Mark Epstein – Founder/CEO
As an innovator in the trade-show industry for decades, Mark Epstein has learned what many of his competitors never have: Change is good. As founder and CEO of one of the fastest growing trade show companies in history, Mark built a solid record of success for his customers by developing new methods of problem-solving. In the process, he has reinvented everything from shipping to creative design to communications technology.
But Mark has always kept his eyes on the prize – making every trade show the very best it can be.
The company Mark founded before NexxtShow ultimately became one of the largest trade show companies in the United States, Champion Exposition Services, achieving more than a quarter of a billion dollars in sales. Yet even during its biggest growth years, Mark saw room for improvement, focusing on professional employee training to raise industry performance standards and create an unprecedented level of customer service.
NexxtShow is the result of Mark’s vision and experience. His goal, and that of his new company, is to change the traditional trade show service model. “Here,” he says, “exceptional service delivery drives every action, innovation and operational decision. We are not a ‘General Service Contractor’, we are a professional service company with the emphasis on ‘professional.’ Our job is to bring the ‘Wow Factor’ to every facet of the trade show experience.”
Matthew Epstein – President
Matt Epstein quite literally grew up in the trade show industry. Starting in high school, he worked on show floors, fielded customer calls, loaded trucks – in short, whatever needed doing. He experienced what was good, not- so-good and just plain ugly about the industry – hands-on and face-to-face.
After college, he took a break from the trade show world, putting his Finance degree from Babson College to work as an investment banker, focusing on technology and emerging growth companies. Yet it wasn’t long before he felt the itch to get back into the family business, rejoining Champion Exposition Services in a variety of management positions.
As President of NexxtShow, Matt shares the view that it is time to raise the standards of the industry. “With NexxtShow, my focus will be on building a new model for the industry,” Matt says. ”Based on an unprecedented commitment to service, this model is enabled by the latest technology and fresh, innovative approaches.
With the launch of NexxtShow, Matt and his team have created a company ready, willing and able to usher in the next generation of trade show management.
John Szymczak – Executive Vice President
John’s adventure in the trade show industry began shortly after graduating from Virginia Tech University with a degree in Marketing Education, when he accepted a position with Andrews Bartlett. Displaying a feel for the industry early, John took what he learned in his first training program and fine-tuned the process to create the company’s first account-executive training course.
When Andrews Bartlett was purchased by GES in 1994 John became a Senior National Account Executive and opened and managed the company’s Philadelphia office. John joined Champion Exposition Services in 1999, opening the company’s D.C. office, and was promoted to VP of National Accounts in 2005.
John’s success formula is simple: “I always ask myself, ‘Is this is in the best interest of my customer?’ And if it is, I do it. If you provide great service to your show manager and exhibitors, everything will turn out great.”
John has joined NexxtShow as the Executive Vice President to bring new and exciting changes to an industry that he has always been so passionate about.
Scott Ceurvels – General Manager
Scott Ceurvels has more than two decades of professional experience in all aspects of general service contracting for tradeshows.
Starting in 1991 as a part-time CAD operator with Champion Exposition Services, Scott spent the next 20 years at Champion, expanding upon his professional skills while establishing and launching various departments within the company. As Champion’s National CAD Director, he implemented most all of the company’s best practices and standards. As National SST Manager, he re-tooled the Modular Display department. In early 2000, Scott was tasked with creating an exhibit sales department.
In 2009 he rose to the position of Vice President of Product Development. In October 2010, Scott joined forces with NexxtShow, and his former Mentor and founder of Champion Exposition Services Mark Epstein. Scott is excited to bring his expertise to bear in the service of NexxtShow’s growing roster of clients.
Scott studied Architectural Engineering and Construction Drafting at Wentworth Institute of Technology, in Boston Massachusetts.
Anita Bota – National Account Executive
Anita was introduced to the tradeshow industry early, beginning in 1988 as an intern in the CAD department at Champion Exposition Services. Almost literally growing up with the company, she attained increasing levels of responsibility within Champion before being tabbed to oversee production nationwide. Under Anita’s direction as Graphics Director, Champion became the first general services contractor to bring both signage and props in-house. She was later promoted to National Account Executive.
As National Account Executive at NexxtShow, Anita looks forward to challenging the industry as only NexxtShow can.
“As a boutique contractor, NexxtShow can guarantee customers the attention they need and the new ideas they deserve,” Anita says.
Anita holds a dual degree from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Computer Science and Technical Management.
Dave Connor – Chief Customer Officer
Dave is an experienced team member that began his industry career in 1998 with Hill & Partners, a custom exhibit house. As a project manager he learned the tradeshow fundamentals and quickly grew into an account executive role to become the company’s highest achieving Senior Account Executive. In 2005 Dave joined Champion Exposition Services to drive the Custom Exhibits department. With his strong vision and leadership abilities, the department showed unprecedented growth. Dave has a strong expertise in all facets of the tradeshow industry- sales, workflow and production.
Dave studied Architectural Engineering and Construction Drafting at Wentworth Institute of Technology, in Boston Massachusetts and Graphic Design at Bridgewater State College in Bridgewater, MA
Sheri Ryder – Chief Information Officer
Sheri Ryder is responsible for establishing the service culture and supporting the technological vision of NexxtShow, LLC.
Having worked for the last 15 years with one of the largest general service contractors in the country, Champion Exposition Services, Sheri arrives at NexxtShow with a range of industry experience that is both broad and deep. She began her career overseeing the design and rapid development of both these departments, rising to Director of Exhibitor Services and Finance. More recently, Sheri was Chief Technology Officer, providing vision and leadership for all technology initiatives.
Says Sheri, “I plan to leverage my experience to ensure that NexxtShow’s culture of unsurpassed service resonates with each and every one of our customers.”
Sheri holds a bachelors degree in Business Administration from University of Dayton, Ohio and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Mike Collins- Senior Vice President National Sales
Mike has literally worked his way up through the ranks of the trade show industry not unlike his time climbing the ranks in the Marine Corp. After returning from the Gulf War while attending the University of Maryland Mike worked for Freeman Decorating on nights and weekends as a part time carpenter when second shift work was needed.
He went on to sell and manage custom exhibits at The Aaron Group for one year before moving on to Hargrove Inc where he spent 10 years as the Senior Account Executive and helped launch the trade show division of that company.
After a brief leave of absence to pursue an opportunity as a professional race car driver and team owner, Mike returned to the industry with the same passion and belief that the trade show industry could be better and joined NexxtShow as the Senior Vice President of National Sales in our Washington, DC office.
“I started my career as a United States Marine where excellence was commonplace. Having that drive and determination instilled in my foundation early on has helped me exceed the expectations of others, build trust, and deliver on promises throughout my career,” said Collins. ”I am thrilled to be joining a cutting edge company with product innovations and levels of service that are setting new standards in the industry. I look forward to the challenges and rewards that come with being an innovator and leader in the industry