Director of Events & Expositions

Company Description The Indiana Apartment Association (IAA) is a statewide trade organization representing the apartment industry across Indiana. IAA’s mission is to promote, advise, and protect the interests of multifamily housing owners and managers by uniting professionals engaged in the business. The association fulfills this mission through professional development, industry events, and government affairs advocacy. IAA currently represents nearly 300,000 apartment units, including members in affiliated chapters and council areas, providing a strong, connected network for housing professionals. Candidates joining IAA will be part of a mission-driven organization focused on advancing quality, sustainable multifamily housing in the state.
Role Description The Director of Events & Expositions is a full-time, on-site role based in Indianapolis, IN, responsible for leading the planning, execution, and evaluation of all association events and expos. This role oversees the events calendar, develops concepts and themes, manages timelines, coordinates venues and vendors, and ensures a high-quality experience for members and partners. Daily responsibilities include budget development and oversight for events, contract negotiation, exhibitor and sponsor management, and coordination with internal teams to align event content with organizational goals. The Director will lead event marketing efforts, including collaborating on promotional materials, registration processes, and attendee communications, while tracking metrics and feedback to improve future events. The role also involves supervising event staff or contractors, maintaining detailed records and reports, and ensuring compliance with safety, accessibility, and association standards.
Qualifications

• Candidates should possess strong Event Planning and Event Management skills, including experience organizing conferences, trade shows, and member events.
• Candidates should possess Budgeting skills and financial management abilities to develop, track, and reconcile event and exposition budgets.
• Candidates should possess effective Communication skills, including clear written and verbal communication and the ability to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Candidates should possess Sales skills related to sponsorship, exhibitor recruitment, and revenue-generating opportunities for events and expositions.
• Bachelor’s degree in event management, marketing, business, hospitality, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Prior leadership experience overseeing events teams, vendors, or volunteers, preferably within an association, nonprofit, or trade organization environment.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving abilities, with capacity to manage multiple events and deadlines simultaneously.
• Proficiency with event management software, CRM tools, and standard office applications; familiarity with marketing and registration platforms is beneficial.
• Ability to work on-site in Indianapolis, IN, and to support occasional early morning, evening, or weekend events as needed.