Trade Show TalesBlog

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

The Classic Family is very happy to welcome Katrina Broten to our Design Department as a Summer Design Intern. Many of you might remember Katrina from earlier postings. She and I met through the EDPA Mentorship Program with Bemidji State University last fall. During her final year, she collaborated with Mike and Katina from the Classic Exhibits Design Department as she worked on her senior projects. She also made a visit to the Classic facility for several days and attended EXHIBITOR2013 where she met many of you at the Classic Exhibits Distributor Appreciation Suite.

We look forward to spending the summer with her and hope that we can assist her career as an exhibit designer.

Here is a brief introduction she wrote.

Katrina Broten (not to be confused with Katina)

I’m on the right. 😉

Hi. I’m Katrina, a graduate from “Burrmidji” State University (a university in northern Minnesota known for bitter cold weather and lots of snow) with a B.A. in Design Technology with an emphasis in Exhibit Design. My mentor, Kevin Carty and the team at Classic Exhibits, has granted me the privilege of starting my career here as an intern. I’ll be learning the ropes and gaining real world skills of the exhibit industry.

In an ironic/destiny sense, it’s funny how this amazing opportunity presented itself. First of all, I have always had a love for Portland Oregon. My aunt lives here, and I have visited many times. Portland is a beautiful city where I have a strong connection. Knowing this will help explain where the irony of my story.

I was introduced to Kevin through the mentor/mentee program that, as a student, I applied for while attending my final year at Bemidji State University. Well to tell you the truth, I kind of spaced out the deadline for this application, what with homework, projects, and multiple jobs. Eeeek!  BUT, using my quick-witted communication skills, I managed to get squeezed into the system and was lucky a few pairings were left. Shortly thereafter, I was sent an email informing me that Kevin Carty was my mentor.

Katrina Broten

Since I started the program late, I thought, “Oh great! I’m going to get stuck with the opposite of what I’m looking for. This is going to be a mess. Will he even have any advice to share with me or want to share with me? Why did I do this? I’m going to be punished for being late! Cripes, I’m screwed!” I emailed Kevin with the hope that I would not be wasting my or his time. About a week went by and I figured I was right . . . but then to my surprised he emailed me back.

This email gave me some reassurance that I would actually have contact with my “mentor.” I was relieved, but still didn’t know what to expect. A few more days went by, and I was contacted again and after some small talk, Kevin invited me to Portland to visit Classic and tour the company. I was shocked! In January, we planned a time that would work and after a nervous plane ride, I arrived and had the most amazing experience meeting everyone and learning the “Classic Way.”

After the trip to Oregon, I kept in touch with Classic and Kevin. At EXHIBITOR2013, we met again and Classic invited me to their hospitality suite, their booth, and we had some amazing adventures in Las Vegas. Now I am back in Portland with the entire team whom I have come to enjoy! I look forward to this internship. I’m already immersed in Design working with Katina and Mike and understanding their world. Pretty eventful to say the least. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor or company.

I look forward to working with you, the Classic Distributors, over the next three months.

Katrina Broten
kbroten@classicexhibits.com

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