Marketing Events Specialist

Paragon Micro, Inc.; Buffalo Grove (IL); On-site; USD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Paragon Micro, Inc. is seeking an Event Specialist to bring our event program to life at our Buffalo Grove, IL headquarters.

You will handle planning through on-site execution, coordinating with marketing, sales, partners, and vendors to deliver polished experiences for customers and teammates. With 2+ years of event experience, you will manage calendars, budgets, travel logistics, and follow-up to drive engagement.

Qualifications

• 2+ years coordinating events, trade shows, or marketing activities.
• Experience from planning through follow-up.
• Strong organization and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel and work some evenings/weekends.
• Experience with B2B or technology events is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate trade shows, tabletop exhibits, and conferences.
• Maintain calendars, timelines, checklists, and updates.
• Oversee venue, catering, vendors, shipping, and attendee plans.
• Prepare briefs for sales teams and partners.
• Attend events, manage setup/breakdown, resolve issues.
• Collaborate with marketing to promote events and materials.

Skills

Event planning

Multi-tasking

Effective communication

Budget tracking

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

HubSpot

Canva

SharePoint

Job description

Description

Paragon Micro is a growing IT reseller and solution provider helping commercial and federal customers solve business challenges through hardware, software, and services.

As an Event Specialist, youbring our event program to life. From trade shows and networking events to customer experiences and partner floor days, this role manages the details that make each event organized, professional, and valuable to our customers, partners, and sales teams.

Working closely with the Senior Director of Marketing, Digital Marketing Manager, and Senior Content Specialist, you will turn approved event plans into successful experiences—from initial coordination through onsite execution and follow-up.

This is an opportunity for an organized, proactive event professional with a few years of experience who is ready to take greater ownership within a small, collaborative marketing team.

To support collaboration and business needs, this position is based on site at our Corporate Headquarters in Buffalo Grove, IL. You must be able to work in-office on a regular basis.

What You’ll Do

Event Planning & Execution

Coordinate commercial and federal trade shows, tabletop exhibits, networking events, customer experiences, partner symposiums, and floor days.

Maintain the event calendar, project timelines, checklists, and regular status updates.

Manage logistics including registration, venues, catering, vendors, shipping, event materials, and attendee arrangements.

Prepare event briefs so sales teams and partners understand the schedule, objectives, responsibilities, and onsite details.

Attend and execute assigned events, manage setup and breakdown, and resolve issues as they arise.

Customer, Partner & Sales Coordination

• Serve as the primary logistics contact for event organizers, vendors, participating partners, and internal teams.
• Coordinate partner participation, branding requirements, and agreed sponsorship deliverables with Partner Managers.
• Work with sales teams to organize invitations, attendee lists, customer meetings, and event participation.
• Create a welcoming, polished experience for customers, partners, and employees.

Event Promotion & Materials

• Coordinate with the Digital Marketing Manager on registration pages, invitations, reminders, and follow-up communications.
• Provide the Senior Content Specialist with clear briefs and deadlines for signage, presentations, promotional materials, and event content.
• Manage event supplies, branded merchandise, exhibit assets, and inventory.
• Arrange photography or capture event highlights for use in marketing and partner reporting.

Budget Tracking & Follow-Up

• Obtain vendor quotes, track spending against approved budgets, and organize invoices and receipts.
• Flag budget changes, missed deadlines, and other risks early; bring forward practical solutions.
• Maintain accurate registration and attendance records and coordinate the timely handoff of event contacts to support sales follow-up.
• Collect sponsorship documentation and proof of performance for partner-funded activities.
• Prepare concise event recaps covering attendance, spending, feedback, and recommendations for improvement.

Requirements

What You Bring

• Approximately 2+ years of experience coordinating events, trade shows, hospitality programs, or marketing activities.
• Experience managing an event from planning through execution and follow-up.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and follow-through across multiple projects.
• Clear, professional communication and confidence working with customers, partners, vendors, and internal teams.
• Comfort tracking budgets, maintaining spreadsheets, and using project management and registration tools.
• A practical approach to problem-solving and the ability to stay composed when plans change.
• Willingness to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends based on the event calendar.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Hospitality, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience welcomed.
• Experience with B2B or technology events, partner sponsorships, HubSpot, Canva, or Microsoft SharePoint is a plus.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.

What Success Looks Like

• Events are delivered on schedule and within approved budgets.
• Customers, partners, and sales teams receive clear communication and a professional experience.
• Sponsorship commitments are fulfilled and documented.
• Attendance records and event contacts are ready for timely follow-up.
• Consistent processes and thoughtful improvements make the event program more efficient over time.

Compensation Philosophy at Paragon Micro

At Paragon Micro, we offer a base salary up to $65,000 annually, complemented by an annual bonus, paid quarterly. This range reflects the diverse levels of expertise and experiences we seek in our candidates and is intended to provide a general framework—not a guarantee of placement within the range.

Importantly, this base salary and bonus structure does not represent the full scope of our total compensation package, which includes a comprehensive benefits offering, 401(k) retirement and profit-sharing plans.

The final compensation offer will be determined based on your unique qualifications, including relevant experience, skills, and the value you bring to the role. We take a thoughtful, equitable approach to compensation, ensuring each offer is competitive and aligned with both market standards and individual contributions.

We are committed to rewarding talent and maintaining transparency as we continue to evolve our practices in line with emerging standards.