Marketing Specialist, Events & Trade Shows

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain the annual trade show and event calendar with the Director of Marketing, division Marketing Specialists, and Business Development.
• Recommend which shows and conferences to attend, keep, change, or drop based on cost, audience, and past results.
• Manage and reconcile event budgets, registrations, booth space, sponsorships, contracts, and vendor scheduling.
• Coordinate booth design and event materials with the Sr. Creative & Digital Manager, following KE brand standards.
• Manage shipping, travel, lodging, and staffing schedules for each event, ensuring booth properties and equipment rentals arrive on time and are returned afterward.
• Attend events to set up and tear down booths, manage the booth onsite, and solve problems as they arise.
• Plan and run customer and sales events, including client hospitality and sponsored functions.
• Research venues and vendors for customer events, including conducting site visits.
• Maintain inventory of booth displays, banners, equipment, and promotional items, and order replacements as needed.
• Order and manage branded promotional items and event swag.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Event Management, Hospitality, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 5-7 years of experience planning and running trade shows, conferences, and corporate and client events.
• Experience managing event budgets, vendor contracts, and logistics for multiple events at the same time.
• Hands-on experience setting up and tearing down trade show booths.
• Ability to travel 20–30%, including overnight and multi-day trips across the U.S.
• Ability to lift and carry booth materials and work on your feet for long event days.
• Strong organization and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively with division leaders, Business Development, vendors, and venue staff.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed for events.

Preferred

• Business-to-business trade show experience, ideally within the construction, electrical, industrial, or energy industries.
• Experience with lead capture tools, CRM systems, and advanced Excel.
• Experience running client hospitality or sponsored events.
• Experience capturing photos and short video onsite for social media.
• Experience with ClickUp or a similar project management tool.

Benefits

• Total Rewards At KE, we invest in more than just your paycheck. We offer a full benefits package designed to support your health, growth, and future.