COLUMN As the Saws Turn
EDPA: Leading Our Industry Into The Future
I
started going to EDPA events in 2006, five years after starting my company. I was feeling isolated as a company owner and was literally just looking for someone I could talk with about the issues I was dealing with in an ownership role. I had tried our local ad clubs and marketing associations, but they didn’t get this industry, and I wasn’t comfortable talking with my local competitors. What I found in EDPA was a group of people who were very passionate about this industry, its clients, and its people. Within a very short timeframe, I met other owners and senior leaders that were technically competitors, but they were also compadres. We talked about issues that we as company owners faced, and we as an industry had to deal with. When I had clients that wanted to do shows in Europe and in Canada, I turned to my fellow EDPA members for assistance. I knew these people; I trusted them with my clients, and they performed wonderfully. When the great recession hit in 2008-2010, we all worked together to help each other out and do our best to make sure we all survived. As we came out of that time and the industry grew back, I became involved in the boards of directors for the foundation and the association. It just felt like it was the right thing to do…my company and I had gained so much from our membership and involvement that this was the natural next step – give back my time to this organization. Over the last 17 years, I have watched this association evolve as our industry has changed with the times. I have been 14 Oct/Nov/Dec 2023 Exhibit City News
fortunate to meet and work with some to bring people from high schools, universivery smart and very passionate people ties and other industries to the table. that have passed through this organizaThe other piece of this is the recognition tion. True leaders in this industry…and of future leaders – those in this industry too many to name in this small space. that have the potential to lead us into the When the pandemic hit in 2020 and our future. Developing these leaders is critical industry came to a screeching halt, I saw to our industry’s continued success. people in this association step up to tackle Education: New workers and new major issues. Owners of companies that employees in this industry mean new were all but shut down committed ways of teaching our people what huge amounts of time and effort to this industry is all about and how try to save this industry. And what it works. Efforts to partner with has grown out of that time is what other industry organizations I believe is one of the strongest to expose them to what we do and most committed boards of and to train our current teams directors and executive committee By Jim Obermeyer requires a whole new approach… that I have ever seen in this industry. our teams aren’t made up of people that We are talking about an industry have been in this industry their entire association that has garnered praise careers anymore. from other associations in our industry Sustainability: This issue is not going for the passion, commitment and efforts away. More and more clients are asking put forth to build our industry back. Just about sustainability in this industry and look at some of this work: how we are going to deal with it. As an Advocacy: What started as a drive to industry, we need to establish guidelines reach our US government representaand we need to step up our game. tives and expose them to this industry’s The reality is that we are at a critical dire need of help has grown to include moment in the evolution of our industry. advocating for our industry on a local To be able to come out of the near-death government level, but also advocating of our industry and bring it to our current and exposing our industry to other assostate has been incredible and has taken ciations, universities, tech schools and a lot of work by a lot of strong-willed organizations like the American School people. To now establish this and carry it Counselors Association. forward will also take a very passionate And then there is advocating for the and energetic team. When I look at the exhibitor – our clients. With the demise current board of directors of the EDPA of the Trade Show Exhibitors Associaand the initiatives they are working on, tion years ago, there has been no formal I see that passion and commitment as organization that looks after the needs strong or stronger than I have since I of the exhibitor. With the recent estabbecame involved 17 years ago. lishment of The Exhibitor Advocate, and And if you are like I was and are lookthe support they are getting from EDPA ing for a place to step into the industry, members, hopefully that is changing. now would be a great time to get inFuture Workforce/Future Leaders: volved. Bring on your passion! Every industry in this economy has been hit See you on the show floor. with workforce shortages, and for an industry that has been relatively unknown, it can Jim Obermeyer has been in the exhibits and events be even more difficult to find skilled workindustry over 40 years, both as a corporate trade ers. Our association’s efforts with this on show manager and exhibit house owner. He can be both a national and local level are starting reached at jobermeyer903@gmail.com