Trade Show Operations Coordinator in Diamond Bar, California at Specialty Equipment Market Association

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and Performance Racing Industry (PRI) together represent the heart of the automotive aftermarket and motorsports industries. United by a passion for cars, trucks, SUVs, and racing of every kind, these organizations support a vibrant global marketplace that spans performance parts, advanced racing technologies, restoration, restyling, and the full spectrum of specialty automotive innovation.

SEMA is a dynamic, business-minded nonprofit trade association made up of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, builders, publishers, race teams, and more—an industry ecosystem powering a nearly $53-billion-a-year retail market. Through industry-leading programs, advocacy, research, and world-class events—including the annual SEMA Show, one of the largest automotive trade shows in the world—SEMA helps its members grow, innovate, and succeed.

PRI extends this influence into the global racing marketplace. Since 1986, PRI has been the premier source of business intelligence, cutting-edge technology insights, and community connection for racing professionals. The annual PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis brings together over 1,000 exhibiting companies and thousands of racing stakeholders across every major discipline, supported by PRI’s industry-leading advocacy, media platforms, education programs, and year-round engagement.

Together, SEMA and PRI fuel the success of thousands of businesses, connect industry professionals worldwide, and preserve and grow the future of automotive performance and racing.

PURPOSE:

The Trade Show Operations Coordinator is responsible for maintaining the Show Department project schedules, interacting with customers via phone and email, coordinating attendee and exhibitor inquiries, assisting with the overall coordination of trade shows and SEMA-sponsored events and for providing a high quality of general administrative and project management support to the Vice President, Events and Show Department. The ideal candidate can think quickly on their feet, is a confident and efficient team player that utilizes resources, maintains high levels of organization, and can handle their work with the utmost confidentiality.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prioritizes conflicting needs; handle matters expeditiously, proactively, and follows-through on projects to successful completion, often with deadline pressures.
• Manage event department project schedules. Coordinate event department staff meetings, pre-con and post-con meetings, Show Committee meetings, and other similar meetings as necessary. Prepare agendas, record notes, and follow-up as needed.
• Manage Vice President, Event's scheduling, travel needs, correspondence, expense reports, EMT, Board report, President's report, exhibitor and attendee follow-up, filing, and other administrative duties as necessary.
• Responsible for supporting the annual New Products Showcase, collaborating with and directing multiple internal departments, and external vendors in a deadline driven environment. Serve as customer service liaison for New Products with both internal and external customers.
• Maintain and regularly update the Show Department calendar of activities, ensuring alignment with strategic milestones and deadlines.
• When directed by management, perform other assignments and duties as required.

AUTHORITY AND RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports directly to the Trade Show Operations Manager.
• Interfaces with Show Department stakeholders, support staff personnel and other divisions and Directors as needed.
• Communicates regularly with Association members, vendors, and exhibitors/potential exhibitors.

Pay Range: $25 - $33

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• 2 - 5 years of trade show experience
• Effective oral and written communication, organizational, managerial and typing skills.
• Strong project management skills with strong follow-up.
• Ability to multi-task and set priorities in a fast-paced environment with rapidly changing needs
• Experience in the Trade Show industry or the Special Events industry, a plus.
• Associate college degree or higher, a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to build and maintain relationships both internally and externally
• Knowledge of computer systems and software, including Nimble, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, relationships or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements,

management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.