We are about Integrity, Quality, Creativity and Trust.
Clients who work with Stevens Exhibits might notice a common name among key staff members:

President and CEO - Tom McKernin
Executive Vice President - Chuck McKernin
Vice President of Sales - Jack Wogelius
Director of Sales/Marketing - Julie McKernin
Director of Design - Lisa McKernin
This is actually the 3rd Generation in the exhibit business.

Their grandfather, the late John McKernin was affiliated with their great uncle Joe McKenna in Advertisers Displays, Inc., at the time of the Chicago's Century of Progress Exposition. Joe sold the business at the start of World War II.

Tom McKernin began building exhibits when he was 15 years old. In 1966 he was offered a partnership at a POP house, Stevens Displays and was soon joined by his brothers, who have since retired.

Together, they turned the business into the full service exhibit success it is today, changing the name to Stevens Exhibits/Displays Inc. When we were kids we loved coming down to the shop. It was the best place to play hide and seek, there was always cool stuff being built. Things like a giant working coffeepot and a huge Willy Wonka Oompa machine that had lights sounds and a big breathing balloon with polka dots. The best part was if you pulled down one of the 4 hands, you'd get FREE CANDY!!!

We used to take turns going on installations with Dad. It was especially fun when they were in another city.

The boys worked on the docks when they were younger. I remember they laughed and joked around alot and I'm sure they have some stories that aren't suitable for print.

Before joining the family business, Lisa worked, for 13 years, as an exhibit designer for both Field Museum in Chicago and Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. She was also a scenic painter and sculptor.

Chuck joined the company full time straight out of high school and ran the graphic production department.
Julie was employed as a runway/print/tradeshow model, demonstrator, and manager of professional television wrestling.

Tom says of his children, "They are naturals at the business and I could not be a prouder father. They work so well together, and they understand the business well.

They understand and respect each other enough to handle the ups and downs of the exhibit industry."
Other family members play an active role in the business as well.

Brian McKernin works in traffic and the warehouse, Tom's sister Edie in accounting and his grandson Jason is an apprentice in the shop.

Show time is the most fun and the whole family shows up to personally service our clients.
Our team encourages innovative, provocative and fun ways to approach each new challenge…

Giving you the exhibitor's edge