Business Development Manager - National Restaurant Show

As a National Restaurant Association Show Business Development Manager, you will drive growth in exhibit and sponsorship sales for The Show For Foodservice and your expertise and dedication will contribute to making this show a resounding success by connecting businesses and professionals from across the foodservice industry. Your key responsibilities include engaging with food and beverage suppliers to sell sponsorship packages, promote their brands, and align with their business needs.
In this position, your primary responsibility will be to engage with suppliers in the foodservice industry to sell booth space and sponsorship packages for our tradeshow. Your main focus will involve identifying potential exhibitors and sponsors, cultivating relationships, and securing their participation in the event. You'll leverage your sales expertise to communicate the value proposition of exhibiting or sponsoring at The National Restaurant Association Show, highlighting the unparalleled opportunities for brand exposure, lead generation, and relationship-building that the event offers.
Your role involves:
Identifying and prioritizing potential sponsors and exhibitors.
Selling exhibit booth space to qualified companies
Selling sponsorship opportunities to exhibitors
Strengthening relationships with current clients for upsell opportunities
Conducting prospecting activities such as cold calling and networking.
Building and maintaining strong client relationships.
Customizing sponsorship packages and negotiating terms.
Collaborating with internal teams to ensure smooth execution.
Providing ongoing support and addressing client concerns.
Monitoring industry trends and competitor activities.
Attending industry events for promotion and networking.
Managing sales pipelines and updating CRM systems.
Staying informed about industry regulations and continuously enhancing the value proposition.
Bachelor’s degree: Preferred fields include business administration, marketing, communications, or related disciplines, providing a solid foundation in business principles and sales strategies.
Minimum 2 years sales experience: Demonstrated success in similar roles, showcasing the ability to drive revenue growth, build client relationships, and meet or exceed sales targets.
Effective communication skills: Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing, to engage clients and convey the value proposition of event sponsorship and floor space opportunities.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and SalesForce: Skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and CRM software such as SalesForce are essential for creating sales proposals, presentations, and managing sales pipelines.
Tradeshow sales experience Preferred but not Mandatory: Previous experience in tradeshow sales is highly advantageous, providing a deeper understanding of industry dynamics and best practices for driving sales success in this specialized market segment.
Proven experience in client relationships and management.
Demonstrated desire to build and nurture healthy internal and external relationships.
Self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Proficient in independently researching and prospecting using various techniques, including online research and face-to-face networking.
Comfortable developing and selling creative, abstract ideas to senior executives.
Excellent capacity to learn quickly, think on the fly, and self-teach as required.
Exceptional written and verbal communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Solid understanding of core marketing principles.
Proactive and goal-oriented with a strong willingness to learn and constantly improve.

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
Hybrid