Hey folks, let’s have a real talk, yeah?
As your friendly neighborhood international producer and designer, I gotta say—these visa wait times? They’re throwing off our tradeshow plans.
Look, we all know the drill. We’re pumped to showcase our stuff, meet you all, and maybe grab a beer after the show. But getting there? That’s a whole other story.
Imagine this: you’ve got this killer product or service, right? You’re buzzing to show it off in the U.S., make some connections, maybe even land a sweet deal. Then—bam! You’re staring at a visa wait time that’s longer than a Netflix binge. It’s frustrating, to say the least.
Now, I’m not here to throw a pity party. We’re a resilient bunch, us international exhibitors. We’ve got passion. We’ve got drive. We’re not giving up. But let’s be honest—this visa thing? It’s a real pain.
And it’s not just about us. It’s about the whole vibe of the tradeshow, it is just not the same without the international attendees and exhibitors, it just isn’t. The local community misses out on the buzz, the fresh ideas, and the chance to connect with people from all over. Let’s face it, that’s what makes these events so awesome, right? Diversity.
We’re talking about real money here, too—hotels, flights, booths—it all adds up. When you’re stuck waiting for a visa, that’s money sitting idle. Money that could be creating jobs, driving innovation, you name it.
But hey, it’s not all doom and gloom. We’re seeing some good folks step up and push for change. Organizations and associations like EDPA, The Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance, and Exhibit City News are talking, pushing, connecting us with each other and our government leaders, and they’re trying to make things better. That gives me hope.
So, here’s the deal: plan ahead, people. Like, way ahead. Let’s keep the conversation going. We’re all in this together, and we’re gonna make these tradeshows the global party they’re meant to be.
Because at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to connect, share our passions, and have a good time. And we’re not gonna let a little paperwork stop us.
We’re coming—maybe a little late—but we’re coming, and we’re coming with the best attitude possible.
This story originally appeared in the Q3 2025 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 38. For original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/exhibit_city_news_-_jul_aug_sept_2025/38.
