

Business Development Associate (Full Sales Training Provided, Open To All Backgrounds)
Bristol (Office-Based)
Monday – Friday | 8:30am – 5:30pm
£25,000 – £28,000 base salary (DOE) + uncapped commission
Year 1 OTE: £50,000 – £60,000
Top Performers Earn: £65,000 – £80,000+
Full-Time | Permanent
At Business Show Media, we create far more than exhibitions - we build opportunities for ambitious businesses to grow, connect, and succeed.
As a global leader in business events, our shows bring together entrepreneurs, SMEs, and industry innovators from around the world. With major exhibitions in London, Las Vegas, Miami, Sydney, and Singapore, we’re expanding rapidly - and we’re looking for ambitious individuals ready to build a successful career in business development and events sales.
This is more than an entry-level sales role - it’s the first step toward a long-term career in events and commercial leadership.
As a Business Development Associate, you’ll play a key role in driving new business opportunities for our UK events portfolio. Focusing on outbound outreach, lead generation, and relationship building, you’ll connect with businesses through LinkedIn, email, and phone to identify potential exhibitors and sponsors.
You’ll work closely with senior sales professionals while developing the skills, commercial understanding, and industry knowledge needed to progress into closing roles and eventually senior leadership positions, including Event Sales Director.
If you’re ambitious, proactive, and motivated by progression and earning potential, this role offers a genuine platform to grow.
Generating new business opportunities through LinkedIn, email, and outbound outreach
Researching and identifying businesses suited to our events portfolio
Building relationships with business owners and senior decision-makers
Qualifying leads and booking meetings for the sales team
Supporting exhibition and sponsorship sales activity across UK events
Managing and maintaining an active sales pipeline and CRM system
Working closely with sales, marketing, and event teams
Attending live events and networking with exhibitors and attendees
Learning the commercial side of the events industry from experienced sales leaders
We’re looking for ambitious, confident individuals who are eager to develop a career in sales and business development.
You’ll ideally be:
A strong communicator with confidence speaking to businesses
Motivated, driven, and target-oriented
Organised and proactive with good attention to detail
Comfortable using LinkedIn, email, and phone outreach
Commercially minded and eager to learn
Interested in business, entrepreneurship, and live events
Motivated by progression, personal development, and earning potential
Previous experience in sales, lead generation, recruitment, customer service, or business development is beneficial, but not essential - full training and ongoing support will be provided.
Competitive base salary of £26,000 – £30,000
Uncapped commission structure with realistic Year 1 earnings of £50,000 – £60,000
Top performers earning £65,000 – £80,000+
Structured onboarding, training, and continuous development
Clear progression pathway into senior sales and leadership roles
Opportunities to attend major UK and international events
A vibrant, ambitious, and high-energy team environment
Regular incentives, rewards, socials, and team events
If you’re looking for a career where hard work is rewarded, progression is genuine, and no two days are the same, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today and start building your future with Business Show Media.
Alternatively, email our Global Head of Recruitment, Charlie - charlie.downing@bsmexpo.com