Consolidation involving GES aims to improve trade show contractor’s efficiency

The parent company of Las Vegas trade show and convention contractor GES Exposition Services plans to consolidate back-of-the-house operations in an effort to increase efficiency.

On Monday Viad Corp., announced it will consolidate GES and Exhibitgroup/Giltspur under the name Viad’s Marketing and Events Group.

Viad officials said the two entities will continue, “to work under their individual brands,” but, “be collaborating more closely as they come together under one business unit.”

The company did not state exactly how employees will be affected but did report GES president and CEO Kevin Rabbitt would leave his position Sept. 30.

Rabbitt joined the company in 2002 and became president and CEO on Jan. 1, 2006.

Locally, the company has about 700 employees and hires thousands more to work on shows it produces at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Sands Expo Center, Mandalay Bay Convention Center and other venues.

Exhibitgroup/Giltspur president and CEO John Jastrem will head the new structure.

The goal of the reorganization is to streamline cooperation between GES, which mainly services show organizers and Exhibitgroup/Giltspur, which focuses on exhibitors.

More cohesive efforts between the two groups could generate more marketing and promotion opportunities at shows, he said.

Jastrem said he doesn’t expect layoffs in Las Vegas.

“I don’t anticipate there will be major net changes,” Jaestrom said.

Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861.