Another early morning at the airport, another customs line, another venue for another project. For those of us who live life in crates and fluorescent lights, this is just Tuesday. This might sound exhausting to an outsider, but to us, stepping onto a tradeshow floor—be it in Frankfurt, Atlanta, or Dubai—feels profoundly, wonderfully familiar.
It’s the subtle cues: the scent of new flooring, mixing with stale coffee; the rhythm of forklifts; the unique dance of navigating massive crates without breaking stride. This sprawling, temporary ecosystem is our global village and home. It’s where our passports get stamped, our best work gets done, and, oddly enough, where we find our deepest sense of belonging.
The Challenge That Keeps Us
We’re often asked, “How do you handle stress?” The truth is, we’re wired differently. This industry, with its impossible deadlines, its 24/7 client calls, and its constant, dynamic problem-solving, is the ultimate challenge. And like any great challenge, it’s also a powerful hook. Once you’re in, it’s hard to imagine being anywhere else.
My friend’s recent experience perfectly captures this feeling. As a fellow producer who jumped from concert and TV production to standbuilder, she mentioned falling for the high of creative problem-solving and the mix of productions with crazy logistics. She, and countless others like her, have discovered what we’ve known for years: this work demands everything you have, but it pays you back tenfold in adrenaline, achievement, and human connection.
New Faces, Same Obsession
The industry has seen a necessary influx of talent lately. People from outside our traditional pool—the film buffs, the architecture grads, the logistics experts from other fields—were needed, and they answered the call. What’s fascinating is how quickly they, too, fall in love. They came looking for a job, and they found a lifestyle. They found the thrill of the pre-planning, the camaraderie during installation, and the office banter that somehow transcends borders and time zones.
The deadlines don’t scare us; the absence of a challenge does. We are warriors who thrive in a high-stakes environment. We love the people we meet, the clients we turn into friends, and the quiet satisfaction of walking off a completed show floor, knowing we pulled off a small miracle.
This industry has no nationality. It simply demands passion, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of temporary perfection. Whether you’ve been building booths for 30 years or 30 days, if you feel that familiar pull towards the airport gate and that sense of home amidst the chaos of crates, then welcome. You’re one of us, and you’re doing an amazing job.
Image credit: Adobe Stock
This story originally appeared in the Q1 2026 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 78. For original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/exhibit_city_news_-_jan_feb_mar_2026/78.
