Sports Tourism and Event Specialist for Visit North Platte

Position: Sports Tourism and Event Specialist for Visit North Platte

Department: Visit North Platte, 101 Halligan Dr., North Platte, NE 69101 or lburke@VisitNorthPlatte.com

Rate of Pay: $40,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year depending upon experience based on a 40-hour week. Salary is negotiable, with a full benefit package of insurance, vacation, sick leave, and matching 401K.

Reports To: Executive Director

Primary Function: Under the supervision of the Executive Director, promote the North Platte and Lincoln County area as a premier destination for sports and events to increase travel-related revenues and overnight stays in our area.

Essential Job Function: Market the North Platte Area to sports and special event rights holders; oversee the sale of advertising opportunities and sponsorships on VisitNorthPlatte.com & PlayNorthPlatte.com; develop sports tourism opportunities for the Lincoln County Area.

Duties and Responsibilities 

Oversee sports and event development activities including:

• Prepare successful bid proposals for selected events, tournaments and championships to be hosted in the North Platte area
• Develop qualified sales leads to pursue sports and event business
• Coordinate and conduct site inspections of the North Platte area with event holders who represent definite potential for sports and event business
• Coordinate the efforts of the North Platte area organizations that pursue sports and events business, such as the City, D & N Event Center, NEBRASKAland Days, Mid Plains Community College, and the area schools.
• Establish strong relationships with key officials and decision makers of regional and national sports organizations, leagues, conferences, and associations
• Attend sports and event-related tradeshows and meetings to promote North Platte to the sports and event market with appropriate follow-up
• Prepare and deliver effective sales presentations to site selection committees
• Work with local and state agencies on sports event permitting or land usage
• Serve on key committees responsible for bringing sports and events to North Platte
• Develop and administer a sports and events database that includes pertinent information for sports organizations, leagues, teams, and event committees that could potentially bring events to the North Platte area
• Evaluate and assess estimated economic impact of potential sports and events and report actual economic impact of booked events
• Develop a marketing and sales plan to position the North Platte area as a viable location for sports and events.
• Sell sponsorships for the North Platte Area Sports Commission.
• Place, track, monitor, edit, and develop new Visitor Bureau Sports marketing materials as directed by the Executive Director
• Develop and sell advertising packages for the Visit North Platte web site, brochure, welcome bags, and other income opportunities that may arise.
• Any other duties that may be assigned by the Executive Director.
• Attend educational seminars, as necessary.
• Assist the Executive Director in developing programs to enhance the tourism industry in Lincoln County

Desired Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• College Degree or equivalent number of years related work experience which evidences knowledge of the sports tourism industry.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to follow through with projects; work with minimal supervision, and judge priority of goals and assignments.
• Ability to work weekends as needed for supervision of events.
• Direct sales knowledge required.
• Considerable knowledge of personal computers and attendant PC hardware such as printers, scanners, etc.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Knowledge of basic web site programming.
• Ability to learn and adapt to advances in computer and electronics device technology and software, Including Visit North Platte’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. 
• Knowledge of the use of the Internet and digital communications and apps that may be utilized in carrying out the duties of the position.
• Ability to present ideas and programs in a persuasive manner, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to deal effectively with the general public including individuals from a wide range of social and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to deal effectively with work situations which demand unusual hours, some national and regional travel, and work projects with demanding time deadlines.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and with written communications.
• Valid driver’s license and own mode of transportation.

Tools and Equipment Used

Telephone and smart phone; personal computer; tablet; server; Microsoft Office Suite programs; printer and copy machine; fax machine; and calculator.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or listen. The employee is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Selection Guidelines

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.