Great Career Paths in the Trade Show Industry

Last Updated on September 6, 2024

Trade shows continue to be a lucrative way of expanding a business and getting more sales. Hence, this industry offers many opportunities for people looking for long-term and successful careers. Have you considered a career path in the exhibition industry? Working in this field offers the most exciting and dynamic experience with so much room for growth. If you are thinking about it, here are some awesome positions you’d want to consider.

Marketing Director

To become a marketing director, you must have superior analytical, communication, computer, and leadership skills. You should also have the attitude for it. You can be the marketing director of a company attending a trade show or the host of the event itself. With such a high position, you must work with the different teams on the objectives, budget, production, promotion, management, press relations, and other important tasks.

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Specific Duties:

• Develop and supervise the marketing approach and campaigns of the company, including the instructions for pricing, advertising, and distribution of products and services.
• Monitor industry and economic trends as well as the marketing techniques, performance, products, and services of competitors.
• Determine potential customer types and markets for the products or services of the company.
• Attend meetings, trade shows, and other events, such as concerts and competitions sponsored by the company

Show Exhibit Designer

Do you have exceptional skills when it comes to architecture and design? If so, then you might have a bright future as a show exhibit designer. Being one means you are responsible for the layouts of the company’s entire exhibit. Trade show exhibitions typically use small spaces so you need to know how to make the most of it. 

Apart from your designing skills, you must also have a keen eye for small details. This means that you should know how to make your booth stand out without overdoing it.

Specific Duties:

• Consult clients regarding design requirements.
• Create competitive and realistic quotes.
• Collect important and relevant product information.
• Communicate clearly, especially for unclear design requirements
• Create sketches and 3D computer-generated images
• May be asked for the transportation of booth stands at trade show venues
• Coordinate with other teams when setting up the booth stand, which includes choosing exhibition furniture for hire, booth stands, banners, truss systems, etc.

Warehouse Supervisor

Safety is essential when stacking inventory, handling machinery, storing products, etc. These things are generally handled by a warehouse supervisor. If you plan to be one, you must be responsible for all tasks related to logistics. Some of these include taking out and packing product samples, routing orders, paperwork, etc.

Specific Duties:

• Examine shipment logs
• Track, evaluate, and report all productivity in the warehouse
• Monitor the schedules of deliveries
• Make sure that all equipment, products, and materials are maintained properly
• Monitor expenses of truck and equipment maintenance, storage, and fuel
• Supervise daily activities of warehouse staff
• Daily inspection of the warehouse

Trade Show Sales

Working in a trade show sales team is quite similar to other sales-related jobs. You have to focus on creating and building strong relationships with clients. It may sound simple but it’s actually a long process. Usually, it takes months to win prospects and earn the trust of customers. However, during trade shows, it’s important that you are able to capture the interests of your target market during the event. From there, you can then focus on how to convert them into paying customers.

Specific Duties:

• Determine which trade shows would be most advantageous to the company
• Offer product samples to trade show attendees and participants
• Suggest freebie ideas, such as empty perfume bottles, keychains, custom-label hand sanitizers, etc.
• Help in setting up trade show booths
• Promote products efficiently 
• Visit other trade shows and other events to market the company’s products
• Contact other companies and set up exhibitions or demonstrations
• Help in making informational brochures and coupons
• Deliver clear, informative, and promotional speeches and demonstrations during events

Trade Show Manager

Being a trade show manager requires a lot of skills as they will be in charge of multiple tasks all at once. Being a show manager means you have to communicate with the company’s supervisors and subordinates. 

You are also responsible for keeping social relationships with people outside your organization. This is essential in winning long-term partnerships with other companies. For example, if your company is selling wholesale cabinet hinges, reach out to interior designers, home remodeling companies, etc.

Apart from that, you have to look into all the important factors of the event, such as meetings, locations, transportations, and other important details.

With all these responsibilities, a trade show manager must participate in the planning, setting up, and execution of the trade show project.

Specific Duties:

• Setting up meetings with clients to relay the purpose of the event
• Develop a comprehensive plan of the event, including the costs, venue, time, etc.
• Solicit bids from service providers and venues
• Review the expenses of the event and approve the fees
• Monitor all activities during the event to make sure that attendees, prospects, and clients are satisfied.
• Cooperate in trade show services, including food, lodging, transportation, etc.

Conclusion

These are only some of the best positions when working in the trade show industry. There a lot more for sure. Discover your strengths and do thorough research to find out which career suits you best. One thing is for sure, regardless of what type of work you are in, the trade show industry is always exciting and never boring!