Position Summary:
Responsible for sales and marketing activities that promote the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center to meeting planners for their conventions, trade shows, meetings, and conferences including but not limited to attending tradeshows, client site visits, entertaining clients, putting together proposals, and researching and prospecting new groups. This position handles various markets as assigned, and will be accountable to specific booking goals which are reviewed quarterly.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities:
- Generate Convention Center business from assigned market segments to meet or exceed team sales and customer service goals.
- Communicate with meeting planners in new and existing accounts to identify prospective meetings and respond to requests for proposal.
- Research, develop relationships, and prospect statewide, regional, national, and international accounts that meet the size and need of the Convention Center to identify opportunities for new business
- Develops and maintains professional relationships with clients.
- Attends assigned networking functions, trade shows, and industry events to solicit convention business & represent the facility and mission of the Authority.
- Makes written or in person presentations as needed in order to solicit definite bookings.
- Responsible for pre-planning, target marketing, pre and post mailer, and all booth arrangements for trade shows assigned.
- Responds to leads from the Convention & Visitors Bureau, area hotels, and call in inquires within assigned market segments.
- Generate and send contracts to clients in order to secure meeting space.
- Collect and process initial room rental deposits as well as final balance payments from contracted clients.
- Plans and executes sales site visits, client entertaining events, and marketing activites to promote the Convention Center and develop client relationships.
- Maintains accurate and up to date files & accounts on all groups that have already or may in the future utilize convention center space.
- Attends various meetings and trainings as required.
- Position requires some travel, night, and weekend work.
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills:
- Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves client issues and concerns in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; ability to work well individually or in group problem solving.
- Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict as it pertains to client, region or partner matters-ability to serve as a mediator; Maintains confidentiality; Strong listening skills; Able to keep a calm demeanor when challenged; Diplomatic in group discussions; Open to varied opinions.
- Customer Service: – Excellent attitude towards internal and external clients; Clear and polite communicator with a positive outlook and serving demeanor.
- Ethics - Respectful of all levels of management and work staff; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; Possessing strong integrity and ethic; Upholds organizational values.
- Judgment – Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
- Sales Skills – Ability to find potential customers for new business and recognize the importance of finding new accounts (prospecting); Identifies opportunities for expansion revenue (upselling).
Education/Qualifications Required:
- Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Hospitality or Tourism Management, Marketing, Business, or a related field.
- 2-3 years of sales, customer service and/or hospitality experience, preferably with a convention center or convention hotel.
- Demonstrates excellent written and oral sales presentation skills.
- Self-directed and self-motivated team player with a positive outlook.
- Ability to travel consecutive days periodically.
- Availability to work some evenings and weekends.
- A working knowledge of booking software applications is preferred.
- Established contacts and demonstrated past successes in developing regional meetings preferred.
DISCLAIMER
This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required and the responsibilities of the position may change.
Compensación: $45,886+
Somos un empleador con igualdad de oportunidades y todos los candidatos calificados recibirán consideración por el empleo sin distinción de raza, color, religión, sexo, origen nacional, estado de discapacidad, estado de veterano protegido o cualquier otra característica protegida por la ley.
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center (MACST)
We want the whole world to know what makes Columbia SC so great. Think of us as the biggest cheerleader for the heart of South Carolina. We educate potential visitors about the region year-round with paid and earned media. We help strengthen the region’s economy by bringing millions of visitors annually. Our unified vision and strong identity stokes our shared sense of possibility and fosters pride among locals.
Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism was organized as the Midlands Regional Convention Center Authority, a South Carolina nonprofit corporation as of July 5, 2001. To better define the overall purpose and mission of the Authority the official name was changed effective September 12, 2003.
The mission of the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism includes:
- Directing and managing the activities and mission of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau.
- Overseeing the development and operation of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center under a long-term management agreement for the benefit of the Governmental Entities: City of Columbia, Lexington County and Richland County.
- Directing and managing the activities and mission of the Columbia Regional Sports Council (also known as Experience Columbia SC Sports).
- Directing and managing the operation of the Columbia Regional Visitors Center.
On August 24, 2001, the Authority became the Supervising Member for the Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (also known as Experience Columbia SC) and on May 14, 2002, the Columbia Regional Sports Council became a partner in the regional marketing efforts.
The Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism Board consists of nine members; five representing the City of Columbia, two representing Lexington County and two representing Richland County.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism will oversee the operation and management of all responsibilities delegated to the Authority by the Board. The current President & CEO is Bill Ellen.
Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism is committed to the principles of equal employment. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation, because of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, uniformed service member status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regards to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.
Página Web de la Compañía: www.experiencecolumbiasc.com
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