Director of Tradeshow Management

About the job

The New York Produce Show & Conference is a world-class event held in Manhattan every December.  

The largest fixed-location event of its kind features a 300 -BOOTH tradeshow of fresh fruit & vegetable marketers from around the globe and is the ONLY produce show and conference in NYC presented by EASTERN PRODUCE COUNCIL and PRODUCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE.

The event includes co-located educational conferences, a one-day exposition/tradeshow of 300 booths, cocktail reception, meal functions, chef demonstrations, tours of Hunts Point and Philadelphia produce markets, and regional retailers, offering unparalleled networking and educational opportunities.

Tradeshow Director Role Description

This is a full-time hybrid role for a Director of Tradeshow Management of the New York Produce Show & Conference. The Show Director position is a senior level management role that requires strong, relevant experience in TRADE SHOWS, conference management, operations and sales. 

The Show Director works with senior management and other staff to create comprehensive and achievable business plans that meet or exceed budgeted financial goal(s) in addition to attendee/exhibitor/sponsor satisfaction KPI’s.   

Specifically, the Director will be responsible for planning and managing the trade show & conferences, creating budgets, overseeing communications, managing logistics, and collaborating with various vendors and stakeholders. While the position is located in Boca Raton, FL, there is flexibility for some remote work.

Additional responsibilities include:

·        Overall responsibilities include developing strategies with the CEO, tracking event sales/marketing activity, and operations staff, participating in the setting of budgets, launching new events, and integrating new event strategies.

·        P & L accountability and responsible for management of related budgets.

·        Co-leadership with CEO of the formulation and communication of the tradeshow/conference strategies and primary objectives.

·        Co-lead operations and execution of related sales strategies, tactics, and KPI measures, with an emphasis on attendee experience.

• Negotiating contracts with general services contractors, registration providers, hotels, convention center and exhibit halls, security firms, transportation, audio-visual providers, and other vendors
• Serving as hotel liaison and managing all aspects of hotel arrangements
• Conduct site visits, planning meetings, and performance reviews
• Co-Lead operations and management of registration platforms, badge production systems and related participant databases

·        Lead the development and creation of show design

·        Managing exhibitor records, floor plans, and booth materials requirements

·        Development and timely distribution of the exhibitor manual and leading the exhibitor support team.

• Directing all outsourced show vendors prior to shows
• Collaborating with the Director of Content, with responsibility for all logistical operations of the conference, including operational support of speakers and seminar/educational session requirements.

·        Guide and collaborate with an in-house administrative staff

• Manage exhibitor advisory committee

·        Lead on-site tradeshow/conference execution, including problem resolution.

 Qualifications

·        Large-scale trade show planning, event management, and budgeting experience and skills

• Top-notch negotiator
• Top-notch problem-solver
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines
• Excellent organizational, multi-tasking, interpersonal, writing and time management skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• 8-10 years of trade show management background with deep experience collaborating on the execution of highly successful operations of trade shows.
• Knowledge of the produce industry or related fresh foods industry preferred
• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, or relevant field
• Proficient IT skills, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint