CHICAGO — As we approach the end of 2025, you’re probably starting to think about your goals and aspirations for 2026.
Creating structured goals and action plans for your work helps you to be successful, deliver desired outcomes and continue to progress your career forward. That’s why Trade Show Executive (TSE) has done the research and compiled a resource guide full of tips and frameworks to help you prepare for a strong start in the new year.
A Classic Framework to Get Started
One of the most common frameworks for goal setting is SMART Goals, which helps to give goals a structure that keeps them clear, and keeps you accountable.
According to Forbes Advisor, SMART Goals have plenty of pros, like improving efficiency and productivity, energizing individuals and teams, creating a sense of ownership, promoting learning and development and providing clarity.
Check out the breakdown of SMART Goals below:
Specific: Goals need to be clearly defined to ensure your efforts are focused.
Measurable: You should be able to continuously track and measure the outcome of your goals.
Achievable: It’s important to set goals that are realistic; goals should challenge you but still be possible to achieve.
Relevant: Your goals should be aligned with the bigger objectives of your organization.
Time-bound: Setting clear deadlines for goals is helpful in prioritizing actions to take.
Top Tips for Goal Setting
While the SMART framework is a tried-and-true way to get started, there are some other things to think about while setting goals for yourself.
- Break Down Big Goals: Dividing big objectives into smaller, actionable steps can help keep you motivated
- Understand Your Organization’s Goals: Learn about your organization’s goals and how you can impact business outcomes
- Stay Current on Trends: Include goals that help keep you up to date on industry changes and innovations, like educational webinars or continuing education programs
- Leverage Strong Time Management: Use different tools and time-blocking to stay organized and focused on specific tasks
- Focus on Impact: Tie your goals to measurable outcomes and not just activity
Top Tips for Following Through
It’s one thing to set goals for the next year — but it’s another to actually follow through. Here are some top tips to keep you on top of your goals.
- Track Your Progress Monthly: Monitor milestones on the way to your larger goals to keep you on track
- Adjust Accordingly: Stay flexible with your goals and plans as the industry continues to change
- Celebrate the Little Wins: Recognizing your own progress can serve as a morale boost throughout the year
- Find an Accountability Partner: Sharing your goals with a mentor or peer will help keep you accountable
- Seek Feedback: Request feedback on your performance and prioritize taking action based on that feedback
How Industry Leaders are Approaching Goal Setting for 2026
Mary Beth Shaughnessy, Event Vice President, ISC Events, RX
“I’m a big fan of planning ahead in both my personal and professional life, so I always have a to-do list and set goals at the conclusion of the year for the next year,” Shaughnessy said.
Shaughnessy shared these three tips to help you plan for success.
1. Reflect on the Past Year
“Before setting new goals, review what you achieved and learned this year,” Shaughnessy said. “What made you feel challenged, fulfilled? Did you learn new skills, accomplish your projects, or did you fall short on goals? This will help you set goals that are realistic and aligned with your strategy for next year. It’s great to have a stretch goal, too, so think about what might push you out of your comfort zone and go for it!”
2. Goal Setting
“When you are ready to set your goals think about business goals but also remember to focus on personal growth goals,” Shaughnessy said. “What skills will help you advance in your career?”
She outlined four considerations below:
- Consider participating in advanced learning training programs focused on building your skills. Commit to one formal or informal learning goal
- Set a goal around building professional relationships — attend networking events, offer to participate in mentor programs.
- Link your goals to business goals — tie your objectives to how they contribute to your team or company’s success. This builds credibility and visibility.
- Don’t set too many goals for yourself. Be realistic as to what you really think you can achieve and deliver on.
3. Review Your Goals Throughout the Year
“Make sure once your goals are set, that you review them every few months. Things change and you’ll want to make sure you update your goals to ensure they are relevant and achievable as the year goes on,” Shaughnessy said. “Finally, make sure you celebrate the small wins. Celebrate milestones and your accomplishments throughout the year!”
Liz Irving, CEO, Clarion Events North America
Irving also shared her tips for goal-setting success.
1. Align Objectives to the Bigger Picture … and Get Buy-In Early
“Every goal should clearly connect to your overarching business strategy, [and] be driven by customer insights and supported by data,” Irving said. “This alignment creates accountability, continuity and a shared vision that drives success. But alignment alone isn’t enough, teams need to feel ownership. Engage them early: invite feedback, challenge assumptions and incorporate ideas. When people understand why the objectives matter, [and] how they impact customer objectives, and have a hand in shaping them, commitment and execution follow naturally.”
Why it matters:
- Builds clarity and purpose across the organization.
- Strengthens trust and collaboration.
- Ensures objectives aren’t just top-down: they’re embraced and actionable.
2. Keep It Clear, Focused … and Communicate Consistently
“Complexity can derail progress. At Clarion, we recommend focusing on three primary objectives for each event cycle. These serve as anchors for all other metrics, ensuring prioritization and clarity. Make goals concise, measurable and easy to act on,” Irving said. “Then, keep the conversation going. We have strategic, customer insights driven and data-focused checkpoints throughout the year with brand leaders and marketers. We also make sure to share progress, celebrate wins and highlight best practices that can scale across the business. Consistent communication reinforces alignment and keeps everyone moving in the same direction.”
How to apply it:
- Define success with clear KPIs tied to strategic pillars, customer insights and data enablement
- Use plain language so objectives are easy to understand and measure
- Regularly update teams and spotlight achievements to maintain momentum
Kris Kiser, CEO, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
We also heard from Kris Kiser, CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which produces Equip Exposition — the show that recently won TSE’s Greatest Trade Show of 2024 Grand Award at the Gold 100 Awards & Summit in October. Kiser shared his tips for setting goals for your own events throughout the year.
“[Number one is] Listen. The best advice one of my law professors gave the class was: ‘Stop talking.’ Write it at the top of your legal pad,” Kiser said. “This forces you to become a better listener and a better communicator. You’ll learn what people need.”
Kiser also advises leaders to survey their attendees and exhibitors to find out what they need and what services your team can provide to improve their interactions.
“If you want them to spend money with you and take the time away from their business to be there, you need to show them they will get a return on that investment,” Kiser. “Give them the classes, the certifications, [and] the peer-to-peer connections that give them that opportunity for ROI.”
Once you’ve identified what your audience wants and needs from your show, that’s when the goal setting can begin.
“If there aren’t opportunities, create them. For us, we’ve created interactive events like Energize, the Morning Show, where people talk out loud. They share their business experience in a way that makes it meaningful,” Kiser said. “In our own way, we try to have fun. We don’t take ourselves too seriously; most things we’ll try. We have dogs in the building that attendees can adopt. Thankfully we have a fantastic board of directors that gives us the flexibility to try new things.”
He also shared that while not every idea is the next big thing, it’s important to have the flexibility to try something new. For example, this year at Equip Exposition, the team brought in Jesse Cole from the Savannah Bananas to keynote the event, and will continue to invest in speakers, presenters and teachers that empower their attendees.
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