These days, Molly Higgins is but a blur at NRPA’s Ashburn, Virginia, headquarters. As our exhibits sales and supplier relationship manager of almost five years, Higgins is in constant motion in advance of the 2014 NRPA Congress, managing relationships, selling booth space, collaborating with the rest of the exhibits team and keeping all of us up to date on the exciting exhibitors expected to appear in Charlotte. We managed to get the energetic 29-year-old to slow down just long enough to give us a snapshot of her life, career and personal interests. 

Parks & Recreation Magazine: This is a busy time of year for you as we approach the 2014 NRPA Congress — tell us about your role in getting NRPA and our members prepared for the event. 

Molly Higgins: This time of year is particularly busy for the exhibits team and exhibitors! I continue to sell exhibit space, sometimes quite literally until the moment I leave for Congress. I also work with the exhibits team to remind exhibitors of upcoming deadlines and requirements and field incoming inquiries to streamline the final steps necessary for their booth. Most of our exhibitors attend multiple tradeshows annually, so anything we can do to make the process easy and straightforward is the goal. 

P&R: NRPA Congress is only three days out of the year — what else are you up to when our industry’s biggest event isn’t imminent?

Higgins: I think a lot of meetings and convention professionals get this question and it always makes me laugh! We start planning each Congress about a year and a half in advance and it takes every last minute to execute a successful event, especially when it overlaps multiple conferences… Educating exhibitors on industry trends, incorporating innovative ideas on the show floor, prospecting new exhibitors and sponsors for the event, and managing our current suppliers’ inquiries and deliverables are all part of the day-to-day. 

P&R: What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

Higgins: When you’re working with almost 400 exhibitors, it’s no surprise that it’s a challenge to please everyone. Unfortunately, because of the nature and moving parts of a tradeshow, things beyond our control like state labor rules and rates, damaged or missing freight, and even a leaky roof have the potential to negatively affect an exhibitor. We take exhibitor feedback seriously, good and bad. Exhibitors invest a lot of money, time and energy to attend our tradeshow, so we work to constantly improve the exhibitor experience from start to finish. Because ultimately, if they’re happy, I’m happy! 

P&R: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

Higgins: Seeing the show floor come together! It’s so exciting to see the how the booths evolve each year. The creativity and innovation continue to amaze me. I’d challenge anyone to not feel like a kid again when they visit our exhibit hall!

P&R: You attended Ohio University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in recreation studies — what drew you to that major and how has that experience molded your professional career? 

Higgins: During high school and college, I spent my summers working for a local parks and recreation agency, predominately as counselor for cheerleading and dance camps… I stumbled upon OU’s recreation program when I decided to reevaluate my commitment to the sports management degree I was pursuing — it seemed like a natural fit. Studying recreation provided me education and insight into the importance of parks and recreation. Obviously my background connected me to NRPA, not only its mission and advocacy for the members, but also its support and encouragement of its own employees to maintain a work-life balance.

P&R: What park and recreation activities do you most enjoy when you’re not on the clock?

Higgins: I like to be active and incorporate variety so I don’t get bored. Luckily there is no shortage of things to do in [Washington] D.C.! I’ll bike or jog on the trails, kayak on the Potomac [River], hit the driving range, swim laps at the local pool or find a partner for a tennis match.  

Samantha Bartram is the Associate Editor of Parks & Recreation Magazine.