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Trade Show Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Smithbucklin

Trade Show Director

Chicago, IL · On-site

The Trade Show Director is accountable for leading the overall delivery of large trade shows within a specified Smithbucklin/360 Live Media portfolio. The Trade Show Director will lead trade show ...

New

Emerald Logistix

Trade Show Staff

San Antonio, TX · On-site

Set up and dismantle trade show booths and displays as directed. * Engage with attendees to promote our products and services effectively. * Provide product demonstrations and answer questions from ...

Limitless East Marketing

Trade Show Staff

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$42K - $46K/yr

We are seeking a dedicated and professional Trade Show Staff member to represent Beloform Craft at ... Support lead collection and direct inquiries to the appropriate team members * Maintain a clean ...

Alphabe Insight Inc

Trade Show Staff

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$42K - $46K/yr

We are seeking a dedicated and professional Trade Show Staff member to represent Beloform Craft at ... Support lead collection and direct inquiries to the appropriate team members * Maintain a clean ...

Emerald X

Associate Show Director

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

Act as primary advisor to Show Director on sales performance, risks, and opportunities Qualifications * 7+ years of trade show, media, or event sales leadership experience * Proven track record in ...

Emerald

Associate Show Director

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

Act as primary advisor to Show Director on sales performance, risks, and opportunities Qualifications * 7+ years of trade show, media, or event sales leadership experience * Proven track record in ...

ITA Group Inc

Producer, Trade Show Focus

Atlanta, GA · On-site

Collaborate with cross‑functional operational partners including technical directors, fabrication ... Dedicated Trade Show Assignment Responsibilities (September-March) During the annual seven‑month ...

Raya Workforce

Trade Show Technician

Fresno, CA · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

Trade Show Technician - Electrical Services Location: Fresno, CA Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire ... Director of Electrical Services The Opportunity This is not a typical Monday-Friday electrical job.

ViewSonic

Tradeshow Warehouse Coordinator

Chino, CA · On-site

Previous experience in warehouse management or logistics, with a focus on trade show or event materials preferred. * Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. * Ability to self-direct and ...

ViewSonic

Tradeshow Warehouse Coordinator

Chino, CA · On-site

Previous experience in warehouse management or logistics, with a focus on trade show or event materials preferred. * Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. * Ability to self-direct and ...

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Trade Show Director information

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$27K

$67.1K

$106K

How much do trade show director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for trade show director in the United States is $67,149.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,500.00 and $81,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a trade show director do?

A Trade Show Director is responsible for overseeing the planning, organization, and execution of trade shows and exhibitions. They coordinate with vendors, exhibitors, and venue staff to ensure all aspects of the event run smoothly. Their duties include managing budgets, marketing the event, supervising logistics, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements. Trade Show Directors play a key role in creating successful industry events that connect businesses and foster networking opportunities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a trade show director?

To thrive as a Trade Show Director, you need strong project management skills, in-depth knowledge of event planning, and experience in sales or marketing, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with event management software, CRM platforms, and budgeting tools is typically required. Excellent leadership, negotiation, and interpersonal communication skills help coordinate teams and build strong client and vendor relationships. These abilities ensure successful event execution, client satisfaction, and the achievement of business goals in a competitive market.

What are some common challenges faced by trade show directors when managing multiple events simultaneously?

Trade Show Directors often face the challenge of juggling multiple events at different stages of planning, each with distinct requirements, vendors, and client expectations. Effective time management and prioritization are crucial, as is the ability to delegate tasks and coordinate cross-functional teams. Maintaining clear communication with stakeholders and adapting quickly to last-minute changes—such as venue issues or exhibitor requests—are essential skills for success in this dynamic role.

What is the difference between Trade Show Director vs Trade Show Coordinator?

AspectTrade Show DirectorTrade Show Coordinator
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire trade show planning, strategy, and execution; manages teams and budgetsAssists with logistics, vendor coordination, and on-site support
Required SkillsLeadership, project management, industry knowledgeOrganizational skills, communication, attention to detail
Work EnvironmentHigh-level planning, meetings, and oversightOn-site event support and coordination
Common UsageUsed by employers for senior event rolesUsed for entry to mid-level event support roles

The main difference between a Trade Show Director and a Trade Show Coordinator lies in their scope of responsibilities. The Director oversees the entire event, including strategy and management, while the Coordinator handles logistical support. Both roles require industry knowledge, but the Director typically has more leadership and decision-making duties.

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Trade Show Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Trade Show Director job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,149 per year, or $32.3 per hour.

Trade Show Director

Chicago, IL • On-site

Smithbucklin
Non-Profits • 501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Smithbucklinexternal

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Description
Smithbucklin, a 650-person, employee-owned professional services company with more than 70 years of success serving the association market, with primary offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C., is looking for a Trade Show Director to join our team in our Chicago or Washington, D.C. office.
The Trade Show Director is accountable for leading the overall delivery of large trade shows within a specified Smithbucklin/360 Live Media portfolio. The Trade Show Director will lead trade show planning and delivery for a top 40 ranked U.S.- based trade show, while contributing to the Show's overall strategy and experience design. This role is accountable and responsible for trade show project management, financial management, team leadership and oversight of all aspects of trade show delivery.
At Smithbucklin, we embody a culture driven by optimism, ambition, expertise, and thoughtfulness, where every team member is empowered to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Join us in shaping the future of association management, where our values serve as the cornerstone of our success.
What You Will Do:
Strategy Support: The Trade Show Director supports the Event Director in developing and implementing trade show aspects of event strategy.
  • Develops trade show strategies, solutions and innovations that are tailored and relevant to client needs to support the overall event strategy and achievement of event outcomes.
  • Supports future year(s) site selection strategy and confirms venue ability to deliver on client trade show specifications.
  • Data oriented trade show leadership with experience defining key success metrics and driving toward those metrics as part of the overall show strategy
  • Collaboration and regular communication with client leaders/show owner.

Trade show Management: The Trade Show Director is responsible for planning, managing delivery of the financials on all aspects of trade shows including coordination of trade show project plan, exhibit hall floor plan, show floor specialty areas, show floor education and poster sessions, exhibit and sponsor prospectus, general service contractor management, exhibitor management and coordination with show sales teams.
  • Develops and manages project plan and timeline including end-to-end logistical management of trade shows.
  • Manages trade show project scope, identifying issues and developing contingency plans.
  • Manages trade show financials including development of Exhibit, Sponsorship and Advertising revenue projections, developing budgets, monitoring of financial performance and ongoing issue resolution, oversee monthly financial reconciliation and oversight of Accounts Receivable team member.
  • Proactively communicates project status, program deadlines, identifying any areas of concern and addresses issues to ensure tradeshow outcomes are met.
  • Leads floor plan management and oversees space selection process.
  • Partners with Education to design, develop and manage logistics for show floor education.
  • Supports prospectus and contracts development working in coordination with Marketing; determines exhibit and sponsor opportunities and pricing and contract rules and regulations with Sales.
  • Oversees third party supplier needs (General Services contractor, signage, security, First Aid, promotional products) and coordination, leads RFP processes, selection and ensures high quality supplier relationships and service delivery.
  • Oversees exhibitor communications and ongoing customer service.
  • Oversees Sponsorship Fulfillment programs in collaboration with Sales, to ensure creation, collection, inventory and fulfillment of sponsor benefits.
  • Responsible for show analysis, determining data required to support trade show growth in alignment to overall event strategy.
  • Contributes to overall team success by identifying problems and proactively seeking out methods to improve self-performance and/or efficiency of an operation or task.

Basic Qualifications:
  • 10+ years of trade show management experience
  • Ability to travel up to 20%, possibly both domestic and international (travel may include weekends)

Trade Show Management
  • Excellent knowledge of meeting and event industry terminology and comprehensive knowledge of tradeshow management. Demonstrates expertise in managing trade shows and exhibit and sponsorship fulfillment.
  • Experience with international meetings and tradeshows is a plus.
  • Proficiency with basic computer programming, including the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and MS 365/TEAMS
  • Strong communication skills to present and guide decision making of committees and ability to negotiate successfully on behalf of the client.
  • CEM Certification or related professional certification is highly preferred.
  • A strong understanding of union and labor requirements in different states and destinations.
  • Familiarity with venues, facilities, convention centers, general service contractors and convention city packages throughout the country.

Financial and Project Management
  • Budget management: developing a budget with assumptions, and forecasting
  • Project management experience to include meeting deadlines on time and on budget.
  • Achieves favorable financial results through strong negotiation skills

Leadership Competencies:
Business Operations
Service Excellence
  • Provides added value beyond immediate requests; goes above and beyond.
  • Anticipates and addresses needs and concerns.
  • Takes accountability; reviews own work and the work of others for accuracy and thoroughness.

Drive for Results
  • Takes accountability and accepts responsibility for the outcomes of group efforts.
  • Pushes self & others for results.
  • Removes barriers.

Critical Thinking
  • Identifies and uses relevant information when making assessments and decisions.
  • "Connects the dots"; brings ideas and experiences from one situation to another.
  • Approaches problems from different perspectives.
  • Acts without having the total picture; comfortably handles uncertainty.

Project Management
  • Allocates and manages resources (e.g. people, financial) to meet business priorities; demonstrates
  • Knowledge of how team/unit contributes to overall goals.
  • Accurately estimates own and others' resources required to complete tasks and activities; clarifies roles, monitors budget and others' workload/availability.
  • Assesses project status, identifies risks and issues, and takes the necessary steps for remediation
  • when necessary.
  • Uses own and others meeting time effectively.

Financial Acumen
  • Possesses strong financial management skills including budgeting, forecasting and analysis; can explain, present and influence financial based viewpoints and counterpoints.
  • Provides guidance and coaches others on revenue, expense and financial management practices.

Interpersonal Effectiveness
Teamwork
  • Assists and involves others proactively; shares all relevant information.
  • Seeks, includes and respects different ideas and perspectives from others.
  • Consistently works well with a variety of different people.
  • Reads and relates to others.

Communication
  • Communicates effectively up, down, sideways, internally and externally; adjusts style and approach as necessary.
  • Proficient at client relationship management
  • Conveys information in a manner that engages others and helps them understand and retain the message; reinforces as needed.
  • Communicates complex information clearly; breaks down and cascades as appropriate.
  • Writes in a straightforward, logical and comprehensive, yet concise manner.

Conflict Management
  • Deals with conflict independently; acts in a professional and constructive manner.
  • Appropriately involves the right people at the right time.
  • Looks at the situation from both viewpoints; focuses on the problem, not the other person.

People Management
Developing Others
  • Proactively shares own knowledge and expertise to improve the contribution of others.
  • Identifies appropriate tasks to delegate to others and provides sufficient instruction and support.

Performance Management
  • Provides timely, specific and objective feedback on performance; seeks counsel from manager when necessary.
  • Is respectful and discreet; maintains confidentiality of others' performance information.

Where Do You Fit?
Whether you are just beginning your career or are a mid- or senior-level professional, working at Smithbucklin will offer you countless opportunities to develop transferable skills, acquire meaningful knowledge and gain rich experiences at an accelerated pace. By working collaboratively with smart, ambitious, multi-talented, genuine and hardworking colleagues, you will build meaningful, deep and enduring relationships that will serve you well throughout your career, regardless of your chosen path. In addition, as a 100 percent employee-owned company, Smithbucklin offers all of our people - regardless of position or compensation - an equal chance to experience the fulfillment and reap the benefits of ownership. As owners, our employees control the destiny of Smithbucklin and are unified in the goal of building a great, enduring company.
Smithbucklin is a hybrid work environment with in-office days established as Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Employees will work a standard 40-hour week, with the possibility of additional hours based on project deadlines.
Smithbucklin considers several factors when determining compensation, including a candidate's recent coursework, training, experience, and certifications, among other considerations. The expected pay for this role is $120,000-$135,000.
Equal Employment OpportunityAt Smithbucklin, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference and background investigation based on position.
Smithbucklin will not sponsor applicants for work visas and as a precondition of employment. You must be authorized to work in the United States permanently.

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