by Sarah Bishop
When people think about the tradeshow and events industry, they often picture exhibit designers creating incredible experiences or sales teams building relationships with clients. Those roles are certainly essential, but there is another side of our industry that deserves just as much recognition. None of those ideas ever become reality without the people who physically bring them to life.
Installation and dismantle, commonly known as I&D, is not simply moving crates or assembling exhibits. It is a career built on problem solving, teamwork, adaptability, and pride in craftsmanship. It is a profession that attracts a unique type of person. The question is not whether you can do the work. The question is whether the work fits who you are.
One of the most rewarding aspects of working in I&D is that no two days are ever the same. On any given week, our teams may be managing projects in Las Vegas, Orlando, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville, and San Francisco simultaneously. Every venue has different requirements, every client has different expectations, and every project presents its own challenges. Yet somehow, dozens of independent moving parts come together to create a seamless experience for our partners and their clients.
For the right person, that pace is energizing rather than overwhelming.
People who thrive in I&D tend to enjoy working with their hands while thinking several steps ahead. They take pride in solving problems before anyone else notices them. They understand that every detail matters because every detail reflects on the exhibit house that trusted them with their client’s brand. There is a tremendous sense of accomplishment in walking onto an empty show floor and watching it transform into an environment thousands of people will experience.
Finding opportunities in this industry often starts with relationships. Many people begin through referrals, local labor calls, union halls where applicable, or companies that specialize exclusively in installation and dismantle services. The events community is remarkably connected, and your reputation travels quickly. Showing up prepared, communicating well, maintaining a positive attitude, and consistently delivering quality work will often create more opportunities than simply searching for your next project.
One lesson I have learned throughout my career is that choosing where you work is just as important as choosing what you do.
Not every company operates the same way because not every company offers the same service. Some organizations prioritize volume. Others prioritize speed. The best organizations build their culture around people, communication, and trust. Before accepting a position, ask yourself whether the company’s values align with your own. Do you trust the leadership? Do you respect the decisions being made? Do you feel like your voice will be heard? Do the people around you genuinely want to help one another succeed?
Those questions matter just as much as the job description.
When I made the transition to the I&D side, it wasn’t because I was looking for a different role. Coming from the exhibit house side of the industry, what ultimately drew me in wasn’t the scope of work. It was the people, the culture, and the vision of where the company was headed.
The conversations I had with Momentum’s leadership aligned with my vision of the future and my future colleagues shared that same vision and demonstrated it through their actions rather than just their words. It never felt like a sales pitch. It felt like alignment, and that’s what ultimately led me to make the transition to the I&D side in November 2024.
Today, working as Marketing and Business Development Director, I have the opportunity to tell the stories behind the work our teams perform every day. I see firsthand the level of coordination required to support multiple exhibit house partners across the country at the same time. While one City Manager is overseeing a complex installation in Anaheim, another may be leading a project in Miami while additional teams are executing builds in Indianapolis, Denver, or New Orleans. None of those teams work in isolation. They communicate, share resources, solve challenges together, and operate with the understanding that every project reflects the entire organization.
That level of collaboration creates something larger than individual jobs. It creates confidence for our partners and pride for the people doing the work.
At its best, I&D is about far more than building exhibits. It is about building trust. Our partners depend on us to execute the vision they promised their clients, often under tight schedules and high expectations. Every successful installation represents countless conversations, careful planning, and people who care deeply about getting it right.
If you are considering a career in installation and dismantle, my advice is simple. Look beyond the position itself. Find an organization whose culture matches your values. Surround yourself with people you trust and leaders you respect. Learn from those around you, stay curious, and remember that your reputation is built one project at a time.
This industry offers incredible opportunities for those willing to embrace its pace and its challenges. If you enjoy working with great people, solving problems, traveling, collaborating, and seeing the tangible results of your work at the end of every day, installation and dismantle may not just be the right job for you. It may be the career you never knew you were looking for.
This story originally appeared in the Q4 2025 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 80. For original layout, see Print Version
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