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Exhibit Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

The University of Chicago

Research, Technician

Chicago, IL · On-site

$21.63 - $28.85/hr

Exhibit management and logistics. * Managing field expedition logistics and camp management. * Fossil preparation and conservation methods. Working Conditions * Able to work on-site at the Fossil Lab.

CFS

Office Manager

Northbrook, IL · On-site

Our client is a successful trade show exhibit sales and service organization * They are looking for an amazing Office Manager to join their diverse and dynamic team! * Located in the North Shore ...

3D Exhibits

Be Seen First

Senior Project Manager

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for driving all inputs for exhibit and event environments. Project scopes involve all aspects of architectural design, engineering, fabrication, and ...

Crunch Fitness

Manager

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

He or she will exhibit an ability to achieve the financial targets for the club as outlined in the ... Fitness management experience preferred * Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) required ...

Show Strategy, Inc.

Account Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$65K - $77K/yr

Starting Salary $65,000 + Commission About the Role We're seeking an Account Manager to own customer relationships and drive revenue for our tradeshow contractor / exhibit services. You'll be the ...

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Exhibit Manager information

What is an exhibit manager?

Exhibit Managers are professionals responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing exhibitions, trade shows, or displays for organizations. Their duties include coordinating logistics, managing budgets, working with vendors, and ensuring that exhibits are set up and dismantled efficiently. They often collaborate with marketing teams and designers to create engaging displays that effectively showcase products or information. Exhibit Managers play a key role in ensuring the success of events and representing their organization to the public or industry partners.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an exhibit manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Exhibit Manager, you need expertise in project management, event planning, and a background in museum studies or a related field. Familiarity with design software, content management systems, and budgeting tools is typically required, alongside knowledge of exhibition installation processes. Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills help manage teams, vendors, and stakeholders effectively. These abilities ensure that exhibits are engaging, delivered on time, and meet organizational and visitor expectations.

What are some common challenges exhibit managers face when coordinating large-scale exhibitions?

Exhibit Managers often encounter challenges such as managing tight timelines, coordinating with multiple vendors and stakeholders, and ensuring that all aspects of the exhibit meet safety and compliance standards. Balancing creative vision with budget constraints and last-minute changes can also add complexity to the role. Strong organizational skills, adaptability, and effective communication are essential to overcoming these hurdles and ensuring a successful exhibition.

What is the difference between Exhibit Manager vs Event Coordinator?

AspectExhibit ManagerEvent Coordinator
CredentialsRelevant experience in exhibit design, project management, and industry-specific knowledgeEvent planning certifications, organizational skills, and experience in coordinating events
Work EnvironmentTrade shows, museums, galleries, and corporate exhibitionsConferences, corporate events, festivals, and social gatherings
Employer & IndustryExhibition companies, museums, trade show organizers, and corporate marketing teamsEvent planning firms, hospitality industry, and corporate clients

While both roles involve planning and coordinating events or displays, an Exhibit Manager focuses on designing and managing physical exhibits for trade shows or museums, requiring industry-specific knowledge. An Event Coordinator handles a broader range of events, including social and corporate functions, emphasizing organizational skills and event logistics. The roles often overlap in project management but differ in scope and environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Exhibit jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Exhibit jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Exhibit Manager jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Exhibit Manager jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Exhibit Manager jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Exhibit Manager jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Exhibit Manager jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Exhibit Manager job openings:

Exhibit Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Exhibit Manager job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution.

Business Development Exec., Event & Exhibit Technology Solutions

SmartSource

Glendale Heights, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Company Overview

SmartSource has more than 35 years of experience serving clients' business technology needs across events, staffing, legal, government, finance, education, entertainment, and meeting production. With fully staffed and equipped offices in major metropolitan markets throughout North America, SmartSource delivers scalable technology solutions for meetings, conventions, trade shows, exhibits, specialty events, and temporary business environments.

SmartSource draws from an extensive inventory of IT, AV, interactive, and event production technologies to support solutions as varied as computers for contract staff, office equipment for temporary spaces, breakout room support, general sessions, registration technology, digital signage, kiosks, exhibit environments, and multi-story video walls. The team is focused on helping clients execute with confidence, reduce complexity, and create stronger attendee and stakeholder experiences.

About the Role

The Business Development Executive is a sales hunter and strategic account builder responsible for driving new revenue growth across SmartSource's event, exhibit, AV, IT, and interactive technology solutions. This role is built for a consultative seller who can identify opportunity, engage executive-level stakeholders, uncover business needs, and position SmartSource as a trusted partner throughout the customer journey.

The ideal candidate brings proven experience in live events, trade shows, exhibits, experiential marketing, event technology, AV production, or a related B2B services environment. This person is comfortable prospecting, managing complex sales cycles, responding to RFPs, developing proposals, building business cases, and collaborating across internal teams to move qualified opportunities from first conversation to signed agreement.

This role reports to the VP of Sales, Event Solutions.

Core Responsibilities
  • Act as a front-line representative of SmartSource through inbound and outbound outreach, creating meaningful connections that lead to long-term client partnerships.
  • Actively pursue leads, prospect target accounts, qualify opportunities, and build a disciplined pipeline across enterprise, mid-market, agency, exhibit, and event clients.
  • Engage key decision-makers and influencers through email, phone, social, in-person meetings, industry events, and relationship-driven business development.
  • Run thoughtful discovery sessions to understand client goals, business challenges, event requirements, stakeholder priorities, and buying criteria.
  • Align SmartSource solutions to client objectives by connecting event technology, AV production, exhibit support, IT, digital signage, interactive solutions, and onsite service into clear business value.
  • Evaluate sales opportunities and make sound decisions about strategic fit, core value, commercial potential, and resource requirements.
  • Develop pitches, capabilities presentations, strategic ideas, tactical recommendations, written proposals, RFP responses, quotes, and business cases.
  • Review client RFPs and quotes with operations, sales leadership, production, and solutions stakeholders to ensure accuracy, feasibility, profitability, and strong positioning.
  • Negotiate terms and conditions and prepare detailed agreements based on client needs, SmartSource standards, and approved commercial parameters.
  • Clearly communicate client goals, scope, strategic priorities, and tactical requirements to internal teams so project execution meets client expectations.
  • Collaborate with Marketing, Solutions, Operations, Production, and Account Management to deliver a seamless client experience from first conversation through signed agreement and handoff.
  • Represent SmartSource at industry events, conferences, client meetings, trade shows, and networking opportunities to increase visibility and open new markets.
  • Maintain accurate CRM records, pipeline stages, next steps, activity history, and forecasting data in Salesforce, HubSpot, or other required systems.
  • Provide feedback on market trends, competitive activity, client needs, messaging, sales process, and future solution development.
  • Support team growth by sharing experience, mentoring newer team members, and contributing to improved messaging, strategy, and go-to-market execution.
Requirements
  • 3+ years of proven B2B sales experience in trade shows, exhibits, live events, experiential marketing, AV production, event technology, IT rentals, or a related service-based industry.
  • Demonstrated success in new customer acquisition, account penetration, client retention, and relationship expansion.
  • Strong ability to build and manage a sales pipeline, prioritize qualified opportunities, and move complex deals forward with discipline.
  • Proven success engaging executive-level stakeholders, decision-makers, influencers, procurement teams, and cross-functional client groups.
  • Strong consultative selling skills with the ability to connect client goals, event requirements, and technology solutions into a compelling value proposition.
  • Excellent written, verbal, presentation, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
  • Ability to develop proposals, presentations, RFP responses, strategic recommendations, and client-facing business cases.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with a proactive, responsive, goal-oriented, and customer-focused working style.
  • Comfort working cross-functionally with sales, operations, production, marketing, solutions, and account management teams.
  • Proficiency with CRM and sales tools such as Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoom, Slack, Microsoft Office, and related planning/reporting platforms.
  • Familiarity with structured sales methodologies such as MEDDICC, BANT, or SPIN Selling is a plus.
  • Positive, resilient, can-do approach with a commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and improved performance.
  • Expected travel: approximately 25%, based on client, event, and market needs.
What Success Looks Like
  • Consistently delivers new revenue growth by securing high-value opportunities with enterprise and mid-market clients.
  • Builds repeatable, long-term relationships that expand beyond a single project, event, or stakeholder.
  • Creates strategic pipeline volume and velocity by identifying opportunities aligned with SmartSource's core growth priorities.
  • Positions SmartSource as a trusted advisor and partner of choice for event, exhibit, AV, IT, and digital technology solutions.
  • Improves client confidence by translating business needs into clear, executable, commercially sound technology recommendations.
  • Strengthens SmartSource's market presence by representing the company at key industry events and opening doors into new accounts and verticals.
  • Partners effectively across internal teams to accelerate deal cycles, reduce handoff friction, and improve the client experience.
  • Contributes to sales team development through mentorship, knowledge-sharing, stronger messaging, and continuous process improvement.
Why SmartSource

SmartSource offers a fast-paced, dynamic, and supportive environment where strong sellers can build a meaningful career with an industry-leading company. Team members are given the tools, resources, cross-functional support, and market credibility needed to succeed.

SmartSource values collaboration, inclusion, curiosity, accountability, and continuous improvement. The company invests in its people through mentorship, resources, and opportunities because individual growth directly strengthens team and client outcomes.

Equal Opportunity Statement

SmartSource is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. SmartSource does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including non-binary/third gender), transgender status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or affectional preference, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, military status, marital status, or status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. SmartSource makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and applicable state and local laws.