Trade Show Manager

Job description

We are the people who give possibilities purpose BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities. Job DescriptionThe Trade Show Manager, US Pharmacy Automation Marketing is responsible for the strategic planning, execution, optimization, and measurement of the US Pharmacy Automation trade show portfolio. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Marketing Operations, this role will lead the development and execution of trade show strategies that strengthen BD’s market leadership position, deepen customer engagement, and support lead generation objectives. This position serves as the central coordinator for trade show activities, partnering closely with Product Marketing, Customer Marketing, Sales, Commercial Leadership, Clinical teams, and external partners to deliver exceptional customer experiences and measurable business results from trade shows. The Trade Show Manager will oversee end-to-end planning and execution of national and regional industry conferences, including event strategy, booth experience design, product demonstration planning, staffing management, sponsorship activation, vendor coordination, budget management, and post-event performance measurement. This role requires a highly organized, collaborative, and results-oriented marketing professional with a passion for creating engaging customer experiences and delivering operational excellence. Key Responsibilities Trade Show Strategy & Portfolio Management Develop and maintain the annual US Pharmacy Automation trade show strategy and event calendar. Evaluate and prioritize trade show investments based on strategic objectives, target audiences, business impact, and return on investment. Establish event objectives, success metrics, and key performance indicators for each event. Partner with Marketing, Sales, and Commercial Leadership to align event strategies with business priorities and growth objectives. Continuously evaluate event performance and recommend improvements to optimize future investments. Event Planning & Execution Lead end-to-end planning and execution of national and regional pharmacy conferences, trade shows, and industry events. Develop comprehensive project plans, timelines, communications, and execution strategies for each event. Coordinate sponsorships, registrations, hotel allocations, meeting space requirements, exhibit planning, and event logistics. Ensure all event deliverables are completed on time, within budget, and aligned with brand standards. Manage onsite execution and resolve issues to ensure a seamless customer and exhibitor experience. Booth Experience & Customer Engagement Own booth experience planning and customer journey development. Partner with Product Marketing and Customer Marketing to ensure consistent, compelling messaging and visual presentation. Develop strategies to maximize attendee engagement and increase meaningful customer interactions. Coordinate customer events, executive meetings, and other customer engagement activities associated with major conferences. Identify opportunities to enhance BD’s visibility and thought leadership presence at strategic industry events. Product Demonstration & Staffing Management Own event staffing strategy and resource planning across the Pharmacy Automation trade show portfolio. Develop staffing models and schedules to ensure appropriate sales, marketing, clinical, and product expertise coverage. Coordinate product demonstration readiness and ensure qualified personnel are available to support customer interactions. Partner with business stakeholders to identify staffing requirements and align resources to event objectives. Develop event briefing materials and ensure all staff are trained on event goals, key messages, customer engagement expectations, and product demonstrations. Drive accountability for booth coverage, demonstration quality, and customer experience execution. Lead Generation & Commercial Impact Partner with Customer Marketing, Sales, and Downstream Product Marketing teams to establish lead capture and follow-up processes. Support event-based lead generation activities and customer engagement initiatives. Monitor lead quality, follow-up execution, and shared opportunity influence metrics. Help ensure event investments contribute to measurable commercial outcomes and business growth objectives. Thought Leadership & Conference Engagement Coordinate conference speaking opportunities, sponsorship activations, and educational session participation. Partner with Product Marketing, Customer Marketing, and business leaders to support speaker preparation and conference engagement activities. Coordinate logistics and support for customer speakers and executive presenters. Track and report on speaking engagement participation and outcomes. Budget & Vendor Management Manage day-to-day event budgets and spending activities. Track expenses, forecasts, and event financial performance. Partner with Customer Marketing leadership on budget planning and approvals. Manage relationships with exhibit houses, event agencies, conference organizers, and third-party vendors. Negotiate vendor deliverables and ensure services meet quality, timeline, and budget expectations. Serve as the primary liaison between internal stakeholders and external event partners. Analytics & Reporting Develop post-event reports and performance analyses. Measure event performance against predefined objectives and KPIs including attendee engagement, customer meetings, speaking opportunities, lead generation activities, and overall event effectiveness. Present recommendations to improve event strategy, customer engagement, and return on investment. Qualifications Education Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, Event Management, or related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Experience 5–8 years of experience in event marketing, trade show management, marketing operations, or related disciplines. Experience managing national trade shows, conferences, or large-scale marketing events. Experience working within a matrixed organization and collaborating across multiple functional teams. Healthcare, medical device, pharmacy, pharmaceutical, or healthcare technology experience preferred. Knowledge & Skills Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously. Demonstrated success leading complex events from planning through execution and measurement. Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills. Strong analytical skills with experience developing event performance metrics and ROI reporting. Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive execution without direct authority. Strong customer focus and commitment to delivering exceptional event experiences. Technical Skills Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Outlook. Microsoft Teams and SharePoint. Sales enablement platforms, such as Showpad or similar, preferred. Event management and registration platforms preferred. Personal Attributes Strategic thinker with strong business acumen. Highly organized and detail-oriented. Results-oriented with a focus on execution and continuous improvement. Collaborative team player who builds strong relationships across functions. Self-starter with the ability to work independently and thrive in a fast-paced environment. Customer-focused and passionate about creating meaningful engagement experiences. Travel Requirements Travel up to approximately 4