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Trade Show Manager Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

PMMI

Manager, International Trade Shows

Herndon, VA

  • Retirement

  • PTO

S.-based contact for PMMI's international trade show initiatives. Duties and Responsibilities: EXPO ... Manage timelines for exhibitor bulletins, service manuals, website updates, registration materials ...

PMMI

Manager, International Trade Shows

Herndon, VA · On-site

  • Retirement

  • PTO

S.-based contact for PMMI's international trade show initiatives. Duties and Responsibilities: EXPO ... Manage timelines for exhibitor bulletins, service manuals, website updates, registration materials ...

Viderity

Events Project Manager

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$117K - $137K/yr

Coordinate design, development, and implementation of trade show exhibits and experiential ... Manage relationships with expo organizers, trade show vendors, and exhibit production partners.

Viderity Inc.

Events Project Manager

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$137K/yr

Coordinate design, development, and implementation of trade show exhibits and experiential ... Manage relationships with expo organizers, trade show vendors, and exhibit production partners.

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Trade Show Manager information

See Washington salary details

$30.6K

$76.1K

$120.1K

How much do trade show manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for trade show manager in Washington is $76,053.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,200.00 and $92,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a trade show manager?

As a trade show manager, you oversee all the logistics of a trade show or similar event. Your responsibilities are to coordinate the event, provide booth assignments to attendees, plan the technical aspects of special events or presentations, develop the master schedule for the event, promote the event through local or national media, help attendees install and tear down their booths after the event, and report on the event. Many trade show managers work as part of a convention center team and put on dozens of conventions or events throughout the year. Others may work for a specific organization or one-off event.

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

To thrive as a Trade Show Manager, you need strong project management, organizational, and event planning skills, typically supported by a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related field. Familiarity with event management software (like Cvent or Eventbrite), budgeting tools, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems is highly valued. Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities set standout professionals apart in this role. These skills ensure successful event execution, maximize exhibitor and attendee satisfaction, and help achieve business objectives.

What are some common challenges faced by trade show managers, and how can they be effectively addressed?

Trade Show Managers often encounter challenges such as coordinating multiple vendors, managing tight deadlines, and ensuring all logistics run smoothly on event days. Communication is key—proactively updating stakeholders and having contingency plans in place can help mitigate last-minute issues. Building strong relationships with reliable suppliers and keeping detailed checklists can also streamline operations, making it easier to adapt to unexpected changes or requests. Staying organized and prioritizing tasks are essential skills for navigating the fast-paced environment typical of this role.

What is the difference between Trade Show Manager vs Event Coordinator?

AspectTrade Show ManagerEvent Coordinator
Primary FocusPlanning and managing trade shows and exhibitionsOrganizing various types of events like conferences, weddings, corporate events
Work EnvironmentTrade show venues, exhibition halls, trade centersEvent venues, conference centers, outdoor locations
Required CredentialsExperience in event planning, industry-specific knowledge, sometimes certifications like CMPEvent planning experience, organizational skills, sometimes certifications
Industry UsageCommonly employed in trade, manufacturing, and sales industriesUsed across diverse industries including corporate, nonprofit, hospitality

While both roles involve event planning, a Trade Show Manager specializes in managing trade shows and exhibitions within specific industries, focusing on booth design, logistics, and industry networking. An Event Coordinator handles a broader range of events, including social and corporate functions, with a wider scope of responsibilities.

More about Trade Show Manager jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Trade Show jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Trade Show jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Trade Show Manager jobs in Washington?

For Trade Show Manager jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Trade Show Manager jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Trade Show Manager jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Trade Show Manager jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Trade Show Manager job openings:

Trade Show Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Trade Show Manager job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,053 per year, or $36.6 per hour.

Trade Show Manager, Defense & Government

CHAOS Industries

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage-domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving threats.
CHAOS Industries was founded in 2022 and has raised a total of $1 billion in funding from leading investors, including 8VC, Accel, and Valor Equity Partners. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, and London. For more information, please visit www.chaosinc.com.
Role Overview:
  • The CHAOS Marketing team is looking for a foundational team member to lead and scale the events function at a fast-growing defense tech company.
  • This is a unique opportunity for someone who will own the planning and execution of conferences, industry events, VIP visits, customer demonstrations, and internal events.
  • This is a unique opportunity for someone who will own the planning and execution of conferences, industry events, VIP visits, customer demonstrations, and internal events. As an Events Manager at CHAOS, you will operate with precision in secure environments, manage complex logistics around sensitive programs, and create exceptional experiences that reflect the caliber of innovation happening within the Marketing team and the broader CHAOS organization.
  • This is a hands-on role for someone who wants to build and own an events function from the ground up - not just execute a playbook. You'll develop the overall events strategy for the next year (and think further ahead - decisions on major conferences are often locked in years in advance), while staying deeply involved in the day-to-day logistics, vendor management, and creative execution that make events successful.

Responsibilities:
Events Management
  • Serve as the primary events resource and point of contact (POC)
  • Develop and own the annual events strategy, including long-range planning for major conferences (e.g., booking and budgeting for events 1-2 years out)
  • Coordinate logistics for customer visits, including facility tours and field demonstrations, technical demonstrations, classified and unclassified briefings, and hospitality
  • Coordinate planning and execution for external conferences and trade shows, such as the annual Association of the US Army (AUSA) Conference or Dubai Air Show, including booth setup and design
  • Capture and organize leads at events to help build and grow the marketing database
  • Create supporting marketing materials for events (e.g., splash pages for happy hours, invites, event collateral)
  • Support government customer engagements, media visits, and stakeholder meetings

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Growth Strategy to integrate events into Growth campaigns targeting revenue opportunities
  • Coordinate with CHAOS Engineering teams to understand technical constraints and requirements for customer-facing events, and to design exhibits for conferences
  • Partner with Mission Operations, Business Development, Operations, IT, Facilities, Security, company leadership, and other teams to ensure seamless experiences and execution

Operational Excellence
  • Establish and build relationships with preferred vendors, agencies, and partners; help create streamlined processes and procedures
  • Ensure vendor quotes are accurate and maintain detailed budgets for all events
  • Travel onsite as needed for pack-out, load-in, production, day-of coordination, and load-out

Minimum Requirements:
  • 3-5 years of experience in event planning, ideally including trade show and conference experience (previous exposure to defense-industry trade shows is a plus)
  • Startup or high-growth company experience strongly preferred
  • A go-getter who takes full ownership of projects - comfortable being both the strategic thinker and the person handling logistics and setup
  • Strong project management skills and a creative, resourceful problem-solving mindset - able to think beyond standard booth setups to create memorable attendee experiences
  • Ability to visualize event space flow, guest experience, presenter experience, food presentation, appropriate sound levels, and overall atmosphere
  • Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and communication platforms like Slack
  • Must be a U.S. citizen due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
  • Work in-office in Washington, DC
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally ~10% (initial focus on US-based events, with potential for European event scope as the team grows)

Why CHAOS?
  • Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company
  • Additional benefits: 401k (+ 50% company match up to 6% of pay), FSA, HSA, life insurance, and more
  • Our Perks: Free daily lunch, 'No meeting Fridays', unlimited PTO, casual dress code
  • Compensation Components: Competitive base salaries, generous pre-IPO stock option grants, relocation assistance, and (coming soon!) annual bonuses
  • Team Growth: 250 employees and counting across 5 global offices

Salary Range: $100,000 - $140,000
The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base compensation range and excludes additional earnings such as bonus, equity, and benefits. If your compensation requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations.
Recruiting Agencies: CHAOS Industries does not accept unsolicited resumes or outreach. Unsolicited submissions will not be reviewed or compensated.
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