Exhibition Director

The Exhibition Director is responsible for overall event delivery, collaborating with the event team plan and execute events in line with strategic plans, brand guidelines and within budget. They will lead the achievement of event targets through effective team management and coordination with the senior event management team and identify opportunities for event growth as well as increasing revenue. The Exhibition Director will develop innovative ideas for event features and content to attract and enhance visitor/exhibitor experience. Effective people management practices are expected in order to drive continuous performance and results.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and maintenance and execution of a strategic plan in collaboration with the senior management team

• Agree the annual exhibition budget with the senior event management team and cascade this to team members

• Ensure that the planned exhibition growth and targets are achievable with available resources

• Create event content and features with the team that will ensure longer term visitor interest and or commercial success,

• Evaluate event effectiveness and recommend strategies for improvement

• P&L responsibility; control and manage exhibition costs within budget through monthly reviews with team members

• Liaise with the finance team to ensure compliance with event budget

• Ensure all documentation required is completed accurately and on time

• Track and document all revenue and cost transactions and communicate with the accounts department

• Oversee content development in conjunction with the Conference Director

• Ensure fresh and innovative content is being developed to elevate the show

• Involved in conference themes, strategy and positioning to ensure alignment with the overall exhibition

• Overseeing speaker logistics team, executing VVIP service for international speakers

• Oversee event sales targets for team members

• Lead and manage the sales team through monitoring sales activities and performance

• Schedule regular sales meetings in order to review performance and productivity and provide guidance and direction

• Lead by example by bringing in sales and sponsorship deals

• Analyse rebooking statistics and identify ways to maximize client retention

• Strategize and produce opportunities for the exhibition teams to increase non square-metre sales

• Provide opportunities for growth within each exhibition profile

• Work directly with the Marketing Director to contribute to the marketing strateg and oversee the execution of marketing plans and schedules in collaboration with the event marketing team

• Position the event as an international leader with a focus on building the brand

• Work closely with the marketing team to deliver global marketing campaigns and working with local partners to achieve significant visitor growth YOY

• Monitor marketing activities and ensure they are executed on time and in-line with marketing plans

• Continually liaise with Operations Department with respect to floor plans and ensure client requirements are maintained

• Be responsible for and ensure compliance with company Health and Safety standards

• Ensure logistics plans are adhered to and execution is achieved within the agreed timeline

• Assist and provide support to the Operations team onsite, pre-, during an post- event

• Generating ideas for innovative features or special events which will meet the needs and pain points of the customers at heart.

• Ensure timely reporting to ensure any issue areas are identified

• Complete weekly reporting structure with the event management team

• Prepare monthly project reports to be presented to Group Director

• Prepare annual event budgets and forecasts

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a business or event management field

• Significant experience in a senior role within the exhibitions/consumer/brand sector

• Extensive people management skills and experience

• Experience with working in a pressured working environment

• Speaks and writes clearly and fluently in English at all levels

• Proficient in the use of Advanced MS Office including intermediate/advanced Word, PPT, Excel

• Thorough understanding of regional business culture

• Good understanding of the regional consumer market

• Effective communication at all levels internally and externally