Episode 9- Petra Velzeboer – Mental Health on the Show Floor: Thriving Under Pressure
Why mental health is so important if you work in the events industry and what this episode is all about!
In Episode 9 of The Expo Factor, Lee Ali welcomes renowned mental health expert and speaker Petra Velzeboer to unpack a challenge that impacts every exhibitor, event organiser and trade show team: stress, resilience, and mental health in the events industry.
With years of experience helping leaders and teams navigate burnout, Petra brings a refreshing, practical perspective to one of the industry’s most urgent issues: how to thrive in high-pressure environments without breaking down.
This episode isn’t just about coping; it’s about building resilience, self-awareness and strong teams that can deliver consistently even when the trade show floor feels like organised chaos.
Key Takeaways for Mental Health From The Episode
1. Emotional Regulation Is a Ninja Skill
“The moment you lose your temper, you add fuel to the fire.”
Petra explains how great event organisers and event staff stay calm even in crisis. Trade shows are high-adrenaline environments, and while you may look composed, your body still stores the stress. Left unchecked, this leads to burnout.
The key? Notice what’s in your control, stay centred in the moment, and find ways to release the pressure afterwards.
2. Burnout Is Stored Stress That Was Never Shaken Out
“Burnout is not just the impact of stress. It’s the stress you never release.”
From Lee’s stories of post-event physical crashes to Petra’s concept of the vulnerability hangover, both highlight how our bodies react after intense trade show periods.
Movement, laughter, connection and rest are essential. Whether it’s a run, a group 5K, or simply binge-watching a show, what matters is creating intentional recovery to reset after events.
3. High-Performing Teams Need Backup and Psychological Safety
“Exhibitions show us how much we need each other.”
Trade shows reveal both strengths and cracks in a team. Petra stresses that strong event staff don’t just share tasks, they share humanity.
When someone crashes on the booth, another should step in. When a colleague has personal struggles behind the scenes, trust and empathy allow the team to adapt. This is the essence of psychological safety.
4. Know Yourself – And Your Recovery Style
“Stress isn’t the problem. It’s how we respond.”
Whether you’re introverted, extroverted, or neurodivergent, self-awareness is key in the events industry.
Noise, lights and crowds can overstimulate some while energising others. Petra emphasises that recognising your own limits and communicating them helps you recover effectively and still excel in your role.
5. Leaders Must Remember People Change Between Friday and Monday
“The person who leaves on Friday is not the same one who comes back on Monday.”
Lee reminds us that event staff are people first. Life stressors, personal challenges and emotional triggers all show up on the trade show floor. Effective leaders take this into account and build flexibility, empathy and support into their management style.
Petra’s Top 3 Tips for Mental Health and Resilience in Events
When asked for her practical advice, Petra offered a framework every event professional can apply:
1. Find Healthy Ways to Release Stored Stress
After a trade show, your body still carries the adrenaline and tension. Petra encourages event staff to identify their personal de-stressors — whether that’s going for a run, taking part in wellness activations at the event, laughing with colleagues, or even binge-watching a show. The key is to be intentional about recovery, not just push through.
2. Build Teams with Backup and Trust
Event staff are human, and sometimes someone will hit a wall on the show floor. That’s why Petra emphasises psychological safety and backup. When a teammate dips, another should step in without judgment. Leaders must foster openness so people feel safe to say: “I need five minutes.”
3. Know Yourself – and Plan Your Recovery Accordingly
Petra highlights that introverts, extroverts, and neurodivergent professionals experience trade shows differently. Lights, noise, and constant interaction can be energising for some and draining for others. Knowing your own limits — and communicating them to your team — is essential. Some will recover best with social time at the pub; others will need solitude, dimmed lights and quiet. Both are valid.
Final Thought
This episode is a wake-up call for the events industry. Trade shows aren’t just about logistics, design and lead gen — they’re about people.
As Petra says:
“Stress is not the enemy. Ignoring it is.”
If you want your event staff and trade show strategy to succeed long-term, investing in mental health and resilience is non-negotiable.
Ways to watch
Spotify –https://open.spotify.com/episode/5bdkQiOAgUCH4ebH6veqQ7?si=kQnVinQRSG-g6OTTicmhpg
Youtube – https://youtu.be/WwXkJanQyYU
About Petra Velzeboer
Website – Petra Velzeboer | PVL
Access her latest release: Digital Wellbeing: Recharge Your Focus and Reboot Your Life, published in February 2025. In this book, Petra draws on academic research and insights from global experts to tackle the challenges of screen overload, constant notifications, and digital burnout.
Petra Velzeboer is a global speaker, TEDx presenter, psychotherapist and CEO of her own mental health consultancy, widely recognised for her expertise in resilience, digital wellbeing and psychological safety. Her own powerful journey—from being raised in a restrictive cult, to battling addiction, to rebuilding her life—fuels her mission to inspire others to thrive under pressure and build cultures where people can truly perform.
As an author and consultant, Petra translates lived experience into practical strategies for leaders and teams. She has worked with organisations worldwide to tackle burnout, embed mental health into workplace culture, and help teams sustain high performance in challenging environments. Known for her raw storytelling and humour, she combines science, psychology and human insight to deliver powerful change, including her impactful TEDx talk which has inspired thousands globally.
For the events industry, her message resonates deeply. With trade shows and exhibitions often running at high intensity, Petra’s focus on self-awareness, recovery, and psychological safety offers event staff and leaders the tools they need not just to survive the demands of the show floor, but to create sustainable, people-first success.
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