Throughout his career, McGreevy had been an exhibit industry superstar. His first job, while on spring break from college, was working at his brother’s home and flower show in Cleveland. He became hooked immediately. “I felt an immediate excitement and passion for the showfloor and everything about it,” he recalled. 

McGreevy went on to enjoy a series of successful jobs at Andrews Bartlett, ECC and at exhibit houses including Color & Design. In 1996, he became president and partner at Cleveland-based exhibit house Cyclonics. Under his leadership, Cyclonics grew to be a $12 million company, which was then acquired by Exhibit Dynamics. It was at that point tragedy struck. 

McGreevy’s grueling six-year battle with cancer has been a true test of character and strength that pitted him against countless moments of uncertainty. Today he is alive and well, having survived an illness that friends say, “Would have killed anyone else three times.”

Just 30 days after his diagnosis, McGreevy found himself in New York City for the immediate removal of half his liver and half his pancreas, as well as his gall bladder and spleen. Initially the procedure was successful, but after 15 months the cancer returned and Marty was once again forced to deal with the reality of fighting cancer on a daily basis.

As he underwent a series of unsuccessful therapies including chemotherapy, steroids and several other procedures, McGreevy struggled to maintain hope. The family he adored – a wife and three young daughters – coupled with his career, had always been key components in what he considered an incredible life. They now served as constant reminders of just how much was at stake. 

By 2004, McGreevy’s options were dwindling and he looked into liver transplants. The prospect of a transplant was daunting, as he considered this treatment to be the last resort. But as time passed, he grew sicker and missed out on more and more. By Halloween of that year, McGreevy was too ill to celebrate with family and friends and made the decision to take the next step.

The next day, McGreevy was on the phone with doctors discussing transplant options. Two weeks later, he was on a plane to Ohio to participate in the transplant program at the Cleve land Clinic. As he waited over five months for a donor, life came to a standstill for him and his family. “Having cancer is like only having a rear-view mirror,” McGreevy commented. “You don’t get to look very far down the road.”

The next months were long and miserable as the McGreevy family waited on edge. When the call came on April 6, 2005, there was suddenly light at the end of the tunnel. 

McGreevy received the gift of life from a donor who had died during surgery.  Understandably, McGreevy has become an advocate of the organ donor program. “All it takes is a checked box on your driver’s license to be an organ donor and save a life,” he said.

A year after his successful transplant, McGreevy is cancer free and in good health.  But even during illness, his passion for the industry he loves did not yield. After he sold Cyclonics, he tried positions in other industries. And, while he appreciated those new experiences, he found nothing could replace the creativity and excitement of the tradeshow industry.

In 2004, when longtime friend Joe Murphy asked him to join Murphy’s company, Planview Exhibits, McGreevy didn’t hesitate a second. Joe knew Marty would be an asset to any company at any time – healthy or not – and charged him with opening a West Coast office. 

It was during this period that McGreevy received his transplant. By December 2005, he was on the mend and deeply engrossed in growing the West Coast office of Planview Exhibits.

Then life threw him another curve. On Jan. 2, 2006, Joe Murphy died following a massive heart attack. McGreevy thought it ironic that when he was so ill and people were planning his eulogy, he ended up writing one for Joe. Following Murphy’s death, Planview Exhibits dissolved, leaving McGreevy’s West Coast office all on its own.

At that point, McGreevy’s team at Planview had picked up a tremendous amount of momentum. The team was enthusiastic and devoted, and its client list was growing rapidly. After discussing options, the company decided not to disband.

In April 2006, McGreevy and partners Warren Lopez, Tim Leonard and Rick Baker founded a new company: Cyclonix. Although McGreevy took the role of president, he is quick to point out that it is his team’s combined excitement and momentum that have enabled Cyclonix to get off to a great start. Just four months old, the company has already completed several large design and build projects, and has supported its clients at a half-dozen major trade shows.

Fully recovered, McGreevy continues to charge full speed ahead, happily looking forward. He said his life has changed in many ways. For one, his relationships both inside and outside of work have grown stronger. “You don’t go through something like this alone – your family and friends go through it with you and you bond,” he stated.

“People stopped and helped me and now I try to stop and help whoever I can. I couldn’t have gotten to where I am without their support.”

His new company Cyclonix experienced great success at first show. A creator of face-to-face sales, marketing and experiential environments, cyclonix had four clients at its debut show, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) in Las Vegas.

Among the projects was a new 40’x40’ custom exhibit for Thomson/Grass Valley/Canopus. Cyclonix also created a 30’x40’ custom rental for Sonic, and managed existing properties for Xilinx and Bid4Spots.

“These guys may be a young company, but they’re old pros at the business,” said Kara Martin, director of Marketing at Canopus. “Our exhibit design was right on target and the on-site execution was flawless.”

NAB took place within 30 days of Cyclonix’s launch, requiring the company to immediately immerse itself with clients. “We hit the ground running and it feels great,” McGreevy said. “Things are only going to get better from here.”

Cyclonix uses innovative design solutions to bring passion, energy and momentum to exhibits and environments. Capabilities include strategy, design, management and execution. To learn more, contact www.cyclonixinc.com or 800-470-0062.