Trade Show Project Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Purpose

The Producer, Trade Show Focus is a full‑time event production role responsible for leading the planning, execution, and delivery of complex, large‑scale trade show and merchandising‑driven events. This position combines Event Producer oversight with Project Manager–level ownership for a single, high‑profile client during a recurring seven‑month annual engagement (September–March).

During the dedicated assignment period, this role serves as the primary project manager and day‑to‑day client lead, accountable for scope, schedule, coordination, and execution across multiple merchandising departments and show floor areas. Outside of this period (April–August), the Producer supports additional client accounts and event programs as bandwidth allows.

This role is designed as a developmental feeder into the Senior Producer role, providing increased leadership responsibility, client ownership, and operational complexity over time.

Core Responsibilities (Year‑Round)

• Supervise and coordinate assigned zones or functional areas within events, including operations, staffing, budgets, schedules, and production logistics.
• Partner closely with lead producers and department leaders on production schedules, budgets, vendor coordination, file organization, and delivery timelines.
• Often serve as a client point of contact maintaining strong, professional relationships with clients, venues, vendors, and internal teams.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional operational partners including technical directors, fabrication teams, logistics leads, registration, housing, food & beverage, and third‑party vendors.
• Support the delivery of events that are on time, on budget, safe, and aligned with creative and operational standards.
• Contribute to production planning conversations across all areas of an event, including trade show infrastructure, custom fabrication, labor, shipping & receiving, installation and dismantle, permitting, and venue coordination.

Dedicated Trade Show Assignment Responsibilities (September–March)

During the annual seven‑month client engagement, the Producer, Trade Show Focus assumes Project Manager responsibility for specified area(s) of a large, custom trade show floor.

• Act as the primary liaison to the client’s merchandising, visual merchandising, and leadership teams, leading regular planning meetings and project reviews.
• Own project planning and coordination for multiple merchandising departments or show floor areas, including timelines, deliverables, and information flow.
• Lead and coordinate a cross‑functional internal project team, which may include supplier coordination, production management, graphic design, and merchandising partners; team size and structure will fluctuate based on program needs.
• Ensure successful execution of the client’s vision across all departments, meeting aggressive timelines while delivering a high‑quality attendee experience.
• Oversee department‑level design and execution elements such as:
  • Product sets and retail fixture environments
  • Custom‑built demonstration displays
  • Multimedia elements and signage
• Manage departmental budgets and custom build allowances in partnership with program owners and department leaders; this role has limited independent budget sign‑off authority.
• Proactively identify risks and challenges, troubleshoot issues, and propose creative, operationally sound solutions aligned with show‑wide standards.
• On‑site, oversee installation execution, provide direction to production teams, manage change processes, and interface directly with client stakeholders.
• Post‑show, lead client debriefs to capture insights, lessons learned, and recommendations for future programs.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Liberal Arts, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of event production experience, including leadership responsibility on large‑scale events or trade shows.
• Strong working knowledge of event design and production, including staging, lighting, sound, scenic fabrication, guest flow, and show‑floor logistics.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously and perform effectively under aggressive timelines.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and client‑management skills.
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams and collaborate within matrixed environments.
• Strong judgment, flexibility, and problem‑solving skills; able to remain calm and decisive in high‑pressure situations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite; comfort working in shared documentation environments.
• Ability to travel and work extended hours as required to meet project and on‑site demands.
• Ability to maintain strict client and company confidentiality.

Career Path

This role is intentionally structured as a feeder position into the Senior Producer, Event Production role, offering increasing responsibility, client ownership, and leadership exposure as performance and experience grow.