1. What do you feel are the most important qualities that a promoter needs to succeed in this industry?
To me the most important qualities are professionalism and enthusiasm. If you enjoy what you are doing, you radiate this to everyone around you and it benefits both you and the client. At the same time I find it important to always keep a high level of professionalism from the moment you step into a venue until the moment you are on your way back home. You become the face of the client and they need to be able to count on you giving your best the whole time. Even during your breaks actually, as you can come across potential customers of the client any time of your working day.
2. What does being part of the Expo Stars worldwide team mean to you on a personal level?
I am proud to call myself an “Expo Star” and thankful for the good relationship I have with the Expo Stars head office. They always make sure every job is well prepared and do their best to take care of any special needs you might have. They also let you know when a job is well done and altogether this makes it a great pleasure to work for Expo Stars, as I feel appreciated as a team member. Lastly, I also feel extremely lucky to work in several countries, as traveling makes the work even more enjoyable.
3. Why do you think exhibitors should hire you or external staff for their exhibitions?
For the qualities I mentioned earlier, professionalism and enthusiasm. As an Expo Star I put the clients’ needs first place and try to ensure that they are happy with the work I deliver. I am the business card of both Expo Stars and the client and I see it as my responsibility to make the best possible contribution to the exhibition I can. At the same time I love what I do, which makes me dedicated to the job in an enjoyable way.
4. What is the most challenging part about working in tradeshows?
To me the most challenging part is how to handle tradeshow visitors that want to hang out with you after work. I always treat every visitor with the utmost respect and kindness, which makes it uncomfortable sometimes to let them know that after work you are heading back to your ‘own’ life and activities, after they so happily invited you to visit some fun places in town together.
5. What do you enjoy the most about working at tradeshows?
When I get to do presenting jobs, as I simply love to work as a host or presenter. What I enjoy the most at any tradeshow is meeting so many different people from all over the world, both on the clients’ side and on the visitors’ side. I’ve worked with country sales representatives from all over the world and welcomed visitors to the booth from all over the world as well. Every person has their own story, their own background and their own characteristics. Having studied Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology I simple love human beings and being around all kinds of different people.
6. What advice would you give to someone who wants a career in promotions or working in exhibition environment?
Make sure you like to be around people and that you like to make people feel at home, or else you probably won’t enjoy the work as much, which makes it hard to make a career out of it. If you do like these things, then I would advice to prepare for every tradeshow the best you can, eat well and sleep well, study the information you get beforehand and then simply enjoy each day on the job, at the same time making sure you give the best and most professional version of yourself to both the client and the visitors.
7. What is your favourite place on Earth and why?
It’s hard to pick one, to be honest. I dream of one day moving to California, as I love the beautiful surroundings there and the everyday sunny weather. It’s been the favourite vacation destination of my fiancé and me for the past few years. At the same time, the Philippines is my second home, the country where my mother is from. I love the Philippine people and culture, and the surroundings are breathtaking here as well. I visit the Philippines often, not only for vacation, but also for fieldwork and development aid projects through my own foundation.
Name: Sheryl
Age range: 25-30
Education: MA UCLA – International Development
Experience: Presenter, Product Demonstrator, Crowd Gatherer
Location: Amsterdam
Interview is part of January’s Tradeshow Staff Interview Series with Expo Stars around the world