Gail Hernandez, CTSM Diamond
Trade Show and Event Manager and “Maven”
Gail Hernandez, with 35+ years of trade show and event management under her belt, is affectionately known as the “Trade Show Maven”. The word “Maven” refers to a person with exceptional experience and problem-solving abilities. In other words, an expert. Not only is Gail a longtime TSP client, but also a TSP trade show management expert. Gail applies her skills in the US and overseas to support clients in both exhibiting and event venues.
Gail’s inaugural trade show and event experience was in 1981 when she attended her first show. “I was in charge of bringing the typewriter and typing names onto badges for the guests invited to our hospitality suite. “In the middle of typing, I ran out of typewriter ribbon” Gail explained. This was Gail’s indoctrination to the need for readiness regardless of situation. Since that first show when Gail was successful at tracking another cartridge at showsite Gail learned how to punt whenenver the need was required.
Fortunately, Gail was a quick study. Since her first trade show when her biggest success was finding the right replacement cartridge, she has managed different aspects of over 735 exhibits. These include everything from tabletop displays to island booths in domestic and far flung destinations including Canada, Mexico, Europe and China, as well as most convention cities in the US. Gail is conversant with many industries as varied as analytic instruments and electric utility companies to automotive, health care, education, government, science and high tech. No matter the challenge, Gail expresses enthusiasm and attention to detail in every aspect of her responsibilities as a trade show and event manager.
In 1994 Gail became the first woman to earn professional certification in trade show marketing along with the professional designation of Certified Trade Show Marketer or CTSM. The CTSM program is awarded annually by the ExhibitorLive™ Conference in affiliation with Northern Illinois University Outreach and is the only university-affiliated professional certification program in the exhibit marketing industry. Less than 1% of all trade show and event marketers have attained this distinction.
In her spare time Gail reads voraciously and has a passion for developing and leading women’s retreats. She also teaches at ExhibitorLive™ Conference and serves as an advisor to CTSM candidates.