Position Overview: The director of events is responsible for assisting with the planning and executing successful Global Gaming Expo (G2E) shows as well as helping to manage the entire AGA event portfolio. Working closely with the senior vice president, membership & events, the director will establish effective and collaborative relationships across the AGA team, RX as business partner, key vendors, members and suppliers. The director ensures that events are managed and executed in a manner that ensures maximum participation, engagement, and satisfaction by members and other participants. This leader works closely with the senior manager of events and senior manager of membership and serves as in-house consultant and advisor in support of other departments’ events, as needed.    

Event Leadership and Development:

• Provide support to SVP in managing relationship with RX (AGA’s trade show partner) to manage flagship annual events – G2E Las Vegas and G2E Asia:
  • Ensure continual improvement and evolution in alignment with AGA strategic priorities.
  • Maintain positive working relationships with trade show partners.
  • Encourage and support value and ROI for exhibitors and sponsors and contribute to acquisition of new and enhanced partnerships in support of G2E.
• Oversee key areas for current trade shows, conferences and events including budget development and delivery, attendance management, education programming with a focus on logistics/operations.
• In conjunction with departments and teams across the organization, identify and develop new AGA events that add member value with existing participants and address untapped priority markets.
• Ensure that all events enhance the AGA brand and add member value.
• Support the budgeting process for key events ensuring resources are allocated efficiently and effectively.
• Work with Senior Manager of Events to ensure alignment across AGA events with priorities and industry events – provide support and counsel for overall event strategy.
• Keep abreast of best practices for trade shows, conferences, and other events and infuse innovation and reinvention into events as needed to ensure AGA events remain a key component of the AGA value proposition.
• Represent AGA in the events/hospitality industry with highest degree of professionalism, experience and ensure our reputation is best in class.

Experience & Education:

• Proven leader in large, complex trade show management.
• Reputation as a problem solver, effective relationship leader and fosters an effective and collaborative team environment.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5+ years managing events functions with increasing responsibility.
• Experience managing vendor & partner relationships.
• Experience in the hospitality industry a plus.
• Knowledge of Asian customs, culture, and travel a plus.

Skills:

• Superb interpersonal skills – able to quickly build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and also adept at casting a positive leadership shadow across the organization in support of a positive workplace culture.
• Superior project management, organizational and delegation skills: Clearly articulate goals, step-by-step roles and responsibilities as well as corresponding deadlines for completing projects on time and on budget.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to work independently to problem solve, take initiative: Seeks opportunities to advance the AGA’s event services, lead and own key projects and functions.
• Collaborative and team-oriented mindset: Effectively partners with internal colleagues and external agencies and consultants to meet deadlines, achieve organizational goals.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment: Eager to meet tight deadlines, effortlessly adjusts to changes in priorities, and balance short-term deliverables with long-term strategic initiatives.
• Willingness to learn and grow: Think in terms of possibilities. Embrace change and bold ideas – take risks and have fun!