Trade Show Manager

PMMI Media Group; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work time

Unlimited PTO

Season ticket raffles

Weekly telecommuting days

Job summary

PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, seeks a Manager, International Trade Shows to oversee the PMMI Member Pavilion and exhibitions at EXPO PACK and PACK EXPO. You will coordinate PMMI U.S.

and Mexico offices, manage timelines, exhibitor participation, and vendor relationships, and supervise the International Trade Show Coordinator. Responsibilities include liaison across Marketing, Sales, Operations, Registration, Finance, and the Mexico Office; ensure brand

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5–7 years of experience in trade show management, event management, association management, or related field.
• Spanish proficiency preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders and deadlines.
• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong customer service and relationship management skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with Map Your Show, Salesforce, event management systems, or similar platforms preferred.
• Experience working with international teams or events preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, including travel to Mexico and PACK EXPO events.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary liaison between PMMI's U.S. and Mexico offices for EXPO PACK-related projects and initiatives including marketing, sales and operations.
• Coordinate with Mexico team to ensure timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder responsibilities remain on track throughout the show cycle.
• Coordinate activities involving Marketing, Sales, Operations, Registration, Finance, and the Mexico Office.
• Participate in project meetings, communicate status updates, and proactively identify and resolve project risks and delays.
• Coordinate day-to-day activities of the International Trade Shows function within the U.S. office.
• Supervise the International Trade Show Coordinator, including assigning work and establishing priorities.
• Review and approve administrative work products, exhibitor communications, agreements, reports, and system updates completed by the International Trade Show Coordinator.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, communication, and exhibitor experience.
• Partner with Marketing team in Mexico to establish and maintain timelines for exhibitor and attendee promotion.
• Manage timelines for exhibitor bulletins, service manuals, website updates, registration materials, and other exhibitor-facing communications.
• Review and provide input on exhibitor service manuals, websites, advertising materials, email campaigns, fact sheets, and promotional content developed by the Mexico Office.
• Ensure consistency and accuracy across all communications and platforms to maintain brand integrity and maintain established branding guidelines.
• Coordinate setup, testing, maintenance, and functionality of exhibitor platforms, floor plans, online directories, mobile applications, and exhibitor resource tools.
• Collaborate with marketing, registration, and technology vendors to ensure timely and accurate launch of exhibitor and attendee-facing platforms.
• Serve as the primary liaison between PMMI, the Mexico Office, and show technology vendors, including Map Your Show and the Registration Vendor.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional coordination

Verbal and written communication

Stakeholder management

Travel coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Map Your Show

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Event management systems

Job description

PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, is the leading global resource for packaging and processing and voted one of the "Best Manufacturing Associations to Work For" on multiple occasions. PMMI connects the makers of goods with the packaging and processing suppliers they rely on. Together, we help provide people around the world with innovative, safe, convenient, and cost-effective products that touch lives every day. PMMI represents more than 1,100 manufacturers and suppliers of equipment, components, and materials as well as providers of related equipment and services to the packaging and processing industry. We advance a variety of industries by connecting consumer goods companies with manufacturing solutions through our world-class PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, leading trade media and a wide range of business resources. Learn more here: PACK EXPO Trade Shows: Uniting the World of Packaging and Processing (pmmi.org)

PMMI has industry leading benefits and a strong employee-focused culture that effectively aligns our talent with the PMMI mission through generous employer-paid insurance options and employee perks like flexible work time, unlimited PTO, frequent celebrations, Washington Capitals and Nationals season ticket raffles, weekly telecommuting days, a generous performance-based bonus program, a very lucrative Retirement Plan that includes an incredible Profit Share, and more! Take home your full earnings potential – no need for costly benefit deductions at PMMI! Come join us and see for yourself. Your family will thank you.

Summary of the Position:

The Manager, International Trade Shows manages the PMMI Member Pavilion for EXPO PACK México and EXPO PACK Guadalajara and serves as the primary project coordinator between PMMI's U.S. and Mexico offices. Working closely with the Mexico team, this role oversees key timelines, cross-functional deliverables, exhibitor participation, marketing coordination, and pavilion operations to ensure successful show execution. The position also supervises the International Trade Show Coordinator and serves as the primary U.S.-based contact for PMMI's international trade show initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

EXPO PACK México/Guadalajara

• Serve as the primary liaison between PMMI's U.S. and Mexico offices for EXPO PACK-related projects and initiatives including marketing, sales and operations.

• Coordinate with Mexico team to ensure timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder responsibilities remain on track throughout the show cycle.

• Coordinate activities involving Marketing, Sales, Operations, Registration, Finance, and the Mexico Office.

• Participate in project meetings, communicate status updates, and proactively identify and resolve project risks and delays.

• Coordinate day-to-day activities of the International Trade Shows function within the U.S. office.

• Supervise the International Trade Show Coordinator, including assigning work and establishing priorities.

• Review and approve administrative work products, exhibitor communications, agreements, reports, and system updates completed by the International Trade Show Coordinator.

• Identify opportunities to improve processes, communication, and exhibitor experience.

• Partner with Marketing team in Mexico to establish and maintain timelines for exhibitor and attendee promotion

• Manage timelines for exhibitor bulletins, service manuals, website updates, registration materials, and other exhibitor-facing communications.

• Review and provide input on exhibitor service manuals, websites, advertising materials, email campaigns, fact sheets, and promotional content developed by the Mexico Office.

• Ensure consistency and accuracy across all communications and platforms to maintain brand integrity and maintain established branding guidelines.

• Coordinate setup, testing, maintenance, and functionality of exhibitor platforms, floor plans, online directories, mobile applications, and exhibitor resource tools.

• Collaborate with marketing, registration, and technology vendors to ensure timely and accurate launch of exhibitor and attendee-facing platforms.

• Serve as the primary liaison between PMMI, the Mexico Office, and show technology vendors, including Map Your Show and the Registration Vendor.

PMMI Member Pavilion

• Oversee all aspects of the PMMI Member Pavilion at EXPO PACK México and EXPO PACK Guadalajara.

• Manage pavilion space sales, exhibitor participation, and operational planning.

• Oversee booth assignments and pavilion layouts within Map Your Show.

• Coordinate PMMI Pavilion logistics, including staffing, travel, shipments, lounge operations, and exhibitor support.

• Oversee the development and production of PMMI Pavilion structures, graphics, and related vendor deliverables in conjunction with international trade show coordinator.

• Resolve escalated exhibitor issues and support successful pavilion operations.

• Work with floor managers, vendors, and exhibitors to support successful move-in, show operations, and move-out activities.

• Provide on-site support in the PMMI Pavilion during the events.

International Exhibitor Sales & Pavilion Organizers

• Maintain relationships with international pavilion organizers and key exhibitor partners.

• Coordinate international space sales activities with the Mexico Office to ensure accuracy across floor plans, reporting, and exhibitor records.

• Oversee sponsorship opportunities and related exhibitor agreements.

• Oversee the development of pavilion organizer agreements and exhibitor participation requirements.

• Work with internal departments to support collections and account resolution activities as needed.

• Serve as the escalation point for complex exhibitor and organizer issues.

PACK EXPO Domestic Shows

• Maintain relationships and oversee contracting activities for International Pavilions participating in PACK EXPO trade shows.

• Support operational initiatives and special projects across the PACK EXPO portfolio as assigned.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for external international sales representatives and coordinate related agreements and commission reporting.

• Provide general support for PACK EXPO trade show operations as needed.

• Travel to domestic PACK EXPO events and provide on-site support as required.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.

• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in trade show management, event management, association management, or a related field.

• Spanish proficiency preferred.

• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders and deadlines.

• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.

• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong customer service and relationship management skills.

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Experience with Map Your Show, Salesforce, event management systems, or similar platforms preferred.

• Experience working with international teams or events preferred.

• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, including travel to Mexico and PACK EXPO events.