Advanced Textiles Association
Director of Trade Show Operations
Advanced Textiles Association, Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, 55199
Description
Position Summary:
The Director of Trade Show Operations is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing ATA’s largest event and the industry’s largest specialty fabrics and technical textiles tradeshow, Advanced Textiles Expo. This role focuses on managing all aspects of Expo-related features and events, including show floor activities, special features, networking events, food & beverage coordination and overall planning to enhance the attendee and exhibitor experience.
The Director of Trade Show Operations plays a key role in creating excitement, generating buzz, and driving interest in Advanced Textiles Expo, ensuring that the event delivers value and ROI for attendees, exhibitors, members and the association. This position does not include staff management but collaborates with teams and with external stakeholders to deliver a seamless and engaging event.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities:
Expo Feature and Event Management: Plan and execute all show floor features, networking events, receptions, and special programming at the Advanced Textiles Expo, including layout planning, vendor coordination, and on-site execution. Food & Beverage Coordination: Plan and manage F&B for all Expo-related events, including receptions, special events, and VIP functions, ensuring cost-effectiveness and quality. Experience Creation: Develop and implement strategies to create excitement around the Expo through programming, activations, and engaging features that drive attendance and booth traffic including working with Director of Content Development and Member Groups in order to develop the thoughtful, engaging programs with end product fabricators in mind. Budget Management: Develop and manage budgets for Expo features, F&B, and programming, ensuring alignment with financial goals. Vendor & Stakeholder Coordination: Collaborate with Show Floor Manager on RFPs, vendor relationships (general services contractor, AV, F&B, specialty contractors, security) to deliver seamless execution of show. Marketing Collaboration: Provide timely and clear content to the marketing team to promote Expo features, events, and activations pre-show, on-site, and post-show. Content Development: Work with Director of Content & Member Groups to identify and plan relevant programming for ATA’s key markets. Onsite Event Execution: Oversee on-site logistics for Expo features and events, ensuring smooth execution and a positive experience for exhibitors and attendees. Post-Event Reporting: Gather feedback, measure success against KPIs, and recommend improvements for future events.
Qualifications & Competencies
Bachelor’s degree in event management, hospitality, marketing, or a related field. Certificate of Meeting Professionals (CMP) candidates preferred. Minimum 5 years of event planning and production experience, ideally with large trade shows or exhibitions. Proven ability to manage budgets and negotiate with vendors. Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. A creative thinker who can develop engaging, relevant programming that drives interest and attendance. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams. Comfortable with travel (10-15%) and onsite event execution, including extended hours during event periods. Strong proficiency in the Microsoft suite of products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and others as requested. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and manage onsite physical event setup as needed. Preferred location in, or around, the Minneapolis/St. Paul area near ATA headquarters in Roseville, Minnesota. Eligible for full-time remote with professional home workspace available. Must reside within continental U.S.
About Advanced Textiles Association
Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) is a non-profit trade association serving the global textiles industry, focused on advancing markets and member success through world-class events, education, and advocacy. ATA utilizes the EOS framework to ensure clear communication and alignment across all teams, ensuring everyone is working towards shared goals. We believe in having the 'right people in the right seats’ and prioritize hiring individuals who align with our core values and thrive in a culture of accountability. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Position Summary:
The Director of Trade Show Operations is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing ATA’s largest event and the industry’s largest specialty fabrics and technical textiles tradeshow, Advanced Textiles Expo. This role focuses on managing all aspects of Expo-related features and events, including show floor activities, special features, networking events, food & beverage coordination and overall planning to enhance the attendee and exhibitor experience.
The Director of Trade Show Operations plays a key role in creating excitement, generating buzz, and driving interest in Advanced Textiles Expo, ensuring that the event delivers value and ROI for attendees, exhibitors, members and the association. This position does not include staff management but collaborates with teams and with external stakeholders to deliver a seamless and engaging event.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities:
Expo Feature and Event Management: Plan and execute all show floor features, networking events, receptions, and special programming at the Advanced Textiles Expo, including layout planning, vendor coordination, and on-site execution. Food & Beverage Coordination: Plan and manage F&B for all Expo-related events, including receptions, special events, and VIP functions, ensuring cost-effectiveness and quality. Experience Creation: Develop and implement strategies to create excitement around the Expo through programming, activations, and engaging features that drive attendance and booth traffic including working with Director of Content Development and Member Groups in order to develop the thoughtful, engaging programs with end product fabricators in mind. Budget Management: Develop and manage budgets for Expo features, F&B, and programming, ensuring alignment with financial goals. Vendor & Stakeholder Coordination: Collaborate with Show Floor Manager on RFPs, vendor relationships (general services contractor, AV, F&B, specialty contractors, security) to deliver seamless execution of show. Marketing Collaboration: Provide timely and clear content to the marketing team to promote Expo features, events, and activations pre-show, on-site, and post-show. Content Development: Work with Director of Content & Member Groups to identify and plan relevant programming for ATA’s key markets. Onsite Event Execution: Oversee on-site logistics for Expo features and events, ensuring smooth execution and a positive experience for exhibitors and attendees. Post-Event Reporting: Gather feedback, measure success against KPIs, and recommend improvements for future events.
Qualifications & Competencies
Bachelor’s degree in event management, hospitality, marketing, or a related field. Certificate of Meeting Professionals (CMP) candidates preferred. Minimum 5 years of event planning and production experience, ideally with large trade shows or exhibitions. Proven ability to manage budgets and negotiate with vendors. Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. A creative thinker who can develop engaging, relevant programming that drives interest and attendance. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams. Comfortable with travel (10-15%) and onsite event execution, including extended hours during event periods. Strong proficiency in the Microsoft suite of products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and others as requested. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and manage onsite physical event setup as needed. Preferred location in, or around, the Minneapolis/St. Paul area near ATA headquarters in Roseville, Minnesota. Eligible for full-time remote with professional home workspace available. Must reside within continental U.S.
About Advanced Textiles Association
Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) is a non-profit trade association serving the global textiles industry, focused on advancing markets and member success through world-class events, education, and advocacy. ATA utilizes the EOS framework to ensure clear communication and alignment across all teams, ensuring everyone is working towards shared goals. We believe in having the 'right people in the right seats’ and prioritize hiring individuals who align with our core values and thrive in a culture of accountability. #J-18808-Ljbffr