JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Just got back from EDPA ACCESS 2010 held Dec. 1-3, where we flew into JAX in Jacksonville, and then drove down to Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach.

My first activity at the Exhibit Designers and Producers Association’s (EDPA) was the Women in Exhibitions group, which meets at industry trade events. This edition, 15 of us showed up! This was a good turnout for EDPA. We did a kind of free-form discussion and covered user-generated questions and issues. Since it was early in the event, we all got to introduce ourselves and continue the discussion over the next few days.

At the opening trade show cocktails event, the room had a light and airy feel, which was nice for mingling in a professional lounge. Moss had a booth with a new product it was introducing. It was fun to watch a positive response.

The keynotes were good, however not the dynamic motivational speakers of past EDPA’s. These were all gems within our own industry that were allowed to shine in this environment. Each of them addressed change from the point of view of design, which of course I loved.

Education covered from social media to the latest tech gadgets and the challenge of producing outdoor events. Groups gathered throughout the event at group breakfasts and lunches, and each night there were cocktail activities.

I always love the Presidents Ball and silent auction to watch the crowd all dressed up. This year as usual, I was not disappointed. I enjoy people watching, industry talk and formal dinners.

And the awards went to:

The Hazel Hays Award ecognizes an individual for outstanding contribution to the exhibit industry and is open to members and non-members of EDPA. Jack McEntee was awarded the EDPA’s highest honor. An EACA Hall of Fame member, he founded I&D (now Nth Degree) in 1979, the company largely responsible for the creation and refinement of  the I&D labor contractor service category for trade shows.

The Ambassador Award recognizes an EDPA member for outstanding service to the organization. Don Svehla, publisher of Exhibit City News, was recognized for his long-standing support of EDPA, in particular his sponsorship of the Golden Ham Awards at EDPA ACCESS.

The Designer of the Year Award recognizes an individual for his or her contribution to enhancing the professional standards of exhibit designers. Errol Ahearn  of Global Experience Specialists (GES) took the prize.

The Chapter of the Year Award recognizes an EDPA chapter for its excellence and efforts in recruiting, events, fundraising, education and other activities. The Las Vegas Chapter won the prize.

The Eddie Award is the premier awards program recognizing exhibit firms, agencies and suppliers for marketing excellence. 3D Exhibits, an exhibit and event design, fabrication and management agency, earned the first place Eddie Award for the second consecutive year in the large trade show exhibit category. 3D Exhibits won for “EVOLVE,” the integrated trade show marketing program it created and implemented at EXHIBITOR2010. First place for online programs went to Derse, while first place for printed matter was awarded to ProExhibits.

The new EDPA president is Rob Cohen of DS&L, who replaces John Rose.