Role: Design & Production Manager
Organization: San Diego Tourism Authority
Project: IPW International Trade Show Booth
Focus: Creative Operations • Stakeholder Alignment • Environmental Design • Project Management
The Challenge
Designing a trade show environment extends beyond creating attractive graphics—it requires translating ideas into a buildable, on-brand experience that multiple stakeholders can confidently approve.
The project required:
Clear visualization of the exhibit before production began
Alignment across leadership, marketing, and production teams
Defined project scope, timelines, and deliverables
Efficient communication with vendors and fabrication partners
Confidence that the final installation would match the approved creative vision
Solution
To reduce uncertainty and improve decision-making, I developed a structured approval process that combined visual storytelling with project management.
This included:
Creating SketchUp renderings that allowed stakeholders to experience the booth before fabrication.
Developing concise executive presentations that communicated creative direction, timelines, deliverables, and key decisions.
Leading planning meetings to gather feedback, resolve questions early, and maintain project momentum.
Coordinating closely with vendors and production partners to ensure approved concepts translated accurately into the final installation.
Managing project milestones from concept development through on-site execution.
My Role
I led creative planning and execution for the project.
Responsibilities included:
Creative concept development
3D SketchUp visualization
Executive presentations and stakeholder approvals
Project planning and milestone management
Vendor and fabrication coordination
Environmental graphic design
Production oversight
Cross-functional collaboration
Outcome
The structured planning process enabled leadership to make informed decisions early, reduced ambiguity throughout production, and ensured the final exhibit reflected the approved vision.
The completed booth successfully represented the San Diego Tourism Authority at one of the tourism industry's largest international events while maintaining alignment between creative, operational, and business objectives.
