Convention and Events Director

Game Manufacturers Association | Columbus, Ohio

Salary: $70,000 plus performance bonus

Remote: No

Location: 258 E. Campus View Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43235

What is GAMA

The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) is the non-profit trade organization dedicated to serving the tabletop games industry – board, card, miniatures, and role-playing games. Their members are game designers, manufacturers, publishers, distributors, retailers, game media and event organizers. GAMA serves to promote the growth and adoption of tabletop games through hosting trade and consumer shows, industry events, providing an information and resource hub, and industry related networking and marketing activities.

The Opportunity

GAMA is looking for a passionate convention & event management professional with a strong customer service mindset and sales experience that will work with the events team to deliver a strong program for attendees, exhibitors, and program partners at their various consumer and B2B events. You will provide direct oversight of the events team to ensure attendees, exhibitors and program partners have a positive customer experience before, during and after each event.

The Skill Set

Manages the execution and logistics of trade shows and consumer programs to achieve GAMA’s business objectives. Develops and manages comprehensive event project plan for all setup tasks, sponsorship and exhibitor sales, reporting, administration including CRM upkeep and floorplan management, direct event staff and volunteers in the management of each program.

Market research, monitoring of competitor events, attending competitor events.
Undertaking presentations to show partners and prospects.
Prospect database management and development of new exhibitors and event partners.
Management of key stakeholder relationships e.g., exhibitors, service providers at the venues, industry partners, etc.
Effective collaboration with team members including across events, marketing, and logistics, to deliver the show to their full potential.

Who will you be?

An ambitious, hard-working, and charismatic event and sales professional who has demonstrated success in achieving and exceeding growth targets through skilled new business acquisition and consultative account management.
Extensive convention or event project management
A proven salesperson with a minimum of 4+ years relevant event / exhibition experience looking for more responsibility, prominence, and reward.
You will have:
- Passion, drive, determination, and commitment to individual, team, and business goals
- The ability to develop and grow strong relationships with a wide range of companies and service providers at a senior level
- A proven sales background with excellent questioning and closing skills
- A good commercial understanding of exhibitions, conferences, and digital opportunities
- Successful experience of devising, selling, and managing exhibitions to exhibitors
- Great research and analytical skills in understanding the competitive marketplace and developing strategies and tactics to sell our events effectively given competitive market conditions
- A team mentality - understanding the importance of effective collaboration and able to work with a variety of individuals and functions towards positive solutions and outcomes
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills to effectively manage and report on active sales campaigns
- Excellent attention to detail
- An ability to work to strict deadlines
- Experience with pop culture or boardgame conventions is a plus!

Benefits

GAMA is guided by organizational values that encourage diversity and inclusiveness. In line with company values, they provide competitive salaries and solid benefit packages, including 100% paid health insurance for employees, a SIMPLE IRA with employer matching. They ensure staff have at least 2 weeks of vacation time away, in addition to sick leave, and flexible scheduling.

Diversity & Inclusion

GAMA celebrates diversity in all of its forms -- race, gender, color, national origin, marital status, sexuality, religion, veteran status, age, ability, disability status -- and works to create an inclusive workplace where people of all backgrounds and beliefs are empowered to succeed.

They support the positive value of diversity, promote equality and challenge unfair discrimination. They always aim to recruit the person who is most suited to the job and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. However, they particularly encourage applications from women, disabled and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, as these groups are underrepresented throughout the hobby games industry. They encourage applicants with non-traditional backgrounds to apply.

They believe in a game on every table, and a table for everyone!

To apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume for consideration to John.Stacy@gama.org .

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