Expovision, Inc., a company specializing in logistical support for trade shows, has filed a lawsuit against a prominent industry association and its CEO, alleging breach of contract and other claims. The complaint was filed on November 26, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia against the Plastics Industry Association, Inc. (PLASTICS) and its CEO Mathew Seaholm.
The lawsuit centers around an agreement between Expovision and PLASTICS that designated Expovision as the exclusive housing office for PLASTICS’ National Plastics Exposition (NPE) trade shows scheduled for 2027, 2030, and 2033. This agreement was executed on August 29, 2024, by Expovision’s CEO Stuart Stafman and PLASTICS’ then-Chief Operating Officer Glenn Anderson. According to Expovision, despite fulfilling its obligations under this agreement by negotiating hotel contracts covering tens of thousands of room nights, PLASTICS abruptly repudiated its commitments. The complaint alleges that PLASTICS’ actions are intended to deny Expovision over $4 million in expected commissions from these events.
Expovision accuses PLASTICS of breach of contract and anticipatory breach and repudiation by refusing to perform its obligations under the agreement. The plaintiff claims that PLASTICS has sought out competitors to replace Expovision’s role as the official housing office and refused to execute additional hotel contracts necessary for upcoming trade shows. Furthermore, Expovision asserts that these actions have jeopardized their ability to earn commissions and damaged their longstanding relationships with participating hotels.
In addition to these allegations against PLASTICS, Expovision also brings claims against Mathew Seaholm personally for tortious interference with advantageous business relations. The complaint accuses Seaholm of intentionally misrepresenting the status of the parties’ agreement and falsely claiming it was rescinded during a phone call with Stafman on September 27, 2024. It is alleged that Seaholm’s actions were motivated by personal gain or retaliation against Stafman’s refusal to renegotiate terms.
Expovision seeks several forms of relief from the court including specific performance requiring PLASTICS to comply with the original agreement terms; compensatory damages for lost commissions; attorneys’ fees; costs; expenses; and any further relief deemed just by the court.
The case is being handled by attorneys Philip T. Abbruscato from Fox Rothschild LLP based in Washington D.C., along with Kevin T. Peters, Ari N. Stern, and Brian J. Mahoney who are applying for pro hac vice admission from Boston’s Fox Rothschild office. The case is presided over under Case ID: 1:25-cv-02186.
