Blair Bowman
and Novi's Field of Dreams

Blair Bowman, by his own admission, stated that he didn’t consider himself to be a great public speaker… I of course disagree with that assessment, because Blair Bowman is an engaging, charismatic individual with boundless energy and a penchant for greatness.

However, when introducing the opulent new Rock Financial Showplace for the first time on August 26th, 2005, it is reasonable to understand that even Blair Bowman might be temporarily rendered…speechless. While welcoming everybody to this landmark event, he was utterly sincere as he characterized the day as “the culmination of a lifelong dream.”

Blair Bowman is a Michigan native through and through. Born in Pontiac and raised in Farmington, after finishing his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Michigan State, he was really just getting started.

He embarked on a career in Real Estate, and spent many years working for the Thompson/Brown Company, specializing in the Commercial/Industrial sector. By 1989, he was managing the Commercial/Industrial Division, but in addition to his full-time job, he was also a full-time student at the University of Detroit, enrolled in the school of law.

Although he never practiced law professionally, he never really intended to either. “My law school education was a great experience, and a real opportunity to learn about contracts, legal issues, etc. that pertained to real estate.”

Shortly thereafter, he opened a new office in Novi, and a disheveled building on the north end of town, adjacent to the 96FWY, caught his eye. It was basically an old abandoned, dilapidated eyesore. It had been a warehouse, a factory, and toward the end of its prior existence, it was an old ‘Mohawk Liquor’ facility.

But an artist can envision a finished product, and after acquiring this old beat up edifice, Blair Bowman went to work. A series of improvements and investments allowed this property to progress into the Novi Expo Center. The first show they ever hosted was a Food Show in late 1991, and ironically the Official Grand Opening didn’t actually occur until Spring 1992.

Over the next 13 years, the Novi Expo Center hosted over 2500 hundred shows and exhibitions of all sizes, and it paved the way for the development of the Rock Financial Showplace.

Blair Bowman will always look with fondness on the Novi Expo Center. “Looking back on the old place,” he contemplated, “although it wasn’t originally designed for the exposition, meeting/convention business, it became very functional and it gave me my start.”

Today, as the CEO/President/Owner of the Rock Financial Showplace, Bowman presides over a crown jewel that has not only made a sensational impression while in its embryonic stage, it also has room for growth and additions that will make it an even more spectacular destination venue.

“We try to deliver a product that can accommodate any event, from your daughter’s wedding, to the school prom, to the opulent corporate affair.” Simply put, the Rock Financial showplace is designed to address even the most refined, fastidious needs.

The truth is, “we serve a lot of masters,” Bowman concluded.

Since its inception, over 2,000,000 people have attended functions at the Rock Financial Showplace and the Business banquet/conference center has doubled in the last 12 months.

Unlike the old Novi Expo Center, which served a great purpose in its own right, the current facility that graces Grand River Avenue was specifically designed with the exposition/meeting business in mind.

Apparently when you build it, they really do come… And in Bowman’s chosen field of business, real estate, and event facilitation his dreams have come true.

No wonder Blair Bowman was speechless the day he opened Rock Financial Showplace was opened.

The fact is the finished product was speaking for itself.