Employee spotlight: Leslee Faulkner

This month we had an opportunity to catch up with Leslee Faulkner, EWI’s Vice President of New Business Development, Trade Shows. And if you’ve ever met Leslee, you already probably know that she is a ray of enthusiastic sunshine. During our conversation, we discussed a range of topics, and through it all her passion for people shined brightly. EWI is incredibly lucky to have Leslee on our team, and we’re delighted to share her with you.

How did you find your way to a career in trade shows?

I started my sales career in radio, but not in a traditional “selling radio advertising” kind of way. I worked with brands to help them show up at live events, and I absolutely loved it. The fast pace, the energy, the real-time connection with people — it lit a fire inside of me.

Then I was introduced to the exhibit world a few years later. I loved the idea of helping brands make a bold statement and create experiences that customers would remember. That curiosity turned into a total career shift, and eventually, it brought me to EWI. I have been here for almost 3 years, and once I saw how our team works — the passion, the attention to detail, the way we rally around each other and support our clients — I knew I’d found my people and place.

How do you lead the team at EWI to build meaningful client relationships?

I tell my team all the time —winning new business should not be about chasing leads. It has to be about building real relationships with people. I mean, EWI has been working with two of our clients for almost fifty years, and that doesn’t happen by accident. Put our clients’ needs first, be as responsive as you can, and let the results speak for themselves.

And it’s not just the new business team carrying that mindset. Everyone here cares. From our designers to the folks in the shop to the supervisors out on the floor — every single person is invested in doing great work and making sure the client feels supported.

One of my favorite things is when a client asks for the same supervisor by name year after year. That says a lot. That kind of trust isn’t something you can fake — you earn it by showing up, being solid, and truly caring about the outcome.

In a highly digitized world, why does face-to-face still matter?

Because connection still matters. Maybe now more than ever.

Face-to-face interaction gives brands something that can’t be replicated via digital means. You can’t replace a handshake or a real conversation with a banner ad or piece of sales collateral. Personal spark and connection is what trade shows are all about.

People don’t just want more info. They want interaction and shared experiences. They want to look you in the eye, ask questions, and walk away with an experience. And that’s just not something you can replicate on a screen. When an experience is done right, it sticks with them.

What do clients find surprising about EWI?

Without question, the customers I work with in the trade show vertical are often surprised by how much work we do outside of trade shows. From retail spaces to permanent brand showrooms, we have a lot more to offer than just trade show booths. But that also kind of aligns with who EWI is as a company.

We never stop looking for new ways to serve our clients. Whether it’s entering a new market, exploring new events, or telling a story in a new way, we’re not just renting booths — we’re solving our clients problems. And working as an extension of their team.