ELITeXPO

For over 20 years, ELITeXPO has operated as a freight forwarder specializing in shipping to trade shows and conventions. They also supply storage and property management of exhibit properties. In addition, they provide supporting tradeshow services including installation and dismantling, display storage, on-line inventory management, flooring, and carpet. 

Founded in 1987 by David and Leslie Mihalik as Elite Cargo, they focused themselves as a carrier of computer hardware, software. and high tech materials. In 1990, a name change to ELITeXPO Cargo Systems was required when the cargo mix had changed from high tech to trade show and trade show materials. Larger facilities and airport access prompted a move to Bensenville outside of Chicago’s O’Hare airport. As the company grew, its services expanded and a local cartage business was created.

After a few years it was evident that Trade Show Transportation was going to be the focus and the future of the company. The local cartage operation was sold to further advance the strategy of growing trade show shipping services worldwide. From that point ELITeXPO immediately experienced rapid growth in shipments between points in North America.

ELITeXPO continued on its path of tradeshow industry innovations and high-level shipping service. In 2002, a facility was purchased in South Elgin, Illinois to accommodate future requirements and to assist in the equity growth of the company. The new facility has customized offices, a Freight Operations atrium, a recreation/media room, and state-of-the-art technology wired throughout. 

Their management, operations, customer service, and accounting staff all work in the corporate office. Their sales staff all work in remote office locations throughout the United States in San Diego, CA, St. Louis, MO, Austin, TX, Phoenix, AZ, Boston, MA, Las Vegas, NV,. and Chicago, IL.

ELITeXPO became very aware of the need to establish a Green Program for the company. In 2007, a team was assembled to establish goals, format a corporate policy, and implement all the necessary changes to improve the environmental impact of their offices, employees, and the impact of their participation in the tradeshow industry. They became a top-score earning partner in the U.S. EPA’s SmartWay Transport program. They also began offsetting the effects of tradeshow shipping by purchasing and planting a tree for every shipment they send to a tradeshow through American Forests.

ELITeXPO continues to remain committed to providing the best value for the dollar in the event industry. They always make themselves available to their customers 24-7-365 days a year. They know that no matter where, no matter when, no matter how...the tradeshow must go on. 

At ELITeXPO, their entire team values the responsibility and utmost importance of complete customer service and satisfaction. Their emphasis on being customer centric has afforded them 20+ years as a trusted partner for many in the tradeshow/event industry. 

When I asked ELITeXPO's David Mihalik, their CEO and current TSEA Board Member, about what really differentiates ELITeXPO from their competitors,  Dave, who is a recipient of the  2009 EACA Intrepid Award  for his contributions to the trade show industry, told me that, "There is no doubt that all the main players can lay claim to being superior as a service provider, but what really separates all the key players? ELITeXPO believes the key factors that differentiates us from many of our competitors are:

• Size - Relative to most of our clients, this is a positive differentiation for ELITeXPO. Perhaps not as obvious but more meaningful in their eyes is the relative importance that our clients enjoy in working with ELITeXPO, when compared to some of our larger competitors within the industry. Our clients never become just another account; instead, they receive the best that ELITeXPO has to offer- a much larger fish in a slightly smaller pond.

• Vision - Senior management at ELITeXPO has always put an emphasis on customer satisfaction as opposed to customer monetary value. If they are without customer satisfaction, they will be without customer retention. Without customer retention, we simply cannot be financially successful. Bottom line, we want to play a part in our client’s success. Our goal is to help our customers present their brand and product on the show floor and at that special event resulting in increased sales.

• Team Effort - Yes, every account has its ‘go to person’, but that’s not the only place the magic happens. We have always recognized that without our people and their dedication to the common goal of doing the best they can, we would be no different than the next competitor. We are very proud of our low turnover rate and the caliber of individual that wants to be a part of their team. We all learn from each other, but more importantly, we also recognize that we can learn from their clients. We are a passionate group that wants to exchange their ideas with their customers, and hope that they embrace the same passion and willingness to share their vision with ELITeXPO."

In 2009, ELITeXPO launched its Tradeshow Services division, once again expanding its service offerings to meet the growing needs of their clients. Their Tradeshow Services division is a perfect complement to their founding core discipline offering their customers full Property Management of their exhibits. These new offerings include the following;

• Installation and Dismantle Services - Their extensive network of professional I & D teams will give customers peace of mind, offering coverage from coast to coast.

• Display Storage

      
Their warehouse is climate controlled and all contents contained within the facility are insured. The warehouse facility is secured and locked at all times as per Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations. All employees with access to the warehouse have had security clearance through the TSA. No access to their warehouse is allowed without an approved escort. The warehouse is also under 24 hour video surveillance.

• Online Secure Inventory Control - Customers’ properties are digitally photographed and categorized prior to storage at their facility. All properties are constantly assessed as to their condition, relevance, and potential future use. Their inventory control software is a secure 24/7, on-line site, only available to registered users that have been approved by the client. ELITeXPO continually works to improve their means to communicate and interact with their clients through digital solutions, new technologies, and their internal and external workflow process.

• Expert Tradeshow Shipping - They ship exclusively for the tradeshow and event industry. With ELITeXPO managing their customers’ exhibit booth properties, they know the clients’ schedule and all their related logistical requirements. It is their experience and attention to details that has earned them the trust of their customers for over 20 years. Their shipping services range from Same-Day Air to Super-Deferred 5-7 Day Ground and include every option in between. They also offer customized Show Management Programs, Exclusive-use Vehicles for Local / Coast-to-Coast / Trans-border Shipping, All-Risk Cargo Insurance, Web Tracking, and Real-time E-mail Status Notifications.

• Flooring and Carpet - They are proud to represent the top manufacturer in exhibit flooring. They offer the widest selection of products with unparalleled customer support.

Dave Mihalik went on to explain that customers choose ELITeXPO because of their expertise across multiple integrated core services. Their mission is "to be the best Tradeshow/Event services company in the industry and the best face-to-face marketing communications partner for their clients – the company that corporations who place a high value on their event marketing trust most, the company exhibit/event professionals most want to work with, and the company that puts the customer’s requirements first."

As technology continues to evolve, ELITeXPO strives to offer new and innovative possibilities to their clients. The company and their clients that will grow the most and prosper will be those who master the ability to leverage continuous improvement and innovative solutions.

ELITeXPO has many industry membership affiliations including: Trade Show Exhibitors Association, Exhibition Services & Contractors Association, Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Association, Exhibit Designers & Producers Association, Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association, and the International Air Cargo Association of Chicago.

Dave explained that "ELITeXPO has been a proud member of Trade Show Exhibitors Association for 18 years, and we have always felt that our membership and participation has afforded our team a valuable resource for leading-edge education and networking in the exhibit and event industry. Their # 1 priority is to help us succeed as face-to-face marketing professionals, and, as a board member, I am proud to be part of their efforts.”

As we ended the interview, Dave told me that "ELITeXPO is proud to offer our services in ensuring the success of all of the tradeshow/event efforts of our customers. Together with our customers, we can enhance the effectiveness and reach of our client’s marketing message, across the country in the face-to-face marketing environment. ELITeXPO understands that is exactly what every exhibitor wants and needs. We know down to the smallest detail what it takes to deliver a stress-free tradeshow experience every time and we strive to make sure it happens."

 

Jose Sancen is Membership Development
Trade Show Exhibitors Association