Director, Exhibits

A. General Description:

The Director of Exhibits is a senior member of the Convention and Meetings team, responsible for implementing strategic and operational efficiencies to enhance exhibitor/commercial and member engagement at all the Association's events with an exhibit’s presence, chiefly focused on a Tier 1 citywide event with a large, dynamic Exhibit Hall. 

This role champions the value of exhibitors as a vital source of non-dues revenue and member engagement. Key responsibilities include leading the growth of the exhibit hall, establishing comprehensive approaches, managing relationships with stakeholders, and ensuring an exceptional experience for exhibitors across all Association events.

The Director oversees event business operations, manages relationships with staff, members, exhibitors, and service providers, and requires expertise in citywide events with integrated education programs. They are responsible for contract review, vendor management, budgeting, forecasting, cost savings, bill reconciliation, and risk mitigation.

Additionally, the Director plays a pivotal role in destination Convention RFPs, site visits, and advance planning for contracted destinations. The Director provides leadership and coaching to a team of two exhibits staff members, collaborating and coaching on exhibitor retention, sales strategies, marketing, and attendee attraction to meet exhibitor ROI goals.  

Travel is required throughout the year.

B. Responsibilities:

1. Lead, manage, and actively participate in strategic and operational efforts to create successful and thriving exhibit halls for the Association.  Collaborate closely with the Senior Director of Convention and Meetings and other ASHA team leaders to develop and implement growth and engagement strategies for exhibit and commercial opportunities. Ensure effective budget management, efficiency, and risk mitigation while incorporating industry trends and event design to enhance attendee experience. 
2. Manage the complete lifecycle of the Association’s Convention exhibits program, from long-term site selection and licensing to on-site management. This involves supervising, coaching, and training support staff, vendor partners, and temporary personnel. Finalize license agreements, develop detailed specifications, clarify responsibilities, oversee implementation, and manage complex service billing and reconciliation. Additionally, ensure compliance with Association and venue rules and regulations, including permitting and fire marshal regulations, by communicating and enforcing them to exhibitors and their contractors before and during events. 
3. Provide guidance to Association National Office staff on enhancing exhibit hall engagement and experience design to benefit members and exhibitors. This includes, but is not limited to; improving systems, tools, processes, and policies, fostering partnerships with the sponsorship team, promoting industry best practices, customer service standards and enhancing event and sales marketing efforts. Serve as the internal subject matter expert on exhibits, implement strategies and serve as a key decision maker regarding ASHA meetings with Exhibits related needs.  
4. Identify, select vendor partners/service providers, and direct the work of in advance planning and onsite logistics for the conferences and Convention. The scope of vendor services and products includes, but is not limited to, exhibit software (sales, purchase, floorplans, API for registration, etc.), general contractor/decorator service, security, floral, lead retrieval, and key Convention Center services such as electrical, first aid, and telecommunications. 
5. Evaluate exhibitor satisfaction through surveys using established metrics for attendance, satisfaction, and quality. Analyze survey results to identify areas of excellence and opportunities for improvement. 
6. Coach and mentor the exhibits team across various facets of successful exhibit hall development, sales, logistics, and management. Guides the team in updating systems, developing and revising floorplans, conducting testing, managing terms and conditions, and preparing exhibit hall and administrative specifications. Additionally, the position advocates for recognizing the team's expertise and experience in leading exhibit management and sales for smaller conferences developed by other Association teams. This involves ensuring that business owners comprehend critical exhibit requirements and policies, adhere to industry standards, establish appropriate timelines, fulfill contractual obligations, grasp sales strategy and exhibit hall marketing, and effectively communicate information. 

C. Contacts:

To accomplish responsibilities listed above, the incumbent has contact with:

1. Staff responsible for managing and implementing tasks and