Meetings Market Manager

Visit Chicago Southland (a non-profit organization) is seeking an individual to promote and sell the Chicago Southland Region (Chicago’s South/Southwest Suburbs) as a destination for meetings.

Key Responsibilities

• Achieve established sales and marketing goals by cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with clients, industry partners, and key stakeholders.
• Manage and maintain the sales CRM by tracking client accounts, conducting annual account reviews, identifying new business opportunities, and ensuring accurate and timely account activity.
• Build and sustain relationships with existing and prospective clients through proactive follow-up and regular communication, while promoting the Chicago Southland as a premier meetings and group travel destination.
• Generate new business through strategic prospecting, including telephone outreach, email campaigns, virtual engagement, and in-person sales calls targeting association, corporate, nonprofit, fraternal, and social markets.
• Plan and support cooperative sales initiatives, including familiarization tours, sales missions, trade shows, receptions, and other promotional events designed to increase destination awareness and business opportunities.
• Represent the organization at local, regional, and national trade shows, networking events, and industry functions to identify qualified leads and expand market presence.
• Collaborate with internal teams, CVB members, and community partners to deliver exceptional customer service and promote a culture of teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned by the President/CEO in support of the organization's strategic objectives.

Requirements:

Qualifications & Requirements

• Prior experience with a Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), or hospitality-related organization is preferred.
• Proven prospecting, relationship-building, and communication skills with the ability to identify, develop, and close new business opportunities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the confidence to effectively engage individuals and groups in client meetings, trade shows, and other professional settings.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications; experience with Simpleview or other customer relationship management (CRM) platforms is preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel for industry trade shows, networking events, client meetings, and sales missions.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated, results-driven professional with a high level of integrity, creativity, initiative, and a customer-focused approach.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships, maintain a positive professional reputation, and contribute to a team-oriented culture.
• Experience in the hospitality industry, particularly in meetings, tour and travel (group tour operators), or the sports industry, with a proven track record in sales and/or customer service strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Sales, Marketing, Communications, Hospitality, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Professional development, industry certifications, and active involvement in hospitality or tourism associations are highly desirable.

Pay: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $60,000 - $70,000