Born in 1931, a child of the Great Depression, Jerry was a natural-born entrepreneur whose innovative spirit and tireless work ethic led to his establishing (then) Kallman Associates in 1961.   Since his first international trade show in 1964 (the inaugural “Electronica” event in Munich, Germany) Jerry spent a lifetime connecting ideas, people and businesses around the world. 

What started as a one-man consultancy firm representing and recruiting U.S. companies to exhibit at trade fairs in Munich, grew into a worldwide network of events in partnership with the Bryan Montgomery Group, Overseas Exhibition Services (OES), Reed Exhibitions, and other major international trade show management organizations around the globe.

As one of the trailblazers of USA Pavilions abroad, Jerry was an advocate for U.S. exhibitors large and small and helped “startup” companies like Nike, take their first steps in the international arena.  Enjoyable as it was for him to support the industry giants at international trade shows, helping the smaller “moms and pops” (now called “SME’s”) is what really gave Jerry his drive.  In USA Pavilions around the globe he was always “first in and last out” as he looked after every detail possible for clients who all came to call him “friend”.

Friendship was, in fact, Jerry’s pole star.  He believed the most successful long-term business relationships are built on a solid foundation of personal friendship.  Jerry was known for remembering anniversaries, birthdays, and other milestones, and thoroughly enjoyed hosting friends for meals both when he was “on the road” anywhere in the world, or “at home” in New Jersey with his wife of 43 years, Lorraine.

Jerry’s legacy is not the dozen Lifetime Achievement Awards from every major U.S. and international trade show association, nor the German Government’s Federal Cross of Merit he received, nor the fact that his 37 years at the helm of Kallman Associates laid the foundation for what is now America’s leading U.S. Pavilion and trade event managing firm.  His true legacy are the thousands of people around the world that today think of Jerry Kallman and recall his smile and sincerity and warm-heartedness, and proudly call him “friend”.

Statesman, educator, industry leader, philanthropist, husband, father, and friend, for 89 years Jerry Kallman Sr. brought great things to the world and now shares in God’s promise of eternal peace.

We at Kallman Worldwide are proud to honor Jerry’s philosophy and memory.  We will always hold his values, his work ethic, and the example of his abiding friendship as our guiding lights as we go forward.