EDPA Future Leaders Blog - “Five Minutes with: Amanda Lembke”

Amanda Lembke, Creative Director, Star Exhibits

Connect with Amanda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-lembke/

We had the pleasure of interviewing Amanda, a dynamic professional with a journey that began at Bemidji State University. Amanda is the 2023 recipient of EDPA’s Designer of the Year award.  Here's what she shared:

Q: How did you get started in the exhibit design industry?

A: "When I was a student at Bemidji State, the EDPA and Bemidji State didn't quite have the affiliation they have today. However, I did attend ExhibitorLIVE for a handful of years throughout my years as a student. That's where I found my first job; I was attending ExhibitorLIVE and I graduated and joined a company from there.

Q: What was your first role in the industry?

A: "My first job was technically with Laarhoven Design, who eventually turned into beMatrix. And then after completing grad school, I went and I worked for Freeman in Chicago. I learned a lot about the industry in general while working for Freeman, and it gave me a unique perspective to this industry.”

Q: And what's your current role?

A: "Now I work for a custom exhibit house and it's really exciting and different every day.”

Q: Finally, what keeps you passionate about the industry?

A: "The people, and the energy of this awesome industry. Being at EDPA events or other industry events especially brings this out; you may have some of your closest friends from this industry and you only see them once or twice a year, but they just really impact and understand your life in a way the rest of the people in your life don't understand."