In a conversation with Ben Solberg, we learned about his journey into the trade show industry and how his role has evolved over time.
Q: How did you find your way into the trade show industry, Ben?
A: "I went to Bemidji State University and studied prototype engineering technologies. The department that I was in was very closely tied to the exhibit design major; same department at BSU. So just throughout my college years, through networking and meeting people, I ended up going to ExhibitorLIVE and talking to people there who worked in the industry. Then I got a job out of college from those conversations and moved to Boston right after graduating to start work."
Q: Were you always set on entering this industry when you started school?
A: "I didn't know that I was going to go into the trade show industry at first. I just kind of happened to be drawn to the major, and thought it sounded cool to study. I've always liked working with my hands and figuring things out and I grew up doing woodworking, so I kind of fell into it. Throughout college, just through meeting people and being very closely tied with exhibit design, it seemed a natural fit.”
Q: What was your first experience with a trade show like?
A: "I think the first trade show I went to was probably a print trade show in Chicago at McCormick Place. It was a week-long trip where we went to Chicago as a student group and were able to attend the trade show and then also visit some of the area companies."
Q: After moving to Boston, what was your initial role in the industry?
A: "When I first started in the industry, I had the title of CAD Detailer/Associate Project Manager, starting at Hill & Partners. They didn't have anybody in my role working there, they outsourced it all, so they weren't really sure where my role was going to go. Over the years, it drifted more towards CAD, detailing and production management. Then after COVID, I began to also get really involved in the graphic production side of things, too."
Q: How was it developing your role and department within the company?
A: "It was kind of fun along the way, just being able to create my own role and explore things that I was interested in."
Q: Can you compare what you do now to when you first started?
A: "When I first started, like I said, I was more on the CAD detailing side of it, sitting behind my desk, creating drawings all day, every day. Now I'm more involved with supporting the production of graphics and overseeing the production of custom exhibits and custom elements, moving closer towards assisting with production and managing production rather than just specifically CAD detailing."
Q: Any advice for students aspiring to enter the industry?
A: "Get into the industry however you can and from where you land, find what you're interested in, what you're good at and what you like to do.”
