In this week’s edition of The Lindsay Exhibits Bunch, we’re shining the spotlight on Account Manager Kellie Szymanski: “The Connection Weaver”.
Inquiring Minds Want To Know:
I earned my degree in Communications, Advertising & PR from Grand Valley State University in West Michigan (Anchor Up!). Following in my footsteps, my son chose the same degree from the same college, which makes it even more special. My career has taken me in many directions, but one constant has been my focus on account management and customer service.
The trade show industry is way more complex than most people realize. If you’ve never managed an exhibit, you might not understand just how much thought, time, investment, and effort go into making it a success. That’s what I love about my role: I get to simplify the process for my clients and guide them every step of the way. When I meet with a potential client for the first time during a Discovery call, my first questions are always: “What are you trying to accomplish, and what does success look like?” Before we discuss design or budget, I want to understand their goals so we can strategically craft the best experience for their brand at that particular show.
Throughout the process, I am always accessible, available and in constant communication with my clients. By building trust and being their go-to person, they know that they can count on me to be their partner and problem-solver. It is rewarding to know that my clients appreciate me being by their side and feel confident knowing that I’m always just a phone call away.
At Lindsay Exhibit Group, teamwork is at the heart of everything we do. We rely on each other’s expertise, and I know that if I need help figuring something out, my team will step in with ideas and support. With so many trade show veterans on board, someone has almost always tackled a similar challenge before and is eager to jump in. Beyond that, the culture here is one of genuine kindness and camaraderie. When I broke my ankle, my team didn’t hesitate to carry my folders, grab my printouts…there were even offers to carry me to my car!
I love our team traditions, whether it’s potlucks paired with cornhole tournaments, the excitement of March Madness brackets, bagel Fridays, or our Christmas party, which always takes place somewhere we can be competitive and have a blast (like curling or bocce ball). I even look forward to our Monday morning meetings. It’s a chance for everyone to come together and kick off what’s coming up for the week…and usually crack jokes or catch up on the sports games that took place over the weekend.
One of the most exciting experiences of my career was traveling coast to coast, filming “real people” commercials for Ford featuring spokespeople Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs!), Cristian de la Fuente, and Boris Kodjoe. I worked alongside an incredible team of coworkers and production crews who became lifelong friends. That job took me to so many places I never would have visited otherwise. We traveled so much that some mornings I’d wake up thinking, “Wait…what city am I in today?”
When I’m not working, you’ll find me outside during the warmer months and bundled up indoors when winter rolls around (cold weather is not my thing!). We live in a cozy little house on a lake with an old pontoon boat, and it’s everything we need. My favorite thing is to relax with my family & friends either sitting on the boat, on the beach or around the campfire, simply enjoying the sunshine, water, good food and each other’s company.
Reach out to Kellie at kellies@lindsayexhibits.com to discuss your next exhibit project!