Stateside with Stephanie
Working for a living!
Workforce development and recruiting in the next generation of workers to the exhibition industry is a hot topic at every industry event.“ We should do more” is a common refrain. Then there are those doing something about it, as Stephanie Selesnick writes
had a conversation with
I
Sheila Neal, associate vice-president, strategic alliances, Visit Detroit about a few initiatives from Visit Detroit,( Detroit and environs CVB). Due to space constraints, I’ m only highlighting three. Full disclosure – I’ m a member of their Customer Advisory Board( CAB).
Visit Detroit has partnered with both MPI and ASAE( American Society of Association Executives) for the last few years on outreach programmes. Neal explains:“ Not all well paying jobs in our industry require a college degree. For example, along with MPI, we take that message to 250 local Middle and High School students annually and share what jobs are available and what they pay. Students are always surprised – in a good way.”
Meetings & Events 101- MPI & Visit Detroit This 3 – 5-hour programme takes students through a behind-the-scenes look at how events are planned – then has them( in groups) design an event from soup to nuts: event type, marketing, venue selection, operations, food & beverage service, etc. while learning the steps professional meeting planners use to turn ideas into successful experiences.
“ Before the students plan their events, they learn about F & B, hotels, DMO’ s, A / V and more,” say Neal.“ It gives them a real-life opportunity
to explore creativity, teamwork and problem-solving; and they get to discover how fun event planning can be.” At the conclusion, certificates are awarded.
Behind-the-scenes industry tours – Visit Detroit and local schools Visit Detroit organises annual local student field trips to hospitality and event venues for a behind-the-scenes
Above: Sheila Neal
Above: Maria Cook look at operations. These immersive tours spark interest and connect classroom learning to real jobs. This year they partnered with the Detroit Auto Show.
Diversity in Leadership Program( DELP): ASAE & Visit Detroit Another partnership is for older‘ students’ – the professionals. For the last five years, Visit Detroit has sponsored the ASAE DELP. It’ s a twoyear programme designed to support and elevate association professionals from underrepresented identity groups.
DELP scholars participate in an accelerated leadership programme of education, mentoring, and volunteer service in the association community. They also agree to get their CAE, ASAE’ s certification. It has a very strong alumni community.
A few of my fellow Detroit CAB members are current or alumni DELP scholars. I asked one of them, Maria Jose Cook, CAE, associate director, executive affairs for ISPOR— The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research, why she applied for the programme and its impact.
“ I was at a professional crossroads and learned about the programme through a DELP scholar. With the support of my CEO, I applied and it was one of the best professional decisions I’ ve made.
“ Although I officially graduate in June 2026, the impact of the programme has already been transformational, including help received while going for my CAE certification.
“ Through this network, I’ ve built relationships with mentors, CEOs, and industry leaders who are genuinely willing to share their knowledge and offer guidance. Overall, DELP has been truly life changing.”
Workforce development is something all areas of our industry can and should partner on – through education, on the ground experiences, internships, and more. What is your organisation doing to bring in the next gen? EW www. exhibitionworld. co. uk Issue 3 2026 27