Even with a slight dip in revenues for GES in the second quarter this year mainly due to negative show rotation, from $320.1 million to $315.3 million, that’s not what may have caught someone’s attention after their latest earnings call.

As is the trend with what used to be traditional general service contracting companies, GES continues to go outside of this core offering and grow its business in a myriad of ways.

“During our earnings call, I … shared that we’re strengthening our partnerships with clients through our offerings that enhance the attendee experience,” said GES/Viad President and CEO Steve Moster.

He added, “One example, our recent work on the annual meeting for the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). We’ve expanded our scope of work with ASTRO and renewed our contract.’ 

Moster said they also are seeing growth in corporate event clients.

“We recently expanded our relationship with a leading tech company and will produce two of its corporate events in the third quarter of 2018,” he added.

Moster said, “Additionally, we won the corporate event business for Bright Horizons Family Solutions, a leading provider of pre-school and early education services throughout the U.S. and U.K.”

This past quarter, GES provided stage design, audio, video and lighting technology services, along with supporting breakout sessions and an exhibit area for Bright Horizons’ leadership event.

“This is one of a series of five events that we will produce for Bright Horizons this year,” Moster said.  

GES also expanded its venue-based audio-visual production services through a new contract with the San Diego Convention Center. 

During the second quarter, ON Services, a GES company, took over as the preferred provider of audio visual services and the exclusive provider of production rigging services.

“We have successfully delivered a number of events, and we look forward to growing our services in the future,” Moster said.

This past quarter, GES also won a contract to provide engagement technology solutions at the Youth Olympics games in Buenos Aires later this year.

“Our team will provide a unique engagement experience through a gamification approach that will create networking opportunities and richer interaction among the attendees at the games,” Moster said.

He added, “We’re excited to provide a full scope of services to clients, and I’m very proud of the dedication of our team as we continue to position GES as the preferred global, full-service provide for live events.”

As far as how the second half of 2018 looks to be shaping up for GES, Moster said, “Overall, our businesses are performing well and I remain encouraged by the opportunities that lie ahead of us. We expect GES to benefit from positive show rotation and continued same-show growth during the second half of 2018.”