Exhibitor Sales Manager

The Erie County Convention Center Authority is looking for an Exhibitor Sales Manager to drive revenue from exhibitor space, advertising, and other trade-show opportunities at Erie Events produced shows. This full-time, exempt role is hybrid eligible and sits at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA, reporting to the General Manager. The right person will enjoy building exhibitor partnerships, meeting sales targets, and coordinating with internal teams to deliver strong event experiences.

The role covers events such as the Erie Home Show, the Erie RV & Outdoor Expo, the Boat & Fishing Show, ComiCon Erie, and two Craft Shows. You’ll develop relationships with exhibitors and prospective clients, pinpoint new business opportunities, guide the sales process from first contact to contract, and work closely with the Trade Show Manager and other teams to ensure a smooth show day and a memorable attendee experience.

Erie Events is committed to equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. Erie Events provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Shaping exhibition opportunities on Erie’s show floor

On a typical day you’ll identify and reach out to potential exhibitors, presenting booth space and other show options that fit their goals, and guiding them toward contracts. You’ll also keep in touch with current exhibitors to encourage their continued participation, while tailoring pricing and packages to each show’s needs and timeline.

Part of the role is keeping the sales engine running in Momentus, tracking activity and pipeline dates, contracts, and customer information so the team can plan and execute smoothly. You’ll team with the Trade Show Manager and internal colleagues to coordinate pre‑event preparations and post‑event follow‑ups, all while staying attuned to industry trends and what exhibitors want next. Flexibility matters, as the job calls for extended and irregular hours, including nights, weekends and holidays as needed.

What it takes to close the deal

The team is looking for a solid foundation of education and experience, plus traits that help you handle a busy event calendar and a fast-moving sales cycle.

• A related bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Typically one to two years of sales experience.
• A self-starter attitude with a strong sense of urgency and reliable follow-through.
• Strong written and spoken communication skills.
• A timely, professional demeanor and appearance.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience selling booth space or other tradeshow products and services.
• Familiarity with Momentus or a comparable sales-tracking tool to keep the pipeline accurate.
• Prior exposure to event planning or exhibitor relations is a plus.

Pay, benefits and practical details

The position offers a yearly salary in the range of $40,000 to $60,000, plus commission, along with a comprehensive benefits package. The role is based at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA, with hybrid eligibility. The employer expects extended and/or irregular hours, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed to support events and exhibitor needs.

Tips for presenting your best self

Lead your resume with results that mirror this role: show where you identified opportunities, moved leads through a sales cycle, and hit or exceeded revenue targets. If you’ve worked with event or exhibitor sales before, quantify the value you created for each show or client and note the size of your pipeline and win rate.

Back up the must-have traits with concrete examples. Describe a time you acted as a self-starter, the steps you took to secure a deal, and how you stayed organized to meet a tight deadline while coordinating with teammates.

Be ready to discuss cross-team collaboration and event logistics. Prepare a story about how you partnered with a manager and other departments to deliver a successful show from prospecting to post-event follow-up.

Ask a sharp question that shows you’re thinking about impact and continuity. For instance: what would success look like in the first 90 days, and how do you measure exhibitor retention and revenue growth year over year?