Our series aims to highlight the exceptional employees in the events industry. Each Beyond the Booth feature will be a mixture of professional and personal questions illustrating their unique personality. Manny Lemus provides a glimpse into his life. Manny is the Director of Operational Planning, at Emerald.

Question: What initially got you interested in your current field of work?
Answer: To be honest, I needed a change in careers during the housing market crash years ago.  I have always loved making human connections and that is the core of tradeshows.

Question: What energizes you about your career in events?
Answer: The events business is people-focused and is about making connections. I really enjoy the networking and camaraderie that the tradeshow business provides.

Question: What’s the best career advice you’ve ever heard?
Answer: To never be satisfied with where you are and always work on self-improvement.

Question: What’s your favorite conference/tradeshow/event to attend?
Answer: Tough question, but I have a passion for photography, so I really enjoy our WPPI Expo event.

Question: Do you have a professional mentor?
Answer: I consider so many colleagues mentors. For me, there is an opportunity to lean on your experiences and learn from anyone at all levels in their careers.

Question: What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
Answer: I love spending time with my family at home watching shows/movies, baking, laughing, and doing the “little things” that make a difference in life.

Question: What was the last TV show you binge-watched?
Answer: Squid Games – SO good!

Question: What song always gets you out on the dance floor?
Answer: Get Low – by Lil Jon (Does that not get everyone moving, though?)

Question: What’s the phone app you use most?
Answer: According to my usage stats, it’s Zoom.

Thanks so much, Manny for participating in Beyond the Booth!