Trade Show Manager - La Mirada, CA
About The Position
Makita is the innovation leader in power tools, equipment, and accessories – so join the team at our U.S.A. headquarters in Southern California and help us make the Makita Advantage come alive at trade shows and events across the U.S.A. As the Trade Show Manager, you will take a leading role in planning, coordinating, and executing trade shows and events to reach our target audiences, including pro-contractors, hardware dealers/distributors, and the media. You will help communicate the Makita Advantage to these audiences by creating and executing event plans that include compelling signage and graphics, hands-on product demonstrations, dynamic display structures, efficient lighting, effective lead collection, and more. Areas of focus will range from budget and calendar planning to asset co-design and sourcing, inventory management, and hands-on activity, including booth set-up and on-site management at select events. Your efforts will be a key part of our daily efforts to increase awareness and drive demand for Makita products, and these include industry-leading battery-powered tools and outdoor power equipment as well as vacuums and cleaning products, lighting, radios and speakers, job site apparel, modular storage, a full line of premium accessories, and more. Across categories, Makita products have leading power and performance but with lower noise, less vibration, reduced weight, and superior ergonomics. This combination of performance and comfort is unique in the category, giving users of all types – from pro contractors to DIYers – a complete solution that helps get work done faster and more efficiently. Join our team and be a part of this exciting innovation story.
Requirements
- Familiarity with best practices in trade show booth construction, including lighting and graphics.
- Basic inventory management of trade show assets.
- Building and managing a budget.
- Post-event actions, including reviewing and approving show invoices.
- Strong ability to proactively coordinate numerous projects while maintaining follow-up and follow-through skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, percentages, and area.
- Knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications, including core apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) as well as cloud services, including OneDrive and SharePoint. AI knowledge is a plus.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, or trade show regulations.
- Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals (e.g., booth set-up instructions).
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers and vendors.
- Ability to learn: Obtain knowledge and understanding of our power tools, competition, target professional users, the product applications, and the types of dealers that support the users.
- Excellent critical thinking, interpersonal, communication, time-management, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work with a team
- Organizational skills
- Presentation skills: Organize information and present to both internal and external audiences.
- The ability to work under pressure and with constantly changing priorities
- Experience in executing a trade show booth “from the ground up”, including arranging shipping and on-site booth set-up, as well as ordering and tracking on-site show services.
Responsibilities
- Work with the senior communications manager as well as product management, channel marketing, brand marketing, operations, and senior management on a full range of trade show activities. This will include live trade shows in major convention venues.
- Build the annual Makita U.S.A. trade show calendar and budget.
- Work with our off-site logistics partner to manage and track asset inventory and display tool inventory for use at trade shows. This includes inspection and inventory reconciliation as well as routine maintenance and repairs.
- Collaborate with in-house marketing staff and vendors to build booth assets, including structures and signage.
- Work with the in-house product management team (and occasionally outside vendors) to create demonstrations of key Makita products.
- Create effective lead collection tactics at trade shows.
- Coordinate show orders and shipping for select events.
- Coordinate on-site details for select events, including shipping and receiving, staffing, and set-up.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance options after 30 days of employment
- Flexible spending accounts (FSA) & Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
- Employee assistance program (EAP) for mental health and well-being
- Paid subscription to Headspace and 5 other members of your choice
- Competitive pay & performance-based incentives
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Basic Term Life insurance is 100% company paid
- Long-term Disability Coverage 100% company paid
- Disability Coverage
- Voluntary Coverage: Critical illness, accidental, hospital indemnity, whole life, and supplemental life plans.
- Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays)
- Employee discounts on Makita tools and accessories - because we know you love quality tools!
- Tuition reimbursement
- Internal promotion opportunities
- Collaborative, innovative work environment
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
