COLUMN The Global View
The Universal Language of the Tradeshow Floor: Welcome Home
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nother early system is our global morning at village and home. It’s the airport, where our passports another customs line, get stamped, our best another venue for work gets done, and, another project. For oddly enough, where By Paco Collazo those of us who live we find our deepest life in crates and fluorescent sense of belonging. lights, this is just Tuesday. This might sound exhausting The Challenge That to an outsider, but to us, stepKeeps Us ping onto a tradeshow floor— We’re often asked, “How do be it in Frankfurt, Atlanta, you handle stress?” The truth or Dubai—feels profoundly, is, we’re wired differently. This wonderfully familiar. industry, with its impossible It’s the subtle cues: the deadlines, its 24/7 client calls, scent of new flooring, mixing and its constant, dynamic with stale coffee; the rhythm problem-solving, is the ultimate of forklifts; the unique dance challenge. And like any great of navigating massive crates challenge, it’s also a powerful without breaking stride. This hook. Once you’re in, it’s hard sprawling, temporary ecoto imagine being anywhere else. 78 Jan/Feb/Mar 2026 Exhibit City News
My friend’s recent experience perfectly captures this feeling. As a fellow producer who jumped from concert and TV production to standbuilder, she mentioned falling for the high of creative problem-solving and the mix of productions with crazy logistics. She, and countless others like her, have discovered what we’ve known for years: this work demands everything you have, but it pays you back tenfold in adrenaline, achievement, and human connection. New Faces, Same Obsession The industry has seen a necessary influx of talent lately. People from outside
our traditional pool—the film buffs, the architecture grads, the logistics experts from other fields—were needed, and they answered the call. What’s fascinating is how quickly they, too, fall in love. They came looking for a job, and they found a lifestyle. They found the thrill of the pre-planning, the camaraderie during installation, and the office banter that somehow transcends borders and time zones. The deadlines don’t scare us; the absence of a challenge does. We are warriors who thrive in a high-stakes environment. We love the people we meet, the clients we turn into friends, and the quiet satisfaction of walking off a completed show floor, knowing we pulled off a small miracle. This industry has no nationality. It simply demands passion, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of temporary perfection. Whether you’ve been building booths for 30 years or 30 days, if you feel that familiar pull towards the airport gate and that sense of home amidst the chaos of crates, then welcome. You’re one of us, and you’re doing an amazing job. Paco Collazo is the CEO and Owner of Happy Projects, a stand building and event design & production company based in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 15 years of experience in the tradeshows and event industry, he has worked with the top international brands and agencies all around the world. He is a member of ESSA, IFES, and a board member of EDPA in the USA. You can reach him at: paco@ happyprojects.us or at the socials of Happy Projects (@happyprojects.us)