an Account Executive nearing 30 years at MSM shares, “It’s no surprise our people love working here. The MSM team is made up of creative, hardworking, and team-oriented individuals; the fast-paced environment of the events industry fits well with a team like ours.”

Dedication to both clients and each other is just one way MSM sets itself apart. In fact, the six core values help the team define an ideal workplace, and how those within it aim to operate:

  • Expresses gratitude for others and co-workers
  • Will do anything for our customers
  • Is a positive person and always finds a way
  • Thrives in a demanding environment
  • Always does the right thing, even when no one is looking
  • Values others with timely responses

Carla Ramos, Project Manager, commented, “MSM is such a collaborative environment and I really enjoy working with my teammates on projects! It truly is an exciting time for MSM.”

This award falls on a particularly special year for this agency, as MSM plans to celebrate 30 years in May.

Learn more about MSM and current career opportunities here.  Learn more about Top Workplaces criteria here.

________________________________________________________________________________

MSM Inc. is a woman-owned live + digital experience agency based in Rochester, NY. Known for exceptional service and innovation in bringing brand stories to life, MSM is strategic partner to B2B and B2C clients in the design and execution of live and
virtual experiences, as well as corporate and retail environments. MSM is a nine-time Top Workplace, was the first agency RFP-certified by the Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA), and is ranked as a top supplier in the exhibit and events industry year-over-year. In 2020, MSM expanded its offerings in online experiences by launching proprietary virtual engagement solution, LiVi, honored with “Best Pivot” Award. Learn more about MSM by visiting www.msmxp.com, or contacting info@msmxp.com.

Written by Joe Reazor, CIO.

As an IT professional, I understand the importance of data and metrics in decision making – especially as it relates to trade shows.  Measuring attendee engagement at trade shows is crucial to determining the success of your booth and maximizing your investment.

Why is it so important to measure attendee engagement?

Data-driven insights: Gathering data on attendee engagement provides valuable insights into the performance of your booth- including layout, use of space, and audience engagement with content. This information can help you identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to enhance your booth’s effectiveness.

Maximizing ROI: By measuring attendee engagement, you can calculate the return on investment (ROI) for your trade show booth. This data will help you optimize your budget and ensure that you are getting the most out of your investment. It can also help determine which shows are the best fit for your brand and can help with the allocation of funds for different shows.

Improving attendee experience: Measuring attendee engagement helps you understand what attendees like and dislike about your booth. With this information, you can make improvements to the attendee experience to create a more effective and impactful booth.

Building stronger relationships: Understanding attendee preferences and engagement allows you to build stronger relationships with your audience. This information can be used to create a more personalized experience and establish a long-term connection with your clients.

Driving lead generation: By measuring attendee engagement, you can improve lead generation and drive sales. With a better understanding of what resonates with attendees, you can create a more effective lead generation strategy and increase the chances of converting leads into sales.

Measuring attendee engagement is a critical component in determining the success of your trade show booth.  The days of building and hoping people come spend time in your booth are long over.  Exhibitors need to spend just as much time investing in measuring the performance of their booth as they do in determining design, layout, and content.  MSM can help with more than just the booth design- we can also provide data with our attendee engagement measurement system to help our clients realize all of the benefits noted above.

Contact us today to learn more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Devon Mannix | Marketing & Sales Enablement Specialist
p. 585.232.4020 e. Devon.Mannix@msmxp.com

MSM Inc. Announces New Vice President of Client Services

(Rochester, NY) (January 17th, 2023) – MSM founder and CEO, Donna Shultz, along with Laurie Kamal, President & CFO, are proud to announce the promotion of Mary Ellen Hall to Vice President of Client Services.

Mary Ellen began her career with MSM Inc. nearly twenty-nine years ago and has been a leader in Client Services throughout her entire time with the company, most recently serving as the Director of Client Relationships. With over thirty-five years of experience in the tradeshow and events industry, she consistently brings a vast amount of knowledge and expertise to the MSM team and the clients she serves.

As the leader of the Client Services department, Mary Ellen fosters great relationships and creates amazing experiences for each of the clients she works with. Internally, Mary Ellen is an excellent mentor to all members of her team and ensures that everyone has the necessary skills and support they need to thrive in a client-facing role.

MSM Founder, Donna Shultz, explains, “Simply put, Mary Ellen loves people!  Her warm personality paired with her strong work ethic, vast knowledge of the industry and passion for serving others has served her well in her career with MSM Inc. and she is already thriving in her new strategic role”.

As the events industry continues to ramp up and return to normalcy in a post-pandemic world, Mary Ellen will continue to lead the MSM Client Services department and support the growing list of clients, projects, and employees.

If you would like additional information on MSM Inc. or have questions regarding this press release, please contact Devon Mannix at devon.mannix@msmxp.com.

MSM Inc. is a woman-owned experience agency based in Rochester, NY focused on delivering quality, service, and innovation in bringing brand stories to life for live and virtual events, as well as temporary and permanent installations.  MSM was the first agency RFP-certified by the Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA), is a top industry fabricator with recurring placement on Exhibitor Magazine’s Find It Top 40 List and Event Marketer’s Fab 50 List, and opened sister agency The Experience Shop in 2018 to expand its offerings in non-traditional event marketing experiences. Visit www.msmxp.com for more details.

employee-news / September 1, 2022

The MSM Family: Shelly & Beth

We’re one big family at MSM Inc. and lately that statement’s proving to be truer than ever! Over the last few months, we have had several employees whose siblings, children, and other family members have joined the MSM team.

Meet Shelly & Beth!

Shelly has been with MSM for nearly 29 years and currently serves as an Account Executive. Her daughter, Beth, recently joined the MSM family as a Regional Account Coordinator. On working with her mom, Beth says “although she’s my mom, I truly feel like she’s just my coworker who is helping bring me up to speed. So far, each day has brought something different, and I couldn’t be happier.”