HR: A Silent but Strategic Partner
August 3, 2026
In the tradeshow and convention industry, timelines are compressed, labor demands are variable, and flawless execution is critical. As a result, Human Resources (HR) is
In the tradeshow and convention industry, timelines are compressed, labor demands are variable, and flawless execution is critical. As a result, Human Resources (HR) is
Ran Zookin, CEM, is the founder and managing member of ESM Pros. With his leadership and operational expertise, the company’s success had an impact on
Companies can rapidly change team size based on a given event cycle, and human resources (HR) is a critical component to that process. The HR
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to shape how general contractors design floorplans, manage logistics, forecast budgets and execute strategy, highlighting its strategic role in the tradeshow and expo industry. From design tools to scheduling software, AI is demonstrating its current and future influence.
A new generation of professionals is now part of the workforce alongside seasoned talent. The voice of the tradeshow and expo industry is evolving into one that is more collaborative, purpose-driven, and adaptive. Highlighting this evolution inspires confidence in the industry’s future and reassures professionals about ongoing progress.
ExhibitorLIVE 2026, held in Tampa, Florida, marked its greatest success across the tradeshow world. This event gave the biggest opportunity of the year for the entire industry to gather, exchange ideas, and feel a sense of community. Deals were made during the event, and attendees could share experiences and challenges, explore solutions, and discuss how the industry has evolved.
Joyce Leveston brings a depth of operational expertise and global perspective to her new role as the president and CEO of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (Javits Center) with more than three decades of experience in the convention center and venue management sector. Javits Center is a six-block venue on Manhattan’s West Side, right by New York City’s most up-and-coming neighborhood, Hudson Yards. As a model of reinvention, the center is a sustainability leader with a living green roof and urban wildlife habitat, as well as a national space where business, culture, and ideas intersect.
The 2026 AHR Expo in Las Vegas marked a pivotal time for HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration) professionals, showcasing innovations and fostering industry growth across 578,980 square feet and attracting over 53,315 attendees, underscoring its importance as a key industry event.
The 48th edition of the SHOT Show, the world’s largest trade event for the firearm, shooting sports and outdoor industries, was held Jan. 20-23 at The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. Owned and produced by NSSF—The Firearm Industry Trade Association—the trade-only event once again underscored its position as a cornerstone gathering for one of America’s most economically significant manufacturing sectors.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is not just a future concept, rooted in science fiction, but the present showcased at CES 2026. Across show floors in a number of venues, packed with more than 4,100 exhibitors, AI moved decisively from theory into real-world application, demonstrating how deeply the technology is now woven into everyday life.
Behind every bustling tradeshow and dazzling expo is a complex operation built on precision and increasingly, on sustainability. Convention centers are not only reducing their environmental impact but also saving money by lowering energy consumption and investing in technology that pays for itself over time.
For Chase Gandel, a project manager at NPARALLEL + Atomic Props, life moves between precision, people, and purpose. Based in his hometown of Crystal, Minnesota, Gandel manages a portfolio of brand activations and tradeshow exhibits across the United States.
