Twenty years of delivering peace of mind half a world away!

What was going on 20 years ago?

• Myspace was the coolest thing around, and Zuckerberg launched Facebook
• The original Star Wars trilogy was released on DVD for the first time
• Lost premiered, and Friends ended
• Web 2.0 was big because it took users from consumption to participation
• Livestrong bracelets and Uggs were everywhere
• Gmail was born
• The Boston Red Sox won the World Series for the first time since 1918
• Shrek was the #1 movie, and Disney released The Incredibles.
• Sony released its PSP in Japan

And, in other news from Japan, a guy from Iowa opened an exhibit company in Japan. What?? True. With a degree in exhibit design from Bemidji State, Chris Dorn decided to fill a need for global exhibitors who wanted to take their products and services to new markets in the APAC region. He initially created his company, Idea International, to bridge the gap between North American exhibitors and the APAC region in a way no one else could. He understood North American exhibitors because he had worked for two US exhibit companies before moving to Japan. He spoke English, so he understood  what clients wanted. Before Idea opened, he taught English while learning to speak Japanese from his students—and, of course, from his wife and her family. 

Any entrepreneur will tell you, especially after 20 years, that success is a long and winding road with the occasional detour—or even roadblock–along the way. And for Idea, there were some really big roadblocks—like the SARS epidemic, the economic crisis of 2008, and, of course, COVID-19, which, in addition to shutting down the event industry, shrunk the Tokyo Olympics to a shadow of everyone’s expectations. During COVID-19, some thought we were seeing the end of the exhibit and event world. But Idea survived it all, and now, two years post-Covid, business is stronger than ever. Idea has expanded its mission to working around the globe.

The APAC region was ready for a company like Idea International with the drive, knowledge, and ability to build relationships. In retrospect, many exhibitors from North America tend to lump together all the countries Idea serves. But, when you work with Idea, you understand that Asia is a continent, not a country—and the differences from one country to another, particularly when it comes to the exhibiting environment—are profound. The team at Idea knows and understands these differences and educates exhibitors about them—whether materials, labor, organizers, and culture—so that not only do those exhibitors have successful shows, but they are repeat customers. Idea’s business grew from positive word-of-mouth as exhibitors observed Idea’s best-in-class service and professionalism.

Finally, the success of Idea International stems from an understanding of the culture: the importance of relationships, the building of trust, and adopting business etiquette and communication. Then, there are relationships with clients, whether exhibitors or exhibit partners in other parts of the world, who see the value of working with Idea. Working with Idea, your team will encourage you to get away from the expo halls and experience the excitement and beauty of the countries half a world away from your world while the Idea team ensures your exhibit communicates your brand messages.

So here’s to 20 years of growth, relationships, and peace of mind—and to 20 more!