BEING a facilitator is all about interacting and networking.
And you can be at the centre of it all if you're part of the exhibitions industry.
Madam Rosalind Ng (above), managing director of IIR (Asia) Exhibitions, said: "There's nothing like face-to-face explanation to your clients. Exhibitions are an important marketing tool and corporations still believe in it."
Her company helps businesses put together exhibitions ranging from career and education fairs to cityscape and property development.
Madam Ng said: "It is interesting since you never know who you will meet. There is such a wide range of people from all over the world and all walks of life."
The industry is full of opportunities for working with various specialisations.
After the market research, planning, developing and conceptualising stages, it's all about teamwork, she said.
"It is more than just putting together a show. The objective is to get sales at the end of the day," Madam Ng said.
To do this, Madam Ng and her team will have to convince international companies to buy exhibition space and also help promote and advertise the exhibition to potential customers.
Madam Ng said: "It is an intangible product until show day. So the gift of the gab is needed to convince and sell."
Operations personnel are also needed for logistics and project support.
The production is overseen either by a project director or a show manager.
And the money's good too.
A project director can earn between $5,000 and $10,000, and a show manager can earn from $3,500 to $6,000. There are also bonuses for a successful show.
It takes about 1 1/2 years from conceptualising an exhibition to its launch.
Employees work the usual five-day work week, but will burn extra hours in the intensive period, usually about three months prior to an event.
Independence and discipline are also important as there is little supervision, Madam Ng added.
Those who want to enter the industry must like a challenge and a fast-paced lifestyle.
She said: "It takes a long time for a project to come to fruition.
"Passion is needed for commitment, which leads to responsibility. These are the traits of a good show manager."
