Sparks Announces The Opening of the McGuire Center



January 12, 2005 -- Sparks Exhibits & Environments, a leading creative event marketing agency and provider of custom environments, announces the completion and opening of the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity. Part of the Florida Museum of Natural History, the center opened in August of 2004 and serves as both a research and collections facility and public education space.

Responsible for the fabrication and installation of nearly 4500 square feet of the center, Sparks' role included the public displays that extend into the Butterfly Rainforest and indoor exhibition spaces. The exhibits feature information about Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) and rainforests worldwide. The project lasted nearly two years and Sparks served as the technical consultant for the duration of construction.

Sparks' successful history with the Florida Museum of Natural History made their involvement imperative in completing the project on time and on budget. Sparks met with the architect, the University of Florida and Skanska USA Building once a month to complete the design and integrate it into the construction of the ground up building.

"Our involvement in this project grew as we became more and more involved in the early stages" states Leo English, director of themed environments for Sparks' museum group. "Our successful relationship with the museum helped us become a main player; they trusted us to deliver a winning project."

The entire McGuire Center building is approximately 39,000 square feet. The exhibit area is approximately 4,500 square feet, the Butterfly Rainforest is approximately 6,400 square feet and the balance of the building is used for collections storage, research labs and office space. For more information about the McGuire Center visit the Florida Museum of Natural History's website at www.flmnh.ufl.edu.

About Sparks Exhibits & Environments
Sparks Exhibits & Environments is a division of Marlton Technologies, Inc. (ASE:MTY). For over 85 years, the company has provided world-class designs and cohesive entertainment and marketing programs for clients in over 45 countries. Sparks is headquartered in Philadelphia, with additional facilities in Atlanta, Orlando, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Chicago. Sparks creates themed environments, museums, corporate lobbies, special events, merchandising fixtures and tradeshow projects. For more information about Sparks Exhibits & Environments visit http://www.sparksonline.com.

For information, please contact Dave Piper, Vice President, Museum Group, at 407-426-7387.





Sparks Announces The Opening of the McGuire Center