As Project Manager, I led the end-to-end development and fabrication management of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) – World Pork Board EXPO 2022 trade show booth for the 2022 World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa.
Project Overview:
The booth was featured at the world’s largest pork-specific trade show, which attracted over 10,000 producers and industry professionals from around the globe. This high-visibility project required seamless coordination across multiple teams and vendors to deliver a polished, brand-aligned presence that facilitated meaningful engagement with attendees and stakeholders while highlighting the Board’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Project Management & Fabrication Coordination:
- Project Initiation & Planning: Defined project scope, deliverables, and success criteria. Developed comprehensive project charter, timeline, and budget encompassing design, fabrication, shipping, installation, and dismantling phases
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership: Led collaborative efforts across FleishmanHillard HighRoad’s creative team in Toronto, account team in St. Louis, and local fabrication partner in Des Moines. Managed communication protocols, regular status meetings, and stakeholder alignment throughout project lifecycle
- Design Development & Approval Management: Coordinated booth concept development with creative team, managed client review and approval cycles, ensured design aligned with brand guidelines and trade show regulations, and facilitated revisions and refinements based on stakeholder feedback
- Fabrication Vendor Management: Led vendor selection, evaluation, and contracting process for local Des Moines fabricator including:
- RFP development and vendor evaluation criteria
- Technical specifications and material requirements documentation
- Contract negotiation and service level agreements
- Quality assurance standards and inspection protocols
- Production timeline management and milestone tracking
- Print Production & Graphics Management: Oversaw all print production elements including:
- Large-format graphics printing (banners, backdrops, wall graphics)
- Dimensional signage and wayfinding elements
- Branded collateral and promotional materials
- Material selection for durability and brand consistency
- Color matching and quality control across all printed elements
- Proofing cycles and approval documentation
- Booth Fabrication Oversight: Managed complete booth build process including:
- Structural design and engineering coordination
- Material sourcing and procurement
- AV/multimedia equipment integration
- Furniture and fixture selection and procurement
- Logistics & Supply Chain Management: Coordinated comprehensive logistics including:
- Shipping and freight management from fabricator to venue
- Coordination with trade show general contractor and exhibit services
- Delivery scheduling aligned with venue load-in windows
- Insurance and risk management for transit and on-site
- Installation & On-Site Management: Managed booth installation process including:
- Coordination with venue labor unions and installation crews
- Coordination with trade show management for compliance verification
- Budget & Financial Management: Developed and managed comprehensive budget covering design fees, fabrication costs, printing expenses, shipping and drayage, installation labor, and contingency planning. Tracked expenses against budget throughout project and managed vendor invoicing and payments
- Trade Show Compliance & Regulations: Ensured all booth elements met trade show regulations including:
- Height and structural requirements
- Fire safety and material flame-retardant certifications
- Electrical code compliance
- ADA accessibility standards
- Venue-specific rules and guidelines
- Post-Event Management: Coordinated dismantling, shipping, and storage or disposal of booth materials. Conducted post-event evaluation with stakeholders and documented lessons learned for future activations
Project Transformation:
Successfully transformed initial concept into a fully realized, on-site experience that delivered a professional, brand-aligned presence. The booth facilitated meaningful engagement with attendees and effectively communicated the Board’s commitment to sustainability and innovation to over 10,000 industry professionals.
Key Deliverables:
Complete custom-fabricated trade show booth structure
Large-format printed graphics and branded elements
On-time, on-budget delivery and installation
Comprehensive project documentation and final reporting
Aaaand, look how exciting an empty trade booth is.
