Director of Meetings

About the role

The Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine’s Annual Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo (AM & CLE) is the premier event for the diagnostics and laboratory medicine community, featuring 250+ educational sessions, 300+ experts presenting breaking scientific advancements, and 700+ exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies and services. As Director of Meetings, you will contribute to strategy and lead the planning and execution of AM & CLE (16K+ attendees), along with smaller ADLM‑sponsored international and educational events and internal board and committee meetings. ADLM’s events are important sources of revenue and essential platforms for engaging members and other global leaders in the field, sharing vital research and educational programming, and connecting industry vendors with potential partners. Reporting to the Chief Technology and Events Officer and leading a team of three, you will lead the evolution and expansion of ADLM’s event portfolio to align with shifting audience expectations, emerging scientific and industry trends, and increasing global collaboration. You will oversee an annual budget of approximately $16.7MM, manage vendor relationships with more than $7.7MM in contracted services, and lead all event operations. This role requires an innovative, market‑driven approach to ensure ADLM events remain relevant and financially sustainable as attendees become more selective about where they spend their time and budgets and geopolitical uncertainty affects international attendee and sponsor participation. You’ll have the support of cross‑functional staff and several long‑standing logistics partners to maintain the prestige and attraction of AM & CLE while exploring new ways to expand ADLM’s reach and impact through events.

Success in this role will be demonstrated by strengthening the value of AM & CLE as a must‑attend convening and major revenue driver. Potential areas for growth may include expanding sponsorship revenue through new industry partnerships, strengthening the draw of the expo floor, and broadening the attendee base to include lab‑adjacent fields while maintaining high value for the core laboratory medicine audience. Successfully planning and executing AM & CLE and smaller events, including the International CPOCT Symposium, POCT Conference, and Data Science Symposium, leading budgeting, contract and vendor management, logistics, on‑site operations, and post‑event review. Supporting ADLM’s strategic goal of international expansion by assessing the business potential of regional events in emerging markets (e.g., Latin America, the Asia‑Pacific, and the Middle East) and helping to develop promising opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute operational and strategic plans for assigned ADLM meetings in conjunction with the Chief Technology & Events Officer.
• In partnership with the Chief Technology & Events Officer, identify and recommend opportunities to grow attendance, strengthen exhibitor and sponsor value, and expand event‑related revenue.
• Develop and manage meeting and departmental budgets, monitor revenue and expenses against forecasts, and recommend actions to strengthen financial performance while maintaining attendee value.
• Lead RFPs, contract negotiations, and vendor selection and management, ensuring cost‑effectiveness and accountability while maintaining a partnership approach to long‑standing relationships.
• Oversee all Annual Meeting operations, including, but not limited to, registration, facilities, scheduling, catering, staffing, audiovisual, signage, housing, transportation, security, insurance coverage, and special events. Lead the planning and execution of the International Market Briefing (IMB) at the Annual Meeting.
• Provide strategic and operational oversight of the exhibit and sponsorship program, working with leadership and external partners to strengthen exhibitor value, sponsorship opportunities, pricing, and revenue performance.
• Collaborate with ADLM departments, volunteer committees, and external partners to coordinate meeting requirements and deliver a cohesive event experience.
• Partner with ADLM legal counsel to review contracts, agreements, and other binding event‑related documents.
• Lead post‑event evaluation and continuous improvement, using performance data and stakeholder feedback to strengthen future events.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in planning and executing large‑scale meetings and expositions.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.