Director, Trade Shows

Certified Collectibles Group•Sarasota, FL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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)

Responsibilities

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
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
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
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
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
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