See Jane Run ... a CNC Router? Award Highlights Trade Show Executive's Commitment To Education At All Levels

Furniture World Magazine

It's safe to say that woodworking and furniture professionals throughout our industry associate David Eidson with education. After all, the president of Trade Shows, Inc. specializes in keeping us up to date on the latest technology, tools and techniques. His regional exhibitions-complete with filled-to-capacity educational seminars-are a celebrated source of industry information. And many of us know he's a frequent contributor to community college woodworking and furniture programs. But David Eidson as advocate for first-grade readers? It's true. Recently, the trade show producer was named Outstanding Business Partner in Education for Catawba County Schools (the system which serves Eidson's hometown of Claremont, North Carolina). He received the award for spearheading, financing, and taking an active role in a reading program at Claremont Elementary School. The program-which targets first graders who are "at risk" for early reading problems and provides them with one-on-one reinforcement was started at the school five years ago. "Mr. Eidson heard about a businessperson bringing this type of program to another North Carolina school, and he decided to do the same thing here," explains Margaret Garrison, principal of Claremont Elementary. "His early efforts have evolved into an annual fundraiser which has brought more than $104,000 for our school's reading program. He has a genuine interest in the children of our community-we need more executives like him to take an active role in our schools." Is there a connection between Eidson's commitment to education and his role as president of a leading trade show producer? His answer is a resounding yes-he says his 25 years of bringing together exhibitors and show guests, sponsoring seminars and seeing the results of his clients' professional growth have taught him that a lifelong desire to learn is the key to success. "I see the value of ongoing education from my customers on both sides of the exhibit booth," he explains. "People who constantly search for newer and better ways to accomplish goals, who have a natural curiosity, who get excited about industry developments-these are the ones who thrive. That's why I encourage kids to read. I believe when a love of learning is instilled in childhood, you never outgrow it." Trade Shows, Inc. currently produces regional woodworking and furniture supply shows in Greensboro, NC; Grand Rapids, MI; Philadelphia, PA; Orlando, FL and Hartford, CT. The exhibitions feature machinery, tooling, supplies and services for the furniture, cabinet, casegoods, millwork, industrial wood products and plastics industries. For information, contact Trade Shows, Inc., P.O. Box 2000, Claremont, NC 28610-2000; telephone (828) 459-9894; FAX (828) 459-1312; e-mail tsi@twave.net; web site: www.tsiwoodworkingshows.com.