Sr. Manager, Conference Exhibit Operations

We are seeking a passionate, collaborative, and effective manager with experience in conferences, events or trade shows to join the Exhibit Operations team. This Senior Manager will direct a team of associates to deliver exhibits and sponsorships across Gartner’s B2B conference portfolio. Key performance measures for the role include exhibit and sponsorship retention, exhibit and sponsorship revenue growth and associate retention and satisfaction. This role will be responsible for the development and management of global exhibitor products across multiple B2B conferences. Biggest areas of impact include:

• Exhibit/Sponsorship product delivery & inventory management 

• Develop strategies for engagement between conference attendees and exhibitors

• Collaborate on strategic projects and identify key initiatives with leadership

• Enhance financial forecasting for scalability and profit margin growth

• Establish positive relationships with internal and external partners

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee all aspects of exhibitor delivery, conference planning and team management across Gartner’s Senior Leaders portfolio in the North America region.

• Lead and inspire a rapidly expanding and diverse global team, with a focus on continuous feedback and coaching. 

• Liaise and collaborate with key partners and team members (both internal and external) to ensure successful execution; build and maintain good relationships by establishing trust.

• Create and execute strategies for attendee and exhibitor engagement by generating valuable interactions for both exhibitors and attendees. Create KPIs and analyze data to evaluate success of implemented strategies.  

• Effectively lead supplier management and contract negotiations for select vendors that support conference delivery focusing on reducing expenses to improve margins.

• Consistently innovate conference delivery processes and procedures to create efficiencies and improve output.

• Manage product inventory and projection modeling for various exhibit and sponsorship products. Create and maintain product strategies to drive maximum revenue.

• Develop and present risk assessments for various components of exhibitor products based on shifts in market demand or capacity. 

• Partner with Exhibit Operations leadership team on projects by providing feedback and maximize output to scale the business.

• Analyze data to develop metrics-driven exhibitor retention and attendee engagement strategy to determine best course of action on various conference elements. 

• Attend conferences as the onsite lead for in-person delivery including managing the production schedule, conference staff and liaising with agency partners and vendors.

EXPECTED RESULTS:

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of Gartner’s business including the value proposition for attendees and exhibitors.

• Become an expert on Gartner’s exhibitor products, pricing strategy and conference financials.

• Achieve operational excellence and execute conferences on time, within budget and with great attention to detail.

• Become a respected leader and mentor across Gartner and build a strong personal brand reputation.

KEY CONTACTS:

• Internal Contacts - Conference Client Success, Conference Logistics, Conference Financial & Future Planning, Program Management, Conference Strategic Planning, Conference Business Solutions 

• External Contacts -  Third party suppliers and contractors

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• 8+ Years Event Management, Event Marketing and/or Tradeshow Management 

• Track record of creating or fulfilling revenue driving sponsorship products in complex live-event environments

• Project management experience on detailed programs with multiple variables and dependencies

• Proven ability to improve business processes resulting in increased efficiency and productivity

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