News

SCS continues to expand its fabrication capability with the purchase of a MultiCam CNC Router with tool changer. The new routing system was operational in May 2010 and gives SCS superior capability to produce 3D letters and shapes requiring fine finishing work. The table size is 50” by 100” with the added feature of six tool changers.

This equipment has improved finishing capability for our clients. “Our previous router was good primarily for roughing operations, like ribs for wall structures, door frames, etc. The MulitCam router is so accurate that finished parts are no problem”, said Alyssa Amis, Director of Exhibit Operations. The machine bed holds the raw material in place while the router cuts accurate 3D letters, for example, that require no additional labor. “Our clients will see an improvement in quality from this investment”, she said.

SCS will also see an improvement in productivity. Kristi Silvernail, Senior Design Manager says, “This router is great. It requires no additional operations to finish out pieces for production, saving many hours of sanding. This alone gives us a better fit.” She also said, “The other advantage to our employee is the range of speeds and feeds available to produce parts. Most materials can be cut with this router by changing the tool and adjusting feeds and speeds. We can virtually load a program and materials, hit the start button, and go to the next task.”

SCS continues to expand its product offering by now combining its custom exhibit capability with event management to providing staging, audio visual, exhibits, graphics and sound for the annual DRS / Finmecannica Leadership Conference.

This annual event requires a high degree of technical expertise as video projection and sound is combined with graphic presentation to provide a professional setting for the CEO of DRS to give his leadership / keynote address. This March 2010 event in Palm Spring, FL needed to be a level above previous leadership conference events as DRS & Finmeccanica develop company leadership and direction that is above everyone else in the industry.

SCS’ Director of Operations, Alyssa Amis said “We were given the task of making this Leadership Conference the best one ever. We did it . . . the comments from the DRS leadership team was that this conference was a notch above all previous events. It took a team effort on our part, our graphic group designing presentation materials, our exhibits group providing podiums and displays, our audio visual experts working with contractors to precisely mount and project video output, and our support staff working hard to make sure all equipment was where it needed to be on time. I am proud of the product and service our team provided to DRS.”

If your company desires a Keynote Speaking Event that combines event planning, custom exhibits, audio visual expertise, and graphic design, SCS has the talent and equipment to take you to the next level.

SCS was honored yesterday by the Program Executive Office of the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command (PEO SMDC) with a Coin of Outstanding Performance for its contributions to an outdoor exhibit of a two-man Javelin Missile team displayed at Redstone Arsenal. The Coin is awarded to soldiers and civilians for Outstanding Performance in service to the Army.

Frank Roberts, Government Business Development Manager for SCS and Project Manager for the Javelin Installation, was presented the coin by Mr. Barry Thrower, Logistical Director, Close Combat Weapons Systems Project. These military coins are awarded by all branches of the U.S. Military as a means of recognizing Outstanding Performance and achievement and fostering good morale and esprit de corps.

The Javelin Missile exhibit is unique among the weapons systems and ordnance displayed in front of the David G. Harris Building 5250 on Redstone Arsenal in that it is a man-supported unit. This required a creative approach to fabricating lifelike yet weather-resistant reproductions of a two-man Javelin team in action. Recognition of this achievement was confirmed when the Coin of Outstanding Performance was awarded to SCS.

SCS President Bryan Boyd commented, “It’s an honor and a privilege any time we perform work for the United States Army. Receiving the Coin of Outstanding Performance for the Javelin Exhibit Project is a tribute to our staff and everyone who worked to make this a success.”

Madison, AL: SCS has promoted Alyssa Amis to Director of Exhibit Operations. In this newly created position, Ms. Amis will manage Exhibit Design, Client Account Management, and Exhibit Fabrication operations.

Foremost among the organizational enhancements is the inclusion of Client Account Management under this new Directorship. Account Managers serve as a primary point of contact for our clients, and Ms. Amis will oversee an integrated team of Account Management Specialists working together with the Exhibit Designers and Fabricators who make our customers’ visions become reality. This will ensure efficient customer service throughout the plan-design-build process.

Ms. Amis will draw upon her years of experience fostering the growth and success of SCS as Director of Exhibit Operations. Her competitive creativity in conceptual design philosophy maximized the output of the SCS design team and offered customers a wide range of design options and concepts from which to choose. Her understanding of and commitment to our focus on customer service aligns perfectly with these new responsibilities.

SCS continues to streamline management with the goal of always ensuring more effective, immediate and responsive customer service. SCS President Bryan Boyd announced the improved organization saying, “SCS has continually strived for improved customer service throughout more than 20 years of constant growth. Our organization is proactive, not reactive, and this new organizational structure will allow us to better serve our expanding client base now and in the future. Alyssa is well suited in this role making SCS Exhibits even more customer focused.”

SCS Exhibits and Imagine Media, its design and graphics affiliates are regional and national leaders in design innovation for exhibit and event production. Since its inception in 1987, Southern Convention Services has grown rapidly in both size and scope. Originally conceived to provide trade show support services, SCS now offers comprehensive event production and marketing support.

Javelin Project, US Army Close Combat Weapon Systems Command, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, AL

When the United States Army’s Close Combat Weapon Systems Command (CCWS) wanted a representative exhibit of the tube-launched Javelin Missile and the Army Infantry who use it installed on Redstone Arsenal, they turned to SCS (Southern Convention Services) to manage the project.

“Unlike other systems under CCWS’ purview, the Javelin Missile is a man-supported unit, which provides different challenges for correct display,” said Steven Potts, Chief, Javelin Support Division, Redstone Arsenal. In fact, the display required life-size and life-like statues representative of a two-man Javelin team.

According to Barry Thrower, Logistical Director, Close Combat Weapons Systems Project, the Command “is trying to build a pseudo-museum in front of its headquarters showcasing the systems it oversees as a tribute to their use and effectiveness in the Global War on Terror. General Dellarocco, Program Executive Officer, Missiles and Space, wants all our systems represented, especially so the civilian workforce based here can see them.”

The custom-made statues for the display were created through a unique proprietary process that begins with the creation of molds from living human models and casting from them using a technique that employs Aqua-Resin™ to ensure durability. Alex Tisch, who oversaw the mannequin production, said, “life-like realistic fabrication is the essence of our craftsmanship, and it all starts with the live models for our molds.”

Tisch was awarded the U.S. Army’s “Coin of Excellence” by Sergeant Major Kevin McGovern of the Program Executive Office, Missiles and Space, for exceptional contributions to the project. Sergeant Major McGovern commented upon awarding the Coin of Excellence, “The display is so life-like; it will be a great tribute to the Army Infantryman.” Said Tisch, “It’s an honor and a privilege to be associated with the U.S. Army through our work with SCS. I am truly humbled by receiving this award.”

SCS Governmental Business Manager Frank Roberts was on hand at the installation and perhaps summed up the projects’ success best when he said, “When General Dellarocco (Program Executive, Missiles and Space) shows up at the spur of the moment and he’s impressed with the quality of the installation, I think it’s a tribute to everyone from the Close Combat Weapons Command team and the team SCS assembled, including Alex Tisch and his assistant Josh Reto, and the months of hard work and planning that went into this.”

Madison, AL: Southern Convention Services, Inc. (SCS) is pleased to announce the hiring of Kristi Silvernail as Senior Design Manager. She brings nearly a decade of experience in exhibit design and related customer service to the SCS professional design team. Ms. Silvernail’s responsibilities include project management, client support, new business development, and creative design.

Ms. Silvernail holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Auburn University. She has continued to excel professionally in industrial design and project management since 2002. Early in her development, Ms. Silvernail worked with Dr. Martens Studio, designers of famed English-made Doc Martens footwear, on a prototype “punk” sandal.

More recently, Ms. Silvernail has established herself in the Huntsville market as a premier exhibit / environmental designer with companies such as Digium, Avocent and NASA. The diversity of her experience and depth of knowledge in the exhibit design and production process make Ms. Silvernail particularly well suited to the demands of her new position.

“SCS is honored to have her on our team and know that she will make a significant positive impact on our clients and on our internal processes”, said Alyssa Amis, Creative Design Manager for SCS. “Our designers compete internally on each exhibit design project and we know Kristi will make this competition better, ultimately in designs we develop for clients”, continued Ms. Amis.

SCS Exhibits and Imagine Media, its design and graphics affiliates are regional and national leaders in design innovation for exhibit and event production. Since its inception in 1987, Southern Convention Services has grown rapidly in both size and scope. Originally conceived to provide trade show support services, SCS now offers comprehensive event production and marketing support.