Charleston, SC – Funeral services were held in Charleston, SC November 9 for Michael Delia, founder of the New Jersey marketing communications firm Delia Associates. Delia died November 5 at the age of 82.
Delia and the company he founded in 1964 developed and launched Plastech and Export Expo, and also served as U.S. representative for Fiero Milano, Hannover Messe and Hamburg Messe.
He was a frequent speaker at exhibition industry events and wrote numerous articles on international marketing and trade show participation.
Delia dove into the trade show industry after serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy. While in the service, Delia teamed up with Jacques Cousteau to develop underwater equipment for NATO and also wrote the Navy’s first training manual for SCUBA divers.
Delia Associates went on to develop award-winning marketing programs for organizations in the U.S. and abroad. The company was also the first to be certified to organize U.S. pavilions at overseas trade shows.
The company also caught the eye of the federal government. Delia worked with Reagan administration on encouraging U.S. exports. The company also won a NASA contract for public relations and marketing programs in Europe, and for work on the Commercialization of Space project.
Delia retired in 2000 and turned over the management of Delia Associates to his son, Ed. The firm continues to supply marketing services and booth design for trade show exhibitors and development of virtual shows.
Reach Ed Delia at (908) 534-9044 or edelia@delianet.com
