University of Central Florida alumni debut new tradeshow consulting firm

Three former students of the University of Central Florida (UFC) have launched their own consulting agency that will specialize in tradeshow marketing.

Brian Avery, Andrea Gillman and Jessica Rivers, who all UFC's Rosen College of Hospitality, recently unveiled 10x10 Solutions to provide companies looking to exhibit at tradeshows with personalized strategies to attract more business and increase profitability.

During the economic downturn, Rivers told UFC Today that she and Gillman recognized the need for tradeshow marketing services in the Orlando area.

"We were so surprised when we started doing research that there were only secretarial and modeling agencies out there," Rivers added.

Rivers and Gillman then came up with a business plan and brought it to Avery, who had also been their former professor, for professional advice.

Rivers and Gillman both hold degrees in event management, while Avery, has a masters in hospitality and tourism management.

The company will assist small to mid-size companies in the central Florida region with pre-show promotions, booth staffing and location strategy and social media management.