What are the responsibilities and job description for the Group Sales Manager position at Visit Keweenaw?
About Visit Keweenaw:
Visit Keweenaw is the destination marketing organization for Houghton and Keweenaw Counties in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The organization seeks to establish the region as a leading outdoor adventure destinations in the Midwest through strategic investments in marketing and destination development.
Job Summary:
We are seeking an energetic and strategic Group Sales Manager for Visit Keweenaw to lead our efforts to support and develop our group travel market. Working with fellow members of the Visit Keweenaw Team and community partners, you will be a key member of our marketing efforts and will have an opportunity to build and grow a brand-new position for the organization.
Responsibilities
- Create and maintain a complete inventory of Keweenaw meeting venues, wedding venues and sports venues that includes size of venue, number that can be accommodated and overview of facility description.
- Work with local, state and national event planners and organizers to help Keweenaw-based meetings and events grow.
- Lead group event coordination for key Visit Keweenaw events
- Develop relationships and sell the Keweenaw to association, governmental and private business organizations that hold meetings throughout the Great Lakes Region.
- Follow up on all leads that are generated that would bring sporting events, business groups, motorcoach groups and association business to the Keweenaw area.
- Build relationships, attract and work with Motorcoach Tour Operators to position the Keweenaw as a premiere destination for motorcoach visitation.
- Serve as the primary liaison with community partners and area lodging members for events that require room blocks at individual and/or multiple properties.
- Support community volunteer organizations to host youth sports tournaments in the Keweenaw.
- Work with hotels and local attractions to build packages.
- Handle ad sales for Keweenaw Visitor Guide
- Represent Visit Keweenaw at relevant sports tourism and conventions trade shows.
- In conjunction with the Executive Director, will develop and implement annual group sales and event marketing plan that will include recommended organizations to join, advertising plan, social media plan and trade shows to attend. A budget will be developed to accompany this plan.
Qualifications & Skills
- 2-4 years of sales experience or an equivalent degree
- Experience preferred in hospitality, travel or tourism industry
- Personable, friendly and eager to engage face-to-face, via phone and through e-mail with clients and venue contacts
- Detail oriented, organized, ability to work independently
- Strong collaboration and coordination skills
- Basic office skills required including Microsoft Office, Outlook, Excel, etc.
- Familiarity with CRM software and database management
- Strong writing skills required to create proposals, communicate with clients and hosts and create e-blasts to generate more leads
- Knowledge of the Keweenaw area, sporting events, conferences and meetings preferred
- Ability to travel frequently as needed for position
- This is a remote-hybrid position that will require frequent time spent in the Keweenaw and the surrounding area. The ability to travel frequently is also required to meet the needs of this position.
- Some evenings and weekends are required