What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sports Market Manager position at Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau?
About Us
The Visit Chicago Southland is a suburban destination marketing organization promoting the Chicago Southland region (Chicago’s South and Southwest Suburbs) as a destination for sports tournaments, group travel, and special events. We work closely with hotels, sports venues, and local partners to attract events that drive economic impact, hotel stays, and community visibility.
We’re looking for an experienced, energetic, and relationship-focused Sports Market Manager with sports experience to join our team and help grow the region’s reputation as a top destination for sports and hobby-niche groups.
Job Summary
The Sports Market Manager is responsible for planning and executing marketing, promotional, and sales initiatives to attract sporting events, hobby-niche groups, and other group business to the Chicago Southland. This role will build strong client relationships, generate leads, and drive hotel occupancy through targeted event recruitment and partnership development.
Key Responsibilities
- Market and promote the Chicago Southland as a premier destination for sports events, tournaments, and group travel.
- Develop and maintain strong partnerships with hotels, park districts, sports venues, and local hospitality partners.
- Research, identify, and pursue potential clients and event opportunities in the sports tourism and group business markets.
- Prepare and present competitive bids and proposals to host regional and national sporting events.
- Attend industry trade shows, conferences, and sales missions to generate leads and enhance brand presence.
- Utilize CRM software to track leads, manage client communications, and monitor progress toward goals.
- Coordinate site visits, familiarization (FAM) tours, and cooperative sales programs.
- Analyze event results and report on sales performance, ROI, and lead conversions.
- Work cross-departmentally to ensure seamless service delivery for booked events.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $55,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
Salary : $55,000 - $70,000