A Sudbury advertising agency has joined the upper echelon of professional marketers.
Johnny Grano, co-founder of Creative Odyssey Marketing and Design Inc., has achieved the distinction as a Certified Trade Show Marketer, one of only 119 in North America.
The marketing certification program is hosted by Exhibitor, a recognized publishing and conference event leader in tradeshow and corporate event marketing.
The Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) program is also affiliated with Northern Illinois University.
The course revolves around reviewing the basics and newest trends of tradeshow and event marketing in developing an effective show and staffing program.
It covers such topics as what shows companies should attend, where their booth should be positioned and how it should be furnished, how to train personnel working the show, how to conduct surveys, track results and leads.
The course is offered at the annual Exhibitors show in Las Vegas, as well as through accelerated programs at other sponsored sub-shows during the year. It involves an intensive three-hour exam and a portfolio requirement.
Grano says the skills training he offers eliminates the trial-and-error most companies often make in attending tradeshows.
“Trade shows are big industry and companies spend a lot of money going to shows,” says Grano. “A lot of companies don’t get a good bang for their dollar, and what the course does is allows us to choose the correct show (for the client) and make it their worth their while going.”
Grano’s five-employee Westmount Avenue firm started out 10 years ago as a small side venture together with wife Maurissa, a registered graphic designer, who worked at another Sudbury advertising firm while Johnny worked as a marketing manager for a real estate developer.
Eventually the business grew into a full-time enterprise. The company won a Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce small office-home office award in 1999.
“We thought we had a distinct advantage in combining our resources and having our own company.
“In having good connections throughout the city, companies gave us a good opportunity to show what we can do.”
His company provides traditional and new media advertising solutions ranging from logo design and corporate identities in posters, brochures, print layout to interactive CD, web design and presentations.
