Senior Manager, Global Trade Shows & Industry Events

AIT Worldwide Logistics; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 93,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

AIT Worldwide Logistics in Itasca, IL is seeking a Senior Global Trade Shows & Industry Events Manager to lead planning, coordination, and execution of our global events portfolio. You will partner with regional and business-unit stakeholders to identify event requirements, participation opportunities, and budget considerations, aligning with marketing goals.

The role oversees domestic and international events, manages budgets and vendors, and analyzes metrics to drive better engagement and ROI.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of proven experience in trade shows, event marketing, and customer events.
• Experience planning domestic and international trade shows and customer events.
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business administration, or related field.
• Strong project management and budget oversight across multi-region programs.

Responsibilities

• Global Event Portfolio Management: Manages the execution of AIT's global event portfolio, including trade shows, sponsorships, and customer events held in conjunction with trade shows.
• Stakeholder & Vendor Management: Collaborate with regional offices, business leaders, exhibit partners, venues, hotels, vendors, and external event organizers to ensure successful delivery.
• Sponsorship & Customer Engagement Execution: Manage sponsorship activations and contractual deliverables, including branding opportunities and networking events.
• Manage the collection and analysis of event metrics, including attendance, leads, and program costs.
• Assist with annual event planning, forecasting, budgeting, and prioritization for domestic and international programs.

Skills

Project management

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Vendor coordination

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing/Business/Event Management

Job description

Introduction

Join us at AIT, where we believe every day presents an opportunity to make a global impact!

Introduction

Join us at AIT, where we believe every day presents an opportunity to make a global impact! We’re problem solvers, driven by our curiosity and creativity, in endless pursuit of solutions for our customers. Together, we champion the strength of our global teams. And, as trusted advisors, we go above and beyond, working together in a supportive and collaborative environment to ensure customer satisfaction. Through the company's continued growth, we challenge ourselves to be better, continuously learning and growing in our dynamic environment. Helping others is at the core of our culture, join us in finding fulfillment by giving back to our local communities as the united team that is AIT. Find out what our people deliver.® means when you come move the world with us! Hear directly from our teammates at AIT Worldwide Logistics and make us the next stop on your career journey.

Overview

The Senior Global Trade Shows & Industry Events Manager will support planning, coordination, and execution of AIT’s global events portfolio. This role partners with regional and business-unit stakeholders to identify event requirements, participation opportunities, and budget considerations while maintaining visibility across domestic and international event activities. The position plays a key role in supporting annual event planning, forecasting, prioritization, and execution efforts that align with AIT’s strategic business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Global Event Portfolio Management: Manages the execution of AIT's global event portfolio, including trade shows, sponsorships, and customer events held in conjunction with trade shows, such as customer meetings, hospitality functions, networking receptions, or related engagement activities. Partner with regional and business-unit stakeholders to identify event objectives, participation requirements, and budget considerations, ensuring alignment with broader business and marketing goals. Coordinate trade shows and related events globally managing timelines, logistics, hotel sourcing, room blocks, customer events, and on-site execution.
• Stakeholder & Vendor Management: Collaborate with regional offices, business leaders, exhibit partners, venues, hotels, vendors, and external event organizers to ensure successful delivery of events within scope, budget, and timeline requirements. Serve as the primary liaison between internal stakeholders, senior leadership, customers, vendors, and external partners, driving stakeholder alignment, cross- functional collaboration, and ongoing communications throughout the event lifecycle to ensure successful execution of complex, multi-region event initiatives.
• Sponsorship & Customer Engagement Execution: Manage sponsorship activations and contractual deliverables, including branding opportunities, speaking engagements, networking events, customer meetings, and hospitality functions.
• Manage the collection and analysis of event metrics, including attendance, customer meetings, leads, engagement activity, sponsorship results, and program costs.
• Assist with annual event planning, forecasting, budgeting, and prioritization activities for domestic and international event programs while maintaining visibility into event activity across business units and geographic regions.
• Develop event recaps, post-event analyses, and reporting materials for leadership review.
• Identify trends, insights, and opportunities that support future event planning, optimization, and investment decisions.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards
• The wage range for this position is $92,700-$139,060 and may vary based on geography as well as relative knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in marketing, business administration, event management or similar (required)

Experience

• 7+ years of proven experience in trade shows, event marketing, and customer events. Experience planning and executing domestic and international trade shows, and customer events (required)

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong project management, organizational, and budget management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. Medium
• Experience working with exhibit houses, venues, hotels, general contractors, and international suppliers. High
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-management skills with the ability to build trust and credibility across diverse stakeholder groups. High
• Executive presence and professional communication skills, including the ability to interact confidently with senior leaders, customers, and external partners. High
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities with the ability to remain calm and adaptable in fast-paced, high-pressure, event environments. High
• A collaborative, service-oriented approach with a passion for delivering exceptional attendees, customers, and stakeholder experiences. High
• Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority, balance competing priorities, and work effectively across multiple business units and geographic regions. Medium

About AIT Worldwide

AIT Worldwide Logistics is a global freight forwarder that helps companies grow by expanding access to markets all over the world where they can sell and/or procure their raw materials, components and finished goods. For more than 40 years, the Chicago-based supply chain solutions leader has relied on a consultative approach to build a global network and trusted partnerships in nearly every industry, including aerospace, automotive, consumer retail, energy, food, government, high-tech, industrial, life sciences and marine. Backed by scalable, user-friendly technology, AIT’s flexible business model customizes door-to-door deliveries via sea, air, ground and rail—on time and on budget. With expert teammates staffing more than 150 worldwide locations in Asia, Europe and North America, AIT’s full-service options also include customs clearance, warehouse management and white glove services. AIT Worldwide Logistics is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Veterans/Disabled. If you are unable to apply online due to a disability, contact Human Resources at 630-766-8300 ext 5218.