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IAEE’s Young Professional Committee recognizes a young professional in the exhibitions and events industry in each quarterly YP Connect Newsletter. You can find all past newsletters by following this link.
Publisher, Washington D.C.
BizBash Media
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I used to work in politics and campaign management back in college, so I had hands-on experience with working on phone-banking events, fundraisers and more. I was working previously at Yelp and learning the basics of sales. When I met with our CEO David Adler, I was blown away. Everything clicked that the BizBash role was the perfect marriage of everything I had been working on leading up to that point!
Q: How has IAEE shaped your career?
A: As a new member, I am very excited for the opportunity to attend Expo! Expo! in December and connect and network with all my industry friends.
Q: Without using a specific company name, what new technology on the market can you just not live without? Why?
A: AI and human-powered Chatbots are absolutely a must-have for any trade show or conference now. They help cut down on those super commonly asked questions as a “live active Q&A” during events allowing staff to focus on the really unique concerns and situations.
Q: Fun fact about you – What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
A: I am part of a competitive karaoke league called District Karaoke! You compete against other teams in solos and group numbers and there are costumes, props, and “shtick” on top of singing. It’s great fun.
Manager, Registration
National Business Aviation Association (AEM)
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I started my career in the industry by beginning as a temp. I was hired in a temp to hire position with NBAA as their registration assistant and my career has blossomed since. Within 5 years, I have grown from being an entry level position with no real industry knowledge to in a management position and obtained a vast knowledge and skill set for the industry and created a phenom of a young professionals program that has been able to thrive globally for our association by increasing engagement, attendance and retention of young professionals in today’s competitive job market – it has also been a staple in our workforce development initiative, as our industry faces a major workforce shortage crisis in the coming years.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: Assisting exhibitors, internally setting up for trade shows (setting up space applications, rates, etc.) and selling tradeshow space/sponsorship.
Q: What community service projects do you like to be involved in? Why?
A: Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to participate in the chapter community service projects due to scheduling. However, our association’s young professionals’ group has partnered with feeding the homeless in our local DC area, which is something that has been instilled in me since a young girl. My family used to do an annual feed the homeless around Thanksgiving and an annual clothing/toy drive around Christmas, so it is always neat when something that is at the foundation of who I am as a human being is incorporated in my professional life.
Q: How has IAEE shaped your career?
A: IAEE has shaped my career by connecting me with a necessary group of professionals within the industry that have helped me along my career path.
Q: What is your best advice to a new member?
A: I would tell a new member of IAEE to be sure to attend Expo! Expo! and take advantage of the amazingly planned first time attendee program. I feel that experience really shaped and prepared me for the networking chops that I have today. It was an intimidating experience to embark upon without knowing anyone else there. However, I met people early at the young professionals’ event and first-time attendee meet-ups and the rest has been history.
Marketing Coordinator
Convention Data Services
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A:I interned at Convention Data Services my sophomore year of college and was employed every summer until graduating with my MBA, where the company hired me full-time!
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: As Marketing Coordinator, I maintain both internal and external relationships, support creative initiatives and project manage our involvement in industry events.
Q: Fun fact about you – What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
A: I have a chinchilla named Charlie. She’s super cuddly and only a little bit spoiled!
Q: What about the exhibitions and event industry is important to you?
A: The diversity of the industry and the ability to travel are what initially drew me to the industry. Now that I’ve been involved in the industry for a few years, the collaboration between so many different entities just fascinates me.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Intern while in school to get a feel for what you want to do in your career. I interned at an advertising agency and knew instantly that the agency atmosphere wasn’t for me.
Registration Coordinator
Diversified Communications
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: In high school and college, I was the planner of my friend groups. I planned my first big event in college to raise money for a local charity through a golf tournament. I enjoyed diving into the details and working with members of the community to provide a beneficial event. From that, I could tell I was interested in a career along these lines. Landing a job at Diversified was very exciting for me because I had the ability to turn something I had always liked to do for fun into a rewarding career.
Q: What community service projects do you like to be involved in? Why?
A: I like community service projects where I get to work with people directly while doing different activities. Interacting with groups of people while learning a new language, cleaning up a park or other hands-on projects provides something to connect on. I also like projects working with animals! It’s a great way to give back to the shelters and locations that help animals live and grow up in healthy environments.
Q: What do you like most about Expo! Expo!?
A: Expo! Expo! provides awesome opportunities to connect with other people in the industry I typically would not be able to meet. The mentor program, young professionals meet-ups, chapter gatherings, education sessions and the exhibit hall all provide unique ways to get to know people in the industry as well as learn new topics outside of day-to-day job functions. It’s neat & inspiring to see what others do and how they do it.
Q: What is your best advice for a new member?
A: Just say yes! Instead of being a “well, maybe if I have time” type of person, try to say “yes” to the countless opportunities and experiences IAEE provides. I wish I had started doing this when I first learned about IAEE. I am trying to do that more now, and it has helped me in many ways!
Sales Coordinator
Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I began my internship at AEM when I was a junior in college. I really enjoyed what I did, so I decided I would try to stay with AEM. When I graduated, they offered me a full-time position.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: Assisting exhibitors, internally setting up for trade shows (setting up space applications, rates, etc.) and selling tradeshow space/sponsorship.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: I like being involved in the industry. I like what I do, so I enjoy talking to others that have similar roles.
Q: Fun fact about you – What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
A: I have four pets – two cats, one dog, and a bearded dragon.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Get involved and stay involved in the industry. The connections you make are well worth the time invested!
Client Relations Manager
GES
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I knew I wanted a job that was fast-paced, ever-evolving, didn’t force me to sit in a cube every day, grew my network of peers, and most importantly – allowed me to make a large impact. In comes GES! I found the company at the Purdue University Career fair where I felt instantly connected with those who I spoke to and thus provided me with the opportunity to join this crazy industry! I wouldn’t change a thing.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: My role as a Client Relations Manager has duel responsibilities of both account management and sales. Right now, I currently manage and produce a few national accounts and work with my clients to execute a successful event from start to finish. I am also responsible for assisting with the selling of new accounts, understanding and presenting our products, services, and capabilities. It has been a ton of fun having this role as I get to wear many hats and grow in both areas of the business.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: IAEE provides its members with the opportunity to network with peers from all sides of the industry, puts on informative education sessions, and (shameless plug) has an incredible Young Professional committee that connects new and old YP’s in the area. For me, this was the best way to meet others and start to build my network. As someone who was heavily involved in various clubs and organizations while at school, my involvement within IAEE was a no brainer.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: BE curious, ASK questions, and LOOK for any opportunity to grow and learn more about this industry and the role you play in it. Us YP’s bring a fresh perspective and energy to what we do and that already sets us apart.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: To embrace the ‘gray’. Nothing in this industry is black and white. You can plan, plan, plan… but once you hit show site it is how you embrace a change in schedule, adapt to an unexpected addition, or execute change from a client for needs that were outside of the initial scope. I definitely have learned to embrace the ‘gray’ and that has become part of the job I have learned to love – keeps us on our toes!
Event Coordinator
SmithBucklin
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: All of the incredible experiences that have been offered to me have been due to networking. I always knew I wanted to be an event planner, but I got my job at SmithBucklin from a conversation with someone I knew in college. Had I not initiated that conversation, I never would have heard about this company, and I certainly would not be where I am today in the industry. Building your network is one of the best things you can do as a young professional, because you will meet so many interesting people who can help you advance your career in so many ways.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: I coordinate conferences and tradeshows for a variety of different clients. I do everything from selecting a city for the conference, to planning out the food and beverage the attendees will be offered, to organizing audio visual needs for sessions, to planning out a tradeshow floor plan to many other things. Essentially, I make sure everything gets planned out to a “T” and is properly executed on site!
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: I strive to be active with IAEE because it has really introduced me to so many incredible people – both YPs and senior people in the industry. I was a little intimidated getting involved when I first started in the industry because I didn’t know a whole lot, but getting involved and attending educational sessions and networking with people has helped me to grow and feel comfortable in the industry.
Q: Fun fact about you – What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
A: A fun fact about me is that I work as a Wedding Coordinator on the weekends! I love planning people’s best day ever!
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: The importance of building your brand. It’s not just companies that are brands these days – it’s people, too. To make yourself stand out in such a large industry, you need to define what makes you different. In my four years of working in this industry, I’ve learned to find what attributes make me stand out from the rest of the group, and how I can work to build those qualities so that when people hear my name, they associate it with the brand I work to represent.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: The best lesson I learned on site is that mistakes happen and that you can’t get hung up on them. The important thing is that you address the mistake and come up with a plan on how to fix it. I remember the first time I made a mistake on site I completely panicked and shut down. I quickly learned that reacting that way only made the situation worse and that I needed to get control of the situation and come up with a Plan B to fix things. Everybody makes mistakes – we’re human!
Q: What about the exhibitions and event industry is important to you?
A: I love planning a conference or tradeshow and bringing hundreds/thousands of people together to meet and talk about common interests. Technology is an amazing thing, but it also takes away from organic face-to-face interactions sometimes. I love planning a conference that brings people together from all over the country and even the world to meet in person and grow themselves and their interests. To me, meeting face-to-face is so much more impact than an email or phone conversation.
Business Development Manager
UBM Americas
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I was initiated into the exhibition industry at CES while working with an exhibitor appointed contractor as a financial analyst. I got to experience the show from setup through dismantle and was impressed by the scale and how much preparation and resources go into it.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: I work across UBM Americas’ portfolio in assisting our Managing Directors with their strategy and facilitating mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and commercial partnerships. I also look for exciting new industries that we don’t have a presence but may want to enter that market.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: My intention has been to expand my industry knowledge and network. I’ve joined the YPs and will complete my CEM designation this year. IAEE has been effective in helping me fulfill both goals through these channels.
Q: Fun fact about you – What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
A: While visiting Barcelona in 2010 I was broadcast on Spanish national news celebrating their World Cup victory.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Regardless of how demanding your day-to-day responsibilities are, it is important to make time and get outside of your comfort zone. Introduce yourself to those you don’t interact with on a regular basis, both inside and outside of your organization, and ask to learn about what they do. You’ll not only gain a better understanding about other roles and industries but also expand your network.
National Sales Manager
American Tradeshow Services
Q1: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: I work with clients to make sure their event goes perfectly from start to finish. I help set up their ideal registration and onsite needs then see it through to the end that their event is everything they planned.
Q2: Fun fact about you – What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
A: While traveling to different events, I have been able to cross different baseball stadiums off my list. I have now been to 18 of the 30 ballparks.
Q3: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Be a sponge and soak in everything you can from older professionals that have experience in the field. Always ask questions and never be shy! Also – get involved with IAEE Young Professionals as quickly as possible! There are a lot of professionals that can help you!
Q4: What about the exhibitions and event industry is important to you?
A: The most important thing to me about the industry is that it brings people together and promotes face to face business.
Q5: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: I love the networking that comes with IAEE. I wanted the networking and comradery that I witnessed in the DFW chapter to transfer over into my home city of New Orleans.
IT Administrator
ConvExx
Q1: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: Maintaining various resources involving internal technology, such as preparing workstations and website administration. These responsibilities extend to onsite, which include equipment inventory and deployment, as well as set up and troubleshooting various on-site equipment.
Q2: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: Initially I had started working labor jobs for a show contractor and enjoyed working behind the scenes. I was eventually given an opportunity to work in the industry full-time as an IT administrator for show management.
Q3: Fun fact about you – What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
A: I love movies and music, I have competed in a few independent short film competitions, doing both the sound and visuals. I also have a collection of vinyl records, as I am sort of an audiophile in addition to my love of film.
Q4: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Never stop – progress does not happen if you stop. No matter what happens, even if it is not apparent, you are still moving forward. Keep the momentum and you will reach goals before you can see them coming.
Q5: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did you overcome it?
A: The biggest challenge I faced in my current role was adaptation to the speed and workflow of show production. With so many hands in different areas, it is overwhelming at times. Since every area of show production is a learning experience, being paired with some of the most knowledgeable people in this industry was a huge benefit. Learning while doing with the help of these people was an incredible way to overcome the inherent challenges.
Q6: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: Given the resources provided by IAEE, it seems essential that anyone involved in the industry would benefit from any involvement with the association. As my career in exhibitions grows, I feel my involvement with IAEE might as well.
Marketing Manager
Taffy Event Strategies
Q1: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I started off in the association world and slowly got more involved in the events side.
Q2: Fun fact about you – What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
A: I have an Instagram famous cat.
Q3: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Get advice from experienced professionals, learn from their mistakes and ask for tips!
Q4: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did you overcome it?
A: Learning multiple platforms at the same time (digital marketing, website management). I took the time to teach myself. There’s so much information out there readily available that all it takes is the time to look for it. You can teach yourself anything.
Q5: What about the exhibitions and event industry is important to you?
A: Interacting with the attendees for the show is always the most important to me. Hearing why they come and the importance of the event to them is always insightful and rewarding.
Q6: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: The networking & community of people involved in IAEE.
Sales Manager
GES
Q1: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: My parents are both involved on the association side of the industry, this is where my interest began. I knew I wanted to get involved in the industry but wanted to do something entirely different. I got involved in the GES Account Associate program, and it’s been history ever since!
Q2: Fun fact about you – What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
A: I’m an avid wakeboarder!
Q3: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Ask questions, talk to everyone and learn their stories of how they got into this crazy industry! The more people you know, the larger your network and the greater possibilities that you will find! Do NOT be afraid to network, go to events on your own, my greatest connections have been made when I’m flying solo.
Q4: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did you overcome it?
A: There was no manual of “how to’s” when I started my job. I spoke to nearly everyone and figured out how they would approach different tasks and asked again and again to have them explain how and why we do certain things. I have learned everything from my GES team, and have taken the many different approaches I learned from them to figure out which ways work best for me!
Q5: What about the exhibitions and event industry is important to you?
A: This industry is like no other. The industry has the power to make the changes the world keeps talking about. We’re in the business of bringing people together and making lasting connections.
Manager, Partner Solutions
ASIS International
Q1: Describe your daily duties in 3 sentences or less.
A: I provide solutions to all exhibitors and sponsors. I create reports for ROI and develop new systems and procedures for enhanced customer care. Also, I manage Accolades program, priority points and the collections process.
Q2: What do you think you need to take your career to the next level?
A: To take my career to the next level, I would need my CEM and CMP to enhance my knowledge and understanding of the industry and extend my network groups.
Q3: Name something interesting about yourself.
A: I once found myself drifting out in the Mediterranean Sea and had to get rescued.
Q4: Is there a person that you keep in mind and/or aspire to in your career approach?
A: The one person that I keep in mind in my career approach is my mother.
Q5: Is there a quote that is a favorite of yours or a quote that you reference throughout your career/life journey?
A: Don’t push your weaknesses, play with your strengths – Jennifer Lopez
Q6: If you could have dinner with anyone – dead or alive, real or imagined, who would it be and why?
A: Jennifer Lopez and Dwayne Johnson. They both worked very hard to get where they are and all the roles they play in life are extremely inspiring. They also use their platforms to speak out for what’s right and they don’t put other people down just because they are celebrities.
Customer Service and Logistics Assistant
Taffy Event Strategies
Q1: Describe your daily duties in 3 sentences or less.
A: It varies a lot as I assist with projects in marketing, sales, and operations. Consistently, I respond to all customer service inquiries, updating sales lists regarding companies looking to gain or change booth positions, and oversee our show’s awards programs.
Q2: What do you think you need to take your career to the next level?
A: I keep hearing networking is key. Thus, gaining networking opportunities and just learning more about the industry would certainly be useful.
Q3: Name something interesting about yourself.
A: I’ve been to the moon! Okay, no I haven’t done anything quite that cool. I can juggle pretty well though.
Q4: Is there a person that you keep in mind and/or aspire to in your career approach?
A: Not to be too cheesy, but my mom has always been my hero. The passion and focus she brings to everything worthy of her attention is astounding.
Q5: Do you have a favorite team (professional, local, school, etc.)?
A: Washington Wizards and Oklahoma City Thunder. The Wizards because they are my home team and the Thunder because I aspire to one day be as confident in anything as Russell Westbrook is driving into the lane of a basketball court.
Q6: If you could have dinner with anyone – dead or alive, real or imagined, who would it be and why?
A: Probably Mike Birbiglia. He’s my favorite comedian right now and I have grown to have a big appreciation for him and the art form.
Exhibit Coordinator
True Value Company
Q1: Describe your daily duties in 3 sentences or less.
A: Manage our tradeshow financials, tradeshow website and show floor mapping to name a few.
Q2: What do you think you need to take your career to the next level?
A: In order to take my career to the next level, I need continued education in the industry as well as hand-on experience with my fellow senior leadership team at my corporate offices and beyond.
Q3: Name something interesting about yourself.
A: I enjoy traveling the world, experiencing different cultures and learning more about the world in which we live.
Q4: Is there a person that you keep in mind and/or aspire to in your career approach?
A: My grandmother, who lives in Germany, is someone I aspire to be in my career approach. It is her attitude and passion for life that continues to inspire me to always stay driven and to never stop striving for success.
Q5: Is there a quote that is a favorite of yours or a quote that you reference throughout your career/life journey?
A: “It is on strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly.” – Claude Monet
Q6: If you could have dinner with anyone – dead or alive, real or imagined, who would it be and why?
A: If I had to choose anyone to have dinner with dead or alive, real or imagined, it would honestly be my grandmother. As I’ve said before, she is one of the most interesting people in this world that knows how to inspire and hold the most interesting conversations!
Director, Craft for Pay
National Business Media
Q1: How did you start your career in this industry?
A: In 2004, I participated in the Disney College Program (I was attending a different university and majoring in an unrelated field). While it wasn’t directly related to events, the internship gave me a taste of the hospitality industry and the confidence to branch out on my own, so in 2007, I moved to Florida and started at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Event Management. Internships are a requirement to earn your degree there, so I connected with the Events department at National Business Media, and the rest is history!
Q2: How has IAEE shaped your career?
A: If I hadn’t become involved in IAEE, I very likely wouldn’t be in my current position. Through IAEE, I’ve been able to earn my CEM and participate in the Krakoff Leadership Institute (KLI). Both programs have such a wealth of industry knowledge that I wouldn’t have been able to find elsewhere.
Q3: What advice would you give to a new member?
A: Get involved! It’s the fastest and easiest way to meet industry peers.
Q4: Fun fact about you – What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
A: I take ballet, jazz and lyrical at a local dance studio! It’s a great way to stay active, relieve stress and be creative! My goal is to become strong enough in my technique to earn my pointe shoes.
Q5: What do you like most about Expo! Expo!
A: I work remotely, so the best part about Expo! Expo! for me is seeing all of my peers in person! I love being able to put faces to names of committee members I’ve been working with all year.
Q6: Without using a specific company name, what new technology on the market can you just not live without? Why?
A: I can’t live without my newsletter content aggregator! It saves me so much time.
Senior Manager of Conference and Meetings
National Association for College Admission Counseling
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I planned my proms in high school and didn’t necessarily think it was a career. While majoring in politics & education at The Catholic University of America, I wound up getting involved with producing social events for my graduating class and working in the admissions office. So a combination of all those avenues led to the work I do now, that directly benefits young people (I know, so millennial of me). My position at NACAC is a combination of all the things that I was passionate about in college and was looking for in a career. While I’m not actively making policy to change the way education works, I would like to think I’m giving those working in the field of college admission an opportunity to collaborate and learn to go out and do it when they attend our conferences and meetings.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: My current responsibility is managing logistics for meetings and conferences that the organization puts on (heads in beds, full bellies, butts in seats, smiling faces), but also manage the 450 speakers and over 150 educational sessions at our annual conference. I also help to acclimate first-time conference attendees at our programs and engage all of our members, attendees and prospective attendees on social media.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: IAEE is a great organization and very welcoming for young professionals. I want to be the best at what I do and want to learn from the best, this organization is the best place for me to achieve that.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on-site?
A: You have to be flexible and roll with the punches. Presenters might run late or go over time, rain may delay flights, attendees can have a terrible trip in and take it out on you, projectors/technology can fail, your organization can lose all of your data after transitioning to the cloud. (All things I’ve seen in the past few years). You can’t change those things and just have to slap a smile on your face and make it look like you’ve got it all figured out, even if you need to go to the staff office and cry a little bit later.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did your overcome it?
A: When I first started in this industry, my biggest problem was taking things personally. I would read the survey results post-conference, specifically the comments section where people have free reign to criticize everything we spent a year plus creating. I think near the end my head was about to explode when reading some of the things that people had to say, especially when there was a clear reason why we did or didn’t do something. I would be tempted to email the people directly and be like, “well you didn’t look hard enough,” or “had you read your emails, you would have known five months ago.” Looking at it now, it’s a learning experience and if anything take whatever they said and try and make it even easier to understand so that they can’t miss it next time. If consistent things are coming up, then reevaluate how you’re doing it, because they might be on to something.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Networking is key, you never know where a 5 minute conversation will lead you or help you when you need it. It can also hurt you, so think before you drink that sixth glass of wine at a reception. Aside from that, be creative in your professional environment and try to incorporate your own style in the decisions that you make. At the same time, don’t take it personally when someone doesn’t go with your idea the first time and come prepared for every meeting.
Q: Where can you read up on industry news?
A: Aside from the obvious IAEE and PCMA newsletters, forums and emails .. I faithfully read the website and twitter accounts of US Travel, Skift, Exhibitions Mean Business, Meetings Mean Business, Smart Meetings, Condé Nast Traveler. Even if you don’t want to participate be sure to follow #expochat and #eventprofs.
Q: What’s the best way to develop your career path and have your boss buy in?
A: Try to have an open relationship about your career with your boss. This won’t always work, but if you like what you’re doing and the company you’re with, give it a shot. Take advantage of your performance reviews and come up with a trajectory plan of where you’d like to be in a year, 5 years, etc. You can’t expect to get anywhere if you never ask or say anything about it. Above all, make it look easy in every single sense of the word. Be easy to work with, easy to depend on, easy to represent the organization, and easy to promote and give more responsibility when it comes time to do so.
Event Planner
Penton
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: My previous experience is a myriad of event-related jobs: I Stage Managed Off-Broadway and was a wedding and gala planner in New York City. In all of these roles, I was creatively driven, but felt unbalanced as I was a one-man-band, the only one vouching for and producing the event. I made the transition to the exhibitions world upon moving to Denver, Colorado and for the first time worked at a company with ultiple show teams, all of which are stacked with experienced, supportive, and driven people who dream of bringing their attendees innovative and exciting experiences every year; a team that works together akin to the pieces of a puzzle. Now, I am not only able to facilitate information and my show team’s decisions, I am also able to stretch my creative arms and collaborate creatively with the many talented people around me to build events that I am proud to work on and would be excited to attend.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: Management of vendor relations, creation of signage and work orders for events, and maintenance of event scheduling and trade show floor plans. Reconciliation of budgets for all trade shows and conference and invoice management for all vendors. Working with the sponsorship team to appropriately price sponsorships based on applicable costs, tracking sponsorships as they are sold, and fulfill all on-site sponsorship assets.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: The industries I have worked in previously were extremely competitive and I had trouble finding a camaraderie with those who were in the same position as me, Even more challenging was finding mentors. With the Exposition and Events industry, I find that I am more driven to advance because of the amazing network of people I work with. Everyone works towards a common goal and is interested in helping each member of the team reach the top. It is a beautiful ideal that I value highly.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: The best lesson I learned on-site is that “we have a vendor for that.” In my past work in theater, the main role of the Stage Manager was to facilitate ideas and enact decisions between all parties to best grow and support the performance. This is very similar to what an operations position does; however there is one major difference: in theater, you typically don’t have the money to hire on additional workers. In the Exhibitions and Events world, while we do get our hands dirty, there is often a vendor who we are already paying to do that work. It’s important to utilize the workers you have and save your energy to manage the larger conversations and challenges that arise on-site.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did your overcome it?
A: Prior to my current job, I had very little experience working with people in different time zones. While I am based out of Colorado, my company spans the entire globe and while most of my co-workers understand that we work in different time zones, most of our attendees and exhibitors do not. I have learned to assert myself when a team member makes a 6a.m. meeting Mountain Standard Time and when Sponsors try to call at 8 pm at night. It is very important to have a work-life balance in this industry or you will find yourself working around the clock.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Age is only a number, but it’s a number you can utilize to strengthen you. Take the years while you are a young professional to build up your arsenal of knowledge, training, industry connections, and experience. This will make you a more valuable and powerful employee down the road. Keep your co-workers and employer figuratively guessing your age, but constantly impress them with your skill set.
Q: As a future exhibition and event industry leader, what area(s) do you deem necessary for future success in this competitive market?
A: As a society, we want things to feel within our control and to happen as fast as we can snap our fingers. A complaint show organizers hear on every show is that Registration lines are too long and they move too slowly. Our attendees want to feel that they are in control of this situation. A way to bring control to the masses is to create a check-in process similar to airline’s fast check-ins at the
airport. Attendees will scan a QR or bar code they receive via email on their smartphone at a kiosk. Each code will be unique, allowing the code to link to a specific attendee’s information in the database. By scanning their code, the computer will pull up their information, they will confirm it is correct on the screen and the kiosk will print the badge right in front of them. They will then be responsible for attaching the provided lanyard to their badge. This will cut down on lines and put the control in attendee’s hands. Technology advancements are driving our society. I believe we need to utilize this as exhibition and event professionals to propel our business forward. Show apps, way finders, and digital signage are perfect examples of media we consume in our daily lives that has
been brought successfully into the exhibition industry. In the future, I believe we will begin to utilize live translation tools like Google’s Translate app that translates real-time conversations to help facilitate conversations between attendees and exhibitors in our multilingual shows. We may also delve deeper into indoor locational awareness with technology like iBeacon, Apple’s platform that can identify a person’s proximity whether inside or outside.
Q: Is there a quote or person that you keep in mind and aspire to in your career approach?
A: “Experience gives us knowledge. Pain gives us wisdom.” – Andrew Farkas, Island Capital Group (real estate merchant banking firm) founder, Managing Member, Chairman and CEO. This quote was told to me while filming him for The Young Women’s Leadership Foundation for their Man of the year award. I try to live without regrets and this quote reminds me to take every moment from my career and try to learn something from it even if it was embarrassing or knocked me on my bottom. The only place you can go in your career is up, as long as you remember the moments that could have brought you down.
Knowledge and Events Executive
IMEX Group
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: After my university studies of Tourism Geography, I took another course in project management for the MICE industry. Through this, I both got to know our wonderful industry but also got internship opportunities with several organizations such as PCOs and industry associations. By participating in the IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum, I got in contact with my current boss since she was involved as a speaker at the forum and we had a nice chat during the breaks.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: As Knowledge and Events Executive at IMEX Group, I partly plan and coordinate the education programme at both of our shows (IMEX Frankfurt and IMEX America) with my team but I also manage and plan all aspects of the IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forums (an event for students which aims to encourage them to start a career in the meetings and events industry).
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: I love the community, education and initiatives that IAEE provides. I am very impressed by the innovative approaches to make current topics and formats available to the community and I aspire to be a part of it.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: Keep calm and composed! A lot of unexpected issues can come up onsite but it is always possible to find a solution, so do not stress out about it – especially not in front of your guests or clients.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did your overcome it?
A: Most of my events take place within a period of 3 months, so it can be a very intense and busy period with many trips out of the office. In order to manage the workload during this time better, I set up timelines and focus on the most important results to deliver in that period. Moreover, in times of intense workload, I also plan in relaxing activities in my free-time to help me find balance and re-energize.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Ask a lot of questions! Everybody in this industry is so approachable and friendly – you can accelerate your learning process by hearing about the experience of your colleagues and industry friends. Keep an open mind and learn from everybody.
Q: What inspires you about your work?
A: I feel very proud of my work when I see a transformation in my events’ participants. This can be brought out through something that they learned or that inspired them in the event’s programme or through a new connection that they made through the event. My measure of success is when I hear back from participants that because of the event, they took certain action steps or did something outside their comfort zone.
Q: What is the best thing about IAEE 20 under 30 ?
A: I really enjoyed meeting my peers at Expo! Expo! in December and I felt so inspired by learning about their work reality and their career journeys. I learnt a lot about other fields in our industry and the industry in other parts of the world. It is great that we got this platform to support and encourage each other in our personal career development and development of the industry.
International Trade Show Coordinator
PMMI
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I studied Conventions and Special Events in college and had various internships within the industry during my summer
years between semesters.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: I am the International Trade Show Coordinator at PMMI and am responsible for organizing our pavilion exhibitors that come to PACK EXPO from various countries around the world. I’m also managing the PMMI Pavilion at EXPO PACK Mexico and EXPO PACK Guadalajara, which both contain about 90 member companies. I’m doing everything from booth selection, exhibitor communications, furniture and service orders, and operations.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: I attend IAEE functions to continue learning about the industry and to hear about best practices that are currently being used by other organizations. I started my CEM this year and am excited to get certified within the next few years.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: Don’t panic if something goes wrong! Know who your on-site contacts are and have a good working relationship with them. Your vendors will typically be able to solve the problem quickly and won’t mind helping you out.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did your overcome it?
A: Since I work mostly with overseas countries and Mexico, I’m usually working on a delay. I’ve become an expert at keeping lists of pending items that I need and following up with my contacts if I don’t hear back within a day or two.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Try to get involved in as many aspects of your department as you can. If an opportunity presents itself that will help grow your career and learn more about the department or industry, take it. Every opportunity leads somewhere.
Q: How did you settle on your current job and select this side of the business?
A: Conventions have always fascinated me and the travel aspect was intriguing. I enjoy planning and PACK EXPO and EXPO PACK have allowed me to do that on a much larger scale.
Q: Where do you get to travel for your job?
A: I get to travel to Mexico City, Guadalajara, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Philadelphia for our various shows.
Sales Director, International Business Development
Emerald Expositions
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. After spending 2 years in the freight forwarding industry, I started my trade show experience at UBM Advanstar, where I provided customers with services to over 600 international exhibitors from Asian countries. In 2014, I joined Emerald Expositions, the largest B2B trade show organizer in the United States, and started working in the international division with SourceDirect at ASD. The event is going and growing well – it was identified as the fastest growing sourcing event in the United States over the last four years. I was recently promoted to Sales Director, International Business Development. I’m proud to work for such a great company that recognizes its employees. I speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, which has helped me excel in international business. I’m confident in myself and in my capabilities and believe we’ll continue to grow the international business portfolio.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: Recognize new growth opportunities and developing the strategies to deliver these opportunities into reality. Drive innovation and grow the international business across our trade show portfolio. Help to train and develop new team members.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: IAEE is the leading association for the global exhibition industry. IAEE provides great network, education, resources to the community, and it connects the professionals within in the industry which help us to engage and create more business opportunities and better service for our clients. I am proud of being a member of IAEE.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: Power of Influence and Persuasion and Selling has Nothing to Do with Selling
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did your overcome it?
A: The most challenging aspect of my current role is to make sure our international clients understand well enough of how to be succeed in the U.S. Market. International clients are coming around the world, they have different cultures background and speak different languages. As a trade show organizers, our mission is continuing to provide educations to them, support and guide them via education seminars, webinars, face to face meetings, and on site trainings on how to prepare for exhibiting at U.S. trade shows and be successful. We have seen results from increased number of exhibitors and retention rate YOY, and we have received great show feedbacks from our clients.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: I truly recommend starting a career in this industry because it’s filled with opportunities. This industry is so unique because it brings people together and creates lots and lots of business opportunities, such as networking and education. People who work in this industry have passion, talents, creative ideas, and the vision to foresee and forecast what the next trend is, so there are endless business opportunities we create for exhibitors and attendees. There is so much going on in this industry and there is always new excitement — I love trade shows!
Q: Why are you passionate about the events and exhibitions industry?
A: Helping international people do business here and bringing international business to the United States is something I’m very passionate about and want to continue doing throughout my career. I want to use my international background, talents and love for this field to help people grow and do business together. I’m proud to be a member of a great show management team with sourcing knowledge, international business experience and multi-languages skills in Japanese, Mandarins, Cantonese, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Romanian, German, Swedish, and English. We provide unique services and experiences for both exhibitors and attendees.
Q: What’s been your proudest career moment so far?
A: A memory I’ll never forget is when we dissolved a business partnership with an exclusive agent and successfully established a full sales network structure in China. Double digit growth in NSF YOY has proved this is the right business model, and we will continue to develop and strengthen our business partnership with our business partners around the world to promote the business.
Manager, Event Operations
Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)
Q: What was your very first job in the industry?
A: My first official job in the industry was as a day of wedding coordinator. It was a great experience – there were many challenges but I learned the importance of providing quick solutions and providing great service.
Q: What are some of your favorite aspects of your current position?
A: I enjoy the puzzle work of getting the logistics in order -working with the various vendors, internal staff, my events team and providing creative ideas/solutions to create a great program and experience for our attendees. I also have the opportunity to travel all across the U.S. and put on some great events!
Q: What makes you want to be involved with IAEE?
A: IAEE is an expert on what is happening in the Events and Exhibits industry. Their education, events and connections are imperative to me as a planner. I would encourage all young professionals in the industry to be a part of IAEE to grow their network and industry knowledge.
Q: What’s the best lesson you learned on site?
A: Onsite anything can happen, so always, always, ALWAYS have a backup plan!
Q: How did your overcome the most difficult aspect of your current position?
A: I have been with my organization for a little over three months – there is a learning curve when you move to a new organization. You have to learn new people, internal operating procedures, vendors, etc. One way that I am overcoming that difficulty is by asking questions and lots of them! The only way to learn is by seeking the answers. Like they say in grade school “no question is a dumb question”, so don’t be afraid to ask them.
Q: What’s your best advice / tips for any up and coming young professionals?
A: Be patient and learn as much as you can, where ever you can. Sometimes as a young professional, we can get caught up on titles, positions, and salary (which is important!) – but you can learn and make an impact in any position. Once you learn it, make it your own, make good connections and move on to the next big thing.
Q: What is your favorite career quote and why?
A: “Careers are not a ladder; they are a jungle gym. Don’t expect a direct climb” by Sheryl Sandberg.
For the most part, we view success as a linear process. When in fact, most successful people have failed several times before they made their big break. Or they started in a different industry from the one they are currently successful in. When you view success as a jungle gym it takes the weight off you not being where you think you should be in your career. Every job that you take, every mistake you make, every good and bad experience is all apart of your story and journey to your success.
Meetings Coordinator
Society of Biblical Literature
Q: What was your very first job in the industry?
A: This is my first job in the industry: Meetings Coordinator at the Society of Biblical Literature.
Q: What are some of your favorite aspects of your current position?
A: Seeing a meeting through, from the planning stages to completion, is always an extremely rewarding experience.
Q: What makes you want to be involved with IAEE?
A: I feel that having a learning resource, as well as a community of people with similar interests, work lives, and professional challenges is imperative to my growth as an industry professional.
Q: What’s the best lesson you learned on site?
A: The best lesson I have learned on site, at a meeting, is that flexibility is key. Although we do our best to plan for all eventualities, it is so important to be adaptable to whatever unexpected situations may (and will) occur.
Q: How did your overcome the most difficult aspect of your current position?
A: Since this is my first position in the industry, I think many of the most difficult aspects were my personal, self-limiting beliefs. Only through constantly pushing myself to achieve outside of my comfort zone, did I finally overcome (much of) my shyness and gain confidence in my capabilities.
Q: What’s your best advice / tips for any up and coming young professionals?
A: I think my best advice is ‘don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.’ As a naturally reserved person, this is something that I have struggled with in the past. Working through my shyness to share my ideas and meet others in the industry has helped to build by confidence and build my network exponentially.
Meeting Planner, Learning, Leadership Development and Evaluation
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I was introduced to the industry in 2010 when I completed a meetings unit internship at the Association of American Medical Colleges, the summer after I graduated from Virginia Tech.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: Full logistical responsibility and travel for 6-8 meetings annually, ranging in size from 20-800 attendees. These responsibilities include site selection and contract negotiation, vendor select and management, exhibits and sponsorship, budgeting and financial management, registration, housing, food and beverage, and financial closeout. We manage offsite receptions, poster sessions, mobile apps, website management, email and marketing communications and any additional responsibilities that may arise. I also assist with the Exhibit Hall and Sponsorship Opportunities at our annual meeting. I help with the floor plan, online exhibitor management, prospectus development, decorator communications and decisions, etc.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: I learned about IAEE when I was exploring an opportunity to take on responsibilities associated with our annual meeting’s exhibit hall and sponsorship opportunities. I was immediately intrigued to learn more about what a membership with IAEE would offer and discussed options with an IAEE representative. She discussed the member benefits including learning offerings and webinars, professional development and networking opportunities like Expo! Expo! and after hearing what I was tasked with for our annual meeting, suggested I explore the CEM designation. Our membership with IAEE has been extremely impactful. I have participated in several CEM courses and obtained my CEM in December 2016. I had an opportunity to attend Expo! Expo! complimentary because of being a new member, and I made several connections with industry professionals that I remain in touch with on a regular basis.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: Not being there is an opportunity missed. I met with so many of our vendors and partners while onsite and was able to engage with them and talk with them while networking and during sessions.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did your overcome it?
A: There are only so many hours in the day and you cant do it all. Everyone needs help sometimes and I cant be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. It is a hard lesson to learn.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Get involved. Absorb and ask questions about everything that intrigues you. Our industry is extremely welcoming and people love highlighting all of the amazing things they have going on when people show interest in something they are doing or that you want to know more about.
Q: What is your favorite task or aspect of your current role?
A: Site selection and contracting is my favorite part of any meeting. One of my favorite parts of my job is sitting down at the beginning of the planning process with my program staff contact, seeing how far along they are in their planning process, and figuring out what they want to achieve onsite at their event. We brainstorm how to adapt the space, the venue, the city, the registration fee, and the expenses to fit their needs and the needs of their constituents. Putting work in on the front end, during site selection, gives us a better sense of what they want to do at the meeting, where things will be placed, and if the cities will work for that particular group and meeting.
Q: What is a book that has impacted your career?
A: The 360 Degree Leader: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization by John C. Maxwell.
Meetings Coordinator
International Sign Association
Q: What was your very first job in the industry?
A: My first job in the industry was working at the Washington Hilton as an Events Assistant. It was a wonderful experience learning how events are executed in hotels and how the hotel operates to ensure a streamline planning process.
Q: What are some of your favorite aspects of your current position?
A: Currently I work at the International Sign Association as the Meetings Coordinator. I love planning meetings that allow our members and attendees to connect with one another face to face and have a great time doing so. The position allows me to be creative and gain more experience in the industry as well as network with other meeting planners. I also really enjoy the people I work with. Everyone is so passionate about our Association and what we do for our members. We also have a ton of fun doing what we do.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: Being involved with IAEE allows me to connect with other industry professionals who share the same passion that I do for events. I also really appreciate the educational events that IAEE organizes. I enjoy going to educational sessions and learning about new trends in the industry and up-and-coming technologies that I can implement at our events.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: You can never plan enough. There is always going to be something that happens on-site that you haven’t planned for, or expected. You need to be able to act quickly, get creative in your approach and do everything you can to ensure it doesn’t affect the attendee experience.
Q: How did you overcome the most difficult aspect of your current position?
A: I overcame challenges in my career with the support of other members of my team. We support one another and I think that is what makes our programs and events so great.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: People say it all the time-to get involved. It is so important and truly makes such a difference in your professional and personal growth. Not to mention it is fun to participate in industry events and meet other industry professionals. You learn so much about the industry and about other people’s experiences that you can apply to your professional growth down the road. This industry is the perfect place to start a career and definitely has longevity.
Q: What new or exciting developments are you currently working on?
A: I am currently working towards my CMP. I recently applied and will be taking the exam in May. I joined a study group to compare notes and meet other meeting planners who have either already taken the exam, or will be and what advice they can share to succeed.
Q: What about the exhibitions and event industry is important to you?
A: Events are what bring people together. I think it is so important that these events create memorable experiences and connections for attendees. Discovering new and innovative ways to create those fun experiences is what it is all about. Whether it’s through the food, entertainment, education events, or networking events-it’s all about leaving a lasting impression. A takeaway that that individual can use in their work, or their next event.
Account Executive
AEM – Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Q: What was your very first job in the industry?
A: I worked two jobs as a CONEXPO-CON/AGG Intern – Exhibitor Engagement & Attendee VIP.
Q: What are some of your favorite aspects of your current position?
A: Engagement with people from all over the world, seeing something that a team worked hard on come to fruition.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: The passion that everyone has in the industry. EXPO! EXPO! is a great example of that.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: Be alert and do your homework. Learn as much as possible, expect to work on the fly.
Q: How did you overcome the most difficult aspect of your current position?
A: Accept mistakes. Move forward. Make it better.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Always give 110%. Always try to improve everything around you. Always try to make a positive impact. People will notice.
Q: Where do you feel the industry is headed?
A: I think two things are currently affecting the industry in a big way:
1- Technology. New technology, specifically more ways to grab data are going to help exhibitors learn more about trade shows patterns, gather more leads and increase roi
2- International Markets have an opportunity to grow trade shows. Through avenues such as technology.
Q: Ways to improve?
A: Constantly look for any missed opportunities, or frustrations and work to make them better. Whether it’s housing, registration, booking exhibits, adding sponsorship opportunities or general flow of a floor plan, there is almost always something to improve & make better.
Meetings Coordinator
Society of Biblical Literature
Q: What was your very first job in the industry?
A: This is my first job in the industry: Meetings Coordinator at the Society of Biblical Literature.
Q: What are some of your favorite aspects of your current position?
A: Seeing a meeting through, from the planning stages to completion, is always an extremely rewarding experience.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: I feel that having a learning resource, as well as a community of people with similar interests, work lives, and professional challenges is imperative to my growth as an industry professional.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: The best lesson I have learned on site, at a meeting, is that flexibility is key. Although we do our best to plan for all eventualities, it is so important to be adaptable to whatever unexpected situations may (and will) occur.
Q: How did you overcome the most difficult aspect of your current position?
A: Since this is my first position in the industry, I think many of the most difficult aspects were my personal, self-limiting beliefs. Only through constantly pushing myself to achieve outside of my comfort zone, did I finally overcome (much of) my shyness and gain confidence in my capabilities.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: I think my best advice is ‘don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.’ As a naturally reserved person, this is something that I have struggled with in the past. Working through my shyness to share my ideas and meet others in the industry has helped to build by confidence and build my network exponentially.
Events Coordinator
National Catholic Educational Association
Q: What was your very first job in the industry?
A: My current position is my first full time, post collegiate job in the industry – Events Coordinator with the National Catholic Educational Association. While still in college, I held two internships within the industry yet those were short, summer only opportunities between school years.
Q: What are some of your favorite aspects of your current position?
A: I love that each day brings something new and different – I’ve never had two days look alike. I also very much so enjoy working on events because they are projects with tangible outcomes, products and experiences that are created from scratch which is rewarding, fun and motivating!
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: In just my short time of becoming involved with IAEE it has become very clear to me that it is an organization very supportive of its members truly wanting them and this industry to succeed.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: Work to introduce yourself to as many individuals and make as many connections as possible!
Q: How did you overcome the most difficult aspect of your current position?
A: It’s very easy to become overwhelmed with an ever growing “to-do” list and to have difficulty in prioritizing which tasks or projects need to be done before others. Of course I’m always working to improve my ability to prioritize and manage all of my “to-do’s”, but to tackle this difficulty I’ve made sure to periodically re-write and re-organize my task list and include deadline dates on it. Trial and error has also been my best friend in this process!
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Remember to take a breath and do all things that you do with confidence – which is easier said than done! Likely many of the aspects of your first or second position in the industry will involve tasks and projects that you have never done before or have limited experience in. It will be very easy to avoid making decisions, sharing new ideas and taking on unfamiliar tasks in case you could be wrong or make a mistake but jumping in and doing exactly those things are the best way to learn and push forward.
Q: How did/do you know that you’re in the right position for you?
A: Even on my most busy or stressful days I adore getting out of bed early and going to work!
Q: What is a project you’ve really enjoyed within your current position?
A: Over the past year, I have managed the mobile app that we provide for our attendees at our annual convention which is something that I never thought I’d do and have really had fun with. It’s a challenging yet rewarding process each year which is great!
Associate Manager/Customer & Audience Solutions
Informa Exhibitions
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I found myself here because of good old fashioned networking! A former college friend referred me to the company and for the position that I am in now. You never know what opportunities that friend from college or the person you met at an industry event may lead to!
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: I oversee our digital sponsorships and manage vendor relationships. I also handle shooting and editing videos internally for marketing purposes as well as on-site for our shows.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: I was invited to an IAEE event soon after I started in the industry by a coworker. Slowly I got involved with the YP committee and now serve on the DFW board as the Secretary/Social Media chair. Its been a great opportunity to network and gain more experience in the industry.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: Make a plan! There is so much to do from conference sessions, keynotes, meeting with exhibitors and attending show floor activities. Before you know it, the show floor is closing and you still have so many things to do!
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did your overcome it?
A: In the beginning, the challenge was to learn everything about trade shows as possible – including the lingo (drayage? what?). I was set up with meetings in my office with individuals who were experts in their job responsibility and just peppered them with questions. I still find myself reaching out and asking questions about the how and why of our industry.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Get to know the people around you in the industry. Meet those people you only ever talk to through email at Expo!Expo! or at your local IAEE meetings.
Q: What do you binge on (besides Netflix…)?
A: I’m a total NPR & podcast junkie. If you’re looking for good recommendations I’d suggest This American Life, Snap Judgment, Lore, Reply All, and The Moth (among many others!)
Trade Show Manager
Latin Expo Group, LLC.
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: During college, the internship experiences I chose to pursue involved sales, customer service, marketing, international trade and were generally event-oriented. Through these internships, not only did I gain invaluable experience in these particular fields but it gave me insight to what I ultimately wanted in the long term – combine all of these passions into one job. I lucky to have found that perfect match when I was hired as Show Manager for the Latin Auto Parts Expo in my current company – Latin Expo Group, a professional trade show organizer based in Miami, Florida. Being given the responsibility to essentially create and develop a brand new trade show at the ripe age of 22 was an enormous honor!
In addition to this, I had studied International Relations in college and was always fascinated by globalization and the increasing development of the trade amongst countries. I loved the idea that by organizing trade shows I would be providing companies a platform to sell their products in the international marketplace.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: Two years ago when I first joined my company Latin Expo Group, I was tasked to develop a new auto parts show that was just launched by the company – the Latin Auto Parts Expo www.latinpartsexpo.com which was taking place in Panama, a foreign country I had not visited and had minimal prior knowledge of. My initial goal was simple: I was to make the Latin Auto Parts Expo, in its first year, a successful show and sell booths to at least 100 foreign exhibitors.
After months of consistent cold-calling, developing creative promotional emails to send out to exhibitor prospects, securing strategic ad spaces in virtually every major newspaper in Latin America & Caribbean, I am proud to say that all that hard work paid off and I exceeded my initial sales goal for the show. The first year of the trade show was huge success with approximately 193 exhibitors. This year, the Latin Auto Parts Expo’s second year, brought almost double that number. The 2015 show had 357 exhibitors and approximately 3,500 attendees – becoming the largest show in the history of our company. We have also have been fortunate to count on the recurring participation of many of the major brands in the auto parts industry such as Denso, NAPA Auto Parts, Pep Boys, AC Delco Tools & Equipment, etc. I applied to have our show certified by the US Department of Commerce, making it the only auto parts show in Latin America & the Caribbean to be officially endorsed by the US Dept. of Commerce and deemed “an excellent opportunity for American companies to showcase their products.” Overall, I am very proud to have managed and oversaw the development of this successful trade show from its conception.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: By being involved with IAEE, I aspire to connect with other exhibition organizers, third-party vendors, and other event professionals and exchange experiences and ideas. Latin Expo Group, LLC. Is a fairly new company with seven years of industry experience but it is growing very quickly. The company is looking to create shows in various regions and industries. It is great to connect with the industry professionals in the prospective areas that our company is looking to expand to. I attended the KLI program in August of this year. It was my first IAEE event. The interaction among my peers during the activities and our discussions truly impacted me personally as well as professionally. One of my main takeaways from the program was that in order to succeed in my profession and for my own personal growth I undoubtedly needed to involve myself in continued learning. Even if I believe I am organizing a successful show, there is always something I can learn and improve upon. I am accountable not only to my company and myself but also to my clients, our exhibitors, who put their trust in me to organize a prosperous show for their businesses. They invest a great amount of money and time to be at our exhibition and it is vital that I, in return, invest in myself as the show’s manager.
I am grateful that I found IAEE, an organization that provides a platform for exhibition organizers, especially young professionals, to come together to share experiences and help one another to grow their respective shows.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: At my company, we strive to provide excellent customer service on a daily basis. Many of our exhibitors and the partners our company have worked with in the past have praised Latin Expo Group to have one of the best customer service-oriented staff in the business. Our exhibitors recognize that they are not just a “booth number” at our shows– we know them personally. Given the type of relationship we have with our clients, we are able to work with them closely from the date of their booth reservation up until after the show to ensure they had a worthwhile experience at our shows. I have found the customer service provided by our company has given us a competitive edge from various other shows in our industry. I also believe that it is important to study on the market and customers in which your event or exhibition is related. For example, I subscribe for news updates of companies I would like to see at our shows. This way, I am well informed when speaking to the company about exhibiting at the Latin Auto Parts Expo. This approach has worked well with major companies we have had in the past. As the legendary Steve Jobs once said “Get closer than ever to you customers. So close that you tell them what they need well before they realize it themselves.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did your overcome it?
A: A challenging aspect of my current position has been trying to develop a fairly new show into an internationally recognized exhibition in the industry. Initially, it seemed like a huge task to overcome. However since launching the show in 2014, my colleagues and I have worked daily on promoting the show internationally by our social media tactics, strategizing our marketing outreach, partnering with various media outlets, among other promotions, to make the Latin Auto Parts Expo widely-acclaimed as a “success” within the industry.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Always keep yourself active and involved! The trade show industry is always evolving, make sure you keep yourself current on all the exciting trends and changes happening.
Q: If you had to choose, which city has been your favorite to host an exhibition?
A: I think New Orleans, Louisiana, has been my personal favorite city that my company has organized an exhibition in. NOLA’s unique culture, vibrant city life and welcoming residents make it an excellent host to any exhibition. In addition, I thoroughly enjoy working with the wonderful staff at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Event Manager
National FFA Organization
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I began as a volunteer for my former company’s booth at the National FFA Convention and Expo. I immediately fell in love with the industry and knew that it was where I needed to be. I immediately began the transition out of finance and into event management.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: I currently manage the Expo for the National FFA Convention and Expo. This includes everything from working with the GC, designing the floor plan, managing labor with local unions, managing the budget, and working with exhibitors to make sure they are creating an ideal attendee experience.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: I see high value in always striving to grow a network and influence in the industry. IAEE connects me to peers and advisers that can help me grow personally and professionally.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: Time management, and that the experience is tailored to your drive. This was actually my first industry show and I quickly learned that the way the week is scheduled, it was very easy to tailor an experience to meet my needs. I loved that! It was fantastic to be able to meet with so many people, and learn so much, in just a few short days.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did your overcome it?
A:Grey areas. When I took on this role, it was actually a re-positioning of three roles. Navigating when to step up and when to hand over the reigns was a challenge. I work with a great team, though, and that definitely helped in the first few months.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: My best advice is to trust in your abilities. Too often we feel intimidated due to our age, or perceived inexperience, even though we’ve been successful in the past. While it is definitely important to have mentors and seek advice, it is equally important to believe in your own abilities.
Q: What is the most unusual thing you’ve ever been asked to do in your current role?
A: I had an exhibitor last year that had a giant rodeo horse in their booth. They asked that my team took time at the end of the day after closing the hall to go out to the stables to “tuck him in”. We did and it ended up being one of the best team building moments of the event. Sometimes outstanding customer service is a bit unconventional!
Event Services Coordinator
SmithBucklin
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: Completely by chance, I started in the industry my first day at SmithBucklin.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: In my current role I develop, maintain and manage client budgets, client teams, and volunteer committees. I am responsible for exhibit floor plan development, exhibitor relations, sponsorship fulfillment, and creating new and innovative items whenever possible. I am a vendor liaison on some accounts and engage in a supervisory role on others.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: Working with associations and volunteers in my day to day, its very easy to see the impact that people have when they give back to their own profession. Being able to be involved with IAEE helps me keep passionate about the industry that is also my profession.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: You can try to plan for everything, but something will always change. You have to learn to role with the punches, and still wake up the next day ready to tackle the next challenge.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did your overcome it?
A: The most challenging aspect of my current role was learning to interact and be respected by volunteers twice my age. I spent a lot of time getting to know each of my volunteers on a personal level while delivering work at a high caliber.
There’s nothing better than proving someone’s initial impression wrong and by remaining professional, getting to know them personally and delivering good work we now have great working relationships that make our day to day a lot easier.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Be humble, and don’t forget to laugh. Sometimes we take ourselves a little too seriously and just need to take a step back to smile at everything we’ve accomplished so far.
Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you want with you, and why?
A: 1.My kindle. I love to read and don’t leave home without a book of some sort on my person.
2.A lighter. I hate being cold and don’t have the patience to try and create a fire on my own.
3.Sunscreen. Sun damage is serious and I don’t want to look 100 years old when they finally find me to take me home. 🙂
Marketing Manager
National Trade Productions
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I really just fell into the industry. They don’t tell you about the events industry in college, so I did not realize it was an option. While job searching I was applying to jobs in all different industries, but once I started working in events I was hooked!
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: Working for an events management company allows me to work on a wide variety of shows in different industries. I many focus on attendee and exhibitor marketing. I also do corporate marketing for my company, National Trade Productions.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: My passion for my job and the industry drives my involvement in IAEE. I really just enjoy my job and want to explore all facets of the industry and meet people that share the same passion for this industry as I do.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: Always wear comfy shoes! If your feet hurt it is a distraction from being a problem solver onsite.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did your overcome it?
A: The most challenging part of my current role is having to become an expert in different industries. With each client and industry show there is a different language to use, different state of each industry, and different type of marketing campaign that will work. You must know about the state of the industry and jargon to be able to pull off an effective marketing campaign. It can be a lot of information to keep up with. But I just take notes and continue to learn more and more about each industry as the show cycle progresses.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Just keep learning. Go to industry events (IAEE, ASAE, PCMA, etc) and learn from the people you meet there that have been in the industry. Going to these events will also keep you up to date on the latest trends in the industry and techniques that you may have new tried that have worked on other shows.
Q: What’s your favorite aspect about your job?
A: The travel is a great perk! I still enjoy getting to travel to different cities.
Q: What is your favorite part of the show cycle?
A: My favorite part hands down is being on show site. I love being able to see my months and months of work come together into a wonderful show.
Exhibit Coordinator
Society for Mining Metallurgy & Exploration
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I started with a mining consulting firm that would exhibit at shows and then decided that I wanted to assist in organizing events.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: I manage the exhibits for our small section meetings and I am the lead coordinator for all other conferences involving exhibits. From daily communications, collecting payments, assisting with booth design, next years floor plan layout etc.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: The CEM courses is what drives me to IAEE along with having the support from others in the same industry that can assit while dealing with the same challenges.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: It’s always easier to add more booths to a floor plan rather that delete booths when they don’t sell.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did your overcome it?
A: My biggest challenge was trying to have a successful conference despite the industry downturn. I’m still trying to overcome this as it may effect the industry for a few years.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Try to implement the best procedures that will work for you. Even if your supervisor does not ask you to do things, go above and beyond with timelines, lists etc. This will make things easier for you in the long run.
Q: How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
A: It’s all about the desire within a woodchuck as you can do anything you put your mind to.
Q: If there are 6 apples and you took away 4, how many apples do you have?
Marketing & Sponsorship Manager
Corcoran Expositions, Inc.
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I was referred to Corcoran by a friend. Prior to joining the trade show industry, I worked in marketing and promotions for major market radio in Chicago.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: As Marketing & Sponsorship Manager, I help association clients develop and manage their sponsorship programs, advising on new opportunities and benefits to create attractive programs that are in-line with the marketplace and can help reach both the association’s and exhibitor’s goals for the conference. Customer service is a big part of my job. Sponsoring companies require extra time and attention in return for their investment. I work with the association, decorators, hotels, convention centers, etc. to coordinate all fulfillment details for the sponsor, both pre-show and on-site.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: I’m still new to IAEE but it has been great meeting people from across the country involved in all aspects of the industry.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: No matter how much time you spend preparing before a show, there will always be curve balls thrown your way. Stay cool and deal with it. There’s no time to freak out.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did your overcome it?
A: The most challenging aspect was learning the different industries of my clients so I could recommend sponsorship options that work best for them. I overcame this by doing lots of industry research and paying close attention to evaluations from both attendees and exhibitors.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Keep learning. Take a class or attend a session that is not directly related to your current role. You will learn something new that might help you think outside the box on future projects.
Q: What are some perks of your job or industry?
A: The travel. Thanks to my current role, I’ve been lucky enough to visit cities all over the country that I don’t think I would have had the chance to visit otherwise. I hope to add some international locations to the list as I continue in this industry.
Q: What is one of the most interesting things you’ve learned since joining the industry?
A: There’s a trade show for everything. Everything.
Associate Operations Manager
Informa Exhibitions
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: My dad has worked for in the industry my entire life so I grew up on show sites. Take your kid to work days were the best! I got to color floor plans and drive the carts… Plus dad got to travel all the time so of course I thought he had the coolest job ever.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: I am an Operations Manager for Informa Exhibitions U.S. So instead of coloring floor plans, now I get to design them. I work with our Sales team on assigning booths during Space Draw and writing up exhibitor newsletters. I work with our vendors and convention centers to collect order forms for our Service Manual and place our show management orders for the expo. I also handle sponsorship fulfillment and logistics for our onsite and offsite events.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: Trade show management is my career. I want to be involved with the organization that I can learn and grow my career through.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: Nothing is set in stone. Ever. You just have to be as prepared as possible and be ready to make changes on site. Thinking on your feet will get you far in this industry 🙂
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did your overcome it?
A: We had quite a few team changes this past year. I was bounced back and forth between two shows. Luckily, I have awesome coworkers who helped make sure everything was taken care of. We had all hands on deck December-February, but everything came together and we had the smoothest show yet!
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: Ask questions. Learn from your colleagues. Your best resources are the people around you. You’ll learn that most people in this industry have worked in it for a long time. Which means they know their stuff and they’ve probably encountered problems similar to what you’re struggling with before. Talk to them and get their advice. “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know;” that saying is true for so many reasons.
Q: What’s your favorite aspect about your job and/or the industry?
A: I thoroughly enjoy planning our parties and attendee engagements. A few of these fun events that come to mind are: an after-hours BBQ block party, a show-closing raffle, and a sponsored booth scavenger hunt. I get such a sense of accomplishment to see these events come to life and to hear the (mostly positive) feedback from the exhibitors and attendees. It’s also fun to see how much these yearly events evolve depending on the location.
Q: Say there’s like a whole box of Teddy Grahams in a room all by themselves. Say I left them there and told you not to eat any until I got back. How long would it take you to disobey my wishes?
A: Well, really, it’s another question. Is the bag of Teddy Grahams in the box open or not? If it’s open, it depends on how hungry or bored I am as to how long it would take. If I’m bored or it’s lunch time, I might last an hour, but even then I wouldn’t take many–like, 6 or 8 max. Who’s going to miss 6 cookies? If the bag is closed, I won’t touch them regardless of lunchtime because you’ll know. But then, if you lock me in the room for days and I’m starving…
Marketing & Operations Assistant
Premiere Show Group
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I knew I wanted to work events in some capacity, so I decide to study at UCF’s Rosen’s College of Hospitality majoring in Event Management. During my Tradeshow Operations class, the Vice President of Premiere Show Group, Alinda Ramos, came in as a guest speaker. After her presentation we connected and followed up with an interview, which lead me to an operations internship for their largest event, Premiere Orlando. After a an intense show season, I was kept on board as a full time temporary employee which then lead me to a full time position as an operations assistant. After a year Premiere really understood and appreciated my creative skills and promoted me to the Marketing and Operations Assistant.
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: As the Marketing and Operations Assistant my responsibilities range is quite diverse. The following include my responsibility: negotiate contracts with media patterns, manage our email marketing, create our press releases, curate all of our social media campaigns, provide creative direction for print and digital marketing, schedule/book educators and workshops, manage unique experiences within our tradeshows and provide customer service for attendees.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: The email discussion boards have kept me in the loop of real life trade show challenges and solutions. Which then lead me to being a 20 under 30 honoree, which has driven me to continue my involvement with IAEE. I now have joined my local young professional chapter here in Orlando, FL. I look forward to engaging with like minded professionals as myself and learning.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: The best lesson I have learned onsite, was in my marketing/media partner’s class that I took from Angela J. Harar with the Vision Council. Her class allowed me to become a better negotiator by simply asking the question to media partners “what do you want, what’s going to make you happy.” Though it simple, it’s clear cut, which will help you to understand how to make your media partners happy, in return becomes a win win partnership.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did your overcome it?
A: The most challenge part of my job has been balancing the different projects that I work on. I have developed customized schedules for each marketing aspect with a check and balances system to avoid anything being misplaced or forgotten about. As I have now been at my position for 3 years I now have an effective system in place to address each item effectively. I also create a daily focus list, which I pick 3 items and make it my priority for that day; this has drastically helped me keep projects moving along.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: My best advice would be to start interning as soon as possible and diversifying those internships to gain real hands on experience in different areas. Most internship lead to a job opportunity, currently at Premiere 4 previous interns have resulting in full time positions; including myself.
Q: What do you do to keep connect with your attendees/meet their needs?
A: In working in the beauty industry, our attendees are very outspoken, which I have leveraged to get real responses to meet their needs. Our social media platforms have grown to be the direct connection from us to them, they let us know the good and the bad; which allows us to address any concerns and glorify their most favorite aspects of the show. We keep a constant dialogue throughout the year to build anticipation, address any needs and to understand how to make the show even better.
Q: How do you deal with other professionals underestimating you as an asset due to your age?
A: I think as a young professional you do have a stigma for being young. I have learned it is best to first take a step back and listen, which is a great way to understand your company dynamics; taking the time to let your work speak for itself. Once you have done this it creates a stronger bond between your coworkers, respecting you as a valued worker. This creates a foundation which allows you to then provide constructive feedback to improve and optimize procedures, rules and direction.
Associate Manager
American Pet Products Association /Global Pet Expo
Q: How did you get started / involved in the industry?
A: I fell into the trade show industry by chance, and now that I’ve been in it for a few years, I can’t see myself doing anything else!
Q: What are the responsibilities in your current position?
A: I just transitioned from working on the attendee side of things to the exhibitor side. Specifically, I am working in exhibitor services. I’m lucky to have experience from both areas as to what it takes to put on a trade show.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: IAEE has been very valuable on both the local chapter level and national level. My boss has really encouraged me to become involved and in doing so I have built a great network of people. I often attend education sessions and have brought ideas back to the office that my own organization can implement. Not to mention, IAEE has been a big promoter of young professionals and even gave me the opportunity to attend Expo!Expo! this year.
Q: What is the best lesson you learned on site?
A: The importance of face-to-face communication. Expo!Expo! was a great way to develop relationships for future business and networking. I have had significant post-show follow-up and new business from the connections I made at the event.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your current role, and how did your overcome it?
A: The most challenging aspect of my role, rather, career, has been establishing myself. I’ve talked about this before, but in my experience there is an assumption that since I am a young professional, I am inexperienced. Not the case! Attending Expo!Expo! and other industry events allows me to put myself out there and nix the stereotype.
Q: What is your best advice for up and coming young professionals?
A: My advice would be to get involved with IAEE. Attend your next local chapter meeting, or young professional meet-up! The word is getting out about young professionals and IAEE has been a great advocate for us. We all want to see this industry continue to grow, and it all begins with us!
Q: Does your association offer any perks?
A: My office has an open door policy for pets. As you all know, planning a tradeshow can be stressful. On most days we have at least 5 dogs in the office to provide us with some stress relief!
Q: What is your proudest industry accomplishment to date?
A: I serve as a Vice-Chair for the NYIAEE Chapter Young Professionals Committee. We have had a few successful events thus far and are in the midst of planning more! I’ve seen quite a response and I am excited to see what is in store for us.
Sales Manager
Core-Apps
Q: What are your responsibilities in your current role?
A: Making people feel happy and confident- while simultaneously understanding their needs, wants, and managing expectations. Those are my most important responsibilities. Working for Core-apps has been one amazing ride that is continuously going up. Sales positions are one of the most challenging, yet the most rewarding and I am not talking monetary here. How can I make someone’s day better is what I ask myself each day.
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: The people are the ones who drive my involvement. Without the members we wouldn’t be here and I wouldn’t be here writing up my responses. I have met some wonderful individuals and I enjoy learning and growing amongst my peers and industry veterans.
Q: What events or networking opportunities are most beneficial or appealing to you as a young professional?
A: Let’s be honest, in this industry most of us enjoy networking in a lively atmosphere, with fun tunes and a refreshing adult beverage. This is also the most common type of networking opportunity. However, I am a big outdoor enthusiast–opportunities that allow us to spend time outside whether it is a fun run, picnic at the park or service project.
Q: What was your most memorable IAEE experience?
A: Hands down 2012 Expo! Expo! In Orlando, Florida. This was my first Expo! Expo! and I was awarded to go by my Hotel college, UNLV. I volunteered as a booth judge, which allowed me to go by a set of booths to evaluate each one based on a criterion given to me. This presented the opportunity to engage with industry professionals, learn about their business and share my story.
Q: What are a few of the fun perks at your job/association?
A: The ability to travel to destinations that you probably would not go to typically.
Q: How did you get involved in the industry?
A: Well, it all started when I moved to Las Vegas in 2011. I took a year off school to allow myself to be qualified for in-state tuition. During that year I became familiar with some of the largest trade shows that would come to Las Vegas. I attended CES and I remember telling myself “Yes, this is it, this what I want to do”, of course I had no idea what REALLY went into planning an event. I was accepting it for all its vibrant glory during show time.
Finally, I attended and graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. During my time there I was heavily involved—volunteering at trade shows, attending networking events. Later, I became chair of the IAEE Student Chapter. We would plan events for students such as: back of the house tours of venues and trade shows and an industry round table.
Q: Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
A: Yes, my advice to all young professionals is to get involved and stay involved! There was a piece of advice that I learned very early on that has never left my mind. It’s not about whom you know, but who knows you! Be engaging and memorable! Always remember that people will forget what you say, but they won’t forget how you made them feel.
Sales Executive
Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
Q: What are your responsibilities in your current role?
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: I love being a part of organizations like IAEE. There are so many different ways that it drives me. You can be assisting the Student Chapter, attending a community service event, hosting CEM week and there are always people you can learn from and get to know. It is really an amazing experience.
Q: What events or networking opportunities are most beneficial or appealing to you as a young professional?
A: I love experiences where you can really build a relationship while having a good time. I’m up for really anything that allows me to network with people I otherwise wouldn’t get to spend time with. I especially like golf outings, sporting and special events, and community service projects as ways to network.
Q: What was your most memorable IAEE experience?
A: This year Las Vegas was lucky enough to be able to host CEM week. It was such an awesome experience to have suppliers, allied partners and clients on our home turf to show why Las Vegas is truly a destination that people enjoy coming to.
Q: What are a few of the fun perks at your job/association?
A: Selling Las Vegas and everything it has to offer!! I have been fortunate to be able to plan some amazing events including taking clients to ballgames, the NCAA Championship game, doing a Wild Animal Safari event and a cooking class just to name a few. Las Vegas is like no other destination because we have such an abundance and variety of activities. On any given night, I can take an out-of-town client out for a five-star meal at a celebrity chef restaurant and then head off to a world class show.
Q: How did you get involved in the industry?
A: I graduated from THE BEST hospitality school in the world, UNLV… (OK, shameless plug!) Either you are out of the industry in 5 years or you are hooked for life. I just passed 10 years in the convention/tradeshow world and I still love every minute of it. Being able to work with such great people on such amazing events makes every day a fun day to come to work. I always say how lucky we are to have such great people in our world. If you aren’t hospitable, you don’t belong in the hospitality industry!
Q: Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
A: The best advice I ever received was treat every client as if they are your mother, always pull out all the stops for their visits and go above and beyond. The best advice I would give someone would be to learn from the industry veterans. Realizing that they have so much institutional and industry knowledge that could take you 30 years to amass, it is a great way to get ahead of the game.
Operations Manager
Surf Expo
If you are not familiar with our show, take a look and see what you think:
www.surfexpo.com
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: I’m a member of the Southeastern Chapter and have been to Expo! Expo! I have attended quarterly luncheons. Our regional luncheons are great networking opportunities and a fantastic way to see how other people tackle the issues we all encounter in our industry. Every show manager seems to go through the same obstacles and achievements, regardless of the industry they serve. It’s nice to see that others have similar challenges to overcome and it is also beneficial to get a different perspective of the same issue. Granted, others may not have had to set up and adjust a skate ramp using a forklift and union labor, but most of the challenges we face are relatively universal.
Q: What events or networking opportunities are most beneficial or appealing to you as a young professional?
A: IAEE has given me an opportunity to connect with likeminded people in the same industry. The camaraderie is helpful and educational.
I think that personal mentors, through networking and within my company, have been most beneficial in my career. I’ve been lucky enough to have amazing mentors that have helped me learn as much as possible throughout my career. I feel like bridging the generation gap is really crucial to success and essential to being a mentee. It’s incredibly important to my professional confidence to know that people have my back. I think it’s vital to know that senior management will keep an eye out to recognize younger folks’ desire to grow, but, at the same time, temper our innate overzealousness.
Q: What was your most memorable IAEE experience?
A: Expo! Expo! in Atlanta was my best experience so far. It’s really exciting to see our partners present and share their knowledge. It’s great to see the folks you work with every day recognized as a person of note in their field. For example, our facility event manager was asked to be part of a panel discussing the challenges “each side” of the business encounters. He represented the “facility” side along with a show management company and decorator representative. In fact, some of his examples included best practices used at our show specifically.
Q: What are a few of the fun perks at your job/association?
A: We do our Surf Expo Demo Days at OWC [Orlando Watersports Complex, an outdoor park built for wakeboarding] which is a day of fun for sure. One year we were able to charter a helicopter and fly over the demo to shoot video footage. Types of ideas like this speak to the collaborative team we have here. It’s pretty cool that our execs jumped on board with something like that with no hesitation. I casually pitched the idea of doing it in a staff meeting and our marketing director had an instant grin on his face. It’s nice to have ideas that may be a little outrageous come to fruition and nice to be the man behind the scenes to make it happen.
Luckily, Orlando has several helicopter tour companies. I made a few calls and found someone willing to go off the beaten path, and collected the necessary approvals to do so for the price given to me. We were able to shoot over OWC and take advantage of the situation and snag some footage of the convention center as well. We wound up editing the whole package in to a very slick promotional video for September 2011 show. That was a pretty fun day.
We’ve rented out venues to do private concerts with some pretty awesome bands, and we’ve done surf contests at one of the big Orlando water parks where pros and legends dress up in costumes and surf the wave pool during an industry party. It’s the combination of all these experiences that are enjoyable and I love how it directly ties back to the industry we serve.
Most of the people working for Surf Expo are passionate about some aspect of our business, the beach and water sports lifestyle. It’s pretty cool to share some common love of the job with my coworkers, but everyone has their own specific passion within the industry.
We are able to serve as a platform for our partners to gather and hold their industry events and special nights. On a personal level, it’s exciting for me to be around industry leaders and see how they’ve embraced what we produce as an extension of their culture and business. It’s pretty awesome to be involved with these brands when they are able to use these events to unveil the newest in product development that’s soon to market or simply taking a night to recognize and honor the leaders amongst themselves. It feels like our customers really take pride in the show and that, to me, says we are serving a great need.
Q: How did you get involved in the industry?
A: I’ve been with Surf Expo for over 10 years and came on as full-time staff almost five years ago (four and a half to be exact). I started at Surf when I was in college part time as a runner at the shows. Through a mutual family friend, and some talk on the back of a wakeboard boat, I ended up pushing magazine bins across the show floor. Here I was, this 20-year-old kid surrounded by next year’s brand new everything. I found myself surrounded by this sea of brands that filled my closet and was captivated by the culture of the show. I instantly fell in love – of course, it was the right show for me.
From that point on, I made myself useful (to the point that I painted our office’s walls). I wanted to be involved with anything I could to be connected to the industry. My gig then grew from the twice a year thing to six months out of the year, 30 hours a week through college. After school, I was fortunate enough to be hired on full time. I found myself enjoying the operational side of planning the event as much as the content itself. I recognize how lucky I am to enjoy going to work every day and tackling challenging obstacles that may, in some small way, help an industry I respect so greatly.
Q: Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
A: First, on a fundamental level, you have to be customer service oriented to work in this industry. You have to genuinely like helping people. If you don’t like doing that, find something new. Don’t ever be the ‘not my job’ type of person – it doesn’t work and it doesn’t cut it. This sounds a little cliché, but we’re in show business. The show must open and it’s all hands on deck. By the nature of our jobs, people in this industry are a group of innately social, creative and genuinely helpful people – which definitely makes IAEE events more interesting.
Second, understand your business. I cannot stress enough how important it is for the entire team to be on the same page. Ultimately, we’re all in the business of helping our customers do business. Yes, we all want a huge, successful, sold out show, but you have to constantly evolve your process in order to improve and innovate. Having a strong team that recognizes the need for innovation is crucial. The progression of the show is what keeps the job interesting to me and I think it’s very interesting how we stay relevant to our audience throughout the years. Finding ways in your job to try new things, move out of your comfort zone and build your skill set are vital to prevent stagnation and keep yourself engaged. One of the great things about my job is that the objectives tend to stay the same but our methods of achieving the goals change and evolve as we grow.
Third, recognize that your vendors are partners, because they can make or break your show.
The closest thing I’ve ever experienced to a professional horror story was the time a sprinkler head malfunctioned on the show floor. It’s mid-morning on opening day. I was walking aisles with my boss and then it happens. We heard a pop and a gasp and then there were thousands of gallons of Florida’s finest pouring out of the “sky.” It only took a few moments to get the water stopped, but a large chunk of our exhibit floor was totally drenched by the industrial fire suppression system. We’ll just say that if there had actually been a fire, it didn’t stand a chance.
It was a freak thing, with no blame to be assigned, but in an incredible-to-witness scenario, our Surf Expo staff, the convention center, our decorator and other partners became this crazy cohesive crisis response unit. Everyone was doing more than their part and literarily working side-by-side on hands and knees. It was the ultimate ‘all hands on deck’ situation, and at one point I look up and see our show director wiping a wall down alongside the guy who was manning the freight desk that morning.
Whether it was a phone call to a vendor or helping replace carpet, it was amazing to see everyone work towards the same goal. The best part is that all this just seemed to happen organically. Everyone recognized the situation and executed flawlessly, helping where they could and providing solutions to problems that may have not been “theirs.”
When all was said and done, what felt like days equated to just less than 3 hours of the entire team firing every weapon we had to resolve the issue. Given the scale of what happened, it was impossible not to notice the quickness and professionalism with which the situation was handled. We never had time to worry, and I don’t know if we could have replicated the response had we tried to plan it in advance. When you build a true partnership with your vendors you get results that go above and beyond the standard scope of their work.
IAEE Chapter affiliation: IAEE Southeastern Chapter
Manager, Corporate Relations & Exhibits
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: I stay involved with IAEE to keep current on trends in the exhibition industry in order to bring those to my particular industry which is end-of-life care.
Q: What events or networking opportunities are most beneficial or appealing to you as a young professional?
A: Of course the local chapter networking opportunities are awesome as well as the national conferences likes Expo! Expo!. I’ve met so many wonderful individuals that I still keep in contact with through these opportunities.
Q: What was your most memorable IAEE experience?
A: Completing my CEM designation in time for Expo! Expo! in Las Vegas, NV. What made the experience even more special was obtaining my CEM with the same group of other young professionals that started the same time as I did on the journey. We all supported each other until the end.
Q: What are a few of the fun perks at your job/association?
A: My association gives us Flex Days off. I call mine, flex Fridays because that is when I hit the gym harder and longer than my usual workouts throughout the week! I’m a full time exhibition manager and part-time gym rat.
Q: How did you get involved in the industry?
A: I’ve always had a passion for and was a natural fit for the meetings, events and exhibition industry.
Q: Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
A: Be open to constructive criticism, learning new ideas or concepts as well as meeting new people outside of your normal view. I’m a strong advocate for mentorship. I suggest all young professionals find a mentor in the industry to go to for guidance and advice.
IAEE Chapter Affiliation: Washington D.C. Chapter
Operations Manager, IT Administrator
ConvExx
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
A: Networking with my industry peers within my chapter and on the national level and meeting new people in the industry.
Q: What events or networking opportunities are most beneficial or appealing to you as a young professional?
A: I love meetups at bars where people can relax and mingle. It’s been especially helpful for me when I can bounce ideas for my events off someone else and get constructive feedback from a different perspective.
Q: What is your most memorable IAEE experience?
A: My first Expo Expo! in New Orleans was really the first time I got see all the different things IAEE can do, and I since then I have always wanted to get more involved.
Q: What are a few fun perks at your job/association?
A: I’m lucky that I get to work with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which is an industry I’m very passionate about. I also get to travel internationally and work with people all over the world.
Q: How did you get involved in the industry?
A: I completely fell into the Meeting & Events industry via the IT world. I had gone to a hospitality career fair solely because they had an open bar, and ended up meeting ConvExx who needed IT assistance. Since then I have gotten into the operations side and love it!
Q: Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
A: Network as much as you can, and find a mentor who can help you along the way.
IAEE Chapter Affiliation: Member of the IAEE Southwest Chapter
IAEE Involvement: CEM, 2014 KLI Class, Young Professional Committee member, 2014 20 under 30 program
Director, Insights and Analytics
Bear Analytics
Q: What drives your involvement with IAEE?
IAEE is where the events industry comes together, so it’s important to attend local chapter events and be a part of it all. Since I am on the consulting/supplier side now, the events are even more valuable—I can keep up with former clients, touch base with current clients, and network with potential clients all in one fell swoop.
Q: What events or networking opportunities are most beneficial or appealing to you as a young professional?
There are so many new technologies that are being deployed in the events space and I value the opportunity to hear how they’ve worked for my peers and to take the temperature on “what’s next.” And I’m already looking forward to attending EXPO EXPO for the first time this year since it’s taking place so close to DC. I’m helping put together a panel on event data and strategy, so I guess you could say I plan on diving in!
Q: What was your most memorable IAEE experience?
My company hosted/moderated one of our local chapter’s luncheons. We were talking about millennials and event engagement, and the audience got really involved, sharing what had worked for their events, expressing common frustrations, and asking tons of in-depth questions. Since I am a millennial, I felt like I knew a lot about the topic already, but the collective event knowledge and experience in the room was pretty humbling.
Q: What are a few of the fun perks at your job/association?
We work in a start-up office space, so there is an arcade, beer on tap, and dozens of other small companies and start-ups to meet. Also, I’m inquisitive by nature, so I enjoy getting to dive in to different industries since our clients hail from the media to healthcare industries to everything in between.
Q: How did you get involved in the industry?
I didn’t love my first job out of college (it was in PR), so I decided to explore my options and talked with a temp agency. The first interview they sent me on was for a coordinator position at an association that held events all around the world; even the junior staff were expected to travel. I was amazed that I’d found such a cool organization and that international travel could be a component of my job at that point in my career. Needless to say, I got the job and loved it. My experience there put me on the path to getting hooked on industry and event data, earning my MBA, and making the leap to join a data analytics startup my association coworkers had founded.
Q: Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
If you go out of your way to help people professionally—passing along opportunities, resumes, making introductions—it can help you ten-fold in the future.
And, don’t be afraid to take risks. If you’re never scared of failure or are never put in a position where you could fail, then you aren’t being challenged enough. One quote that I find really inspirational is, “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”
Trade Show Planner
Produce Marketing Association
Q. What was your most memorable IAEE experience?
A. As part of the 20 under 30 Program, recruitment experts and experienced planners gave us amazing career advice and success tips. They pointed out things that I wouldn’t normally consider, and it’s always helpful to hear the what-not-to-do’s from people who learned from their mistakes.
Q. What are a few of the fun perks at your job/association?
A. I love the opportunity to travel. Our next show is in Anaheim, and it’s always fun to explore downtown Disney and enjoy California once the show’s over. I also get to see all the new and exotic types of produce-related items that I wouldn’t normally see in Delaware.
Q. How did you get involved in the industry?
A. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t involved in the industry. From the time I was old enough to work, I’ve been trying out positions in various parts of the industry until I found one I loved. After an internship at a country club, I knew I wanted to be involved in planning events; and then a course at Virginia Tech helped me realize that I preferred shows of a larger scale.
Q. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
A. Get involved and ask questions. It’s the only way you’ll figure out what you love; and if you don’t ask, you’ll never know.
IAEE Chapter affiliation: Washington, D.C. Chapter
IAEE involvement (KLI, 20 under 30, committees): 20 Under 30
