In an effort to draw more top-tier trade shows to Boston, Teamsters Local 25 has launched the city’s first trade show worker training program.

The goal of the program is to create more skilled workers while elevating Boston’s trade show business to match its bustling tourism industry, thus creating jobs and growing economic impact.

“Boston is a top destination for international tourists and working together, we can make it a top destination for the most coveted trade shows,” explained Sean M. O’Brien, president of Teamsters Local 25.

He continued, “Having an educated and well-trained workforce is critically important for Boston to attract the events that have the biggest economic impact. Making this training available will create more jobs, more visitor spending, and put more working men and women in a better position to support their families by working in this industry.”

By providing trade show workers with a chance to earn certifications and licensure in handling the various aspects of working in the trade show industry, the union hopes to cultivate a skilled workforce that will not only allow Boston to compete with first-tier trade show cities including Las Vegas, New York and Chicago, but also create more full-time employment opportunities, according to Teamsters Local 25 officials.

“This program is great for our members,” said Ed Welch, Teamsters Local 25 steward. “Giving these workers the chance to be fully trained and certified will open the door to many more job opportunities in this growing industry, and give them a much more reliable way to support their families.”

The initial four-hour training sessions took place Dec. 12 and 13 at the Boston Convention and Exposition Center, where instructors detailed the art of building and deconstructing trade shows quickly, efficiently and safely to 100 workers.

The program’s curriculum includes courses in customer service, decorating, systems, and I & D and freight foremanship, as well as first aid, CPR and OSHA 10, and Local 25 members are required to attend 16 hours of training over the first two years of the union’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, which went into effect in April 2017.

This new program is made possible by the union’s partnership with the convention and trade show employers working in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety and the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA), which supports the training program in the hope that it will attract more lucrative events and help maximize the return on investment for Massachusetts residents and businesses.

“Customer service excellence is at the heart of the MCCA’s mission and our success is directly tied to our constant focus on providing training throughout the organization,” said David Gibbons, MCCA executive director.

He continued, “We applaud and appreciate the commitment of Teamsters Local 25 on its new training initiative as we continue working together to drive economic activity and opportunity locally by bringing the world’s best events to Boston.”

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