The SEMA Show is the premier automotive trade event positioned to help small businesses thrive and succeed. The Trade Shows Director is responsible for directing and supervising all aspects of SEMA sponsored trade shows to effectively support the Association’s goal of producing the industry’s leading events.

Responsibilities and Authority

1. Contribute to the development of a comprehensive event strategy for SEMA’s trade shows with an emphasis on creating value for our members and deepening participant engagement. 
2. Direct and support all aspects of planning, execution, and management of the SEMA Show. 
3. Collaborate with Marketing and PR teams on development of event communications strategy to effectively promote shows to exhibitors and attendees and develop programs to increase exhibitor retention and exhibitor education.
4. Manage partnership and operational support of sales team to assist in achieving sponsorship and revenue goals, strategies, and key performance indicators. 
5. Develop and manage vendor relationships to optimize cost effectiveness, event industry innovation, and top-tier customer service.
6. Facilitate team collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and provide a contributing role to staff/member/customer meetings, presentations, and strategy discussions.
7. Lead customer service team and develop initiatives and best practices for connections with both internal and external stakeholders. 
8. Oversee trade show budgets and develop disciplined ROI analysis and insights to help re-prioritize all revenues and expenses annually. 
9. Support both short- and long-range planning strategies to measure and manage trade show through facility changes, industry fluctuations, and evolving economic environments.
10. Oversee updating of exhibitor applications and contract, exhibitor database maintenance, exhibit space sales reporting and show floor plans to insure accurate and complete records.   
11. Supervise exhibitor receivables (booth payments) by collaborating with Accounting Department to maintain strong customer relationships and minimize losses.  
12. Collaborate with publications department, marketing department, and operations team on the production of show directories, event mobile app, and SEMA Show website. 
13. Oversee historical documentation of all show-related statistics, seniority, correspondence, exhibitor lists, reports, promotional materials, etc. for archives.
14. Direct and manage the daily functions of the Show Department in all areas to ensure that a high level of customer service and accuracy of work is maintained.
15. Serve as staff liaison to Show working groups, committees, and task-forces.
16. Other duties as required based on company and department needs.    

Skills and Knowledge Required   

1. A Bachelor’s degree and experience in trade show production of 7+ years related experience.
2. Strong organizational and prioritization skills with a proven ability to work cross-functionally to accomplish goals. 
3. Experience with project management tools and methods.
4. Demonstrates strong interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills to work with people at all levels of organizations.   
5. Strong oral and written communication skills. 
6. Must be detail oriented.
7. Ability to travel to SEMA-sponsored shows.

Relationships

Reports to the Vice President of Events.

Directs the daily functions of the show staff.  Supervises operations and registration staff. 

Interacts with all levels of staff.

Interfaces with Association members, vendors, exhibitors, potential exhibitors, buyers and Show attendees.

This position is located on-site in Diamond Bar, CA.  No remote, hybrid or paid relocation available.