Trade Show & AV Manager

JOB SUMMARY

Overall Summary of Function The Trade Show & AV Manager is responsible for leading and managing all operational, technical, strategic, and personnel activities related to the Trade Show & AV Department in accordance with company standards, operational requirements, and long-term departmental objectives. The position provides overall leadership, establishes department priorities, and maintains accountability for department performance, operational efficiency, labor management, technical readiness, and continuous improvement.

This includes, but is not limited to, V-Series frames and accessories, LED walls, displays, monitors, audiovisual systems, power and data distribution components, lighting components, tension frames, specialty substrates, structures, client storage inventory, and related operational assets. The Trade Show & AV Manager is responsible for overseeing department workflow execution, labor budgets, staffing strategies, operational readiness, inventory organization, quality assurance, transportation coordination, technical operations, and overall department performance related to events and productions.

The position provides direction and oversight to the Trade Show & AV Assistant Manager, who is responsible for coordinating daily operational activities, labor assignments, employee supervision, and workflow execution. This role is expected to provide strong leadership, strategic direction, employee development, operational structure, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring department operations remain organized, efficient, scalable, technically prepared, and aligned with company expectations and client standards.

The Trade Show & AV Manager is also responsible for providing technical leadership related to V-Series systems, including reviewing, advising on, modifying, and creating CAD technical drawings when necessary to ensure dimensional accuracy, structural safety, component compatibility, production feasibility, and installation readiness.

The position works closely with Warehouse Operations, Field Operations, Inventory, Production, Shipping, Receiving, Fabrication, Print Shop, Program Coordinators (PCs), Program Managers (PMs), Sales, and Operations Leadership to support operational alignment, event execution, labor planning, workflow efficiency, and long-term department growth.

This role requires the ability to oversee operational execution both within the warehouse and on-site when required. The Trade Show & AV Manager is expected to develop leaders within the department, reinforce accountability, establish operational standards, improve workflow efficiency, support strategic planning initiatives, and maintain strong communication across operational and leadership teams.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS : At Minimum Duties and Responsibilities Department Leadership & Operational Oversight ● Lead and manage the Trade Show & AV Department, maintaining overall accountability for operational performance, technical readiness, labor efficiency, quality standards, and departmental objectives. ● Develop and maintain operational structure, workflow standards, department organization strategies, and execution procedures throughout the department.

● Provide direct leadership and oversight to the Trade Show & AV Assistant Manager, supervisors, leads, associates, and temporary associates, ensuring clear responsibilities, accountability, and alignment with department priorities. ● Establish departmental priorities, operational expectations, and workflow direction while holding the Assistant Manager and operational teams accountable for daily execution and results.

● Develop department leaders through coaching, mentorship, performance evaluations, training initiatives, and leadership development activities. ● Oversee departmental labor planning, staffing strategies, workforce utilization, and labor budgets based on business demands, revenue considerations, and event requirements.

● Monitor labor costs, staffing efficiency, departmental productivity, and resource utilization, identifying opportunities to improve performance and control operational expenses. ● Evaluate staffing needs and participate in hiring, employee performance management, disciplinary recommendations, and organizational planning in coordination with Operations Leadership and Human Resources.

● Support succession planning and long-term department growth through employee development and organizational structure improvements. ● Lead strategic operational planning discussions related to workflow improvements, department scalability, labor structure, operational efficiency, and resource planning. ● Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on workflow optimization, technical readiness, quality standards, safety culture, and overall department performance.

Production, Shipping & Receiving Operations ● Provide overall oversight of the preparation, assembly, testing, staging, troubleshooting, deployment readiness, breakdown, and post-event processing of department-related assets. ● Ensure V-Series structures, audiovisual systems, LED walls, displays, structural components, power/data distribution systems, and related equipment are prepared accurately and in accordance with company operational and quality standards.

● Establish production priorities and operational readiness expectations based on technical drawings, PW callouts, project deadlines, labor requirements, and material specifications. ● Oversee department shipping, receiving, transfer coordination, staging, outbound verification, transportation readiness, and operational logistics activities through the Assistant Manager and applicable operational teams.

● Ensure procedures are established and followed for outgoing orders, including manifesting, labeling, palletizing, securing, and transportation preparation according to operational timelines. ● Provide management oversight and technical guidance for troubleshooting, operational verification, equipment testing, and functionality checks prior to deployment and installation.

● Ensure department assets are maintained in organized, operational, and show-ready condition while overseeing maintenance planning, repairs, replacement needs, and operational follow-up procedures. ● Monitor production schedules, operational deadlines, and department performance, addressing escalated concerns, resource limitations, and execution challenges to ensure project readiness.

Technical Leadership & CAD Development ● Provide technical leadership for V-Series projects, including reviewing, advising on, modifying, and creating CAD technical drawings when necessary to ensure dimensional accuracy, structural safety, component compatibility, production feasibility, and installation readiness in accordance with applicable safety standards and requirements.

● Review technical drawings, renderings, and proposed structural configurations to identify design conflicts, dimensional discrepancies, stability concerns, load limitations, and installation hazards, ensuring that any required engineering review or approval is obtained before production or installation. ● Maintain proficiency in CAD software and technical drawing standards applicable to V-Series structures, assemblies, components, and related department assets.

● Collaborate with Design, Fabrication, Program Managers, and operational teams to clarify technical requirements, recommend adjustments, and ensure drawings accurately reflect production and installation needs. ● Develop or revise technical drawings when required to support project changes, troubleshooting, custom configurations, and operational requirements.

● Provide technical guidance to the Assistant Manager, supervisors, and production teams regarding V-Series assembly methods, structural safety, component specifications, equipment compatibility, and installation procedures. ● Establish and maintain technical documentation standards, including drawing revisions, approved specifications, and communication of technical changes, while identifying opportunities to standardize V-Series configurations, reduce production errors, and improve preparation and installation efficiency.

Inventory, Quality Control & Technical Coordination ● Establish and oversee inventory control procedures, operational tracking activities, warehouse organization standards, and asset accountability throughout the department. ● Monitor inventory accuracy, discrepancies, shortages, damages, transfers, return processing, and operational concerns through department reporting and coordination with the Assistant Manager and Inventory team.

● Ensure inventory transactions, pull sheets, transfers, checkouts, and return processing activities are accurately maintained within company operational systems. ● Establish quality control expectations and oversee testing procedures to ensure visual concerns, branding discrepancies, dimensional issues, technical failures, material defects, and operational concerns are identified and resolved before shipment and installation.

● Coordinate closely with Inventory, Production, Shipping, Receiving, Fabrication, Print Shop, Field Operations, Sales, PCs, PMs, and Operations Leadership to ensure project readiness and execution alignment. ● Establish and maintain department organization standards, operational workflows, technical readiness procedures, storage layouts, and asset management expectations.

● Review recurring inventory and quality concerns, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to reduce damages, rework, and operational inefficiencies. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Operational Support ● Collaborate closely with Operations Leadership and other departments to improve workflow alignment, communication, labor coordination, technical execution, and operational efficiency.

● Participate in production meetings, operational planning sessions, labor forecasting discussions, scheduling coordination meetings, and strategic operational initiatives. ● Provide overall technical and operational oversight for on-site activities when required, including structure assembly, troubleshooting, technical coordination, installation readiness, and field execution.

● Communicate effectively with employees, department leadership, vendors, clients, operational teams, and executive leadership regarding department performance, operational priorities, technical concerns, labor needs, and strategic initiatives. ● Provide Operations Leadership with department reporting, operational analysis, staffing recommendations, budget considerations, workflow improvements, and operational planning updates.

● Coordinate with Field Operations and Program Managers to ensure technical requirements, installation expectations, and department resources are properly aligned before deployment. ● Lead departmental improvement initiatives and support cross-functional process standardization to strengthen communication, accountability, and operational performance.

Safety, Compliance & Reporting ● Lead and enforce company safety policies, operational standards, warehouse procedures, and equipment handling expectations throughout the department. ● Maintain departmental compliance with operational, facility, and safety requirements by overseeing inspections, safety walkthroughs, operational audits, equipment certifications, and warehouse readiness activities.

● Reinforce a strong safety culture through employee accountability, operational leadership, training reinforcement, and consistent enforcement of company expectations. ● Review departmental operational reports, labor utilization, inventory discrepancies, scheduling documentation, quality concerns, and performance metrics to monitor department results.

● Establish performance expectations and monitor key operational indicators related to productivity, labor efficiency, inventory accuracy, quality control, technical readiness, and on-time completion. ● Identify operational inefficiencies, technical issues, labor concerns, damages, and safety risks while implementing practical solutions, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.

● Provide regular operational updates and recommendations to the Global Operations Manager regarding department performance, staffing needs, technical challenges, and improvement opportunities. Additional Responsibilities ● Maintain flexibility with work schedules, including overtime, evenings, weekends, and extended operational hours when required.

● Be available and willing to travel for business purposes as required for events, installations, operational support, or company needs. ● Perform any additional duties and responsibilities as required by the position or operational needs of the company.

QUALIFICATIONS

At Minimum Training, Education and Experience ● High school diploma or GED required; associate's or bachelor's degree in a related field preferred. ● Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in trade show production, AV systems, warehouse operations, logistics, or related operational environments, including management or supervisory experience.

● Demonstrated experience managing operational teams, developing employees, coordinating departmental resources, and overseeing production or event-related operations. ● Required proficiency in CAD software, with the ability to interpret, review, modify, and create technical drawings related to V-Series structures, assemblies, or comparable modular systems.

● Strong understanding of technical drawings, dimensional accuracy, component compatibility, assembly requirements, and production feasibility. ● Working knowledge of budgeting, labor cost control, resource planning, and standard business operations. ● Ability to establish departmental priorities, evaluate operational performance, and implement process improvements.

● Strong organizational, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. ● Proficiency in Microsoft Office, email communication, and operational management systems. ● Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to changing operational demands and priorities. ● Possession of a valid driver's license with a clean driving record.

● Ability to interact professionally with employees, managers, vendors, clients, and executive leadership. ● Strong attention to detail when reviewing technical documentation, operational reports, drawings, and project specifications. ● Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding client proprietary information and personnel matters.

● Availability for overtime, nights, weekends, travel, and emergency operational support when required. ● Ability to communicate effectively through clear verbal and written communication. ● Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is preferred. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work Environment/ Physical Demands ● The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. ● While performing the duties of this position, the employee may be required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, and use hands and arms to handle equipment, materials, and operational tools. ● The employee may be required to stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, crawl, and reach with hands and arms while performing warehouse and event-related activities.

● The employee may be required to lift and/or move up to 70 pounds. ● Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision for reviewing technical drawings, inspecting equipment, and performing operational tasks. ● The noise level in the work environment may range from moderate to heavy depending on warehouse and production activities.

● Working temperatures may vary from hot to cold depending on weather conditions and operational environments. ● The employee must be able to operate company vehicles, including but not limited to 16-foot and 24-foot trucks, when required and appropriately authorized. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Blueprint Studios provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Blueprint Studios expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.