Our Team

As respected leaders in their individual fields, our expert management team has built and operated showroom and trade show facilities around the country. Our large and expert staff of 550 people is fully integrated and capable of executing all aspects of property and trade show management.

Staff members are recruited with specialized industry experience, bringing not only their recognized talents but contacts and relationships with key industry leaders.  We have full-time employees dedicated to every phase of show development and management, including:

Logistics & Operations Management
MMPI has enormous scale and focused expertise in trade show logistics and building operations. Our trade show operations are heralded by exhibitors and third-party show managers as the most user-friendly in the U.S. We run multiple events in different parts of the same facility on a regular basis. In addition, we frequently run multiple events in multiple cities simultaneously. Dedicated teams of maintenance, housekeeping and security are included under the operations umbrella and directly contribute to our day-to-day success.

Sales & Leasing
MMPI sells and markets each of its trade and consumer shows. For each show, we employ dedicated sales and marketing teams. These individuals are recruited from the industries in which they serve and therefore have a unique understanding of manufacturers, buyers and how to maximize exhibitor and attendee presence.

Construction
In addition to building 1,250,000 square feet of temporary trade show facilities in the pre-existing buildings we own, MMPI has vast experience in developing and building trade show halls from the ground up—including two 400,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facilities in High Point, North Carolina.

Marketing Communications
Our full service, in-house marketing communications, public relations and advertising agency is comprised of more than 30 full-time employees. This award-winning group ensures that our markets and events are represented with top-of-the-line communications including advertising, direct mail, list management, print production, e-marketing and press coverage.

Property Management
Our seven-decade history as managers of The Merchandise Mart has given us an unparalleled competitive advantage in the management of market buildings. Today MMPI owns 15 properties and has operations in eight different cities.

Trade Show Development & Acquisition
MMPI has a strong and impressive history in trade show acquisitions and development, including the acquisition of several companies in Canada and trade show management firms throughout the United States. We are continually seeking new business opportunities to compliment and expand our current portfolio.

Trade Show Services
Dedicated to managing the logistics for each exhibitor in our trade and consumer shows, our trade show services division manages every detail from ensuring product delivery at the loading dock to adjusting lighting, carpentry and electric inside the booth, and safely packing materials for return shipment upon closure of the market.

Research
Every aspect of our business is rooted in research. Our in-house research staff is continuously assessing the ever-changing marketplace by monitoring trade publications and industry trends, partnering with hundreds of trade show and industry organizations and eliciting feedback through exhibitor and attendee surveys.

Client Relations
Great customer service is the hallmark of our relationships with our clients. Our client relations and registration department handles advance and on-site registration for every show, as well as the fielding of general questions and requests.

Materials Management
With millions of pounds of freight being delivered to MMPI buildings annually, the management of incoming and outgoing goods is monitored by a full-time department. Our materials management team works with internal departments, as well as exhibitors, on special materials handling, moving services, shipping and receiving, and inspection.

Event Planning
In addition to all of our major trade and consumer shows, our event planning team manages the production of hundreds of meetings and special events a year.

Labor Relations
MMPI prides itself on its strong relationships with a wide range of unions nationwide. For many of our clients and business partners, the line between union and non-union is indistinguishable.