Reed Exhibitions Gives College Grads Foot into the Industry with Sales Academy Launch
February 12, 2014
In an effort to give recent college grads an opportunity to get their feet wet in the trade show industry, Reed Exhibitions has launched a Sales Academy at its Norwalk, Conn., office.
The Sales Academy will provide intensive training and hands-on development in a variety of sales competencies and will be offered to a total of 20 budding professionals on an annual basis.
“Our business is growing, and a strategic priority is to develop a deep pool of talented staff to serve our customers in North America,” said Joann Bottoni-Jepsen, senior vice president for Human Resources at Reed Exhibitions, Americas.
She added, “At the same time, we understand the importance of job creation in our area and we wanted to provide an opportunity for men and women looking for that open door to get started in a career. The Sales Academy is a perfect fit for all those needs.”
Sales Academy participants will be hired for full-time employment, as well as have a full benefits package and take part in intensive six-month training program.
Once the program is completed and depending on their level of success, they will have an opportunity to move into a wide variety of sales roles at Reed Exhibitions.
With two Sales Academy programs per year, Reed Exhibitions will be creating 20 new jobs in Norwalk.
“Our goal is to offer participants on-the-job training with classroom instruction, self-study and prospecting activities and the opportunity to build a strong relationship with event teams and customers,” said Bottoni-Jepsen.
She added, “We are currently recruiting for our first Sales Academy class, which will begin in March.”
The selection process will include a full assessment day set for the end of February.
Academy participants will be introduced to the various industries Reed operates in, including retail, jewelry, pop culture, security, gaming and more.
Some of the shows they will be working on include the PGA Merchandise Show, International Vision Expo East and PAX.
Interested candidates in The Reed Exhibition Sales Academy can apply at http://reedexpo.com/Careers/Job-Search/Job-Search-North-America/ and click on Sales Academy.
Reed Exhibitions runs 500 events in 42 countries and employs about 3,000 people. Its Americas headquarters are in Norwalk, where it employs 350 people.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
Add new comment