Leadership
Jon Branca
Managing Director
19 years in Industry
Tiffany O’Connell
Director, Client Services
18 years in Industry
What’s the biggest trade show scam?
JON: “Drayage. No contest. Watching exhibitors get charged thousands of dollars just to move their own stuff across a concrete floor? It’s robbery. That’s why we built Branx to offset those kinds of ridiculous fees.”
TIFFANY: “Union labor rules that force you to hire someone just to plug in your monitor. I’ve literally watched someone get charged $300 for a job that takes two seconds.”
What makes Branx different from every other exhibit house?
JON: “We actually focus on the results exhibitors care about—sales, leads, impact. The industry is obsessed with the booths themselves, but we know that at the end of the day, the exhibit is just a tool. It’s what it helps you accomplish that matters.”
TIFFANY: “We don’t do bloat. No overpriced rentals, no hidden fees, no ‘because that’s how it’s always been done’ nonsense. Just smart, streamlined solutions.”
If Branx had a tagline other than ‘Breaking Conventions,’ what would it be?
JON: “Trade Shows Without the Bullshit.”
TIFFANY: “We Fix What’s Broken.”
What’s something about Branx that people wouldn’t expect?
JON: “We’re smaller on purpose. Most exhibit houses try to get as big as possible, but that’s when they start adding layers of inefficiency. We stay nimble so we can move faster and keep costs down. We scale our resources based on the unique requirements of the project, instead of having to figure out how to pay everyone in the building.”
TIFFANY: “Most exhibitors assume they have to work with Freeman, GES, or one of the big guys. When they realize there’s a better option, it’s like watching someone escape The Matrix.”