The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Exhibition Stand Manager (L2)
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Mastering end-to-end delivery of single, medium-to-large stands, independent budget tracking, initial supplier negotiation, and confident on-site problem-solving.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivering projects on time and within budget with minimal supervision.
- Proactively identifying and mitigating project risks.
- Receiving positive feedback from internal stakeholders on communication and execution.
- Successfully handling unexpected on-site challenges with calm and efficiency.
- 2
Event Production Specialist (from agency side)
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Strong client management, deep understanding of production processes across various event types, advanced technical production knowledge (AV, staging, lighting), and managing multiple projects for different clients.
You're ready to move on when
- Experience managing projects with similar complexity and budget to our exhibitions.
- Ability to translate client briefs into actionable production plans.
- Proven track record of successful supplier management and negotiation.
- Strong references from previous clients or senior colleagues.
- 3
Senior Project Manager (from adjacent industries)
3-4 years (with relevant transferrable skills)Skills to master
- Adapting project management methodologies to the unique demands of live events (e.g., faster timelines, higher risk), quickly learning industry-specific terminology (drayage, rigging), and building a network of event-specific suppliers.
You're ready to move on when
- Demonstrable experience managing complex projects with tight deadlines and multiple stakeholders.
- Strong budget management and risk mitigation skills.
- A genuine passion for the live events industry and a willingness to learn its nuances quickly.
- Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities transferable to a dynamic environment.