Contract Tradeshow Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Agency Overview

Agency EA, a part of EA Collective, is a 100% employee-owned, award-winning experiential marketing agency specializing in live, virtual, and hybrid experiences for global brands. Known for its ability to blend strategy, creativity, and flawless execution, Agency EA partners with clients to bring their brands to life through impactful events, immersive environments, and engaging digital activations. As the flagship agency of EA Collective, Agency EA benefits from the broader collective’s creative resources and industry-leading expertise to innovate and deliver unforgettable experiences that resonate with audiences and achieve business objectives.

We are looking for dreamers and doers who have the passion to champion big ideas and the talent to bring them to life. A place of acceptance and open dialogue, we strive to foster a culture where differences are not just valued, but celebrated. Come do your best and be your best in a casual yet vibrant workplace where we prioritize professional and personal growth, commit to causes we believe in, and ensure a diverse and inclusive community.

This position is based in Chicago and will involve a combination of remote and in-office work. This role also requires travel to multiple markets to support client tradeshow and activations.

Job Summary

The Tradeshow Producer will execute and facilitate client strategies, projects and logistics. This person must be a proven team builder and leader and serve as a trusted advocate for EA clients by managing vendor relationships and budgets with integrity.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with agency departments from ideation through actualization of projects.
• Partner with Client Services and Creative to set goals and ensure that event strategies and processes are aligned.
• Manage all live, hybrid and virtual event logistics + show services from conception to completion.
• Work on multiple tradeshow focused projects and assignments with a variety of staff.
• Ensure all projects are produced to the highest quality of EA standards and that objectives and deliverables are met.
• Manage budgets with integrity and transparency at all times.
• Manage all aspects of event execution, including the onsite team.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to Associate Producers and Production Coordinators.
• Build trusted, “Go ­to” partnerships with vendors, event staff and internal departments.
• Be able to think fast on your feet to resolve issues that arise in an ever-changing fast paced environment.
• Maintain and expand supplier relationships and negotiate contracts, pricing and services.
• Demonstrate extraordinary interpersonal skills, especially in situations involving leadership, decision making and team building.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of executing and leading large­scale multi­day conferences and meetings with an emphasis on labor, fabrication, tradeshow, expo, and show services at events for 2,000- ­5,000 people.
• Proven budget management of $3 million and up for projects.
• Experience managing multiple tradeshow programs including booking show services, overseeing rental vs custom booth builds, overseeing booth design/fabrication/logistics, and managing onsite teams.
• Management of ancillary programming including client offsite dinners, meeting venues, pop-ups and other client activations.
• Experience at leading project teams of 5+ line producers.
• Ability to travel onsite to multiple locations including client tradeshows, roadshow activations, pop-ups and other EA programs, as needed.
• Requires management of EA logistics and fabrication partners to quote and execute new booth builds and logistics, as well as other custom client activations.
• Experience in a collaborative office and project management structure with multi disciplinary departments (Client Service, Creative, Production).
• Strong attention to detail.
• Displays confidence based on experience.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent field experience in the event and tradeshow industry.
• Client-centric mentality.
• Superior attention to detail.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and contribute to a team environment.
• Eager to learn in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• Strong work ethic.
• Desire to succeed.
• Hourly Rate: $60-$90/hr (based on experience)