Trade Show & AV Manager

Blueprint Studios•Las Vegas, NV

About The Position

The Trade Show & AV Manager leads the operational, technical, strategic, and personnel activities of the Trade Show & AV Department. The role is accountable for departmental performance, operational efficiency, labor management, technical readiness, inventory organization, quality assurance, transportation coordination, and continuous improvement. Department assets include V-Series frames and accessories, LED walls, displays, monitors, audiovisual systems, power and data distribution components, lighting components, tension frames, specialty substrates, structures, client storage inventory, and related equipment. The manager establishes department priorities, operational standards, staffing strategies, and workflow procedures, and provides direct oversight to the Trade Show & AV Assistant Manager and department teams. The role develops department leaders, manages labor planning and budgets, monitors productivity and resource utilization, supports hiring and performance management, and contributes to succession planning and long-term department growth. The position oversees preparation, assembly, testing, staging, troubleshooting, deployment readiness, breakdown, shipping, receiving, and post-event processing of department assets. It provides technical leadership for V-Series projects, including reviewing, modifying, and creating CAD drawings as needed. The manager collaborates with Design, Fabrication, Warehouse Operations, Field Operations, Inventory, Production, Shipping, Receiving, Print Shop, Program Coordinators, Program Managers, Sales, and Operations Leadership to align resources, technical requirements, and event execution. The role may oversee work in the warehouse and on-site, and requires flexibility for overtime, evenings, weekends, travel, and extended operational hours when needed.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
At least 5 years of relevant experience in trade show production, AV systems, warehouse operations, logistics, or related operational environments, including management or supervisory experience.
Demonstrated experience managing operational teams, developing employees, coordinating departmental resources, and overseeing production or event-related operations.
Proficiency in CAD software, including the ability to interpret, review, modify, and create technical drawings for V-Series structures, assemblies, or comparable modular systems.
Strong understanding of technical drawings, dimensional accuracy, component compatibility, assembly requirements, and production feasibility.
Working knowledge of budgeting, labor cost control, resource planning, and standard business operations.
Ability to set departmental priorities, evaluate operational performance, and implement process improvements.
Strong organizational, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, email communication, and operational management systems.
Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing operational demands and priorities.
Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
Ability to interact professionally with employees, managers, vendors, clients, and executive leadership.
Strong attention to detail when reviewing technical documentation, operational reports, drawings, and project specifications.
Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding client proprietary information and personnel matters.
Availability for overtime, nights, weekends, travel, and emergency operational support when required.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, and use hands and arms to handle equipment, materials, and operational tools.
Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, crawl, and reach while performing warehouse and event-related activities.
Ability to lift and/or move up to 70 pounds.
Close vision for reviewing technical drawings, inspecting equipment, and performing operational tasks.
Ability to operate company vehicles, including 16-foot and 24-foot trucks, when required and appropriately authorized.

Nice To Haves

Associate's or bachelor's degree in a related field.
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Lead the Trade Show & AV Department and maintain accountability for operational performance, technical readiness, labor efficiency, quality standards, and departmental objectives.
Develop and maintain departmental structure, workflow standards, organization strategies, and execution procedures.
Direct and oversee the Assistant Manager, supervisors, leads, associates, and temporary associates; clarify responsibilities and hold teams accountable for execution.
Establish departmental priorities and operational expectations, and develop department leaders through coaching, mentorship, evaluations, and training.
Oversee labor planning, staffing strategies, workforce utilization, labor budgets, productivity, and resource use; identify opportunities to control costs and improve performance.
Participate in hiring, performance management, disciplinary recommendations, organizational planning, succession planning, and long-term department development in coordination with Operations Leadership and Human Resources.
Lead strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives focused on workflow, scalability, technical readiness, quality, safety, and department performance.
Oversee preparation, assembly, testing, staging, troubleshooting, deployment readiness, breakdown, and post-event processing of departmental assets.
Ensure structures, audiovisual systems, displays, power and data distribution systems, and related equipment meet company operational and quality standards.
Set production priorities and readiness expectations based on technical drawings, PW callouts, deadlines, labor requirements, and material specifications.
Oversee shipping, receiving, transfers, staging, outbound verification, transportation readiness, and logistics, including manifesting, labeling, palletizing, securing, and preparing orders for transport.
Provide management oversight and technical guidance for troubleshooting, operational verification, equipment testing, and functionality checks before deployment and installation.
Maintain assets in organized, operational, show-ready condition and oversee maintenance planning, repairs, replacement needs, and follow-up.
Monitor production schedules, deadlines, and department performance, addressing escalated concerns, resource limitations, and execution challenges.
Review, advise on, modify, and create CAD technical drawings for V-Series projects as needed, ensuring dimensional accuracy, structural safety, component compatibility, production feasibility, and installation readiness.
Review drawings, renderings, and structural configurations for design conflicts, dimensional discrepancies, stability concerns, load limitations, and installation hazards; ensure required engineering review or approval is obtained before production or installation.
Maintain proficiency in CAD software and applicable technical drawing standards; collaborate with Design, Fabrication, Program Managers, and operations teams to clarify requirements and align drawings with production and installation needs.
Provide technical guidance on V-Series assembly methods, structural safety, component specifications, equipment compatibility, and installation procedures; maintain technical documentation and drawing revision standards.
Establish and oversee inventory control, operational tracking, warehouse organization, and asset accountability procedures.
Monitor inventory accuracy, discrepancies, shortages, damage, transfers, returns, and related concerns; ensure inventory transactions, pull sheets, transfers, checkouts, and return processing are accurately maintained in company systems.
Establish quality-control expectations and oversee testing so visual, branding, dimensional, technical, material, and operational issues are identified and resolved before shipment and installation.
Coordinate with internal departments and operational partners to ensure project readiness, execution alignment, and effective communication.
Provide technical and operational oversight of on-site activities when required, including structure assembly, troubleshooting, technical coordination, installation readiness, and field execution.
Participate in production meetings, operational planning, labor forecasting, scheduling coordination, and strategic initiatives; provide Operations Leadership with reporting, analysis, staffing recommendations, budget considerations, and updates.
Lead and enforce company safety policies, operational standards, warehouse procedures, and equipment-handling expectations; oversee inspections, walkthroughs, audits, certifications, and warehouse readiness.
Monitor operational reports and key performance indicators, identify inefficiencies, technical issues, labor concerns, damages, and safety risks, and implement corrective actions and practical improvements.
Maintain flexibility for overtime, evenings, weekends, extended hours, and business travel as required; perform additional duties based on the position or operational needs.