Hello, everyone! My name is Jeff Timson, and I have the honor of serving as the Vice President of Special Operations at GVC. My journey in the exhibit industry spans an incredible 38 years, but it’s the last few that have truly reshaped my perspective on resilience and teamwork. What follows is a brief recount of my time at Grapevine Visual Concepts. It is a story of resilience, risk-taking, and recovery.
The Beginning
I joined the Grapevine family in the summer of 2021. This was just as the world was beginning to emerge from the shadow of the pandemic. My introduction to Eileen LaPenta, the owner, came through a serendipitous phone call with mutual friends. Within a week, I found myself sitting across from Eileen, discussing a bold vision: rebuild Grapevine from the ground up after nearly two years of closure.
Eileen is a remarkable leader—a bold, visionary, and calculated risk-taker. What sets her apart is her core value of empowering others to lead once she has set the vision. This approach not only fosters creativity but also builds a strong sense of ownership within the team. Our clients are the real benefactors of this dynamic, as they reap the rewards of the creativity and shared purpose that flourishes under her leadership.
As we strategized, we quickly realized that many exhibit houses were hesitant to reopen, leaving a pool of talented industry veterans eager to return to work. Drawing from my extensive network, we reached out to these skilled individuals and began scheduling interviews. Eileen took a significant risk by being one of the first exhibit companies to reopen during such uncertain times. But that gamble paid off, allowing us to assemble a remarkable team of experienced professionals across all departments.
The first year was a daunting challenge. Yet, we persevered. Slowly but surely, as the industry began to rebound, so did we. By the second year, we saw a steady improvement. Our client base began to return to the show floor. Year three marked a turning point; we streamlined our processes and honed our focus, ultimately achieving the same business volume in 2024 as we did pre-pandemic—despite operating with less than half of our former workforce. It was a testament to our newfound efficiency and the dedication of our incredible team!
The Future
As we step into 2025, the horizon looks bright for GVC. The camaraderie and spirit within our team have never been stronger. In my nearly four decades in this industry, I can confidently say that this team is the best I’ve ever had the privilege to work alongside!
The story of Grapevine Visual Concepts is one of resilience, risk-taking, and recovery—proof that with the right leadership and a dedicated team, anything is possible. Here’s to the future, and a special shout-out to Eileen for her unwavering vision and trust in all of us!