What Is the Role of a Trade Show Manager?
If you’re an entrepreneur, consider exhibiting at a trade show to showcase your products and services. A trade show manager running the show from behind the scenes ensures everything runs smoothly during the exhibition. So, what is a trade show manager exactly?
Oser Communications Group, one of the top trade show publications, explains what trade show managers do in the guide below.
What To Expect at a Tradeshow?
It helps first to know what happens at trade shows before learning the answer to “What is a trade show manager? A trade show is a business showcase where companies can display their products and services while networking with other professionals in their industry. Although the primary focus of this kind of event is networking, attendees can still explore various innovations and learn about relevant services.
Trade shows may include seminars and workshops to provide industry insights to attendees. The many live demonstrations that take place at these events make them both interactive and engaging for guests.
What a Trade Show Manager Does
What is a trade show manager? The manager is the person responsible for organizing and managing the execution of the trade show. A significant aspect of this role involves ensuring the event aligns with the organization’s sales and marketing objectives.
An effective trade show manager knows how to represent their business, thus enhancing the brand’s visibility. Their expertise and networking abilities help foster productive and engaging environments where professionals can connect with each other and meet potential clients.
Typical Trade Show Manager Duties
The responsibilities of a trade show manager include:
- Coordinating trade show planning from start to finish
- Managing the budget for the trade show, including negotiating with vendors
- Partnering with marketing teams to create and execute promotional strategies to maximize brand exposure
- Recruiting and training staff for trade show execution, ensuring a clear definition of roles and expectations
- Utilizing technology solutions to streamline everything from attendee tracking to guest registration
- Conducting post-event assessments to determine the show’s effectiveness for lead generation, engagement, and ROI
Required Skills for Trade Show Management
Besides knowing how to organize a booth and manage a budget, trade show managers should have the following skills to do their jobs effectively:
- Audience engagement: Managers must know how to encourage crowd participation using interactive experiences and social media content.
- Event planning: Managers play a crucial role in organizing the trade show from start to finish, which includes coordinating with vendors, managing time effectively, and securing suitable venues.
- Marketing: Unique visuals and compelling narratives can target specific audiences, boost the trade show’s visibility, and drive engagement.
Learn More About Trade Show Management
What is a trade show manager? The responsibilities of a trade show manager encompass several key duties and tasks that contribute to the success of exhibitions. As an exhibitor, you and your booth staff can increase the likelihood that your trade show appearance will be worthwhile.
As one of the leading trade show publications, Oser Communications Group understands the responsibilities of trade show managers and recognizes their integral role in trade show operations. For more information, contact Oser Communications Group at (520) 721-1300.