CHICAGO — The COVID-19 pandemic helped make remote work a norm across America. For many, it is now a fact of life.
Trade Show Executive’s (TSE) Young Professionals Corner put together a guide to working remotely that includes advice from seasoned professionals Paul Pedrow, Vice President of Sales at Restaurant Events, and Devin Temple, Marketing Systems Manager at Diversified.
“The biggest pro of working remotely is flexibility,” Temple shared. “Rather than structuring my day around a rigid commute schedule and lack of home-level amenities, I can optimize my work hours based on when I’m most productive.
“Having control over my schedule also makes it easier to maintain a strong work-life balance. The ability to pause and grab a snack, take a quick walk or even step away for a short reset helps keep my focus sharp with minimal disruption.”
Remote Work Tips
1. Stay Connected to Your Colleagues
Pedrow and Temple use Microsoft Teams and other communication methods to stay connected to their colleagues while working remotely.
“If you have something quick to ask about, it makes sense to chat on Teams,” Pedrow added. “If it’s something that makes sense to talk through more, a Teams call is usually better. In meetings, we make sure that we are on camera throughout the day. Everyone on our team uses these tools a little bit differently and we adapt and figure one another out.”
“Building relationships takes extra effort in a remote environment, so I make a point to schedule virtual coffee chats and check-ins,” Temple said. “Attending industry events and webinars keeps me engaged with the larger professional community, while actively participating in team culture (whether through Teams discussions, virtual coffee chats or knowledge-sharing sessions) helps maintain a sense of connection.”
Temple and Pedrow both shared that remote trade show professionals are lucky, because most of them regularly see their colleagues while traveling for events.
2. Find a Routine that Works for You
Temple and Pedrow stressed the importance of having a schedule, though Pedrow explained that an effective plan can look different from person to person.
“It depends on the day,” Pedrow said. “Some days, I start at 6:00 a.m. and end at 9:00 p.m. Some days, I work from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. I take it in stride. This business can throw curveballs all over the place, however, and have you working late hours. It’s difficult to put a hard stop on anything.”
Regardless of his schedule, Pedrow uses a morning routine to start every day strong.
Temple relies on time blocking to stay organized.
“Scheduling focused work periods helps minimize distractions and keeps my priorities on track,” he explained. “I also rely on a handful of communication tools such as digital whiteboards, collaborative knowledgebases and scrum boards to stay aligned with my team without being tied to constant meetings.”
3. Avoid Schedule Overload
Breaks are key to Temple’s success.
“Without structured breaks, burnout happens fast, so I prioritize balance to stay effective long-term,” Temple said. “Having a consistent lunch break helps with planning deep work and team meetings, while taking intentional breaks (like those quick walks I mentioned earlier) prevents burnout and improves clarity — especially on the busiest days.”
4. Stay Active
Pedrow makes sure that he walks his dog at least once a day.
“Make sure to go outside, because you can get stuck and, suddenly, have five to six days where it feels like you haven’t stood up. It’s vital to stand up and move around because, working remotely, it’s easy to stay put,” Pedrow advised.
5. Find Your Optimal Workspace
“I avoid working from the couch or bed since it blurs the line between relaxation and professionalism,” Temple shared.
“To the extent that you can, create a workspace that you can leave,” Pedrow said. “I might stay in my office for 10 hours one day, but when I leave and close the door, I can shut that part out and transition from work to my personal life. That’s pretty valuable.”
Learn more about remote work from Pedrow here.
Get more advice from Temple here.
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