Convention Sales Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for promoting Louisville as a premier meetings and events destination and soliciting conventions, meetings, and events generating 300 peak room nights or less within assigned market segments. Develops and maintains strong client relationships, identifies new business opportunities, manages the sales process from lead generation through booking, and collaborates with destination partners to deliver an exceptional client experience. Responsible for achieving annual room night booking goal established by Louisville Tourism leadership.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Execute strategic sales plans for assigned market segments to achieve annual room night production and other related sales goals established by the VP of Convention Development and Director of Sales.
• Solicit and generate new and repeat business through email outreach, referrals, trade shows, sales calls, web research, MINT database research, CRM data, and other approved prospecting tools.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with meeting professionals, third-party intermediaries, and other prospective clients.
• Manage opportunities throughout the sales cycle, from prospecting and qualification through proposal, site visit, follow-up, and booking.
• Utilize the CRM and other sales technology platforms to document client information, sales activities, opportunities, correspondence, and next steps accurately and promptly in accordance with established data standards.
• Prepare compelling proposals, bid responses, presentations, and other sales materials tailored to client needs; deliver formal written and oral presentations to clients and stakeholders.
• Coordinate, attend, and lead site inspections, familiarization (FAM) tours, client events, trade shows, conferences, and other sales activities.
• Collaborate with hotels, convention facilities, venues, service providers, and community partners to develop competitive proposals and destination experiences for prospective clients.
• Maintain current knowledge of Louisville hotels, convention facilities, venues, transportation, attractions, services, and destination developments to effectively represent the destination and match client needs with appropriate options.
• Partner with local community contacts and industry partners to identify and generate potential business for Louisville.
• Serve as an official Louisville Tourism representative and liaison among clients, hotels, facilities, venues, and other destination partners.
• Maintain accurate expense records for travel, sales calls, client and partner entertainment, and other expenditures in accordance with established financial policies and guidelines.
• Participate in department meetings, strategic planning initiatives, professional development, and other organizational activities.
• Work a varied schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends, as needed to support clients, partners, events, and Louisville Tourism priorities.
• Travel as required to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.
• Represent Louisville Tourism in a professional manner and perform additional duties as assigned by the VP of Convention Development and Director of Sales.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 3 to 5 years of industry experience - destination sales, convention sales, hotel or venue sales. Bachelor's degree in hospitality, tourism, business, marketing, communications, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated knowledge of hotel products, convention facilities, and the meetings and events industry; previous client-facing experience is beneficial.
• Understanding of sales methods, procedures, prospecting techniques, relationship management, and the sales cycle.
• Proven ability to develop client relationships, identify business opportunities, and move qualified opportunities toward booking.
• Experience using CRM systems, sales databases, industry research tools, and business technology platforms.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, presentation software, virtual meeting tools, and sales database management.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with clients, colleagues, hotels, facilities, and community partners.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple opportunities, projects, deadlines, and priorities.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, take initiative, and collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to travel and maintain a varied work schedule as required by the position.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Relationship Building
• Strategic Selling and Prospecting
• Customer Service Excellence
• Communication and Presentation Skills
• Time Management
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Adaptability and Initiative
• CRM and Technology Proficiency
• Attention to Detail and Follow-Through

Pay: $57,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $57,000 - $65,000