Exhibitor & Sponsorship Specialist

Smithbucklin
, a 650-person, employee-owned professional services company with more than 70 years of success serving the association market, is looking for a Exhibitor & Sponsorship Specialist to join our team in Chicago or Washington DC
.

Our Event Services unit provides meetings, conventions, events and tradeshow management worldwide through the expertise of our meeting professionals, who manage every facet and detail of our client organization’s events. Our goal is to work closely with client organization leaders to create an enjoyable conference experience for all attendees, exhibitors and sponsors, while ensuring a successful outcome based on the organization’s event objectives.

At Smithbucklin, we embody a culture driven by optimism, ambition, expertise, and thoughtfulness
, where every team member is empowered to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Join us in shaping the future of association management, where our values serve as the cornerstone of our success.

What You Will Do…

This professional is accountable for leading the overall delivery of trade shows and responsible for trade show project management, financial management, team management and oversight of all aspects of trade show delivery. In this role, you will lead the management of relationships with exhibitors and sponsors, while working with colleagues to service and support these partners using best-in-class processes, tools and technology.

• Develops trade show strategies, solutions and innovations that are tailored and relevant to client needs to support the overall event strategy, and achievement of event outcomes.
• Develops and manage project plan and timeline including end-to-end logistical management of trade shows.
• Manages trade show project scope, identifying issues and developing contingency plans.
• Manages trade show financials including development of revenue projections, developing budgets, monitoring financial performance and ongoing issue resolution, and oversee monthly financial reconciliation.
• Communicates project status, program deadlines, identify any areas of concern and addresses issues to ensure trade show outcomes are met.
• Leads floor plan management and oversees space selection process.
• Partners with Education to design, develop, and manage logistics for show floor education.
• Supports prospectus and contracts development working in coordination with the Marketing and Sales team.
• Oversees third‑party supplier needs (General Services Contractor, signage, security, First Aid, promotional products) and coordination, leads RFP process and selection.
• Oversees exhibitor communication and ongoing customer services.
• Oversees Sponsorship fulfillment programs in collaboration with Sales, to ensure creation, collection, inventory and fulfillment of sponsor benefits.

This Role Might Be for You If…

• You are passionate about the events and tradeshow industry and possess working knowledge of industry terminology, sponsorship fulfillment, and trade show management processes.
• You enjoy improving processes and contributing new ideas to enhance efficiency and impact
• You thrive in a fast‑paced environment and have strong time management skills with the ability to prioritize effectively
• You are proactive, detail‑oriented and solution‑focused
• You collaborate well across teams and build positive relationships with clients, colleagues and suppliers
• When presented with a challenge, you demonstrate a positive attitude and a solutions‑oriented mindset
• You possess intellectual curiosity and strong analytical skills, are a continuous learner and seek to understand the “why and how”
• You possess strong written and verbal communication skills
• You demonstrate professionalism, accountability and initiative
• You have familiarity with venues, facilities and convention centers
• You are able to travel up to 20% (domestic and international) and work overtime as needed to support events and client meetings.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four‑year institution or equivalent experience
• 5+ years relevant professional experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in tradeshow, exposition, or sponsorship planning…