8-10+ years in trade show management or experiential marketing
Experience with managing large-scale, high-volume events
Strong strategic thinker capable of executing vision
Demonstrated success in team leadership and development
Expertise in vendor negotiation and logistics
Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills
Highly organized and adaptable in fast-paced environments
Analytical mindset experienced in measuring ROI
Responsibilities
Develop and implement global trade show strategy aligned with brand goals
Manage a portfolio of 60-80 trade shows each year
Lead annual budget planning and resource allocation
Establish systems for high-quality event execution
Oversee all logistics from planning to post-show analysis
Direct event asset management and booth operations
Act as escalation point for onsite issues to maintain brand integrity
Benefits
Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off (PTO) & Paid Holidays
401(k) retirement plan
Full Job Description
Director, Trade Shows
Sarasota, FL, Hybrid (commutable distance from HQ), full-time, Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend travel required.
Position Summary
The Certified Collectibles Group is seeking a strategic and results-oriented Director of Trade Shows to lead our global events and trade show portfolio across all of its affiliated companies. This role is responsible for defining and executing a best-in-class Trade Show strategy that enhances customer experience and engagement, strengthens brand presence, and drives measurable business growth.
The Director of Trade Shows will oversee a high-volume domestic and international trade show portfolio, lead a cross-functional team, and ensure operational excellence across all phases of event execution - from planning and logistics to performance analytics and ROI optimization.
In this role, you will be responsible for:
Strategic Leadership & Portfolio Management
Develop and execute a comprehensive global trade show and experiential marketing strategy aligned with organizational and brand objectives
Oversee a portfolio of 60-80+ trade shows annually, prioritizing investments based on business impact, audience reach, and ROI
Lead annual and multi-year planning cycles, including budget forecasting, resource allocation, and performance benchmarks
Identify new opportunities for market expansion and partnerships
Operational Excellence & Execution
Establish scalable systems and processes to ensure consistent, high-quality event execution across all shows
Oversee end-to-end event lifecycle: pre-show planning, on-site operations, and post-show reporting and analysis
Direct all logistics, including travel (airfare, accommodations, transportation), shipment of materials, and asset management
Ensure seamless booth operations, including design, staffing models, and customer engagement strategies
Act as executive escalation point for on-site issues, ensuring rapid problem resolution and brand integrity
Financial Analysis & Vendor Management
Own and manage the trade show budget, ensuring cost discipline and maximizing ROI
Lead vendor sourcing, contract negotiation, and relationship management with show organizers, venues, and suppliers
Oversee financial processes, including purchase orders, invoice approvals, and third-party payments
Continuously evaluate cost structures and negotiate efficiencies at scale
Team Leadership & Development
Lead, coach, and scale a team of trade show managers, coordinators, and representatives
Establish clear performance goals, training programs, and career development pathways
Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Develop staffing models to support increasing event complexity and global expansion
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Marketing to integrate trade shows into broader campaign strategies, including pre-event outreach, on-site activation, and post-event follow-up
Align closely with Sales and Business Verticals to ensure events support revenue generation growth
Collaborate with Brand and Creative teams to evolve booth design, messaging, and customer experience
Analytics, Insights & Continuous Improvement
Define and track KPIs, including customer engagement, operational efficiency, and financial return
Build reporting frameworks to provide actionable insights and executive-level visibility into event performance
Leverage data to continuously refine trade show strategy
What will help you succeed in this role
8-10+ years of experience in trade show management, experiential marketing, or event leadership
