Senior Destination Experience Manager, Conventions

Since 1923, Visit Indy has proudly served as the city’s official sales and marketing organization, a non-profit charged with driving tourism to Indy. At Visit Indy, it's our job to promote the city of Indianapolis. And that job has never been easier, more energizing or more rewarding than it is right now. As an unprecedented level of cooperation between business and government boosts Indianapolis to a completely new level, we're reveling in the opportunity to show our city off. 
 
That's why we are searching for an organized, self-motivated, positive, proactive individual to join the team as a Senior Destination Experience Manager, Conventions. Every member of our team contributed to us being named one of the "Best Places to Work in Indiana" every year since 2016. You can be a part of our team too!
 

• Assess and determine the needs for all definitively booked groups as assigned by the director of convention services; communicate role/responsibilities with assigned client(s) and the role/responsibilities of Visit Indy; manage and follow up on incoming calls and requests.
• Oversee activities of assigned group, conduct site visits as necessary, and prepare event resume to outline group activities during the meeting; function as the primary onsite contact for the group; maintain complete and accurate files via the Jupiter system.
• Maintain proper communication between groups, Visit Indy sales and marketing teams, hotel partners, Indiana Convention Center staff, Visit Indy partners, and other vendors; ensure a strong flow of communication and anticipate customer needs.
• Establish strong relationships with external contacts such as the Indiana Convention Center staff including sales managers and event coordinators, hotel partners in all areas (downtown and surrounding properties), and other partners and attractions as needed.
• Establish strong relationships with internal contacts to seamlessly transition the group to services; understanding customer needs/financial commitments/ promises as communicated from the sales manager outlined in the Letter of Commitment and noted in the Jupiter system.
• Provide expertise on Visit Indy’s housing services, its capabilities, and other housing providers so to assist customers with housing related questions/issues.
• Understand the available convention center and Lucas Oil Stadium space in addition to their rules, regulations, and pricing models.
• Follow the standard operating procedures with assigned accounts; provide proper documentation and follow up with customer; conduct pre-convention meetings and post-convention meetings for each group.
• Serve as department liaison to local industry associations or partner organizations.

• Maintain and monitor personal budget.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in tourism, marketing, business, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of five years’ experience working with convention center, convention bureau, tradeshow, convention planners, or hotel event/meeting planning preferred.
• 5 - 7 years of experience overseeing the planning and execution of city-wide conventions or comparable large-scale events, involving multiple venues, stakeholders, and high levels of logistical complexity, preferred.
• Affiliation with an industry association such as DI, ESPA, PCMA, MPI, ASAE, ILEA, etc. required
• CMP or other industry association designation preferred

 

• Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills; strong customer service abilities.
• Ability to think critically/logically in order to troubleshoot and make recommendations to effectively solve problems, using judgment consistent with standards, practices, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to focus on details, handle multiple tasks, and remain highly organized in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to interact with a variety of customers, employees, vendors, partners and the general public, both on a one-on-one basis and in groups; must be a team-player.
• Ability to write reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other business-related communications.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Proficient computer skills, including a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Internet browsers, and e-mail systems.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Ability to be adaptable, flexible, and to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work non-routine hours such as late night, weekends, and holidays when necessary.
• Ability to travel both nationally and internationally to represent and promote Indy in a professional manner when necessary.

• This position requires some physical activity, such as reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling; it requires occasional pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, and moving (up to 25 pounds).
• Ability to sit for extended periods and to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Ability to move in and between various facilities and handle exposure to inclement weather.
• Strong sensory skills, such as good eyesight, good hearing, and dexterity.
• Good speaking and listening skills.
• Ability to perform focused work with close attention to detail.
• Ability to operate office equipment, including computers, copiers, fax machines, and phones.
• Ability to interact with others, both in person and through phone, e-mail, and written correspondence.

Visit Indy is an equal opportunity employer.  Accordingly, not only do we adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws pertaining to equal employment opportunity, but it is our firm policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities for all individuals regardless of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other legally protected category or characteristic. Hiring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the same.