Exhibit Coordinator

Career Guide

An Exhibit Coordinator plans and supports the logistics and day to day details needed to deliver exhibits for trade shows, museums, visitor centers, or corporate spaces. The role focuses on schedules, vendor coordination, shipping, on site setup support, and clear communication so exhibits are delivered on time, on budget, and in good condition.

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Key Responsibilities

Create and maintain exhibit timelines, task lists, and run of show documents
Coordinate shipping, receiving, and storage of exhibit materials
Track inventory of booth structures, graphics, and promotional items
Request quotes and manage purchase orders with vendors and contractors
Coordinate with designers and fabricators to confirm specifications and deadlines
Support on site installation and dismantle schedules
Ensure compliance with venue rules, safety requirements, and union guidelines when applicable
Manage exhibitor services orders such as electricity, internet, and furniture rentals
Prepare packing lists, labels, and shipping documentation
Handle updates and issue resolution during build, show days, and tear down
Track expenses and reconcile invoices against budgets
Collect feedback after events and document improvements for future exhibits

Top Skills for Success

Project Coordination

Schedule Management

Vendor Management

Budget Tracking

Written Communication

Stakeholder Communication

Attention to Detail

Issue Resolution

Inventory Management

Shipping Coordination

On Site Logistics

Exhibitor Services Ordering

Event Operations

Venue Compliance

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Exhibit Coordinator

Exhibit Manager

Event Operations Manager

Trade Show Manager

Production Coordinator

Transition Opportunities

Project Manager

Event Planner

Marketing Operations Specialist

Account Manager

Museum Operations Coordinator

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Contract BasicsNegotiationCost EstimationRisk ManagementTechnical Drawing LiteracySafety ComplianceVenue Documentation Management

Development SuggestionsBuild a simple budget and timeline template you can reuse, practice writing clear vendor briefs, learn the basics of exhibit shipping and material handling, and shadow an install to understand on site constraints and safety expectations.

Market Intelligence Report

Exhibit Coordinator is part of the Media Production category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

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Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry Level$40,000 to $55,000

Mid Level$55,000 to $72,000

Senior Level$72,000 to $95,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand. Hiring rises with event schedules and travel budgets, with continued need for coordinators who can manage both in person and hybrid event requirements.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

FreemanGESEncoreMCI GroupPSAVSmithsonian InstitutionAECOM

Industry Sectors

Event servicesTrade show and exhibition servicesMuseums and cultural institutionsCorporate marketing teamsConvention centers and venuesExperiential marketing agenciesExhibit design and fabrication

Recommended Next Steps

Create a portfolio of 2 to 4 exhibits or events with your timeline, budget, vendors, and outcomes

Learn one project tracking tool used by teams such as Asana or Smartsheet

Build a vendor list with notes on lead times, pricing, and reliability

Practice exhibit documentation such as packing lists, labeling, and inventory logs

Ask to support an on site build to gain installation and troubleshooting experience

Strengthen your resume with measurable results such as cost savings, on time delivery, and issue resolution examples