Champion Expo Services Partners with JWU's Event Management Program

Champion Exposition Services (“Champion”), a leading provider of comprehensive event solutions and exposition services, has expanded its partnership with Johnson & Wales University to offer the school’s Center for Sports, Entertainment and Event Management students with real world tradeshow and event training. As part of the collaboration, Champion has donated important industry equipment and worked closely with Johnson & Wales to create a distinctive tradeshow classroom lab at the Providence Campus.

“Providing this kind of 'real world' opportunity for Johnson & Wales students gives them the unique opportunity to see exactly what it takes to pull together a professional event or tradeshow from every angle,” said Bob Priest-Heck, CEO, Champion. “This hands-on style of learning is much more effective than simply lecturing students about tradeshow and event management in a classroom setting. In tandem with Johnson & Wales’ exceptional class-based curriculum, this innovative educational approach offers a vital experience that will prepare students for the various challenges that they will confront during their career in the industry.”

During each semester, JWU students will spend four weeks at the on-campus lab, where they will plan, create and execute every detail of a tradeshow, rotating through four roles:

• Show Management: Students plan, secure sponsors, market and execute a mini "mock" tradeshow as show management
• Operations: Students run the operations of one show, setting up pipe and drape, laying carpet, delivering equipment and moving freight
• Exhibiting: Students exhibit and are responsible for planning and manning their exhibit booth effectively
• Attendee: Based on the rotating schedule, students are able to attend classmates mini "mock" tradeshows to assess the performance of other groups and give valuable feedback

In addition to the tradeshow lab, Champion has collaborated with Johnson & Wales on a number of other initiatives for aspiring sports, entertainment, and event management students including guest lecturers from the company, and internships.