Associate Director - Tradeshows & Conferences

About Us

Since 1989, SHI International Corp. has helped organizations change the world through technology. We’ve grown every year since, and today we’re proud to be a $16 billion global provider of IT solutions and services.

 

Over 17,000 organizations worldwide rely on SHI’s concierge approach to help them solve what’s next. But the heartbeat of SHI is our employees – all 7,000 of them. If you join our team, you’ll enjoy:

• Our commitment to diversity, as the largest minority- and woman-owned enterprise in the U.S.

• Continuous professional growth and leadership opportunities.

• Health, wellness, and financial benefits to offer peace of mind to you and your family.

• World-class facilities and the technology you need to thrive – in our offices or yours. 

Job Summary

We’re seeking a strategic and execution-focused Associate Director of Tradeshows & Conferences to lead our in-person event marketing efforts across ~20 major B2B IT events annually. This role will oversee both the logistics and marketing lifecycle of each event — from pre-event planning and promotion to onsite execution and post-event follow-up — ensuring every touchpoint drives engagement, brand impact, and measurable ROI.
You’ll lead a small team of event and marketing specialists, collaborate closely with internal stakeholders (sales, partner management, partner marketing, product marketing and campaigns management), and manage external vendors and venues.
This is a high-visibility role with direct influence on pipeline generation and brand perception. The role will report directly to the Events leader at SHI.

Role Description

• Own the end-to-end strategy and execution of tradeshows, conferences, and in-person surround events (e.g., happy hours, partner dinners).

• Lead and mentor a team of 2+ event and marketing specialists.

• Develop integrated marketing plans for each event, including email, paid media, organic social, signage, and out-of-home advertising.

• Manage logistics including venue selection, booth design, staffing, travel, and vendor coordination.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with sales, partner marketing, and product teams to align goals, messaging, and funding.

• Oversee lead capture and post-event reporting, working with marketing operations to ensure attribution and ROI analysis.

• Ensure brand consistency and high-quality execution across all event assets and experiences.

• Manage budgets and timelines across multiple concurrent events.

• Manage exhibit inventory with designated Exhibitor Appointed Contractor; including invoicing, inventory, maintenance, graphics

•  Prep booth materials for shipment with our designated Exhibitor Appointed Contractor; including construction, dismantling, and packing of various exhibit structures and inbound/ outbound shipping

Behaviors and Competencies

• Leadership: Can lead strategic team initiatives, inspire others to take leadership roles, and foster a culture of shared responsibility and continuous improvement.

• Strategic Thinking: Can analyze complex situations, drive organizational transformation, and adapt strategies to changing market conditions.

• Business Acumen: Can provide strategic guidance and insights to drive overall business success.

• Communication: Can lead and model exceptional communication at all levels of the organization, develop and implement communication strategies, and coach others to improve their communication skills.

• Change Management: Can lead and model exceptional change management at all levels of the organization, can develop and implement change management strategies, and can coach others to improve their change management skills.

• Collaboration: Can lead complex team projects, inspire others to collaborate effectively, and foster a culture of mutual respect and shared purpose.

• Creativity: Can lead organizational transformation by fostering a culture of creativity, inspiring others, and driving breakthrough innovations.

• Customer-Centric Mindset: Can lead strategic initiatives focused on improving the overall customer experience. Inspires and mentors others to adopt a customer-centric approach, fostering a culture of customer focus throughout the organization.

• Data Analysis: Can lead data-driven initiatives, inspire others to adopt data analysis methods, and foster a culture of data literacy and informed decision-making.

• Results Orientation: Can inspire a culture of results-orientation across the organization, setting high standards and holding everyone accountable for achieving results.

• Strategic Implementation: Can lead the development and execution of comprehensive strategic plans, inspire and guide teams, and drive organizational change to achieve strategic objectives.

Skill Level Requirements

• Experience in utilizing current marketing channels and techniques to effectively reach and engage target audiences. - Expert

• The skill to assess market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive dynamics to inform strategic marketing decisions. - Expert

• The capability to design and implement marketing strategies that align with the overall business strategy, driving organizational success through effective branding and market positioning. - Expert

• Ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, partners, and board members, which is essential for fostering collaboration and ensuring organizational alignment. - Expert

• Experience in developing and executing strategies to generate interest and support the sales process. - Expert

• Understanding of IT industry trends and dynamics, ensuring continuous learning and staying ahead of market shifts. - Expert

Other Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in event marketing and logistics, preferably in B2B tech or IT.

• Proven success managing large-scale tradeshows and conferences.

• Experience leading small teams and working cross-functionally.

• Strong understanding of event marketing channels and tactics.

• Proficiency with Cvent and Marketo (or similar platforms).

• Excellent project management, vendor negotiation, and communication skills.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

• Travel to conference site as needed to manage setup/breakdown of exhibit space, supervise supporting staff, and serve as a liaison between vendor and SHI

The estimated annual pay range for this position is $110,000 - $130,000 which includes a base salary and bonus. The compensation for this position is dependent on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and market location and, therefore, will vary from individual to individual. Benefits may include, but are not limited to, medical, vision, dental, 401K, and flexible spending.

Equal Employment Opportunity – M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran Status