Tradeshow Finance Specialist

RGI Creative

Tradeshow Finance Specialist

North Ridgeville, OH
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Benefits:

    401(k)

    401(k) matching

    Company parties

    Dental insurance

    Health insurance

    Opportunity for advancement

    Paid time off

    Vision insurance

    Position Summary

    The Tradeshow Finance Specialist (TFS) plays a critical role in bridging project finance with tradeshow execution. This position ensures accurate financial tracking, budget alignment, and cash flow planning for all tradeshow projects, while serving as a thought leader in industry practices. As a key contributor to RGI’s collaborative estimating process, the TFS provides cost insights and supports estimating, project management, and client communication to ensure tradeshow projects are delivered on time, on target, and on budget—with no unpleasant surprises.

    Responsibilities & Accountability

    1. Project Financial Oversight

    Manage AR and AP transactions for all tradeshow projects in real time

    Monitor budget vs. actual performance and flag risks proactively

    Oversee cash flow health, ensuring large pre-show expenses are anticipated and managed

    1. Estimating Process Contributions

    Provide tradeshow-specific cost inputs, ROM estimates, and vendor pricing to support the Estimator

    Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure estimate accuracy

    Maintain financial templates and cost libraries with tradeshow insights

    1. Client-Facing Financial Support

    Partner with Tradeshow Client Specialists to communicate invoice schedules and budget updates

    Participate in pre-show kickoff and post-show debriefs to present financial results

    Counsel clients on financial best practices in tradeshow management

    1. Internal Collaboration & Process Alignment

    Coordinate with Design Project Managers, fabrication, and warehouse teams to align budgets with execution

    Ensure financial checkpoints are embedded in all project milestones

    Escalate issues when budgets or AR/AP timelines are at risk

    1. Thought Leadership & Industry Engagement

    Stay current with tradeshow industry trends, certifications, and vendor innovations

    Share quarterly financial and industry updates with internal teams

    Recommend tools, training, or resources to strengthen RGI’s tradeshow services

    Qualifications & Skills

    Required:

    5+ years finance or project accounting experience; tradeshow/event experience strongly preferred

    Associate degree in business or related field (Bachelor’s preferred)

    Strong financial acumen with AR/AP, cost control, and forecasting

    Proficiency with accounting/ERP systems (Foundation, Exhibit Force)

    Excellent organizational and client-facing communication skills

    Ability to lift 50lbs

    Preferred:

    10 years of tradeshow management or financial oversight experience

    Certified Trade Show Marketing (CTSM) credential

    Strong presentation and reporting skills for internal/external stakeholders

    Accountability Framework

    The TFS is accountable for ensuring financial integrity and client confidence in RGI’s tradeshow projects. Success is measured by accurate estimates, proactive risk management, healthy cash flow, and alignment with RGI’s “On Time, On Target, On Budget, With No Unpleasant Surprises” promise.

    About RGI Creative

    RGI Creative is a multidisciplinary design-build firm specializing in immersive exhibits, events, and environments. With over four decades of experience, we combine storytelling, technology, and craft to transform space into meaningful experience. Our team of creatives, engineers, and fabricators work under one roof to build projects that inspire, educate, and endure. At RGI, we lead with empathy, design with purpose, and deliver with precision.