Senior Trade Show Business Development Executive

Job Description

Job Description

This is a pure hunting position. You will be responsible for finding companies that exhibit at major U.S. trade shows, identifying those that are ready for a better exhibit partner, and closing multi-year service agreements with them.

You will attend 15–25 shows per year — not as an exhibitor, but as a prospector — walking the floor, reading booth quality, and starting conversations with marketing and exhibit managers at companies that deserve better than what they have.

If you have spent years in the exhibit industry, know the show calendar better than most, and have closed deals in the $200K–$2M+ range, this role was designed for you.

Responsibilities:

• Identify and target companies exhibiting at major and mid-tier national trade shows with annual booth investment potential of $500K or more.

• Attend 15–25 trade shows per year as a prospecting and canvassing activity — working the show floor, attending exhibitor networking events, and building a qualified pipeline.

• Develop and manage a robust CRM pipeline of target accounts from initial contact through signed contract, with clear stage progression and close timelines.

• Partner with Ruckus design and production teams to develop customized proposals, ROI narratives, and presentations for prospective clients.

• Leverage existing industry relationships — including exhibit house contacts, show organizers, marketing agencies, and brand managers — to generate referrals and introductions.

• Negotiate and close multi-year service agreements covering full-service design, build, and ancillary show services.

• Represent Ruckus at industry events, EDPA chapter meetings, and trade show industry gatherings. Feed market intelligence back to leadership on competitor activity, client trends, show growth and decline, and emerging industries worth targeting

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience at a top-tier exhibit house or equivalent — in a production, account management, or business development capacity.

• Experience working with high-spend verticals: Technology, Defense, Medical Devices, Automotive, Aviation, FinTech, or Healthcare IT.

• Working knowledge of I&D (Installation and Dismantle) vendors, general contractors, and union labor requirements. Understanding the operational side of exhibit execution makes you a more credible seller.

Company Description

Ruckus is a premium design, studio and production company that builds exhibit experiences for brands serious about their presence on the show floor. Our work includes managing a flagship client’s presence at CES — one of the most competitive environments in the world — where our exhibit took the show by storm and garnered international attention. We work with companies that invest $500K or more annually in their exhibit programs, and we deliver the creativity, precision, and operational excellence to match that investment.

We are building out our trade show division and are looking for a seasoned business development professional who can identify and close new anchor clients at that level.

Company Description

Ruckus is a premium design, studio and production company that builds exhibit experiences for brands serious about their presence on the show floor. Our work includes managing a flagship client’s presence at CES — one of the most competitive environments in the world — where our exhibit took the show by storm and garnered international attention. We work with companies that invest $500K or more annually in their exhibit programs, and we deliver the creativity, precision, and operational excellence to match that investment.\r\n\r\nWe are building out our trade show division and are looking for a seasoned business development professional who can identify and close new anchor clients at that level.