The Association for association professionals in Chicagoland

Reports to: Director of Convention Sales

Candidates must be located in the Chicagoland area.

Are you passionate about selling Washington D.C. as domestic and international meeting & conventions destination? If you are charismatic, take the initiative, creative, and love to travel while developing authentic client relationships this may be the ideal position for you.

As our National Account Director-Midwest, you will be based in the Chicagoland area and be responsible for developing business for the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and metropolitan area as a convention destination with specific reference to groups that are key to Washington D.C. You will travel to D.C. as required for certain site visits and by Destination DC. This position is also responsible for the management of a support team member.

Your Essential Duties and Responsibilities (include the following, but are not limited to)

1. Generate bookings for meetings and conventions according to the priorities outlined in the marketing plan or more specifically meet certain market segment factors.
2. Coordinate and participate in local promotional events and industry trade shows with a goal towards developing Washington, DC business interests.
3. Produce sales leads for destination's hotel partners.
4. Follows up on lead sources via inquiry, trade shows and trade publications.
5. Converts leads into confirmed business; prepares proposals including quoted costs from the Washington Convention Center as well as executing and overseeing client site inspections.
6. Compile complete convention packages inclusive of all entities needed to successfully present the destination.
7. Assist the direct sales effort by attending sales missions, meetings, trade shows and other industry-related functions.
8. Ability to lead sales presentations to clients, boards and site selection committees.
9. Maintain good product knowledge of the destination including the general area, convention center, hotels and services.
10. Maintains awareness of industry trends and competing cities (i.e. through trade journals, industry participation and travel)
11. Manage client relationships to ensure adequate account servicing & manage hotel relationships to ensure seamless customer experience.
12. Manage budget respective to individual travel, networking, entertainment and co-ops.
13. Execute all other duties as assigned by the Director of Convention Sales and Senior Vice President of Convention Sales & Services.

Your Measure of Success: Accountabilities & Measures

1. Annual Room Night Goals (subject to determination by the Director of Convention Sales and Vice-President of Convention Sales and Services).
2. Annual Leads generated varies by target market (subject to determination by the Director of Convention Sales and Vice-President of Convention Sales and Services).
3. Annual Sales Call and Trip Goals (subject to determination by the Director of Convention Sales and the Vice-President of Convention Sales and Services).
4. Periodic performance evaluations gauging quantitative and qualitative performance against identified goals.

What You Bring: Experience, Competencies & Education

1. You are located in Chicagoland.
2. Four (4) plus years sales management experience in related field is required, preferably convention bureau, facility or convention hotel sales and convention services
3. Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office and destination management software systems required.
4. Bachelor's degree (B.S./B.A.) from four-year college or university in management, sales, marketing or related field preferred.
5. Extensive knowledge of and enthusiasm for city and facilities.
6. Ability to read, analyze, articulate, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals and technical procedures.
7. Excellent communication and superior organizational skills, with attention to detail.
8. Proven track record in business conversion.
9. Willingness to work evenings and weekends; willingness to travel seasonally.