At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and coordinate an exciting exhibition event in San Diego, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
- Company: Join Rough Agenda, the team behind the largest search marketing events globally.
- Benefits: Flexible remote work, travel opportunities, and a chance to gain valuable event management experience.
- Other info: Perfect for self-starters who thrive in fast-paced environments and love working remotely.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team and make a real impact at a major industry event.
- Qualifications: Experience in event management and strong organisational skills are essential.
Duration: (Initial) fixed term contract, starting in early June through to the end of September 2026.
Hours: Part-time, flexible hours which will be variable across the duration of the contract, increasing in the weeks leading into and over the actual event delivery period. Current planning is based on 20 days / 150 hours pre & post-production, plus time on site.
Work: Fully remote, with travel to San Diego at event time. Would suit UK or CA based candidate.
Contract: Self-employed freelance contract preferred.
The Role
We seek a highly-organised Exhibition Manager to support our September 2026 event in San Diego, California: brightonSEO San Diego. You will sit within the Operations Team, reporting to the Head of Ops, and working closely with the San Diego Event Operations Manager, Head of Sponsor Sales and Event Project Manager.
You will work to an existing planning time-line and exhibition management work-flow, providing excellent customer service to our exhibitors, liaising with our General Service Contractor and other key suppliers throughout the pre-production phase of the project. You will maintain accurate and well structured spreadsheets, update Expo plans, and track costs throughout.
You will travel with the event team in September to the Convention Centre and oversee the Exhibition element of the 2026 event, from build day, through event, and get-out.
Key areas of responsibility:
- Exhibition planning & administration
- Liaison with our Exhibitors
- Liaison with our General Service Contractor (GSC)
- Liaison with Event Ops Manager, Head of Ops, and other internal stakeholders
- Production of event documentation
- Liaison with third party vendors
- Financial tracking & budgeting
- Onsite management and support
- Additional Operations support
Contract timeline and time:
- June: You will come onboard in early June, picking up on the internal planning to date.
- July, August, September: You will track, prompt, chase and cross-check orders and requirements across the stakeholders as the plans develop and the workload increases into July, August and early September.
- 14/15/16 Sept: You will join the team on site for the event; a one day build day, followed by two live event days and a get-out on the evening of the second day.
- Late Sept: The contract will conclude with an evaluation of the process and final budget reconciliation in late Sept, early Oct.
About Rough Agenda
Rough Agenda produces: brightonSEO UK is the largest search marketing event in the World. It takes place twice a year, usually in Spring and Autumn, and the event week programme is centred on three days of training, conference and exhibition events in the Brighton Centre. brightonSEO San Diego takes place annually in September, with a move to a new venue at the San Diego Convention Centre for our 2026 event.
Working with Rough Agenda
Rough Agenda works as a fully remote team with a strong ethos of autonomous working. This means that as long as you are delivering your work, and have shared when you plan to be working and available, no-one will be monitoring exactly when you are logging on and off, and you will be able to work flexibility around other commitments.
Person specification:
Essential:
- A solid demonstrable background and experience in the management and coordination of Exhibitions / trade-shows throughout the whole project cycle; pre-production planning and scheduling, through to onsite delivery, and post-event loose ends and budget reconciliation.
- Very strong Project Management and Administration skills.
- Proven experience of working with a General Service Contractor (GSC) as a key delivery partner.
- Personable. You will need to work across multiple areas of Rough Agenda to ensure things are running smoothly.
- Strong digital first working style.
- Good availability throughout the August period when the detailed planning for brightonSEO San Diego goes up a gear.
- Eligibility to travel to the US to be onsite for the event (via ESTA or B1 Visa, or equivalent if required).
Desirable:
- Experience of working on ConfEx events in the USA.
- Experience and understanding of the implications and best working practices when working in a fully unionised venue in the USA.
- The means and skills to draw scaled Exhibition plans.
- Experience of working with an Exhibition Management platform, ideally FFAIR.
- Availability to attend our UK event in Spring in Brighton.
Applying & Anticipated Timeline
Please send a covering letter or email (no longer than one side A4 please), along with your CV and/or any pertinent links to LinkedIn or online portfolios etc to kelvin@roughagenda.com with Expo Manager Job in the subject line. Shortlisting and interviewing will take place throughout December, and we are looking to appoint by the end of 2025. Applications will remain open until December 5th, however, we may appoint a candidate prior to this date, so early applications are encouraged.
Trade Show Exhibition Event Manager (Part-time) in Chester employer: brightonSEO
Rough Agenda is an exceptional employer that champions a fully remote work culture, offering flexible hours that allow you to balance your commitments while contributing to high-profile events like brightonSEO San Diego. With a strong emphasis on autonomy and personal growth, employees are encouraged to take initiative and develop their skills in a supportive environment, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the event management sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trade Show Exhibition Event Manager (Part-time) in Chester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts and attend relevant events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show up prepared! When you land an interview, research the company and the role thoroughly. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their needs, especially in exhibition management.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from our platform. It helps us keep track of candidates and ensures you’re in the loop for any updates.
We think you need these skills to ace Trade Show Exhibition Event Manager (Part-time) in Chester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Stellar Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure it’s tailored to the Exhibition Manager role, highlighting your relevant experience and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it concise and engaging – we want to see your personality!
Show Off Your Organisational Skills:Since this role requires solid planning and administration skills, don’t forget to mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed events or projects in the past. We love seeing how you keep everything on track!
Highlight Your Tech Savvy:We work with various digital platforms like GSuite and Asana, so make sure to mention your experience with these tools. If you’ve used any exhibition management software, definitely include that too – it’ll give you an edge!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at brightonSEO
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of the role. Familiarise yourself with the exhibition management workflow and tools like FFAIR and Asana. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also help you answer questions confidently.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your past experiences in managing exhibitions or trade shows. Highlight specific examples where you successfully coordinated events, dealt with vendors, or resolved issues on-site. This will demonstrate your capability and fit for the role.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the event planning process, team dynamics, or challenges faced during previous events. This shows your genuine interest and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
✨Be Ready for Flexibility
Since the role involves variable hours and remote work, be prepared to discuss how you manage your time effectively. Share strategies you use to stay organised and ensure you can meet deadlines, especially during busy periods leading up to the event.
