IAEE Member Spotlight on Christine Paplaczyk, CEM

Hometown: Chicago/Arizona

How long have you been an IAEE member? 20 years

How did you start your career in this industry?

I started as an inside sales supervisor at the National Safety Council. I was approached by Sandy Chapin and she asked if I would like to apply for the exhibit sales position. Needless to say, I took the job. We attended the Plant and Engineering Show so that she can show me the ropes regarding selling exhibit space. With much hesitation, we went out afterward and she was with me when I first met my now-husband. After NSC I sold exhibit space and sponsorship's for Broadband Wireless shows in France, London, Brussels, Sao Paulo, Barcelona, and Hong Kong. Their shows were sold so I moved on to the National Restaurant Show selling exhibit space for several years. Left the NRA to sell exhibit and sponsorship sales for Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. I have been in my current position for over 5 years.

How has IAEE shaped your career?

It allowed me to keep up with industry trends, provided educational webinars which helped with my professional and personal development/growth, access to CEIR's to provide industry data to our team, and just recently was able to collaborate with a number of members to discuss the new and ever-evolving tradeshow industry. 

What advice would you give to a new member?

Attend your local chapter events. You will network with all levels of experience and they are more than willing to provide guidance and or any help that you need. Also, attend EXPO! EXPO! I have always loved going. Unfortunately, I haven't attended in several years because I have a show exactly at the same time.

Fun fact about you - What is one thing most people don't know about you?

This is very true - my husband will confirm - I have over 100 pairs of shoes

What do you like most about your chapter?

I am a telecommuter (Office in Chicago I live in Arizona) so I unable to attend in person, but I would have to say the exciting/educational events that they host. I also get to see peers I have not seen in a long time and the ability to meet new members.

What community service projects do you like to be involved in? Why?

Decorate and provided a dessert room for the caregivers at Night to Shine. I also volunteer for AZ Donate (donor signup), serving at our church, and prepare meals at homeless shelters

What would you say is the #1 IAEE member benefit?

Facing the new challenge of producing virtual conferences, I was able to reach out to the IAEE community for guidance and share best practices. Most of us had to shift gears in a very small-time frame, and if it weren't for the resources made available with our membership, I am sure I would still be lost.

What do you like most about Expo! Expo!?

The networking, the educational sessions that covered a wide variety of topics, and visiting the exhibit hall to see the latest and greatest technology. Of course, the evening activities were a blast.

What is your one takeaway from the COVID pandemic? 

Finding ourselves adapting to all kinds of new environments, lifestyles, the changes of how businesses operate and how the tradeshow organizers had to shift gears to produce virtual events for which some have never produced. Collaboration was key!

What are you looking forward to in 2021?  

 For the exhibit industry to bounce back! Continue to use the resources that IAEE has to offer regarding this new reality - meeting with show organizers on a regular basis was very instrumental for creating our events/sponsorship opportunities for 5 shows that we decided to produce virtually that are taking place from September-December.  To expand and enhance our best practices such as providing the tools to help sponsors successfully engage with attendees and to integrate more engagement/networking opportunities throughout the event for attendees.  

If your organization shifted to a virtual event, what was one thing you learned? 

Be sure that you have a troubleshooting and staff plan so that if any problems arise that they are covered during the event. This helped us tremendously when addressing problems that came up and knowing that there was a specific person assigned to specific issues and tasks to handle during the event.