account manager

operations manager

operations coordinator

truck driver

project manager

Global Experience Specialists

So I worked at GES as a temporary employee and I want to make clear that my review is based solely around that experience (most join into GES however through temporary work). Honestly GES was the best job I ever had but it also managed to be the worst. The great thing about GES is the excitement, when at a show you will have the most fun ever. Yes it's hard and the hours are long (this is one of the cons we'll get to) but it's fast paced, fun, and exciting. You get to interact with people of all walks of life and help assist them in all their needs. It's truly rewarding. 
   However that's really the only great part of this job. The rest of the job is bogged down by management that really isn't involved and a culture that's really honestly about making money and not really caring about you. As a temp employee I was lied to. We were all told these amazing stories about how becoming a temp will land you a full and rewarding career at GES. Well what they don't tell you is that's not really gonna happen. What will happen is you will work 30+ days straight without a day off, for 12 bucks an hour, and then you'll be let go when they have no use for you anymore.  
   When we reached the time for temps to be hired onto the Exhibitor Services team they hired someone who came from outside the temp group. Now in fairness to GES i'm not saying they don't hire their temps however our group was pretty much told we were guaranteed a job if we worked hard only to find out we weren't, so in my personal experience with the company no temps were hired despite multiple positions being open. 
   Now when you work for GES I suggest you don't have much of a life or outside responsibilities. You WILL work 30 days straight, you WILL travel to other shows around the US, and you WILL NOT have many days off. The work life balance for this job is almost non-existent. I realize I have stated a lot of cons but again I did say this was also the best job and it was. I loved my supervisors and they worked right alongside us on the front lines of a show. They weren't in a back office they were right there with us. That means a lot and it was great. But the issue with this job is the shows are really the only time the job is fun. At the office you are bogged with long hours and a good share of office drama. 
   However despite this being a fun job and allowing me to travel, meet new people, and have great experiences, the cons outweigh the pros by a long shot. This was the most stressful, demanding, and hard job I have ever had for very little pay. Granted if you are hired full time your pay is much higher but if you're a temp you know my story and the odds of that happening. I hope this review helps you. If you go for a job at GES just understand the hours will be long and you are better off making sure it's not a temp job but a full time position. Full time is the way to go in my opinion if you choose to work at GES.

I was terminated on my 5th day of training! I didn't even get thru the entire day. The day before, I wasn't feeling well so I INQUIRED about going home early. Big mistake! Shortly after inquiring & being told no, I was pulled out of training by my supervisor & another upper management personnel to talk about why I wanted to go home. I explained that I'd been feeling nauseous & light headed since the day before & I was afraid I'd get sick & throw up at any moment. They said they couldn't approve me leaving (which I had already knew & was ok with) but also brought up the fact that my trainer mentioned that she'd seen me on my phone. I agreed that she saw my phone out because I have a 2yr who was newly attending daycare & had been having a hard time being away from me so of course if they needed to contact me, I wanted to make sure I didn't miss the call. Not that I was playing a game or texting on my phone, it was just out since it was on silent. I'm sure they knew at the end of that meeting I'd no longer be employed there. No longer than 30 mins later, another duo of ladies coincidentally came into our class to discuss attendance w us again like they'd done on day 1. Unnecessary since we're all adults & we've heard it all before. The next day only 2 1/2 hrs into class, I was being pulled out again, this time to be fired. I was irritated moreso about the fact that I wasted my time & could've been told not to even come in that day. I say all that to say this, they say they understand that life happens but they really don't. All they care about is you being there when you're supposed to be & be on time (clearly you can control what happens in life). Plus it's very boring. Don't waste your time.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The Pay And Working Overtime. I've Been Working For The Company Since 1991. Back  When I Had To Pay My Dues As A Laborer. From There I Branched Over To A Forklift Operator.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
When The Company Started Sending Out Upper Management To Show Sites And Started Cutting Back On The Labor And Overtime. I Spoke Up For Myself At One Instance, This "Manager" Showed Up At The Anaheim Convention Center In California And Instructed The General Foreman To Cut Back On The Labor And Not To Authorize Any Overtime. I Approached Him (He Looked To Be Between 25 - 28 Years Old, Looking Like A Momma's Boy) And Introduced Myself Mentioning That I've Been With The Company Since 1991. He Replied "I Heard About You And I Know." Sure Enough A Teamster Brother Later That Day Told Me His Mom Got Him The Job Because She Worked For The Company In Dallas, Texas. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Good Environment Working At Various Show Sites. Anaheim Convention Center, Long Beach Convention Center And The Los Angeles Convention Center. The Hotel Shows Were Good To Work At Also, Physical Labor Was Required. No Problem OnThis End, That How I Started In The Business.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Just Like Any Other Day, Off The Trailers And Move The Show In. On The Outbound Load The Trailers And Get Ready For The Next Show.

Let me start by saying, I thoroughly enjoyed working with my team and loved the high energy of the conventions. I would have never left had the "work/days-off" balance been appropriate. I have worked in trade show planning for over ten years and was very excited about working with GES, as it is one of the biggest national EXPO companies. I expect to work twelve hours a day during trade shows, that's just the nature of the beast. What I did not expect was working twelve to fifteen hours a day for five days at the trade shows, then pull regular eight hour work days in the office without even ONE day off. Some of my schedules had me working nearly a month without even ONE day off (Sunday-Sunday). Granted, there are busy and slower seasons in this industry, but the workload for one person is unreasonable, at best. Although, I signed on with a nice salary, once I broke down the amount of hours I was pulling, I earned a little over $11.00 per hour. Having read reviews from other GES locations, it may be an issue specifically with the Orlando office and these issues may have been resolved since I worked with the company. This was purely my personal experience. The employees themselves were very nice and worked well together.

Knowledge of many aspects of how-to handling of equipment at show site was an on- the -job learning process. One of which came to us, by very proficient lead people. I found my overall experience to be quite rewarding. Job placement on a day in ,day out, basis was entirely up to managements' needs, also, "okay to proceed"status for that particular show. The hardest part of the job was the fluctuation in start times for a given workday. This to also include, job site location and parking was also sometimes an issue for deliberation on, again, that daily basis. Besides that, I found the spontaneity of various different jobs, selected by management, upon getting there for a day's work, an exhilarating form of employment. Never stressing to me ,due to, my versatility in skills related fields, and ,good nature in general. Okay..Okay! GES taught me so many different jobs, from booth carpet, to sign graphics, to exhibit 'systems' set-up.  All of the while, using the utmost safety protocol, as, there were time constraints, all the while. I cherish the memories with that company, over the years. It is all about being a good Host City, from beginning to end of show!

My title says it all really, I was literally diagnosed with PTSD after working with this company. Even my hair was falling out from the work load and stress. The department I worked for we handled every piece of paper/call/email that had to do with every client/department/show while being on the road for months at a time. We worked anywhere from 10-18 hours on site at times for months without a day off this does include weekends. I had to have my work cell phone on me at all times day and night and ALWAYS answer it even at 3 am.

Accountability was never on management only anyone under/ even had to save every email, text, memo and screenshot as backup to protect myself from management back petals.

The office culture was very much like being back in high school.

When I was hired I didn't receive training they told me I would either sink or swim. So I had to learn everything while on job and by fellow co-workers.

Friends? Family? What are those? Kiss them good bye because of the hours you will be working you will not be making it to family/friends events or functions very often.

I work at our satellite office in an Exhibit and Events Hotel. Typical day includes reviewing upcoming shows, pulling reports, projecting costs for labor to install and dismantle event. Plan the amount of men as well as man hours needed produce the event. Review the Hotels upcoming schedule and touch base with all clients to inquire if our assistance will be needed. During my career at the Hotel satellite office, I have worked with many levels of the Hotel staff and have learned some aspects of the venue portion in Events,such as client site meetings to view their meeting space. As a Supervisor, I work with several different trades and believe that to better supervise is to not only learn and be well versed in each of their trades, but to listen to their suggestions, observations and to respect their knowledge and experience. This industry has long hours and many weekends, I have regularly worked 70+ hours a  week  which does not leave much personal time and can be exhausting  but the people (co-workers, clients, exhibitors,etc) make it worth it.

I was hired at the call center with the idea that everyone treated you like family and will be extremely helpful and patient as they always repeatedly told us, the magic words thrown at you every day were "You'll grow with us and have a career"  "we help you become better and better every day" "we are always there to help if you need struggle with anything at all" "let us know if you need extra training and we will provide it for you" "(DO NOT FALL INTO THAT TRAP BECAUSE THEY'LL HOLD IT AGAINST YOU) "We will never fire you without finding a way to help you first", one month after being in the call center I was fired during my probationary period. The employer never approached me any concerns on my performance, neither cited a final incident at all even if I was performing my job to the best of my abilities daily and above average on my up selling scores.

And let's not talk about what comes after, HR will not even be responsive when unemployment contacts them regarding your claim, stay away from this company, management is the worse.

I had  fun time most times. Working on site was better than the office. When we were not busy they would pack us up and ship us to another city about a weeks notice at times.  

A work week of 50 hours or more were not uncommon.  You needed to be in good shape you were on your feet for over 10 hours. lunch was broken up depending on how busy you were. You also had to deal with the teamsters and clients at once and discuss the bill which could be stressful.   

I would have 200 booths by myself to tend to.  You got paid time and half after 40 hours.  High season of convention shows  I remember not having a day off for sixty days straight. Not kidding 
So if you have family you should think about it.

You received six week training very detailed and you are tested and  graded and you advance to the show floor.

The worst company I have ever worked for.Too many chiefs not enough indians.This place will spend a dollar to save a dime.I cant speak for everyone who works there,but when you look around at all the people who work there,they just look miserable(except for management of course).I worked for this company in Orlando,Fl so these comments are about this location as I have not worked at other locations for this co.Corporate needs to come down to Orlando,Fl and clean house in their management dept.I feel thats the only way to save this location,so they quit losing business.I would never apply for this driving job.The dispatcher they have hired has no dispatch experience.He is a a@#hole who will make you want to punch him in the mouth.Anyone who gets this driving job GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Account manager 4 salaries reported	$56,921 per year
Operations manager 3 salaries reported	$65,000 per year
Operations coordinator 3 salaries reported	$21.67 per hour
Truck driver 2 salaries reported	$34.00 per hour
Project manager 2 salaries reported	$35.00 per hour

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