Spring is in the air, at least here in New York. People are exiting the comfort and safety of their homes to venture back out into the world. My son is no longer required to wear his mask in school. I went to a game at Madison Square Garden. But am I ready to go back to a full-on trade show? 

Live in-person events are beginning to make a comeback. Overall attendance numbers are signifying an increased comfortability with in-person attendance, even when new variant waves surge. Despite a tense global mood, thousands flocked to Barcelona for Mobile World Congress (MWC) as it returned in pre-pandemic force February 28 – March 3. SXSW quickly followed – attracting music, entertainment and tech afficionados to Austin in mid-March. They too experienced larger crowds and a return to “normalcy” after years of disruption. While registration numbers did not match 2019 figures, organizers saw an uptick in sales in the weeks just before the event. Proof of vaccine and a negative COVID-19 test were required which gave attendees an added layer of comfort in attending.  

As variants continue to spread around the world and countries determine their own approaches to handling the pandemic, ranging from learning to “live with” COVID-19 to some countries announcing extended lockdowns through April, we find ourselves asking: are we really back to normal? 

Members of TRUE Global Intelligence (TGI), FleishmanHillard’s Research and Intelligence practice, peeled back the layers after CES earlier this year to discover what is motivating people as they consider returning to in-person events. In the one page summary, you can see that all roads seem to lead to uncertainty and co-existence.

How Americans are approaching in-person events:

• Forty-eight percent of U.S. adults feel comfortable attending a work conference; and we only expect that number to grow. 
• Compared to early 2021, Americans are 20+ percentage points more likely to feel comfortable attending a trade show or conference according to TGI research. We’ve already seen this represented in attendance at big events like CES, MWC and SXSW (so far). MWC in-person attendance grew from 20,000+ in 2021 to 60,000+ in 2022.
• Location does matter, though – local is still an easier sell. It will be interesting to see if this trend shifts come the late summer or fall, although the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine could also have an impact. 
• The decision whether to hold in-person events or utilize virtual and hybrid options is becoming increasingly dependent on individual preferences and not a single “tipping point” or industry standard. 
• Media focus is shifting away from format, safety precautions and consequences, and returning to the big news of the event. Even as the first big in-person event of the year, CES 2022’s post-event coverage refocused on awards and speakers (and grew 58%!), while for MWC 5G, the metaverse and who showed off, drove headlines.

It seems that people are slowly emerging from their homes, more willing than they were in 2020 or 2021 to brave the airport or tradeshow floor. We plan to look again after other returning shows, but in short, it is safe to say we are learning to live with COVID-19. Time will only tell how this evolves but the data shows us that we are increasingly willing to live with the risk. 

As I celebrated a successful end to my college career, I knew what I wanted as a graduation present: a job. And like many recent graduates, I soon learned the entry-level job market is not what it seems – a place where ‘entry-level’ positions can often require multiple years of experience, expert accolades and unrealistic expectations.  

Early in my career search, I decided to apply for the public relations internship at FleishmanHillard in St. Louis, and I haven’t looked back since.

My Intern Experience

The FleishmanHillard internship was unlike any other professional experience I’ve had. Meaningful work, ample resources and a welcoming and inclusive workplace culture are a just few benefits that set the opportunity apart for me.

From the start, the internship became an experience that would force me to grow and learn, providing me opportunities to develop both professionally and personally. And, at FleishmanHillard, I quickly learned that interns are just as much part of the team as any other employee.

While I understand that entry-level positions vary – and sustaining a successful internship program can require a considerable amount of time, effort and investment – there are ways to ensure candidates have a successful, enjoyable experience. Here are a few simple, low-cost measures to provide a positive intern experience.

Creating Your Intern Experience

• Teach interns from the start. On the first day, ensure interns are properly onboarded and provided an understanding of their role – especially where to go for answers to their questions. At FleishmanHillard in St. Louis, outgoing intern classes welcome the incoming class by hosting orientation to ensure new team members learn from those who currently lead the projects they’ll soon take over. Outside of the first few days of the internship, new interns also attend introductory sessions that provide insight on workplace topics and best practices.
• Include interns as a part of your culture. Today, employees want to be treated holistically. That means employers must provide opportunities to fuel their teams’ growth, both professionally and personally. This is especially important for interns who have just joined the workforce. From the start of my internship, I was made aware of a variety of projects, committees, events and philanthropic initiatives that fostered company culture, allowed me to build new relationships and strengthened my personal tie to the agency.
• Foster intern connections and support systems. Starting as an intern can be an intimidating and inundating experience. Having a group of colleagues who you relate to and trust can help ease tension and simplify the onboarding process. An important element of my internship was the opportunity to befriend current and former interns. I started my internship with a “class” of interns I was encouraged to ask questions of, talk to about my experiences and projects and connect with personally.
• Build a strong manager-intern relationship. For any employee, but especially interns, a strong relationship with your manager is key. I met with my manager weekly to help answer questions, navigate new situations, identify key opportunities based on my interests and coordinate a consistent, yet maintainable workload. In these meetings, we’d also revisit my goals and progress toward achieving them. Thanks to my manager, I felt supported and confident I would continue to succeed.  

Turning an Internship into a Career

The work at FleishmanHillard was appealing to me from the start of my internship (and it still is), but the real reason I enjoyed my time here was the people. I saw my colleagues supported each other, and I felt a part of that community, even as a newly hired intern.

As the end of my internship neared, it was hard to not think about the future. And I realized I didn’t want to work at FleishmanHillard just because I liked the work. I wanted to work at FleishmanHillard because I liked the work AND the people, many of whom I’d built strong relationships with while participating in the initiatives above.

Fortunately, I’m still at FleishmanHillard – now in a full-time role on the Talent + Transformation team. And, as I take on my new position, I can’t help but reflect on the important role my internship played in getting me here.

While I still have so much to learn, I have a great group surrounding me and a solid foundation to carry me forward.

To learn more about career opportunities at FleishmanHillard, visit our Careers page.