Convention Sales and Services Manager
1 day ago
Spokane
Job DescriptionSalary: $25 - $27 hourly Job Title: Convention Sales & Service Manager Department: Convention Sales & Services FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt Reports to: Vice President of Sales & Services Prepared/Revised Date: 2026 About Visit Spokane Visit Spokane is a Destination Management Organization (DMO). The mission of our DMO is to enhance the local economy by marketing our region nationally as a desirable destination for group, business and leisure travel, creating economic impact to the stakeholders, members and community we serve. Job Summary The Convention Sales & Services Manager is a hybrid role responsible for both generating group business for the destination and ensuring successful execution of those events once booked. This position dedicates approximately 50% of time to sales activities focused on smaller group opportunities, and 50% to convention services, acting as a liaison between meeting planners and Visit Spokane partners. The role supports the full lifecycle of a groupfrom initial lead through post-event follow-upwhile maintaining strong relationships with clients, partners, and internal teams. Key Responsibilities Sales (Approximately 50%) • Research, qualify, and actively solicit convention and meeting business totaling 300 room nights or less from all geographic market segments., • Prepare and manage sales leads, distribute RFPs, collect partner responses, and develop proposals for client consideration., • Coordinate contract execution and participate in destination reviews as assigned., • Plan and execute client site visits and planning visits, including itinerary development., • Participate in industry trade shows, sales blitzes, and networking events., • Develop local contacts that generate leads for national sales efforts., • Track all client activity and communications within the CRM system., • Achieve assigned sales goals and departmental objectives., • Maintain positive working relationships with Visit Spokane partner members., • Professionally represent Visit Spokane within the local community., • Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned meeting planner clients to ensure successful execution of their events., • Act as a liaison between meeting planners, Visit Spokane members/partners, regional municipalities, and service providers., • Provide attendance-building marketing resources, customized materials, and promotional support as appropriate., • Send service leads and referrals to member businesses on behalf of meeting planner clients., • Prepare and distribute citywide convention resumes., • Coordinate registration clerks and on-site staffing as needed., • Collect post-event surveys, track results, and strive for excellent planner satisfaction scores., • Gather and report actualized room pickup data; manage reporting requirements related to rebates and strategic funds., • Track client communications, expenses, giveaways, and literature orders within the CRM., • Ensure seamless sales-to-services turnover by working closely with convention sales managers., • Assist with convention center information tables, visitor literature requests, and on-site support., • Build and maintain strong relationships with hotels, the convention center, city representatives, airport staff, and key community partners., • Stay current on regional assets, new venues, attractions, restaurants, and industry trends., • Assist the Vice President of Sales with special projects as needed. Adaptive Challenges This position requires the ability to tackle adaptive challenges. These challenges refer to complex problems or opportunities that require a pivot in the plan, a shift in mindset, requirements for new deliverables, or a process that needs to be met immediately. Unlike technical challenges which can be solved with expertise, adaptive challenges demand learning and collaboration across teams to navigate ambiguity and implement lasting solutions. • Changing Market Dynamics - Shifts in travel patterns, economic conditions, or meeting budgets can drastically impact convention and group business., • Stakeholder Alignment - We dont control hotels, venues, or transportation and they influence a network of partners. Different stakeholders have different priorities and capacities., • Evolving Customer Expectations - Meeting planners increasingly demand unique, sustainable, or DEI-forward experiences. Meeting these expectations may require changes beyond standard offerings., • Balance and Flex - Success in this role depends on the ability to move easily between sales and service functions, responding in real time to changing demands and stakeholder expectations. Work Environment: Special Considerations • Full time hourly role, • Work is primarily based in the Visit Spokane downtown office, with a hybrid schedule and required in-office presence., • The position requires flexibility for out-of-office appointments, site visits, events, and occasional evenings orweekends. Work Location The Visit Spokane main office downtown. Physical Requirements • While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to walk, bend, reach, stand for extended periods of time at events, trade shows or receptions, and sit for extended periods. Extensive use of a keyboard and typing required., • The ability to effectively communicate with clients, partners, and colleagues via telephone, virtual meetings, and in-person interactions., • Noise level in the work environment is moderate., • You must be able to lift and carry 40 pounds., • Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Qualifications • Two years minimum of working in a hotel in sales/administration. A combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the above requirement., • Must have experience in general office computer programs such as Microsoft Office Suite, as well as familiarity with computerized sales tracking systems. Simpleview, Delphi or Tempest preferred., • Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution., • Good communication and public presentation skills, and proven ability to work with a diverse group of individuals and groups., • Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills, a resultsoriented mindset, and the ability to effectively manage workload and priorities. Nothing in this job description restricts managements right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Visit Spokane believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. This position description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit our employees nor the organization to just the work identified. We expect that each employee will offer his/her/their services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of the company. Visit Spokane provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all people regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status about public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by individuals with disabilities.