Fanatics Fest - soccer Liberty. When attendees walk into a convention hall, brands have just a few seconds to capture their attention. That's why more event organizers and exhibitors are turning to giant custom inflatables to create unforgettable first impressions. At Fanatics Fest 2026, Bigger Than Life partnered with Freeman to produce a 32-foot-tall Statue of Liberty reimagined as a soccer player, suspended high above the Javits Center scoring a goal. Building on the success of the 32-foot basketball-themed Statue of Liberty Bigger Than Life created for the previous year's event. These bigger than life installations became instant landmarks - appearing throughout attendee photos, videos, media coverage, and social media feeds. Giant inflatables do more than decorate a venue - they become destination pieces. They help attendees navigate massive event spaces, create highly shareable photo opportunities, reinforce event themes, and generate organic exposure that extends well beyond the convention floor. Whether it's a trade show, fan convention, product launch, esports tournament, or brand activation, custom inflatables deliver the scale, visual impact, and memorability that traditional signage simply can't match. If you're looking to create an event attendees will remember - and share - think bigger.

Freeman Events & Exhibits names New president. July 14, 2026 The Freeman Company announced in early July that Chris Schimek, a 21-year veteran of the firm, has been promoted to president of Freeman Events & Exhibits, which manages exhibits and show logistics for many Fortune 500 companies plus large nonprofits such as Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, with 30,000 attendees and more than 1,000 exhibiting companies. Schimek has been chief operating officer of Freeman Exhibits & Events for three and a half years. He led teams that plan, produce and execute thousands of live events each year while helping to modernize operations and furthering a reputation for trusted partnerships and commitment to clients. Prior to being COO, Schimek was executive vice president, delivery and brand experience for five years. According to Janet Dell, CEO of The Freeman Company, the parent firm for Freeman Exhibits & Events, Freeman AV Production, mdg, Sparks, Studio Blue and other divisions, Schimek's breadth of expertise was a central factor in his promotion. "Chris has spent his career proving that operations are the client experience," she said. "When thousands of events come together flawlessly, it's because someone made sure nothing was left to chance. He's done that for nearly three decades, and he's done it while building the kind of trust with employees, clients, and partners that you can't shortcut. There's no one I'd rather have bringing Freeman Events & Exhibits into its next chapter." Schimek is also a respected industry leader, formerly serving as president of the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association. He was recently appointed as an employer trustee for Teamsters Education and Career Help, part of the Teamsters National Training Trust. Schimek has also built partnerships with venues, DMCs and labor organizations to advance workforce development across the industry. "I'm honored by the opportunity to lead this remarkable team," said Schimek. "Freeman is my home, and I'm grateful to the colleagues, clients, and partners who have been part of that journey. Together, we'll continue building on our strong foundation, investing in our people, and delivering the exceptional experiences our customers expect." Rob Carey | Content Manager, Features & News Rob Carey serves as content manager, news and features for Meetings Today, where he leads coverage of the latest trends, happenings, data and insights related to corporate meetings and incentives as well as association conventions and exhibitions. Carey has been covering the business-events industry since 1992, when he was hired as an intern at Successful Meetings magazine in New York while still a student at Columbia University. During his 15 years at SM's parent company Nielsen, Carey moved steadily through the ranks to become editorial director for Successful Meetings, Meeting News and the Meeting World conference and exhibition. SM and MN won several FOLIO: Eddie Awards for editorial coverage during his tenure. Carey then spent 11 years as principal of Meetings & Hospitality Insight, covering not just the MICE market for various industry publications but also writing about business disciplines such as hotel management, golf-facility management, small-business operations, middle-market leadership and others. For several years he wrote the annual trends white paper for the International Association of Conference Centers. In 2018, Carey became a senior content producer for MeetingsNet, an Informa media brand, and a panel moderator for Informa's Pharma Forum annual event. Come September 2025, he moved to Meetings Today. A native of New York, Carey now resides in the Phoenix/Scottsdale metro area with his wife Kelley and their dog Ziggy.

Executive interview series: Martin Moggré, Chief Client Officer at Freeman. How Freeman is transforming visitor experience and exhibitor engagement to keep trade shows relevant and impactful June 12, 2026 In this interview conducted during the National Restaurant Association Show, Martin Moggré, Chief Client Officer at Freeman, shares how the company is pioneering innovation in the trade show industry. From data-driven personalization to cutting-edge digital scans of venues, this discussion breaks down how Freeman is transforming visitor experience and exhibitor engagement to keep trade shows relevant and impactful. Key topics: * How Freeman has restructured to showcase expertise across specialized brands * The importance of innovation fueled by data collection and customer insights * Strategies for engaging multi-generational audiences with tailored learning experiences * Digital transformation initiatives, including exhibitor dashboards and venue scanning technology * Future trends in sponsorship leveraging new digital tools Danica Tormohlen, who has reported on the trade show industry since 1994, currently oversees content for TSNN as the VP of Group Content for Meetings|Travel|Sports at Informa Connect. Previously, she served as content director, publisher and editor-in-chief for the Society of Independent Show Organizers, editor at large at Trade Show Executive, and editor-In-chief and publisher of EXPO magazine. She also serves as president of the Women in Exhibitions Network North America. Connect with Danica on LinkedIn or Twitter. Jun 12, 2026 Jun 5, 2026 Jun 4, 2026 May 26, 2026 TSNN is the No. 1 online news source for the trade show industry - stay 'in the know' by receiving your free e-newsletters covering a variety of market sectors. TSNN Top 250 Dashboard