Preparing for Trade Show
Employment Opportunities

If you are interested in trade show employment opportunities and working in the event management industry, you need to seize every chance you can get for hands-on experience and skill-based education. Successful conference planners and tradeshow managers share the following skills and abilities.

• Passion for planning and staging events
• Excellent communication and follow-up skills
• Strong organizational talent
• High level of diplomacy and tact in working with people
• Flexibility to travel (sometimes on short notice)
• Ability to juggle many activities to meet tight deadlines
• Easily adapt to ever-changing circumstances
• Willingness to work long hours, weekends and evenings

So where do you begin if you have never been involved in conference planning or event management?

Contacting Industry Professionals

Among the best ways to help determine if you are suited for trade show and conference positions is to talk with event managers, show coordinators and conference staff to learn as much as you can about what they do.

Target three or four professionals with whom you’d like to speak. Call them and introduce yourself. 

Explain that you are considering a career in event management, trade shows or conference planning and would appreciate just a few minutes of their time (on the phone or in person) to hear their perspectives on the industry.

When you speak with them, ask how they got into the industry and seek advice on how you can do the same. See if they are willing to let you "shadow" them for a day or two to get an inside look at what happens on a day-to-day basis. Always follow-up with thank you notes to these individuals for their time and advice.

Volunteer Work

Volunteer to help plan and implement events and conferences sponsored by non-profit association and clubs. This will enable you to hone your skills and be able to highlight them when interviewing for trade show positions.

Offer your services to area museums, convention and visitors bureaus and your city’s chamber of commerce. These organizations give you opportunities to learn and contribute, as well as make networking contacts for future job possibilities.

Education

A college education is always beneficial to any professional position – and can improve your job prospects over other candidates. Though for some positions, a degree may not be absolutely essential if you have other strong skills.

Knowledge of hospitality management, event coordination, or marketing will be to your advantage when vying for a trade show position, And, expert writing and speaking capabilities are also invaluable to your career success.

Learning how to communicate effectively, think critically, creatively solve problems, and organize projects are essential skills to make you a key candidate for trade show employment opportunities. 

Related Info - Trade Show Employment Opportunities

What Happens at the Trade Show Booth
The Role of Trade Show Convention Coordinators
Trade Show Booth Staffing Blunders
Convention Trade Show Staff Services
Trade Show Booth Jobs
Contracting with Tradeshow Specialists

1. Trade Show Advisor HOME
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2. Trade Show Staffing Overview
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3. Preparing for Trade Show Employment

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