• 59,350 Attendees
• 1,052 Exhibitors
• 12 Halls
• 1 RAI Convention Center

Who knew the audiovisual industry was so huge? After spending five days at the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) trade show in the Netherlands, I learned that there is a lot more to speakers, projectors and TVs than we all think, and ISE, the largest AV trade show in the world, proves it.

Last week, I took a hiatus from UNC, Clairemont and my everyday life to travel to Amsterdam with rAVe [Publications], an all-digital publication and marketing company that serves both the commercial and residential industries. As a reporter for the company, my job was to title and upload more than 1,000 product videos featuring everything from smart home technology to a virtual dressing room.

For those of you who have never attended a trade show, it’s an unforgettable experience. Here’s what I learned from my time with rAVe at ISE:

1. When communicating, remember your audience: Although the official language of the trade show was English, there were many international companies present from all over the world. As a North Carolina native, I tend to talk fast with a typical Southern accent. When shooting videos with international vendors, many encouraged me to slow down and articulate, which I perfected after a few booths. Communication is key in this industry, and it’s vital to keep in mind the culture and language barriers in any professional environment.

2. Take breaks: Sitting in front of a computer can make your head hurt, and being on your feet all day can drain you. Whether you’re working in an office, restaurant or trade show, it’s important to take a walk, drink a coffee or grab a snack to refresh your mind. At Clairemont, we value a break from our work to re-energize — a concept that I certainly practiced at the trade show by making a loop around the convention center or treating myself to a Nutella crepe.

3. Teamwork is key: Just like in every industry, it’s important to remember that you are part of a team. This was definitely true for my time with rAVe. If one member of the team wasn’t on her game, everyone suffered. Having a supportive, creative team made my experience in Amsterdam unforgettable, and I learned how important it is to work with caring people. This is definitely true at Clairemont; I am surrounded by colleagues I love to see when I come to work.

The last bit of advice taken from my time in Amsterdam is to be present. During my travels, I had a difficult time concentrating on enjoying my time abroad, and instead I spent a lot of time thinking about all the things on my to-do list when I returned home. In work, in school, in travel and in life, it’s important to focus on the tasks in front of you instead of stressing about the next day. So take a deep breath, go for a walk and get to it!

Editor’s Note: This is the second year in a row that a Clairemont intern has been accepted for this project. We understand that it is a prestigious assignment, and we are so proud of Kaitlyn Goforth, the author of this post. Last year, Sam Halle wrote about her experience in a post called (S)Amsterdam.