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Culture

Invested in each other: the ESOP advantage at Shepard

April 17, 2025 Shepard

At Shepard, we’re in the business of creating meaningful experiences for our clients, and just as importantly, for each other. One of the powerful ways we do this is through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) model—a benefit that gives our team members a real stake in the company’s success.

What makes working at Shepard unique? When you join our team, you’re not just an employee—you’re building toward ownership. This creates a workplace where everyone is genuinely invested in delivering excellence every day.

See how our ESOP works

Watch our short video to learn about Shepard’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan


The concept is straightforward yet impactful: The longer you work at Shepard, the more shares you accumulate. Through our ESOP, a trust holds company shares on behalf of employees. As Shepard contributes to this trust from its profits, shares are allocated to employees based on factors like earnings and tenure—creating a retirement benefit that grows alongside the company.

The difference our ESOP makes

This isn’t just a retirement plan—it’s a culture-builder. At Shepard, our ESOP has created an environment where team members are more engaged, innovative, and committed to our shared success.

“It means I’m invested — not just financially, but emotionally, in both the wins and the challenges we face at Shepard,” explains Michael Triola, Director of Sales for the Central Region. “Being an employee-owner makes our success feel more personal, and the struggles feel more important to overcome. It’s not just about delivering for our customers — it’s about showing up for my fellow teammates, because we all succeed together.”

This sense of ownership extends throughout the organization and shapes our approach to work. As Michael notes, “It reminds me that every choice I make — big or small — contributes to something we’re all building together.”

Building success together

The Shepard ESOP creates natural alignment between individual contributions and company performance. This shared investment drives a culture built on transparency, trust, and long-term thinking.

Our ESOP fosters a workplace where everyone has a genuine stake in Shepard’s long-term success. This inherently encourages collaboration, quality work, and meaningful care for the projects we take on.

“I approach my day-to-day work more mindfully and proactively,” shares Claudia, In-House Operations Administrator at our Las Vegas branch. “We each have a personal stake in every event, which makes me more invested in the outcomes.”

For our clients, this translates to working with teams who approach each project with the care and attention that comes from having a personal investment in outcomes. When our team members’ future is connected to the company’s success, quality and client satisfaction become even more meaningful. It shows up in the attention to detail, the creative problem-solving, and the extra care our teams bring to every interaction.

Join our team

Looking for a career where your contributions directly build your future? Shepard is seeking talented professionals who want more than just a job—who want to be part of something they can take pride in building.

Explore current opportunities to join our team by visiting our Careers page.

  • ESOP
Shepard

Shepard is a full-service event production company. We design, develop and manage trade shows, corporate and other events throughout the U.S.

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Further Reading

Group photo of dedicated Shepard associates
Thought Leadership

How Shepard’s ESOP structure benefits our associates and our customers

May 7, 2024 Shepard

Here at Shepard, we say over and over that we take a people-centric approach. But it’s not just talk: We strive to truly invest in our associates through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). What’s an ESOP? In short: Everyone who works at Shepard is not just an employee but an owner, too—and a crucial […]

Shepard associates enjoying a work event
Thought Leadership

Why building a positive employee culture is an intentional act

March 18, 2024 Shepard

If you spend enough time talking business with Shepard’s CEO, Kevin Bird, and COO, Steve Margos, you’ll likely hear them uttering a similar humble refrain: The company’s success is about hiring good people, giving them a space to thrive, and then getting out of their way to let them do what they do best. However, […]

Shepard is a nationwide event production company with over a century of experience, specializing in corporate events, trade shows, and exhibits. As an employee-owned company, we deliver innovative solutions and personalized service, making us a trusted partner for impactful event experiences.

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