Meetings and Conferences Sales Rep - Midwest Market

Meetings and Conferences Sales Rep - Midwest Market
Classification Title: CVB Sales Representative, E19
Location: 8200 Bryan Dairy Rd., Suite 200, Largo, FL 33777
Pinellas County's Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), dba "Visit St. Pete Clearwater," is seeking an experienced sales manager with duties to sell the destination for the purpose of increasing Meetings and conference sales within the County. This individual will represent the County at industry events, trade shows, and Conferences throughout the Midwest region of the U.S. The person in this position provides support to assigned accounts, and assists the sales team with developing ideas that improve the sales goals of the Meetings and Conferences Department. Work is performed under the general supervision of the department director with considerable latitude for independent judgment and initiative.
Our benefits rank among the top in the area!

• Comprehensive medical coverage at a low cost:

2023 Medical Plan Premiums
Choose from two medical plans which offer the same low premiums and include medical care, prescription coverage, behavioral/mental health and vision care.
Coverage
Biweekly Cost
Employee Only
$12.12
Employee and Spouse or Domestic Partner
$139.97
Employee and Child(ren)
$111.66
Family
$229.32

• Benefits package includes health, vision, prescription, dental, life insurance, disability, and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Florida Retirement System (FRS): Choose the Investment Plan or Pension Plan
• Generous leave time including 9 to 11 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 2 personal days (pro-rated), and 15 days of annual leave the first year
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,800 per year
• Wellness Program including a Wellness Center, gym discounts, and classes.
• Deferred compensation plans from four providers
• To learn more, see What We Offer

Essential Job Functions

• Participates in numerous industry shows throughout the states during the year.
• Conducts sales calls in and around cities where shows are being held.
• Works with local tourism partners when required.
• Conducts telephone sales with prospect and client lists.
• Conducts follow-up with clients after tradeshows and client events.
• Conducts site inspections for visiting meeting planners and responds to Requests for Proposals.
• Conducts follow-up with prospects and appropriate industry representatives.
• Conducts familiarization tours within Pinellas County.
• Works with local tourism industry on sales missions and site visits.
• Plans and coordinates the successful execution of client events.
• Makes presentations to prospective clients and industry groups.
• Coordinates shipping of marketing materials for trade shows, if participating.
• Develops and maintains data base of industry leads resulting from trade shows and sales missions.
• Provides timely and accurate sales and expense reports to department head and CVB.
• Represents Meetings & Conference Sales Director when appropriate with industry committees and others.
• Leads and attends selected meetings market sales missions to key cities.
• Issues sales leads to appropriate local industry representatives.
• Compiles data and submits the department's monthly Tourist Development Meeting Reports.
• Assists with the development of print and video advertisements.
• Performs related work as assigned or required.

Position Specific Requirements

• Four (4) years of technical and specialized experience in public relations. or tourism and hospitality industry experience implementing sales and marketing plans and programs within the tourism and travel industry. or
• An Associate's degree in public relations, marketing, hospitality, journalism, advertising, business administration, or related field and two (2) years of experience as described above. or
• A Bachelor's degree in a related field as indicated above. or
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
• Florida Driver's License or Florida Commercial Driver's License and endorsement, if any.
• Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.
• Other knowledge, skills, abilities, and credentials required for a specific position.

Highly Desirable

• 5 years of experience in destination sales or hotel sales.
• Familiarity with the greater St. Petersburg/Clearwater area.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the convention and meetings industry, the major components of the industry, and sales techniques;
• Knowledge of the Pinellas County convention and meetings product and competition;
• Knowledge of word processing and database management systems;
• Knowledge of good interpersonal skills thus having the ability to deal effectively with people of various backgrounds;
• Ability to apply computer applications and software;
• Ability to organize and communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Ability to travel;
• Ability to have the highest level of sales skills and integrity;
• Ability to be self-motivated;
• Ability to understand the organization, department goals and objectives and meet deadlines;
• Ability to develop and submit sales and expense reports;
• Ability to speak in front of groups such as CVB staff, meeting planners and industry partners;
• Ability to zero in on critical activities while working on multiple projects at once;
• Ability to use time effectively and efficiently to meet deadlines and submit timely reports;
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required by travel and sales schedules.

Physical/Mental Demands
The work is light work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Visual ability: Sufficient to effectively operate office equipment including copier, computer, etc.. and to read and write reports, correspondence, instructions, etc.
• Hearing ability: Sufficient to hold a conversation with other individuals both in person and over a telephone. and to hear recording on transcription device.
• Speaking ability: Sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person and over a telephone.
• Mental acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Repetitive motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

This position has supplemental questions. If unable to complete all questions, you may save your answers as a draft during the application process and return at any time prior to the closing date. Please note that the application is complete upon final submission.