Director, Trade Shows Sarasota, FL, Hybrid (commutable distance from HQ), full-time, Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend travel required.
Position SummaryThe 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
- Proven success managing large-scale, high-volume event portfolios with significant budget responsibility
- Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into scalable execution
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams
- Expertise in vendor negotiation, contract management, and logistics operations
- Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Highly organized, process-oriented, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment
- Strong analytical mindset with experience measuring and optimizing ROI
- Willingness to travel frequently (domestic and limited international)
Why join us:- Competitive compensation commensurate with experience
- Comprehensive benefits including Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
- PTO & Paid Holidays
- 401(k) retirement plan
