Interactive Interning

My third time attending Amerimold proved to be one of the richest learning experiences I’ve had interning at Gardner Business Media. Running Moldmaking Technology’s Twitter account during the show enabled me to interact and network with attendees and exhibitors in a new and exciting way. Running the Twitter account was a great way to interact both during and after the conference. Attendees and exhibitors alike used the social media platform to promote their companies and network with others online. The live-tweeting technique was a new approach for MMT, and it taught us a lot about the use of social media during such events. For instance, it provided people who were unable to attend the show with live-action updates and pictures, and it allowed those who were there to see what was going on at different booths. This method could be hugely beneficial for other trade shows, and Amerimold was a great place to test the waters.

Working on social media was a big change from what I did at previous Amerimolds. In the past, I spent most of the time working the registration desk, and while I still did a little bit of that this year, being able to spend time on the show floor was a valuable experience. I learned so much by walking around and talking with exhibitors—something I was not able to do previously.  

I also had the opportunity to shadow Christina Fuges, editorial director, and Cyndi Kustush, senior editor of MMT, who taught me valuable industry knowledge. It was both impressive and inspirational being able to walk around with these women and see firsthand the relationships they have built with their readers and customers. I also had the pleasure of filming some impromptu interviews they did with Leadtime Leader award winner Krieger Craftsmen and runner-up MSI Moldbuilders. The interviews were fun and light, and the passion and excitement they had for their work was amazing to see. They were genuinely so honored and proud to be there.

Amerimold had an overwhelming turnout. Walking around the hall, it was clear that attendees wanted to soak in as much information as they possibly could. The exhibitor displays were well done and intriguing. In fact, there were herds of attendees eager to see the latest and greatest technologies at some of the booths. Even though my knowledge of mold manufacturing is limited, I found that the exhibitors were excited to explain their work to me, and I ended up learning a lot.

Amerimold 2016 was not only a success for the mold manufacturing industry, but also for me as an intern. Working with Christina and Cyndi allowed me to better understand Gardner Business Media’s relationship with manufacturing, and working on the social media was an interactive experience that provided me with a new appreciation for manufacturing technology. 

 

Madeline Kline is interning in our marketing department this summer. She will be a junior at High Point University in the fall and is studying Business Administration and English Writing. Her favorite part about this internship has been learning how the manufacturing industry uses marketing and social media to promote events.