Tag: trade shows

Bill Windsor Sold His Publishing and Trade Show Companies in 1981

business 1979 wci Bill in his IMPRESSIONS jacket 1979

In 1981, Don Gandy asked to have dinner with William M. Windsor.  Don was the CEO of a company that was acquiring businesses in the imprinted sportswear industry.

At Alaman’s Mexican restaurant in Dallas, Don wrote something on a little piece of paper and put it in the center of the table.  He told me to take the paper and look at it ONLY if I was interested in selling my imprinted sportswear magazines, trade shows, and conferences.

I had never thought about selling.  I had never considered what the business might be worth.  We were doing $6 million in revenues at the time.

I asked how many zeros were after the range of numbers written on the paper.  I decided I was interested in selling.

Rather than sell to Don Gandy, I hired a publishing consultant, Mark Schrimpf, to do a valuation and seek buyers.  Three large U.S. publishing companies were interested, and I sold to Gralla Publications in October 1981.

I retired.  That lasted for less than a year.

 

William M Windsor Founded a Publishing Company in the UK in 1981 and Launched an International Exhibition

Windsor Companies business card 1981

William M Windsor founded a publishing company in the UK in 1981.  He began publishing the European Edition of IMPRESSIONS Magazine from an office in The Netherlands.

He also launched the Imprinted Sportswear Exhibition International at the Wembley Centre in England.

The Imprinted Sportswear Exhibition International
The Imprinted Sportswear Exhibition International

 

Bill Windsor Launched the Imprinted Sportswear Show in New Orleans Louisiana in March 1980

Bill Windsor launched the Imprinted Sportswear Show in New Orleans Louisiana in March 1980.

New Orleans Imprinted Sportswear Show March 20 1980 directory
New Orleans Imprinted Sportswear Show March 20 1980 directory
1980 Staff picture of Windsor Communications
1980 Staff picture of Windsor Communications

The staff had grown to over 80 people by 1980.

Park Tree North Dallas office of Windsor Communications
Park Tree North Dallas office of Windsor Communications

The businesses moved to a new office on Dallas North Parkway in Dallas, Texas.

Bill Windsor Launched Another Trade Show and Conference in 1979

 

business 1979 wci Dallas Convention Center during set up of I
business 1979 wci Dallas Convention Center during set up of I

The second annual Imprinted Sportswear Show was held in January 1979 at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.  Each show was set up as a separate corporate entity.  Business #14.

business 1978 wci Staff of Windsor at January 1979 Imprinted
business 1978 wci Staff of Windsor at January 1979 Imprinted

The second show was twice the size of the first show.  The business grew from no employees to 10 employees in six months.

Several Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders made a special appearance at the Second Imprinted Sportswear Show.

William M Windsor Started a Trade Show Company in 1978

William M Windsor Started a Trade Show Company in 1978.

In 1978, William M. Windsor launched the Imprinted Sportswear Shows for the “imprinted sportswear industry.”  He founded Windsor Presentations to own the first trade show.  Business #13.

After a year in Dallas working out of a desk in the corner of the master bedroom in a small apartment, Bill opened an office in the Dallas Petroleum Center.

First office for Windsor Communications
First office for Windsor Communications

The office was for both Windsor Communications and Windsor Presentations.

Reception area at Dallas Petroleum Center
Reception area at Dallas Petroleum Center

Bill hired a receptionist. She was quickly promoted to editor of IMPRESSIONS Magazine.  The first event produced by Windsor Presentations was a huge success, so the business was moved to a much larger office.  Within a year, the staff grew from one to 17.