Are you passionate about putting together meaningful events and creating unforgettable experiences? Do you appreciate the rewards of collaboration and the sense of accomplishment when big ideas come together? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where no two days are the same? As a Convention Development Manager, you’ll engage in diverse client interactions with meeting and event professionals. You’ll be influential in important activities that stimulate our community vitality. And, as you help coordinate convention and tournament details you’ll welcome and engage with visitors to one of the Northwest’s most exciting and unexpected destinations!

If you’re ready to make a difference in the visitor experience and help shape the future of Tri-Cities tourism, we want to hear from you!

Summary:
In this full-time role, you will interact with Visit Tri-Cities tourism partners and promote the destination to state, regional and national meeting professionals to attract conventions, trade shows and events and ensure each attendee feels inspired to Discover What’s in You. It is essential that you are adept at learning the needs of event organizers, gaining their trust and securing their business. You must possess exceptional communication skills and have a proven track record in closing sales. In your vital role you will become a “go to” person for venues, hotels, entertainment and attractions as you accommodate groups varying in size from ten to well over a thousand attendees. Your ability to see opportunities, establish relationships, build confidence, provide solutions, understand industry trends, prospect new events and exhibit strong sales skills is essential to the organization’s success.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Generate ideas. Cultivate opportunities. Provide solutions.
• Contact meeting and event planners to promote and sell the Tri-Cities as a premier convention destination.
• Assist in planning and coordination of programs that will highlight the area as a desirable conference location.
• Create innovative strategies to secure meetings and events.
• Support the sales effort by conducting sales calls and participating in sales blitzes, tours, site inspections and tradeshows as assigned.
• Research and study current trends, events and significant changes to the social, military, educational, religious and fraternal (SMERF) group markets which may include reading of industry periodicals, attending market specific events and internet research.
• Prospect events currently taking place outside the area that are potentially a good fit for the Tri-Cities. Aggressively pursue new bookings/events.
• Maintain good product knowledge of the destination including tourism assets and amenities, hotels and meeting venues, and area services.
• Maintain positive relationships with industry partners and customers.
• Support department efforts in collecting data for post-convention reporting.
• Responsible for achieving booking and lead generation goals as assigned.
• Keep accurate and current information on all groups that have or may utilize area's meeting facilities.
• Track daily sales calls and call volume.
• Provide monthly sales information to the Director of Convention Sales for inclusion in department reports.
• Various other duties as assigned to support the Director of Convention Sales.

Requirements:

• Preferred:
  • Two or Four-year degree or equivalent industry experience.
  • Two years’ experience in sales.
  • Experience in the tourism industry.
    
    

• Skilled in relationship building, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Aptitude for diplomacy, negotiating and sales.
• Optimistic, solution-oriented and good natured.
  
• Energetic, positive, professional and adaptable.
• Ability to work with executives, key business leaders and community decision makers.
• Strong computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office and customer relationship management software.
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to exercise judgment and diplomacy in a wide variety of public contact situations.
  
• Travel required.

Benefits:

• Salary Range: $50,000-$60,000 plus sales bonus program – candidates are hired based on qualifications, capabilities, and aptitude.
• Employer-paid full health benefits including 100% employer paid group medical, vision, dental, life & long-term disability insurance for employees.
  
• Paid time off program including vacation, sick and holidays.
• 401k retirement plan with employer contribution match of up to 5%.
  
• Professional & career development, performance incentives, volunteerism program and team building opportunities.
• Options for flexible work schedules.
  
• Professional & career development, performance incentives, volunteerism program and team building opportunities.

To apply for this position, please email your cover letter, resume and the answers to these questions to Sam@VisitTri-Cities.com.

• What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Cities?
  
• Why would we be crazy not to hire you?

For additional information to help further familiarize you with Visit Tri-Cities, please visit

https://www.visittri-cities.com/about-us/careers/

Position Closes: June 4, 2025