Exhibitor & Sponsorship Specialist

DescriptionSmithbucklin, a 650-person, employee-owned professional services company with more than 70 years of success serving the association market, is looking for a Exhibitor & Sponsorship Specialist, to join our team in Chicago or Washington DC.Our Event Services unit provides meetings, conventions, events and tradeshow management worldwide through the expertise of our meeting professionals, who manage every facet and detail of our client organization’s events. Our goal is to work closely with client organization leaders to create an enjoyable conference experience for all attendees, exhibitors and sponsors, while ensuring a successful outcome based on the organization’s event objectives.At Smithbucklin, we embody a culture driven by optimism, ambition, expertise, and thoughtfulness, where every team member is empowered to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Join us in shaping the future of association management, where our values serve as the cornerstone of our success. What You Will Do…This professional will support the management of relationships with Smithbucklin events’ exhibitors and sponsors, while working with colleagues to service and support these partners using best-in-class processes, tools, and technology. In this role, you will coordinate pre-show and onsite execution for Smithbucklin trade shows and their associated sponsorship programs.Assist in reviewing vendor proposals and contracts and support negotiation processesSupport the development of General Services Contractor specifications, exhibitor service manuals, exhibit and sponsorship prospectuses, and assist with signage and security planningSupport and participate in the exhibitor space selection process and sponsorship renewal processCreate trade show floor plan designs, exhibit hall experiences and activationsPartner with Smithbucklin sales professionals to execute high-impact exposure opportunities for exhibitors and sponsors before, during, and after eventsDevelop relationships with exhibitor and sponsor companies and serve as a primary day-to-day contact for assigned accountsCoordinate sponsorship fulfillment and tracking, including implementation of sponsor benefits, as well as support financial tracking and reconciliationCreate and deliver post-show exhibits and sponsorship ROI reports Identify opportunities to improve processes and enhance the exhibitor and sponsor experienceThis Role Might Be for You If…You are passionate about the events and tradeshow industry and possess working knowledge of industry terminology, sponsorship fulfillment, and tradeshow management processes.You enjoy improving processes and contributing new ideas to enhance efficiency and impactYou thrive in a fast-paced environment and have strong time management skills with the ability to prioritize effectively You are proactive, detail-oriented and solution-focusedYou collaborate well across teams and build positive relationships with clients, colleagues and suppliersWhen presented with a challenge, you demonstrate a positive attitude and a solutions-oriented mindsetYou possess intellectual curiosity and strong analytical skills, are a continuous learner and seek to understand the “why and how”You possess strong written and verbal communication skillsYou demonstrate professionalism, accountability and initiativeYou have familiarity with venues, facilities and convention centersYou are able to travel up to 25% (domestic and international) and work overtime as needed to support events and client meetingsBasic QualificationsBachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution or equivalent experience2-5 years relevant professional experiencePreferred QualificationsExperience in tradeshow, exposition, or sponsorship planning environmentsExperience with exhibit management software, Salesforce, and/or other CRM platformsProficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)Where Do You Fit?Whether you are just beginning your career or are a mid- or senior-level professional, working at Smithbucklin will offer you countless opportunities to develop transferrable skills, acquire meaningful knowledge and gain rich experiences at an accelerated pace. By working collaboratively with smart, ambitious, multi-talented, genuine and hardworking colleagues, you will build meaningful, deep and enduring relationships that will serve you well throughout your career, regardless of your chosen path. In addition, as a 100 percent employee-owned company, Smithbucklin offers all of our people – regardless of position or compensation – an equal chance to experience the fulfillment and reap the benefits of ownership. As owners, our employees control the destiny of Smithbucklin and are unified in the goal of building a great, enduring company.Smithbucklin is a hybrid work environment with in-office days established as Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Employees will work a standard 40-hour week, with the possibility of additional hours based on project deadlines.Smithbucklin considers several factors when determining compensation, including a candidate's recent coursework, training, experience, and certifications, among other considerations. The expected pay for this role is $63,000 – $68,000k for Chicago and $68,000– $73,000k for Washington DC.Equal Employment OpportunityAt Smithbucklin, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference and background investigation based on position.Smithbucklin will not sponsor applicants for work visas and as a precondition of employment, you must be authorized to work in the United States permanently