A Little Local History

THE HISTORY OF GES

The history of GES includes many founding fathers of the special events and tradeshow decorating business. The company dates back to 1939, when Chuck and Leon Manne founded Manncraft in Kansas City specializing in signs, window trimmings and small displays. During World War II, Ben Rittmaster joined Manncraft as a partner, later becoming its first president. During the 50s and 60s, Manncraft added booth stock as part of its new Exhibitor Service Division and expanded by opening offices in Omaha, Miami, Tampa, Atlanta and New Orleans.

In 1969, The Greyhound Corporation purchased Manncraft and growth through acquisitions began. In the early 70’s, offices were opened in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and San Diego through acquisition and organic growth. In 1973, Greyhound acquired Las Vegas Convention Services Company, and the stronghold in Las Vegas began.

In 1979, Manncraft changed its name to Greyhound Exposition Services and GES was born. By 1981, Nort Rittmaster, Ben’s son, was named President and CEO of GES. Dramatic Growth in the 90’s

GES expanded into the Pacific Northwest in 1991 through acquisitions in Seattle and Portland. By the end of 1992, GES was headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in most major west coast cities. At this point the company had 500 full-time employees.

Recognizing the projected growth of the tradeshow industry, GES decided to establish nationwide service. In May 1993, GES made the largest acquisition in its history, by purchasing United Exposition Service Company whose city operations included virtually every major convention market east of the Mississippi.

With the United acquisition, Greyhound Exposition Services changed its name to GES Exposition Services to reflect "The New GES." In August 1993, Nort Rittmaster was promoted to chairman and chief executive officer for GES. 

In October 1993, GES acquired Andrews, Bartlett & Associates, a major regional contractor based in Hudson, Ohio and in November of the same year acquired Gelco Convention Services, based in Miami, enhancing the Orlando operation. 

During early 1995, GES expanded into Canada through the acquisition of Panex Show Services and Stampede Display and Convention Services, gaining offices in Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton. By June of that year, Concept Convention Service had joined the GES family, with offices in Phoenix, Tucson and Albuquerque.

GES acquired ESR Exposition Services in May 1998, one of New York City's leading tradeshow and event contractors. That same year in June, GES also acquired Puliz of Utah, Inc., a noted tradeshow and corporate events company with locations in Reno and Salt Lake City. 

In October 1998, Panex, Canada's largest trades and event-marketing company changed its name to GES CANADA Exposition Services Limited.

January 2000 brought the appointment of Paul Dykstra as President and CEO for GES. Dykstra joined GES after 15 years with sister company, Travelers Express where he was Executive Vice President of Retail Payment Products.

Today, GES Exposition Services serves more than 3,000 events shows annually. To meet the growing needs of the industry, GES has invested record amounts in carpet, furnishings and equipment; maintains its leadership in design and production technology; has solid employee training; and provides superior service to its clients throughout the United States and Canada.

Donald S. “Buck” Freeman was born in 1902 and raised in Sibley, Iowa. In 1921 he entered the University of Iowa where, as a pledge of a national fraternity, he enjoyed decorating fraternity parties throughout the year. The success of decorating fraternity and sorority parties led Freeman to form the New Idea Service Company in Iowa City, Iowa, in 1923. The “idea” grew and the company expanded into larger universities and state schools.

In 1927 Freeman opened the first Freeman Decorating Company (FDC) office in Des Moines, Iowa. The next 15 years led to expansion for FDC through the purchases of other decorating companies.

During World War II Freeman redirected his work to support the war effort by spray painting government barracks, hospitals and striping airport runways. Freeman Contractors, Inc. was formed to handle this special government work, including extensive camouflage work at certain training airports.

After the war Freeman continued with his decorating business in the state of Iowa. In 1950 FDC was asked to build an exhibit at the Texas State Fair. Freeman then opened an office and warehouse in Dallas, which eventually became the Company’s headquarters in 1974. Freeman Decorating Ltd. (FDL), the Canadian division, was opened in 1988. Hoffend Xposition, a full-service contracting firm, also joined the Freeman family of companies in 2001.

In 1961, Freeman added full-service freight and material handling services through the purchase of Sullivan Transfer Company. In 2003, Sullivan’s convention division became part of Freeman Decorating; the specialized rigging and heavy haul division is now known as Sullivan Rigging.

With the help of a designer, Freeman solicited business for the 1966 International Petroleum Exposition. This laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Freeman Design Display division of the company, which officially opened in August 1967. FDD changed its name in April 1989 to Freeman Exhibit Company (FEC) to more accurately describe the services of the company.

In 1975 Freeman purchased controlling interest in AVW Audio Visual, Inc. A national full-service audio visual company, AVW operates with a complete inventory of audio visual and computer rentals, meeting and convention services, custom equipment sales and installation, and software production. In 2001, AVW merged with Canadian-based TELAV Audio Visual Services to form the most comprehensive resource for audio visual and presentation technology needs in North America, called AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions.

In 1997 a full-service trade show air freight company, Freeman Air, became the sixth company within The Freeman Companies. The company expanded in 1999 to become Freeman Transportation, a full-service global exhibit transportation group, including common carrier, van line, air freight and small package services.

In 2000, Stage Rigging, Inc. joined the group of companies to add another specialized resource. Stage Rigging is a diversified theatrical rigging company that provides a full range of rigging services on a global basis for theatrical tours, corporate events, and expositions.

The Freeman family of companies also includes Party Time Rentals in Ottawa, providing event and catering rental equipment, and Kerry Technical Services in Toronto to provide full-service electrical support for events and expositions.

Freeman’s son, Donald S. Freeman, Jr., was named President of the company in 1972 and currently serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Freeman Companies.

“Buck” Freeman died on February 5, 1977. He devoted more than 50 years to the convention and trade show industry. In 1985 the Convention Industry Council named “Buck” Freeman as one of the original 11 Industry Hall of Leaders for his major contributions to the growth and professionalism of the meeting and trade show industry. In 1993 Don Freeman was also inducted into the Convention Industry Council’s Hall of Leaders.

As a result of growth and expansion through the years, The Freeman Companies now operates 78 offices in 43 cities in North America, with over 3,500 full-time employee owners, and is currently one of the largest full-service contractors in North America for expositions, conventions, corporate events and exhibit programs.

The Freeman Companies is a privately held corporation. Stock in the company is held by the Freeman family and all full-time employee owners through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, with the employee owners currently owning 38% of company stock.

THE HISTORY OF SDC

Joe Sheppard started in the tradeshow business in 1955 with Southwest Decorators in Houston, Texas. He moved to Los Angeles in 1960 to work for Jones Decorating Co., then went to Denver in 1965 to join Paradice Decorating Co. Sheppard returned to Los Angeles in 1967 and worked with most of the area's major contractors. Three years later, he became General Foreman at Manncraft, which was later purchased by Greyhound Exhibition Services. He returned to Paradice Decorating in Burbank in 1972

The highlight of his career at Paradice was his work on the 1984 Olympic Games. James Vaughn, President of Paradice Decorating told Tradeshow Week (Vol 26. No 2), "Joe was the key person making decisions on our operations involving the Olympic venues. We couldn't have done it without him.". Under Sheppard's direction, Paradice provided decorating services at the Memorial Coliseum, the Olympic Village at USC, the Los Angeles Sports Arena, the MacDonnalds Swim Stadium and Exposition Park.

Sheppard Decorating was launched in May 1986 and was the decorator for the MAGIC show (Men's Apparel Guild in California) later that year. Sheppard Decorating in currently one of the largest family owned and operated, full service trade show and convention contractors in the United States.

Joe Sheppard passed away on November 26, 1995 after a five-year battle with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Darlene; his son Joseph, and grandchildren, Christian, Erin and Casey. Sheppard Decorating Co., Inc. continues to operate and grow in his memory.