History

Three boys were born in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey in 1965. They were raised in houses across from and around the corner from one another. Unable to remember a time when they were not friends, it was perhaps inevitable, that they would, in 1983, embark on careers in the same industry. Marty Glynn, Bobby Lee, and Gerry Schreck worked for ESR, United Expositions, Freeman and GES. Before the age of 35, they had worked with every major exposition company in the metropolitan New York area producing every significant tradeshow and convention in the region.

In June 2001, Marty, Bobby, and Gerry—life long friends and seasoned tradeshow professionals—left secure positions with the biggest general contractor in the nation and became partners and co-founders of Metropolitan Exposition Services, Inc. The tradeshow industry in the New York area was booming, and with their experience and the support of family and friends, the three men were destined for success. Within months, Metro Expo produced our first show at the Jacob K. Javits Center of New York—the show opened September 11, 2001.

A national tragedy and an economic nightmare for the Tradeshow industry, 9/11 brought layoffs and business closures, and would have spelled the immediate demise of a less determined company. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” says Bobby Lee, Vice President and COO, “but we had already chosen our path and we had to pursue it, despite the challenges that were facing the industry as a whole.”

Marty, Bobby, and Gerry recommitted themselves to Metro Expo, working 80 hour weeks, determined to realize their dream of building a general services contracting company, that would put “service” first. Drawing upon their knowledge and experience in the region, they carefully hand-picked, not only the most talented staff, but individuals that shared their work ethic, honesty, and can-do attitude. Within a year, Metro opened an office in Las Vegas and moved it’s coroporate headquarters from their first offices in historic Hoboken, NJ to a larger location in Carlstadt, NJ. In 2005, Metro opened it’s central New Jersey office in Edison and became the preferred contractor for the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center.

By 2006, Metro Expo had grown to over fifty full time employees located in three offices, including our new Corporate Headquarters in Moonachie, New Jersey. From our first show, opened and forced to close on September 11, 2001, to over three hundred shows produced nationwide annually, Metro Expo has grown exponentially in revenue, inventory, and human capital in an extremely challenging economic climate.

President, CEO and co-founder, Marty Glynn keeps a framed copy of a quote from President Calvin Coolidge on the wall of his office: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination are omnipotent.”