Robin Kocina's Burnsville, Minnesota office sometimes seems worlds away from the sunny climates of Miami or Southern California. But through her company, Mid-America Events & Expos, Corp., she touches the lives of thousands -- coast to coast - year after year.

Mid-America Events & Expos, a certified woman-owned business, is one of the nation's most highly regarded event and exposition planning services. Its staff develops new events, involves clients in existing events, arranges speaking engagements, and creates sponsorship opportunities. It is also responsible for creating and managing some of the most successful consumer expositions in the Midwest.

"Even though we're out there working as hard as our male counterparts, women still handle most household responsibilities," says Kocina. "Women must learn to prioritize, plan, and see the whole picture. Our ability to approach each project from this broader perspective is a business advantage."

Kocina's company has staged everything from grand openings and large scale media events to corporate parties and receptions. "We develop very creative and effective opportunities for our clients to meet their customers face to face," she comments.

"Not everyone can do the job that Mid-America Events & Expos does," commented Mimi Gonzalez, of Prudential Financial "But they certainly stayed on top every step of the way, and most important kept me informed and involved."

Clients also benefit from Mid-America Events & Expos's unique relationship with sister companies Media Relations, Inc. -- the top performance-based public relations firm in the U.S., and Checkerboard Services, Inc. - a full service web development and marketing company.

"We are a powerful team," she explains. "Combined, we can offer clients a seamless marketing campaign that includes media coverage in print, radio and television; special events coordination; Web site design, database development and internet marketing, and the development of all collateral sales material."

Four of Mid-America Events & Expos's most popular events are its annual Twin Cities Expositions: The Family Fun Festival®; Body Mind Life Expo®, Seniors Expo®, and the new baby boomer Expo® premiering this fall. Each show focuses on improving consumers' quality of life, by showcasing services, products and speakers. Show attendance for each Expo runs 10-18,000, and the number of exhibitors continues to multiply.

Says Kocina, a wife and mother of three, "Having owned a business for the last 15 years, I understand the pressures of trying to balance family and a profession. I want people to walk away from our Expos with the ability to make their lives easier to manage."