The history of GES includes many founding fathers of the exhibition and events industry. 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 70s, 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.
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 exhibition 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 exhibition and event contractors. That same year in June, GES also acquired Puliz of Utah, Inc., a noted exhibition and corporate events company with locations in Reno and Salt Lake City.
In October 1998, Panex, Canada's largest exhibition and event-marketing company changed its name to GES CANADA Exposition Services Limited.
January 2000 brought the appointment of Paul Dykstra as president and chief executive officer of GES. Dykstra joined GES after 15 years with sister company, Travelers Express where he was executive vice president of Retail Payment Products.
At the end of 2002, GES opened a new flagship operation in Las Vegas. Located on 54 acres of land, the facility provides state of the art production capabilities for its highly skilled employees.
In 2003, GES’ National ServicenterSM relocated to a 10,600 square foot cutting-edge facility located within GES’ Las Vegas flagship operations. The move allowed GES to provide even greater levels of service to its exhibitors nationwide and operates during all North American business hours.
GES acquired Pro Show Services, a leading convention services contractor based in Edmonton, Alberta in May 2004. The purchase allowed GES CANADA to complement its service offerings in Western Canada.
On January 1, 2006, Dykstra left GES to head its parent-company Viad, and Kevin Rabbitt was appointed president and chief executive officer.
In February 2007, GES acquired Melville Exhibition and Event Services, the largest exhibition contractor in the United Kingdom, and exhibition registration and database services company CTS, forming the GES Worldwide Network. Melville is based on site at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre – The NEC, ExCeL in London, GMEX in Manchester, and near the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow. Annually, Melville serves 30,000 exhibitors and provides shell scheme (similar to a show organizer package) for 300 events.
In June 2007, GES CANADA acquired Poitras Exposition Services, the largest exhibition services company in Quebec City. The acquisition strengthens GES CANADA’s leading market position throughout Canada.
In November 2007, GES further solidified its commitment to providing industry-leading, value-added exhibition and event consultation with the acquisition of the ethnoMETRICS business, a leading consulting company focused on bringing retail store behavioral research to the exhibition floor.
Today, GES Exposition Services serves more than 3,000 events annually. To meet the growing needs of the industry, GES has invested record amounts in technology innovations which provide data and applications to better serve its show organizer and exhibitor clients. GES has also invested in carpet, furnishings and equipment and the company continues to research the most eco-friendly products available. GES maintains its leadership in design and production technology, and provides solid employee training and superior service to its clients throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and in Abu Dhabi.
For Kevin Rabbitt and the team of more than 1,800 GES Worldwide Network employees, the goal is to provide high-quality, hassle-free, value-added service for clients throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Abu Dhabi. This is the GES tradition of excellence.
