Meet Nancy Johnson, new sub-committee Chair

Meet, Nancy Johnson (Gen X) sub-committee head for “developing and attracting new talent” to the industry.

“I would love to work more with high schools and even college departments to get information on our industry out there. I had such a hard time when I went back to school for my certificate. They only taught meeting planning and special events classes. I knew I wanted to do trade show mgmt right off the bat, but I was discouraged from pursuing that avenue. I’m very glad that I kept at it because I’m now doing what I love to do. My motto is “I don’t care about the size of the muffin”, which is why I’d never want to be a meeting planner.”

Read Nancy’s Letter to her Mentors and Teachers:

” I have joined the YP IAEE committee and will be chairing the subcommittee for Developing and Attracting New Talent to the industry. As you are all aware, working with students and especially non traditional students that are making a career change into the meeting planning industry has become my passion.

I know that most of your focus as instructors is on meeting planning and hotel management, while the focus of this committee is for the trade show side of the industry. This part of the industry is lacking from many college programs, but is a very important part of the industry. I am a prime example of this. I knew right away that this was my interest, but found that I had to do a lot of networking and research on my own in order to reach my goal. Thankfully, I had the confidence to do so and was rewarded with a wonderful position! My goal is to help to give a voice to those that may not have the refined skills or confidence to get out there and get noticed. In the long run, that is really what all students are looking for: a way to be noticed and recognized for what they can bring to the table. In other words, they need a job!!

As we begin our work in this very important committee of IAEE, I am looking to you all as an important link to students and what they are looking for in the industry. My hope is that you will offer suggestions, ideas, and feedback from your students to help our committee develop for the trade show industry what PCMA already offers to their student members and Young Professionals.

You all have had a positive impression on my development and growth in this industry, and I thank you all for your commitment to our industry. I’m very excited to be involved with this committee and my hope is that it will be beneficial not only for the Young Professionals in the industry, but also to everyone that is out there in the trenches teaching Young Professionals.”

 - Nancy Johnson