CHICAGO — This year’s Trade Show Executive (TSE) Pioneers are a group of innovative and influential industry professionals who are making significant contributions to their organizations. EAST I sat down with Lindsey Hall, Director of Event Registration at Questex, to learn more about her career journey, the lessons she’s learned, and what she’s looking forward to for the trade show industry.
Q: How did you get started in the trade show industry?
Before graduating, when I was choosing my final internship, I wanted to try something I hadn’t done before. I got an internship at a think tank, working in their events department. When I was looking for a job, I knew I wanted to continue exploring the events field. At the time, I knew what trade shows were, but I knew very little about the industry. While searching on LinkedIn, I applied for an event coordinator position. It wasn’t until the interview process that I learned that they were a company that specialized in trade shows. While I didn’t get the first job I applied for, I did get another open position with the company. Since that first leap, I’ve been in the industry ever since.
Q: What attracted you most at the time and what interests you most today in your work?
I wanted to work in events because I loved the planning part. There is so much work that goes into putting together an event and being a key player in that process is rewarding. Plus, I am a great team player and love being the little piece that completes the puzzle.
I think my favorite part about the trade show industry is being able to bring like-minded people together, foster connections, and interact with so many people. Every show has a different feel, and it’s very rewarding to get to know and interact with the audience on-site. At the end of the day, we’re a people industry, and seeing the direct impact I can have on others is something special that not everyone gets to experience.
Q: What was one of the most important lessons you learned during your career?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that there is always room to continue learning and growing. You may think you’ve seen and done everything you could, but then you look back and see that you’ve come a long way from where you were.
Just as importantly, I also learned to trust my gut. There are so many decisions to make and so many voices involved. At the end of the day, you know what you think is right and it’s important to be confident in your decisions. Even if you end up being wrong, mistakes happen, but it’s how you handle yourself and learn from them that matters.
Q: What or who inspires you to strive for excellence?
Ultimately, it is my family that inspires me to strive for excellence. I was raised to be strong, independent, and to do good for others as they do for you. Every day, that is reflected in everyone in my family, and if I can be half of what my parents are, then I will say I have done well.
Q: What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
My proudest moment in my career was during my two years at Questex. Coming into the company, I knew I had a big job ahead of me. Having worked on an average of six shows, I was now going to have to take on twice that many shows, while creating a whole new department.
It was a groundbreaking job and I feel like a small part of me will always be proud of my legacy at Questex. I have now created a foundation that we can only build upon and set ourselves up for continued success. Being able to see the monumental change in our shows and the contribution I have made to our growth is something that means so much to me.
Related. Meet the TSE 2024 Pioneers: Laura Feroce
Q: How do you define success?
Ask five different people in the same room what the definition of success is and you’ll get completely different answers. I think it’s one of the most ambiguous words in society. To me, success is setting goals and doing everything in your power to achieve them. It’s the feeling of having done a good day’s work and knowing that you worked hard and gave it your all. It’s not about titles or money, it’s about defining what you want to do in this world and making sure you think beyond yourself.
Q: What aspects of the future of this industry interest you? Why?
I think there are a lot of changes on the horizon for this industry. Our industry is resistant to change but has been forced to adapt. We are seeing changes that are pushing us to think more about sustainability initiatives and really using technology to our advantage.
For me, the future is about how we can match other industries in terms of using technology, focusing on how we can learn and anticipate what our audiences want and need, making it easier for people to get to our shows, and using data to really make decisions and help us move forward. We need to personalize the experience for attendees, and I think that’s something we’re seeing more and more across the board.
Q: Any advice for other newcomers?
My best piece of advice, and perhaps the most frustrating for those who haven’t yet, is to find a mentor. Find someone who inspires you and ask them questions. Seek out their advice and how they navigate this industry and beyond. This always frustrated me as a young professional, wondering how I did it. But it’s as simple as seeing someone who says something interesting and engaging with them. You never know where a conversation can lead.
I owe a lot of what I have become professionally to my mentor, Molly Witges, who inspired me, gave me the confidence I needed to grow in my role, and is the best sounding board. I also have to thank my boss, Kirstin Lewis, for being one of my biggest supporters. Finding your people isn’t as hard as it seems, and it all starts with a simple hello. It may not be monumental, but it always gets you where you need to be.
Nominator Quote: “Since joining Questex, Lindsey has been responsible for the entire registration lifecycle, including the operational process for 10 trade shows and 11 conferences ranging in size from 1,000 to 30,000 attendees, totaling over $10 million in revenue per attendee,” said Kirstin Lewis, Vice President, Event Performance at Questex. “In her time at Questex, Lindsey has increased efficiency, improved technology integration, reduced costs, and enhanced data management, among other things. She has been recognized by management as ‘dedicated, collaborative, detail-oriented, strategic, and a pleasure to work with – the company’s secret weapon.’”
Find out more about all the Trailblazers in the June issue of TSE.