The University of New Orleans has developed an excellent relationship with the local industry, and the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau funds students to attend conventions. To locate a student intern or post an internship opportunity, contact one of the colleges teaching in this field that is close to either your office or your show site. In addition to academic paper presentations, a proceedings is published, providing an academic outlet for research in this field. A Crystal Ball Panel of industry leaders is one of the highlights, along with field trips to the concurrently scheduled Exhibitor Show. UNLV also administers a Convention Educators Listserv, an e-mail mailing list where messages are distributed to those who subscribe, to keep lines of communication open among the faculty of the various colleges.
Educators can post questions, discuss relevant issues and get feedback.
Another new outlet for academic research and publication is the Journal of Convention and Exhibition Management, edited by Je'Anna Abbott and Kaye Chon at the University of Houston. Distance Learning Those interested in pursuing educational opportunities in exposition management often lament that they aren't able to move to where one of these colleges is located to take courses. Many potential students are place-bound by job, family or other constraints. New developments in computer technology are overcoming that obstacle. Students can attend classes from home, work or on the road.