Rhiannon Staub is the Vice President of Account Executives at Shepard. Based in Baltimore, she’s been with the company since 2007.
How she got her start: “It’s kind of a funny small world story” Rhiannon laughs. Although she majored in art during college and didn’t have a clear plan to enter the events industry, she was actively involved in the Resident Student Association, helping plan events for students living on campus.
Rhiannon had known of Shepard for quite a while, “My dad was actually a customer of Shepard’s,” she shares. Through her dad’s industry connections, she was introduced to a job opportunity after graduating college. Initially starting in the Exhibitor Services department she eventually transitioned into Account Management. “I’ve had really fortunate timing at Shepard,” she reflects. “I joined when the company was really growing, and continues to grow and I’ve been able to grow my career right alongside it.”
What she loves most about the line of work: For Rhiannon it’s all about the people. “There’s the people component, I got really lucky with finding a job that has a lot of variety but also a lot of stability.” she says. She loves building long-term relationships with customers, some of whom she’s worked with for over a decade. “There’s something special about getting to know people, supporting their goals, and growing alongside them,” she adds.
She also enjoys the ever-changing nature of the work, no two events are exactly alike. “You have familiar elements, but you’re also working in different facilities with new schedules and opportunities,” she explains. That balance of consistency and new opportunities keeps her engaged and constantly learning.
Why she loves the events industry: Rhiannon thrives on collaboration and the excitement of seeing ideas come to life. “I love the people I work with, our operations team, our designers… it’s fun to send them pictures from show site of things they built, seeing it go from concept to completion,” she says. She also loves the on-site problem-solving aspect of the job. “It’s an opportunity to get creative and figure things out in the moment, and I find that very fulfilling.”
Why she loves working at Shepard: After nearly 20 years with the company, Rhiannon says it’s the people and the values that keep her connected. “I feel very connected to our core values—it means a lot to know we’re all invested in the same mission,” she shares. She also highlights the company’s dedication to a customer-first culture. “I really appreciate Shepard’s commitment to customer service. It’s something I’m proud to be part of and proud that it’s such a big part of our reputation.”
How her approach to client service has evolved, and the key to creating memorable experiences: Rhiannon describes how her mindset has shifted over the years—from a task-focused approach to embracing a bigger-picture perspective. As her confidence grew, she began layering in new skills and insights, allowing her to better identify patterns and anticipate her customers’ needs. “You start by building your core skills, and then you grow and develop them to become even more valuable and impactful for the customer,” she explains, noting how being able to anticipate a client’s needs before they voice them is one example of that growth in action.
When it comes to creating memorable experiences, Rhiannon believes it all comes down to understanding what matters most. “It’s about identifying the needs of each attendee and finding ways to weave those into their priorities,” she shares.
What she thinks sets Shepard apart when it comes to client relationships: For Rhiannon, it’s the balance of structure and flexibility that makes Shepard stand out in building strong client relationships. “We want to provide structure, but also have the flexibility to adjust how we do things to meet the needs of the customer,” she explains. That ability to adapt ensures every event is tailored for success.
When she isn’t working, she recharges by:
Rhiannon loves to unwind with a good book and by visiting local breweries with her family. “If there’s space for the kids to run around, explore something new, or play little games, it keeps them entertained while my husband and I can enjoy some time together,” she says.
The advice she’d give her younger self:
Rhiannon would remind her younger self to be intentional about nurturing the connections she’s made along the way. “When I’m traveling and in different places, it’s always so nice to catch up with people,” she shares. She values the relationships built throughout her career and encourages making time to maintain those connections, knowing how meaningful they can become over time.
