CHICAGO — This year’s Trade Show Executive (TSE) Trailblazers are a group of innovative, impactful industry professionals, who are making significant contributions to their organizations. TSE caught up with Kim Sillo, Marketing Director at RX Global, to learn more about her career journey, lessons she’s learned and what she’s looking forward to for the trade show industry.
Q: How did you get your start in the trade show industry?
I began my journey in the trade show industry through an unexpected path. While working at the Staples Copy Center during college, I met a Marketing Director at RX. Impressed by my work, she suggested I apply for a summer internship at her company. This internship soon led to a full-time position, and the rest, as they say, is history!
Q: What appealed most to you then, and what appeals most to you now about your work?
When I first began my career, the concept of a trade show was completely foreign to me! I was excited to dive into the unknown, learn the ropes, and see how the events came to life. Now, what appeals to me the most is that no day is the same. Each day presents a new set of challenges, opportunities and projects to tackle, allowing me to continuously grow and adapt.
Q: What has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned in your career?
It’s okay to fail! Embracing failure as a natural and valuable part of your career journey will only lead to greater learning and innovation.
Q: What or who inspires you to strive for excellence?
Everyone around me, including colleagues, mentors and leaders. Their unwavering commitment to the business and industry pushes me to strive for excellence each and every day.
Q: What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
Being nominated and selected as a 2024 TSE Trailblazer!
Related. Meet the 202 Trailblazers: Debbie Schmidle
Q: How do you define success?
I define success as delivering value to customers, actively contributing to the growth of businesses, and making a positive impact.
Q: What are some things about the future of this industry that excite you? Why?
I’m excited to see how our industry continues to innovate and evolve, leveraging technology like AI and crafting immersive experiences that appeal to the next generation of event-goers.
Q: Advice for other up-and-comers?
Embrace new challenges and opportunities that come your way, even if they take you outside of your comfort zone!
Nominator Quote: “Kim has many distinguishing qualities. She is highly motivated, creative, energetic, excited to learn and always willing to step outside of her comfort zone to challenge herself to move her career forward,” said Mary Beth Shaughnessy, Event Vice President of ISC Security Events at RX. “Her organizational skills and ability to manage workload capacity is impressive, and she holds herself to very high standards. This is proven in her ability to learn a complex industry and roll out a successful marketing campaign that drove double-digit increases in both attendee and conference registrations, closing the gap on 2019 attendance metrics. She also spearheaded the creative campaign and implementation of our new Career Zone. We saw a 41% increase over 2023 in the 25-34 age bracket and a 50% increase in the 35–44-year-old age bracket, a younger generation audience we have been trying to attract for years.”
Find out more about all the Trailblazers in the June edition of TSE.
