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MEDIA RELEASE - 21 July 2010

EXPONET ANNOUNCES AWARD TO HONOUR MEMORY OF IAN STOKER

ExpoNet is recognising staff excellence in customer service through a new award named in honour of an outstanding employee who passed away late last year.

The Ian Stoker Award for Excellence in Customer Service honours ExpoNet project manager Ian Stoker, who died suddenly in October following four years with the company and 25 years in the exhibition industry.

Launched at the company’s annual staff breakfasts this month, the award aims to recognise ExpoNet staff who have displayed the same commitment and passion that Mr Stoker brought to his role.

ExpoNet’s Managing Director, Jim Delahunty said “Stokes” was one of the company’s top project managers, known for his amazing people skills and dedication to the job.

“Ian had all the qualities that are essential in this industry. He was reliable, well organised and always made things happen. You knew if you were working with “Stokes” on a project, you were working with one of the best,” Mr Delahunty said.

“In dedicating this award to him, we are recognising those exceptional workers who share the same qualities, and whose experience and willingness to step up has ensured the satisfaction of our customers.”

The award is open to operations and warehouse staff who have been employed by ExpoNet for at least two years, and recommended by either a client or senior ExpoNet employee.

Entries will be judged in two stages, with the Branch Award winners announced at the end of year and the National Winner announced at the company’s annual Kick Off Day in early 2011.

The recent staff breakfasts in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane/Gold Coast were also an opportunity to recognise those long-serving employees who have supported ExpoNet for the past 10, 15 and 20 years.

Those recognised were: Melbourne Branch – Larry Mundell (10 years) and Tobias Jacobsen (10 years); Sydney Branch – Abdul Jamal (10 years), Ivanka Matijasko (10 years), Phu Mai (10 years), Michael Pederson (15 years) and Craig Fairley (20 years).

MEDIA RELEASE

EXPONET LAUNCHES CUSTOM STAND WEBSITE FOR LOCAL & OVERSEAS EXHIBITORS

ExpoNet has launched a new website devoted to the design and construction of custom exhibition stands and event projects for Australian and international exhibitors.

The website – www.customstands.com.au – presents visitors with a host of ideas for creating an impression on the exhibition floor, showcasing images and design descriptions of some of ExpoNet’s most ambitious and imaginative custom stands.
From a small-scale stand built to capture the look and feel of an ice creamery to an elaborate double storey exhibit incorporating an airport lounge and Formula One model car, the online destination features 18 custom stands of varying styles and sizes.

“There is really no limit to what can be achieved with a custom designed exhibition stand,” said Jim Delahunty, CEO, ExpoNet.

“The website is a great platform to not only promote the capabilities of our project managers, designers and production staff, but also to fire the imagination of companies preparing to take part in an exhibition.”

The new website also throws the spotlight on a number of custom projects completed by ExpoNet for clients outside the exhibition arena, along with custom stands built for international exhibitors from countries such as Germany and the USA.

“As the sole Australian member of the Octanorm Service Partner International (OSPI), we have the facility to design a client’s custom stand locally and have it built by an OSPI partner on the other side of the world and vice versa,” said Delahunty.

MEDIA RELEASE

EXPONET AMONG THE WINNERS AT MEA NSW AWARDS NIGHT

ExpoNet was among the big winners at this year’s Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) NSW Awards in Sydney, taking home the award for best Meetings and Events Support Services.

The company was recognised for its outstanding provision of products and services to the conference, meetings and exhibition industry at the gala awards dinner at Doltone House on 18 March.

Jim Delahunty, CEO, ExpoNet said the award was a testament to the dedication of ExpoNet’s team of project managers, designers and production staff and the strength of its network of branches in Sydney, Brisbane/Gold Coast and Melbourne.

"The past year has been both an incredibly demanding and incredibly rewarding one for our company. We’ve successfully serviced some 400 exhibitions and events in more 100 venues across Australia and we couldn’t have achieved this without the hard work of a lot of people,” said Delahunty.

The Support Services category was judged on a number of criteria, including business planning, resource management, financial performance and contribution to the industry.

Delahunty said ExpoNet’s win capped off an eventful couple of months for the company following its change of name from Exhibition Hire / Expo Hire to ExpoNet on 1 February.

“To be recognised by a judging panel of industry experts is a terrific honour, but we are not about to rest on our laurels. The ExpoNet name indicates our direction for the future and the broad range of industry products and services we now provide, and we are working to ensure that 2010 is our most successful year yet,” said Delahunty.

ExpoNet will go on to contest the Support Services category at the MEA National Awards Night, to be held at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 20 April.

NEW NAME FOR AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION INDUSTRY SUPPLIER

1 February 2010: Exhibition Hire / Expo Hire has today changed its name to ExpoNet, unveiling a new website and product brochure and rolling out its new logo across offices in Sydney, Brisbane/Gold Coast and Melbourne.

The ExpoNet name and logo will be seen on all electronic materials from today and added to stationery, vehicles, building signage and staff uniforms in a timely manner throughout 2010.

The ExpoNet website – www.ExpoNet.com.au – features an online ordering catalogue and replaces the separate Exhibition Hire and Expo Hire websites. The old websites will automatically redirect to www.ExpoNet.com.au

Jim Delahunty, CEO, ExpoNet said adoption of the ExpoNet name represented another important step in the ongoing integration strategy initiated following Exhibition Hire’s acquisition of Expo Hire in late 2008.

“Today’s move brings our group of companies, including Exhibition Hire, Expo Hire, the AE Group and Onsite Power & Light, together under one name that encapsulates our combined identity and our network of branches in Sydney, Brisbane/Gold Coast and Melbourne,” said Delahunty.

Established in 1980, Exhibition Hire undertook a significant acquisition program in 2008, acquiring the AE Group in February, Onsite Power & Light in August and Expo Hire in September.

The ExpoNet name was conceived 20 years ago by the principals of Expo Hire and Exhibition Hire when, as two of Australia’s leading exhibition suppliers, they decided a national approach was needed to market the industry and its services.

“The name indicates our direction for the future and reflects the broad range of industry products and services we now provide, including exhibition equipment hire, custom stand design and construction, event signage and graphic services, and lighting and audio visual support,” said Delahunty.

A new product brochure containing ExpoNet’s extensive range of products and packages has been launched today to coincide with the company’s change in name. The brochure integrates the product offerings of Exhibition Hire and Expo Hire, presenting one set of products and prices for clients nationwide.

“The introduction of this brochure provides a greater range of products, enhanced services and cost savings to our clients in NSW, Queensland and Victoria,” said Delahunty.

“However, order forms and other existing marketing materials bearing the Exhibition Hire and Expo Hire logos will remain valid to ensure the switch to ExpoNet is smooth and hassle-free for clients and exhibitors. Every aspect of the name change has been carefully planned to make certain there is no confusion during the transition to ExpoNet.”

Servicing over 400 events per year in more than 100 venues nationwide, ExpoNet is Australia’s largest conference and exhibition industry supplier.