Trade shows, exhibitions and conferences are held in smaller and larger cities and towns around the globe, and there are literally thousands of these events held each year. Some may be highly professional events that are designed to attract a smaller number of movers and shakers in a specific industry or sector, and others may have broader appeal that may entice thousands from across the region and beyond to attend. This is a robust, vibrant industry that has ample opportunity for those who thrive on hard work and who have a creative mindset to prosper in. However, you may be wondering how you can get started working in this industry. By following a few pointers, you may be able to easily slide into a great position that is ideal for you.

Choose a Niche

There are various niches that you can choose to work in within the trade show industry. For example, there are some providers that coordinate these events. The events themselves may be hosted by professional organizations or companies, but there are typically event coordinators and planners that handle tasks like venue reservation, marketing and promotions, booth reservations and other tasks. There are also booth design firms that specialize in helping companies to get noticed when hosting a booth. Some will also provide assistance with setting up and tearing down booths and even with hosting booths by providing live support.

Showcase Your Talents

Once you have decided which niche you want to work within, you will then need to find a creative way to showcase your talent. While some aspects of the trade show industry may be more routine, such as reservation administration, many aspects require hard work and creativity. If you have any experience in this area or if you have experience in other areas that could be transferred to this industry, you need to find a way to creatively showcase what you can bring to the table. You can do a write-up in your resume, but you may also need to have pictures, references or other items available to provide upon request. Make sure that potential employers know that you have these items to provide to them because they can be a key selling point for you.

Establish Relationships

Of course, before you can get to the point of showcasing your talents, you must get the attention of hiring managers and business owners. You can mingle with these professionals at their own networking events, and you can even request an unpaid internship in some industry niches. You want to use these opportunities to meet the top professionals in the industry and to ensure that they know your name and think highly of you. When the time comes for you to apply for an important position in their firm, you want them to know who you are by name. Even if an opening does not come available in their company, you may still feel comfortable asking them for a professional reference letter.

The trade show industry is like many other industries in that it can be highly beneficial to know higher-ups in different companies. However, it is also unique in that creativity is a highly valued asset, and you may not get far in this industry if you do not have the ability to show others that you are personable as well as creative. While there are numerous common steps that you can follow to get a job in any industry, you may find that following these specific tips can help you to get more attention when you are applying for a position in the trade show industry.