CHICAGO — Over the course of Parker Swenson’s career at Diversified, he has grown from a reliable Project Manager into a resilient, forward-thinking Operations Manager who excels under pressure, anticipates challenges before they arise and elevates the teams around him.
Last year, Swenson played a central role in relocating The Running Event from Austin to San Antonio and helped it deliver record attendance, sponsorship revenue and hotel bookings — while managing a team in transition, developing his direct reports, protecting his organization from contractual risk and contributing to department-wide initiatives that will benefit future events and colleagues.
At the 2026 Trade Show Executive (TSE) Fastest 50 Awards & Summit, he was recognized as a TSE Trailblazer. We sat down with Swenson to discuss his career and the events industry’s future.
ANDREW: What brought you to the trade show industry?
PARKER: Patience and good timing! I worked for a sports and content marketing agency prior to my time at Diversified, which was my first real job out of college. I had heard of Diversified, also headquartered in Portland, Maine, and was eager to join the organization.
While my first application didn’t lead to a role, largely because I was still early in my career and exploring the right fit, I took the opportunity to do an informational interview, stayed in touch and bided my time. When a role opened up on the operations team, I jumped at it.
ANDREW: What do you enjoy the most about your work?
PARKER: I love the details. I like seeing how every piece of the puzzle goes together [and] interacts with each other, and seeing months of planning come together over a few short days.
I also love seeing people enjoying themselves at an event I’ve helped plan.
ANDREW: What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
PARKER: Getting recognized as a TSE Trailblazer is certainly up there!
And while I would be remiss not to mention my title as the 2025 Diversified Mario Kart Champion, the moments I’m most proud of are helping our events evolve by moving to new locations and launching in new venues.
I was part of the team that relocated Seafood Expo Global from Brussels to Barcelona in 2021, and The Running Event’s move … Being involved in these major transitions and seeing them come to life has been incredibly rewarding.
ANDREW: Could you describe your work relocating The Running Event and how this impacted it?
PARKER: We knew we couldn’t simply move the show from Austin to San Antonio and expect everything to fit the same way, nor did we want to.
Reimagining how all elements of the show, including conference, exhibition and special events, came together was a true team effort. We focused on the full attendee and exhibitor experience from arrival through departure, recognizing that this was a new venue not just for us, but for all our customers.
I spent significant time with The Running Event team mapping out flow, timing and key touchpoints, while also understanding that there would inevitably be on-site curveballs.
The partnership with Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center (HBGCC) was outstanding, and we continue to benefit from strong collaboration with both Freeman and Freeman Audio Visual as well.
ANDREW: How did you identify and build out sponsorship and activation opportunities at the HBGCC?
PARKER: Ahead of our first edition in San Antonio, we organized a client visit to experience the convention center, hotels and surrounding city.
It served as a working site visit for operations, but also as an opportunity to showcase the venue and introduce new sponsorship possibilities.
We knew we couldn’t simply replicate what was sold in Austin. The new space opened the door to different activations, layouts and experiences.
The Running Event team really listened to what customers wanted to achieve, and I collaborated closely with the HBGCC and Freeman to bring those ideas to life and ensure we maximized every opportunity.
ANDREW: Why is mentorship important to you?
PARKER: Mentorship is vital to me because a desire to learn, listen and adapt is paramount to career growth. I’ve had several mentors during my time at Diversified, and I’ve always tried to observe, absorb and take pieces from each of them.
Learning from colleagues with different work, communication and leadership styles has been incredibly valuable, and I view that diversity as a strength. There’s no one-size-fits-all model.
The real goal is the ongoing pursuit of improvement.
I’d like to think I’m entering a phase where I can serve as a mentor to newer employees, and my goal is to support and empower them just as others have done for me.
Related. Meet the 2026 TSE Trailblazers: Paola Payano
ANDREW: What are your keys to success?
PARKER: For me, it comes down to a strong competitive drive and a sense of humor.
I’ve been competitive my whole life, and that drive to prepare and excel keeps me sharp and focused on delivering successful events and experiences.
Equally important is maintaining a sense of humor. Those of us in the trade show industry travel and work a lot, with plenty of early mornings, late nights and everything in between.
Being able to find the lighter moments and enjoy the people you’re in it with makes a big difference, and it’s something I try to bring with me every day.
ANDREW: What challenges have you encountered in your career, and how have you overcome them?
PARKER: There have been a number of challenges I’ve encountered, including COVID, severe weather events and even large-scale power outages.
Our team at Diversified has navigated each of these situations, and much of that success comes down to preparation and communication.
We have robust emergency and communication plans, both in-office and on-site, that allow us to respond quickly and effectively. Just as important has been the ability to lean on the experience of those who came before me, which has helped me navigate and overcome every challenge I’ve encountered.
ANDREW: How do you stay motivated and avoid burnout?
PARKER: I try to remember there’s cheese at the end of the maze. When possible, I build in a little extra time before or after a show to decompress, take a breath and enjoy the experience.
My wife and I have turned a few work trips into adventures, including traveling through England and later honeymooning in Ireland after Seafood Expo Global.
I also take advantage of small opportunities to recharge, whether that’s getting in a round of golf or simply stepping away for a bit. Most importantly, I’m fortunate to genuinely love what I do and the people I work with.
ANDREW: What advice would you give to an events industry up-and-comer?
PARKER: Observe and absorb from anyone and everyone. Say yes to opportunities when you can, and don’t be afraid to speak up if you see something that could be improved.
Lean on others and never hesitate to ask questions. Collaboration and communication are two of the biggest drivers of success, in my opinion.
Above all, have fun and try to keep a sense of humor along the way.
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