“We developed such a strong expertise in tourism and travel as a result of the World’s Fair,” she said. The event also led to an area of expertise for her PR firm. Freeman estimated the projects total $3 billion.Īckermann said she also had lasting relationships with corporations from the World’s Fair. The firm is currently working on an extension to the Memphis headquarters, as well as a hub in Indianapolis. “We were the low bidder on that project, and we were able to build our first $50 million project,” he said.įorty years later, Rentenbach, which has now merged with The Christman Company, still works with FedEx. Lawyer asked Freeman and Ackermann if they had long-term clients they were introduced to at the Fair.įreeman said Rentenbach was introduced to The Federal Express, now FedEx, and eventually went on to build the company’s Memphis headquarters. Panelists then moved into talking about the business impact of the Fair.
If he was planning for the World Fair today, Widmer said he would have multiple locations throughout the Fair rather than just one spot. Widmer said Petro’s is about hospitality, and for customers that often means having a good return on their time for their dollar.
REMINISCE ON HOW TO
Back then, she said, she and the companies coming to Knoxville were learning how to do PR together. Ackermann said that in 1982, public relations (PR) was not as “baked into” marketing plans for corporations as it is today. “It was truly one-of-a-kind.”Īfter going over the history of the event, Lawyer asked panelists how things would look different if the Fair was held here today. “Nobody had ever put a true sphere on top of a tower like this,” Freeman said. The now-famous Sunsphere came with its own set of construction problems. Freeman also had photos from before, during, and after construction of several of the structures at the World’s Fair site. He said that of the 14 firms that applied to a request for proposals from the United States Congress for the Fair, Rentenbach was selected. “It’s one of those situations where failure is not an option.” “You chase some goals and then when you get a hold of them you say, ‘Oh my gosh, what have I got?’” Freeman said. He called it an exciting but daunting project. (The Sunsphere was recently renovated and has reopened with a museum of World’s Fair memorabilia.)įreeman joked there wasn’t enough time to tell all the details and said the projects were largely a team effort where every person involved in planning and working on the Fair wanted it to succeed. Lawyer then kicked off the official panel by having Freeman talk about the structures Rentenbach was involved in, such as the U.S. Freeman said he was the Vice President of Marketing at the time of the Fair but would eventually go on to lead the company as CEO. Freeman said the company had been around for more than 30 years and was a $30 million/per year company by 1982. Unlike the other two, Rentenbach Constructors was an established business in Knoxville. Those stories can be found here and here. readers will remember we wrote profiles on Ackermann and Petro’s. Widmer’s father helped a Washington State couple bring Petro’s to Knoxville for the Fair. Ackermann was an early employee of the World’s Fair doing international marketing. Lawyer started the panel by having each speaker introduce themselves and how they were involved with the Fair. Cathy Ackermann, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ackermann Marketing and PR Don Freeman, Chairman Emeritus of Rentenbach Constructors and Alex Widmer, Director of Operations at Petro’s Chili & Chips, spoke on the panel. By Kailyn Lamb, Marketing Content Writer and Editor, PYAĮarlier this week the Knoxville Chamber hosted “The World’s Fair Meant Business” panel, celebrating the upcoming 40 th anniversary of the Fair and providing details of its lasting legacy on local businesses.ĭoug Lawyer, Vice President of Economic Development at the Chamber, was the moderator.
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