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Exhibitor Group's Certified Trade Show Marketer Program Now Accepting Scholarship and Grant Applications for EXHIBITORLIVE 2026 in Tampa
10/14/2025
Exhibitor Group is excited to announce applications are now being accepted for a limited number of Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) scholarships for sessions at EXHIBITORLIVE in Tampa, March 29 - April 2, 2026, and the program will also once again award its annual Joe Ries Educational Grant.
Scholarship winners will receive one VIP PASS ($2,995 value) for only $650. Admission to sessions, networking events and the Exhibit Hall is included. The Saturday and Sunday CTSM Portfolio Workshop is available for an additional fee.
To enter, complete the CTSM Scholarship Application at CTSM.com/ctsmscholarship.asp.
All applicants must be enrolled in the Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) Program. There is no cost to enroll. Enroll in CTSM at CTSM.com/enroll.asp.
Joe Ries Educational Grant
Exhibitor Group is pleased to provide an annual educational grant named in honor of Joe Ries, the gentleman who put his heart into the well-being of the CTSM program for over 20 years as its Academic Advisor.
The Joe Ries Educational Grant is awarded to one new candidate each year. It will cover the full cost of CTSM certification, including session costs, exam registration, and portfolio registration. Sessions can be taken in person at an Exhibitor Group event or online through eTrak.
To apply, complete the Joe Ries Grant Application at CTSM.com/JoeRies.asp.
“It was an incredible honor to receive the Joe Ries Grant," said Michelle Khair, 2025 Joe Ries Grant recipient. "With over 16 years in the event industry, attending EXHIBITORLIVE in San Antonio gave me a fresh perspective on my CTSM journey. The education and connections I gained have truly changed the way I look at and design my go-to-market strategy. This experience has not only fueled my certification progress but continues to shape how I approach event marketing. Thank you for this amazing opportunity!”
Scholarship and Grant recipient(s) will be required to write a summary of their experience (500 words or less) following EXHIBITORLIVE.
The deadline to submit scholarship and grant applications is Friday, November 14, 2025. Scholarship and Grant recipients will be notified by Monday, December 8, 2025.
The CTSM core curriculum includes 23 required sessions and 7.5 hours of elective sessions for a total 42 hours of classroom study. Topics include: Measurement & Analytics, Planning & Execution, Marketing & Sales, Management & Leadership, Global Exhibit Marketing, Exhibits, Experiences & Events, and Personal & Career. Upon completion of the coursework, candidates take a comprehensive exam and write an applied learning portfolio.
The CTSM designation is awarded by EXHIBITOR in affiliation with Northern Illinois University Outreach and reflects adherence to the highest educational standards of trade show and event marketing. The CTSM program covers a comprehensive set of knowledge and skills for trade show and corporate event marketers. Currently there are more than 3,000 candidates enrolled in the program.
For questions regarding CTSM certification, contact [email protected] or visit CTSM.com.
About EXHIBITORLIVE
EXHIBITORLIVE is the most comprehensive educational event for trade show and event marketing professionals, featuring 100 educational sessions and workshops. This event is attended by exhibit and event managers, and marketing and communications experts who are serious about improving their face-to-face marketing performance. The Exhibit Hall at EXHIBITORLIVE presents North America's largest exhibition of trade show and event suppliers. For more information, go to ExhibitorLive.com.
About Exhibitor Group
The leader in trade show and corporate event marketing education, Exhibitor Group publishes EXHIBITOR magazine, an award-winning publication featuring best practices in trade show marketing. EXHIBITOR's learning events include: EXHIBITORLIVE, The Conference and Exhibition for Trade Show and Event Marketers; EXHIBITOR Education Week, the Professional Learning Conference for Exhibit and Corporate Event Marketers; and EXHIBITOR eTrak, professional online learning. Exhibitor Group is also the founder of CTSM (Certified Trade Show Marketer), the industry's only university-affiliated professional certification program. Learn more at ExhibitorOnline.com.
EXHIBITOR is a registered trademark, and EXHIBITORLIVE, EXHIBITOR Education Week, and EXHIBITOR eTrak, are trademarks of Exhibitor Media, LLC, in the USA and other countries. All company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated.
Contact:
[email protected]
Exhibitor Group is excited to announce applications are now being accepted for a limited number of Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) scholarships for sessions at EXHIBITORLIVE in Tampa, March 29 - April 2, 2026, and the program will also once again award its annual Joe Ries Educational Grant.
Scholarship winners will receive one VIP PASS ($2,995 value) for only $650. Admission to sessions, networking events and the Exhibit Hall is included. The Saturday and Sunday CTSM Portfolio Workshop is available for an additional fee.
To enter, complete the CTSM Scholarship Application at CTSM.com/ctsmscholarship.asp.
All applicants must be enrolled in the Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) Program. There is no cost to enroll. Enroll in CTSM at CTSM.com/enroll.asp.
Joe Ries Educational Grant
Exhibitor Group is pleased to provide an annual educational grant named in honor of Joe Ries, the gentleman who put his heart into the well-being of the CTSM program for over 20 years as its Academic Advisor.
The Joe Ries Educational Grant is awarded to one new candidate each year. It will cover the full cost of CTSM certification, including session costs, exam registration, and portfolio registration. Sessions can be taken in person at an Exhibitor Group event or online through eTrak.
To apply, complete the Joe Ries Grant Application at CTSM.com/JoeRies.asp.
“It was an incredible honor to receive the Joe Ries Grant," said Michelle Khair, 2025 Joe Ries Grant recipient. "With over 16 years in the event industry, attending EXHIBITORLIVE in San Antonio gave me a fresh perspective on my CTSM journey. The education and connections I gained have truly changed the way I look at and design my go-to-market strategy. This experience has not only fueled my certification progress but continues to shape how I approach event marketing. Thank you for this amazing opportunity!”
Scholarship and Grant recipient(s) will be required to write a summary of their experience (500 words or less) following EXHIBITORLIVE.
The deadline to submit scholarship and grant applications is Friday, November 14, 2025. Scholarship and Grant recipients will be notified by Monday, December 8, 2025.
The CTSM core curriculum includes 23 required sessions and 7.5 hours of elective sessions for a total 42 hours of classroom study. Topics include: Measurement & Analytics, Planning & Execution, Marketing & Sales, Management & Leadership, Global Exhibit Marketing, Exhibits, Experiences & Events, and Personal & Career. Upon completion of the coursework, candidates take a comprehensive exam and write an applied learning portfolio.
The CTSM designation is awarded by EXHIBITOR in affiliation with Northern Illinois University Outreach and reflects adherence to the highest educational standards of trade show and event marketing. The CTSM program covers a comprehensive set of knowledge and skills for trade show and corporate event marketers. Currently there are more than 3,000 candidates enrolled in the program.
For questions regarding CTSM certification, contact [email protected] or visit CTSM.com.
About EXHIBITORLIVE
EXHIBITORLIVE is the most comprehensive educational event for trade show and event marketing professionals, featuring 100 educational sessions and workshops. This event is attended by exhibit and event managers, and marketing and communications experts who are serious about improving their face-to-face marketing performance. The Exhibit Hall at EXHIBITORLIVE presents North America's largest exhibition of trade show and event suppliers. For more information, go to ExhibitorLive.com.
About Exhibitor Group
The leader in trade show and corporate event marketing education, Exhibitor Group publishes EXHIBITOR magazine, an award-winning publication featuring best practices in trade show marketing. EXHIBITOR's learning events include: EXHIBITORLIVE, The Conference and Exhibition for Trade Show and Event Marketers; EXHIBITOR Education Week, the Professional Learning Conference for Exhibit and Corporate Event Marketers; and EXHIBITOR eTrak, professional online learning. Exhibitor Group is also the founder of CTSM (Certified Trade Show Marketer), the industry's only university-affiliated professional certification program. Learn more at ExhibitorOnline.com.
EXHIBITOR is a registered trademark, and EXHIBITORLIVE, EXHIBITOR Education Week, and EXHIBITOR eTrak, are trademarks of Exhibitor Media, LLC, in the USA and other countries. All company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated.
Contact:
[email protected]
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