Description

• Trade show coordinators plan, organize and coordinate activities for a trade show, according to the Occupational Information Network (OIN). A coordinator must determine a trade show's goals, purpose, message and impression. If a venue has not been chosen, a coordinator will seek out potential exhibit space and later issue proposals to sites they are interested in.
  
  Once a venue has been selected, coordinators arrange support services. They also communicate with attending trade show vendors and accommodate their needs. Trade show coordinators, also called event planners, must develop and maintain relationships and communicate effectively. Financial management is a large portion of the job, as they negotiate contracts with facilities, suppliers and vendors. They also work within a budget to accommodate the trade show's goals.
  
  

Environment

• Being a trade show coordinator is a fast-paced and demanding career, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Planners multi-task and oversee several operations at one time, face many deadlines and coordinate activities of different groups of individuals. Trade show coordinators may meet others in their office, at a hotel, convention center or other location, and may travel frequently. Work hours are typically long and irregular, especially in the time leading up to a trade show. They may also work long days during shows, sometimes beginning as early as 5:00 a.m. and not ending until midnight. Planners often work weekends, as many trade shows are held over weekends, and stand or walk for hours. Heavy lifting of materials, exhibits and other supplies is often required.
  
  

Skills and Education

• The skills needed by trade show coordinators are often learned in the course of another job, such as someone who plans small gatherings while working at an office, according to the BLS. Informal training occurs after a candidate is hired, and entry-level employees may work under the supervision of an experienced trade show coordinator, receiving more responsibilities as they gain experience. People from various educational and work backgrounds may seek a position in trade show coordination. Many employers prefer a bachelor's degree, says the BLS website, but it is not always required.
  
  

Other Qualifications

• Trade show planners must have superb written and verbal skills, according to the BLS, and should be detail-oriented and extremely organized. They also must keep their cool when working under pressure, and possess strong math skills for budgeting and record keeping.
  
  

Salary and Outlook

• According to a May 2008 report from the BLS, the average hourly wage of trade show coordinators was $22.84, and the average annual wage was $47,500. The job outlook, the labor bureau says, is expected to be faster than average through 2016.