ABOUT CDS
Convention Display Service, Inc. was created in 1958 by Gene and Mary Cartledge to service conventions and trade shows at the Hotel Heidelburg in Jackson, Mississippi. When the Cartledges started the business, the hotel only had a three-month window of opportunity during the summer months for these events.
Gene worked full time with the Mississippi Department of Transportation as the maintenance manager. After work, Gene did the show set-ups and Mary ran the office.
Business in Mississippi started to grow. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi and the Mississippi Trade Mart in Jackson were built. Hotels and public facilities in MS began to attract conventions and trade shows. Convention Display Service, Inc. (often referred to as CDS by clients) began to expand to service the new market demand.
In 1982, the Cartledges sold the company to H. A. (Beau) Whittington, Jr. who had previously been Manager of Exhibitions and Trade Shows for the State of Mississippi. Beau had developed and produced several State sponsored events in the new Trade Mart. Among those events were an international trade show featuring MS manufactured products, an inventor’s fair and a travel show encouraging MS tourism.
Convention Display Service, Inc. started providing its services in surrounding states for existing customers. Thus, CDS has grown from a one state company into one that operates throughout the Gulf South.
In the early 90’s, CDS added a sign department to offer quick turnaround quality signs, banners, graphics and artwork for customers. This department now offers its products to many clients outside the convention and trade show business.
Convention Display Service, Inc. continues to grow and to meet the needs of a varied customer base and to provide the best service for reasonable prices.
“Serving the Gulf South” is more than a slogan…….it is our commitment.