What are the responsibilities and job description for the Trade Show Manager position at GME Supply?
Department: Marketing
Location: Columbia, Missouri
As our Trade Show Manager, you are the mastermind behind our biggest event appearances! You'll blend big-picture strategy with hands-on event magic to turn bustling show floors into revenue-generating powerhouses. Partnering closely with Sales and Marketing leadership, you will translate high-level business goals into show-stopping experiences that build real pipeline. You'll lead and mentor direct reports—handing off booth logistics and operational execution—so you can focus on building portfolio strategy, managing budgets, and proving major ROI.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Vision & Sales Enablement
- Build the Roadmap: Own and shape our multi-year trade show strategy, partnering with Marketing leads and business segments to map out where we show up and win.
- Supercharge the Sales Team: Create winning pre-, during-, and post-event playbooks that lock in pre-scheduled VIP meetings and ensure seamless lead handoffs.
- Unify the Brand: Collaborate cross-functionally across Marketing, Sales, Category, and Operations to deliver bold brand positioning and flawless lead capture workflows.
- Bring the Show to Life: Work with creative, production, and logistics crews to bring unforgettable event experiences to life—on time and on budget.
- Expand Our Reach: Spot high-value sponsorship and partnership opportunities to host co-branded experiences both on the show floor and at our own company sites.
- Refine & Elevate: Dive into event data, ROI, and attendee feedback to constantly level up our future trade show strategy.
- Showcase Results: Share compelling event performance updates and strategic insights directly with executive leadership.
- Coach & Inspire: Direct, mentor, and empower your team, guiding daily workflows, booth logistics, vendor alignment, and travel schedules.
- Delegate & Scale: Empower direct reports to run day-to-day operations while you maintain high-level oversight of brand quality and strategic impact.
- Partner for Success: Manage top-tier relationships with exhibit agencies, general contractors, and sponsors to negotiate the best terms and pricing.
- Manage the Investment: Own and optimize the global trade show budget, handling forecasting, allocation, and promotional spend.
- Prove the Impact: Build clear lead attribution models, track key pipeline KPIs (cost-per-lead, pipeline generated, closed-won revenue), and deliver quarterly performance reviews to leadership.
- 5 years of progressive B2B trade show, field marketing, or trade show marketing experience with demonstrated impact on Sales pipelines, preferred
- Proven experience managing, mentoring, or leading team members and managing agency relationships.
- Track record of working directly with B2B Sales leadership to achieve revenue goals.
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or related field.
- Proficiency in CRM and lead management tools (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and financial reporting.
We are a tight-knit group, and we understand the needs of our teammates. This personal connection allows us to strategically design competitive benefits packages that enhance the employee experience and support overall well-being.
Some of our benefits:
- Health, Vision & Dental Insurance with company contributions
- Free Employee Assistance Program: 24/7 access
- Generous paid time off (PTO) that increases with tenure
- Paid holidays
- Volunteer Paid Time Off: Give back to our community & get paid!
- 401k Matching Options with no Vesting Requirements
This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
The GMES family of companies provides to individuals of all races, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital, and veteran status, equal employment opportunities within our dynamic growth plans.
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