The live events and tradeshow industry is operating at full speed again. What has not fully rebounded is the skilled labor force needed to support that growth. For the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), the focus has been on building workforce stability rather than relying on short-term fixes.
Across the United States and Canada, IUPAT has concentrated on creating clear pathways into the trades, supporting members as they advance, and investing in leadership and long-term career security. The objective is straightforward. Ensure that skilled labor is available, prepared, and consistent as demand for live events continues to rise.
“When we talk about workforce development, we’re talking about sustainability,” says Juan Garcia, business representative for IUPAT Local 1175 for tradeshows. “The industry doesn’t benefit from quick solutions. It benefits from people who are trained, supported, and committed to staying in the trade.”
Building the Pipeline
Apprenticeship and journeyworker development remain the foundation of IUPAT’s workforce strategy. District councils across North America continue to graduate apprentices while supporting members as they move into journeyworker roles. In 2025, the union added more than 4,000 new members, reflecting sustained recruitment at a time when many industries are struggling to replace experienced workers.
“We’ve made a conscious decision to invest in people early and give them a reason to stay,” Garcia says. “That means structured training, real opportunities for advancement, and a clear understanding that this can be a long-term career.”
The emphasis is not only on meeting immediate labor needs, but on preparing workers for careers that can adapt to the evolving demands of the tradeshow and live events industry.
Training Beyond the Tools
In addition to technical skills, IUPAT has expanded its focus to include leadership development and steward training. Multi-council sessions bring together business representatives and stewards from multiple district councils to address contract administration, safety standards, and workplace accountability.
“Good leadership on the jobsite prevents problems before they start,” Garcia says. “When stewards and supervisors understand their roles, it creates consistency for contractors, venues, and event organizers.”
That consistency matters in high-pressure environments like convention centers and large-scale events, where coordination behind the scenes directly affects show outcomes.
“If you don’t get the back of the house right, the front of the house doesn’t happen,” says Freddie Peterson, general manager of the Miami Beach Convention Center. “It’s all about teamwork.”
Investing in Retention
IUPAT’s workforce strategy extends beyond training and leadership. The union provides members with pensions, health care, retirement plans, and additional support programs designed to promote long-term retention.
Scholarships are part of that investment. In 2025, IUPAT awarded funding through initiatives including the S. Frank “Bud” Raftery Scholarship and the A.L. “Mike” Monroe and Ralph D. Williams III Sports Scholarship. Recipients represented locals across the United States and Canada.
“When members know the union is invested in their future and their families, that commitment goes both ways,” Garcia says. “Retention is not just about wages. It’s about stability and trust.”
Expanding the Workforce
As labor shortages persist across the skilled trades, IUPAT has also focused on expanding access to careers in the industry. Tradeswomen Build Nations remains a key component of that effort.
Tradeswomen Build Nations is described by the union as “the largest conference for tradeswomen in the world.” The annual event brings together thousands of participants from across North America for education, networking, and leadership development.
“Expanding the workforce means expanding opportunity,” Garcia says. “If we want this industry to grow, we have to be intentional about who we invite in and how we support them.”
Looking Ahead
Demand for skilled tradeshow labor continues to grow as new facilities open and events increase in size and complexity. Garcia says preparation and collaboration will remain critical.
“Our jurisdiction has seen a 20 percent rise in shows,” he says. “Meeting that demand requires planning, communication, and a workforce that’s ready.”
For IUPAT, the path forward is built on consistency. Recruiting new members, developing leaders, supporting families, and planning for the long term remain central to ensuring the tradeshow industry has the workforce it needs for years to come.
Founded in 1887, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades represents skilled workers across the United States and Canada, including painters, glaziers, drywall finishers, floorers, sign and display workers, and tradeshow professionals. For more info, visit www.iupat.org.
