The Omaha Newspapers

Monthly Spotlight

Previous Columns from 2010:

The Mancuso Brothers

By: Anna Drvol

Bob Mancuso, Sr. started Mid-America Expositions, Inc. back in 1964. He left the University of Nebraska as the head wrestling coach to go into private business. His three sons later followed in the family business.

Mike Mancuso worked in sales, media and advertising. He enjoyed working with clients and loved the challenges that marketing presented. In his late twenties, Mike considered starting a business of his own and presented his idea to his father, Bob Sr. Bob Sr. asked Mike to help out at the Mid America Expositions, Inc., working on a show in Denver, Colorado before starting up his business idea. Mike went to Colorado to work on the details for the show, talking with potential sellers and setting up marketing materials to bring in customers for the convention. Upon returning to Omaha, Mike kept helping his father direct and set up for their different events - up to the present day. Mike Mancuso started in 1988 helping out the family business. Twenty-one years later, he is still highly excited about the work that he is doing for Mid America Expositions, Inc.

While the company puts on roughly a dozen events and conventions each year, the Mancuso family is dedicated to ensuring that all who attend have a great time. For Mike, a successful show consists of a good turnout and a rewarding experience. Whether the reward comes as leads for the businesses who attend, or having a great time as a participant, each event works to bring people together. As Mike says, "That's one thing about events and shows: people get exposed to something they may not have ever seen before. It gets them very excited; either changing something that they may be doing or going a different direction on what they're doing." Sharing information and providing education is a prime objective of any event hosted by Mid America Expositions.

Throughout the year, the company has set up a number of shows. From the beginning of 2009 they have put on the 12th Annual Outland Trophy Award Dinner, the 11th Annual Lawn, Flower & Patio Show, the 43rd Annual Omaha Home & Garden Expo, the 43rd Annual Triumph of Ag [Agriculture] Expo, the 2nd Annual Omaha Health, Wellness, & Fitness Expo, the 12th Annual Taste of Omaha, and the 1st Annual "O" Fest at the Shops of Legacy. There are roughly a half dozen more events going on as the year finishes out, so the business is constantly working through the beginning, middle and end stages for multiple expositions.

Bob Mancuso, Jr. started with the company over four years ago in May 2005. His background with corporate culture and health helped him to develop a show that brought together a diverse background of health and wellness professionals to put on a show that worked to inform attendees about their options for living not only longer, but better. Bob Jr. is in charge of the Omaha Health, Wellness, & Fitness Expo.

Joe Mancuso started with the company in 2007 and helps in all areas of operation. Joe joined the business after a long career at Coca-Cola. From set up to clean up, Mid America Expositions is present at their shows, hoping to give all a great time.

For Mike, the joy of working comes from learning the stories of how the exposition has made a change in their life. It's the experience of meeting that drives a lot of their most popular events. As he says, "It's fun to see when you get people together; the power of that opportunity to really meet face to face. The opportunities to sell, but also to find ideas of things that you can use, that can change for the better, either your lifestyle or to save yourself some energy, money, or make your life better."

Every event has a story. The Mid America Expositions, Inc. events are frequently mentioned in The West "O" Newspaper, largely because of the learning experience they offer to people throughout the Omaha community. Two events going on in August are the 3rd Annual Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival and the 19th Annual Corporate Cycling Challenge. Mike is in charge of the Balloon and Wine Festival, while Bob Jr. is working on the 19th Annual Corporate Cycling Challenge. Mike provided a little of the story that launched the Balloon and Wine event.

Roughly seven years ago, the Nebraska Grape Growers Association came to Mid America Expositions after seeing the success of Taste of Omaha. They discussed with Mike the possibility of holding a showcase for wine in the Omaha area, where they could provide people with an enjoyable event that informed them of local vintages. After some research into the possibilities Mike found references to Wine and Balloon shows in other parts of the country which were successful and growing in popularity. He sought out the Nebraska Balloon Club, who where thrilled to have an opportunity to be featured at the event. After talking with both groups, the first annual Wine and Balloon Festival started off with one evening of fun and five wineries showcasing vintages. The second year, there were more balloons and 11 wineries spread over two nights. This year, 16 wineries will be participating and the balloons will include the first nationally sponsored participant, from Curves.

The Corporate Cycling Challenge, which Bob Jr. has organized for several years, will be held on Sunday, August 16th. It is the largest one day cycling event in the Midwest. Three courses of varying difficulty will be open for participants, whether they are from a corporation, a club or simply an individual rider. The riders will all get complimentary prizes for competing while raising money for charity.

For the Mancuso Brothers and Mid America Expositions, Inc., the job is all about creating opportunities for people and businesses. Mike said, "It's a fun business and we love working with people. It's about the power of people getting together and what can happen. The events can help grow business and add to the community." For this we spotlight the Mancuso Brothers and Mid-America Expositions, Inc. in the month of August.



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Monthly Spotlight Previous Columns from 2010: May 2010 June 2010 July 2010 The Mancuso Brothers By: Anna Drvol Bob Mancuso, Sr. started Mid-America Expositions, Inc. back in 1964. He left the University of Nebraska as the head wrestling coach to go into private business. His three sons later followed in the family business. Mike Mancuso worked in sales, media and advertising. He enjoyed working with clients and loved the challenges that marketing presented. In his late twenties, Mike considered starting a business of his own and presented his idea to his father, Bob Sr. Bob Sr. asked Mike to help out at the Mid America Expositions, Inc., working on a show in Denver, Colorado before starting up his business idea. Mike went to Colorado to work on the details for the show, talking with potential sellers and setting up marketing materials to bring in customers for the convention. Upon returning to Omaha, Mike kept helping his father direct and set up for their different events - up to the present day. Mike Mancuso started in 1988 helping out the family business. Twenty-one years later, he is still highly excited about the work that he is doing for Mid America Expositions, Inc. While the company puts on roughly a dozen events and conventions each year, the Mancuso family is dedicated to ensuring that all who attend have a great time. For Mike, a successful show consists of a good turnout and a rewarding experience. Whether the reward comes as leads for the businesses who attend, or having a great time as a participant, each event works to bring people together. As Mike says, "That's one thing about events and shows: people get exposed to something they may not have ever seen before. It gets them very excited; either changing something that they may be doing or going a different direction on what they're doing." Sharing information and providing education is a prime objective of any event hosted by Mid America Expositions. Throughout the year, the company has set up a number of shows. From the beginning of 2009 they have put on the 12th Annual Outland Trophy Award Dinner, the 11th Annual Lawn, Flower & Patio Show, the 43rd Annual Omaha Home & Garden Expo, the 43rd Annual Triumph of Ag [Agriculture] Expo, the 2nd Annual Omaha Health, Wellness, & Fitness Expo, the 12th Annual Taste of Omaha, and the 1st Annual "O" Fest at the Shops of Legacy. There are roughly a half dozen more events going on as the year finishes out, so the business is constantly working through the beginning, middle and end stages for multiple expositions. Bob Mancuso, Jr. started with the company over four years ago in May 2005. His background with corporate culture and health helped him to develop a show that brought together a diverse background of health and wellness professionals to put on a show that worked to inform attendees about their options for living not only longer, but better. Bob Jr. is in charge of the Omaha Health, Wellness, & Fitness Expo. Joe Mancuso started with the company in 2007 and helps in all areas of operation. Joe joined the business after a long career at Coca-Cola. From set up to clean up, Mid America Expositions is present at their shows, hoping to give all a great time. For Mike, the joy of working comes from learning the stories of how the exposition has made a change in their life. It's the experience of meeting that drives a lot of their most popular events. As he says, "It's fun to see when you get people together; the power of that opportunity to really meet face to face. The opportunities to sell, but also to find ideas of things that you can use, that can change for the better, either your lifestyle or to save yourself some energy, money, or make your life better." Every event has a story. The Mid America Expositions, Inc. events are frequently mentioned in The West "O" Newspaper, largely because of the learning experience they offer to people throughout the Omaha community. Two events going on in August are the 3rd Annual Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival and the 19th Annual Corporate Cycling Challenge. Mike is in charge of the Balloon and Wine Festival, while Bob Jr. is working on the 19th Annual Corporate Cycling Challenge. Mike provided a little of the story that launched the Balloon and Wine event. Roughly seven years ago, the Nebraska Grape Growers Association came to Mid America Expositions after seeing the success of Taste of Omaha. They discussed with Mike the possibility of holding a showcase for wine in the Omaha area, where they could provide people with an enjoyable event that informed them of local vintages. After some research into the possibilities Mike found references to Wine and Balloon shows in other parts of the country which were successful and growing in popularity. He sought out the Nebraska Balloon Club, who where thrilled to have an opportunity to be featured at the event. After talking with both groups, the first annual Wine and Balloon Festival started off with one evening of fun and five wineries showcasing vintages. The second year, there were more balloons and 11 wineries spread over two nights. This year, 16 wineries will be participating and the balloons will include the first nationally sponsored participant, from Curves. The Corporate Cycling Challenge, which Bob Jr. has organized for several years, will be held on Sunday, August 16th. It is the largest one day cycling event in the Midwest. Three courses of varying difficulty will be open for participants, whether they are from a corporation, a club or simply an individual rider. The riders will all get complimentary prizes for competing while raising money for charity. For the Mancuso Brothers and Mid America Expositions, Inc., the job is all about creating opportunities for people and businesses. Mike said, "It's a fun business and we love working with people. It's about the power of people getting together and what can happen. The events can help grow business and add to the community." For this we spotlight the Mancuso Brothers and Mid-America Expositions, Inc. in the month of August. The entire contents of this publication are © Copyright 2010 The Omaha Newspapers and may not ethically nor legally be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the Publisher.