Director of Events (Destination Services/Tourism) in Detroit, Michigan at Metropolitan Detroit Convention & Visitors

WHO WE ARE

Our vibrant team strives to unite partners to drive regional tourism and economic impact by connecting the world to our diverse communities, rich history, and spirit of innovation. Integrity, empowerment, transparency, community, passion, and empathy guide our workplace culture. With a firm commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging we strive to create an environment where voices are valued and respected. If this resonates with you, consider the role below:

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Competitive Compensation
• Life, Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• 11 Paid Company Holidays Per Year, plus 1 Floating Holiday
• PTO Referral Bonus
• 17 PTO Days Per Year, Based on Full Months Projected to Work in The Calendar Year
• 401(K) With 4% Match
• Paid Parking, with 24/7 Access

POSITION PURPOSE: The Director of Events leads the strategic development, planning, and execution of Visit Detroit’s events, tradeshows, meetings, and customer experiences. Reporting to the SVP of Destination Services, Events, and Partnership, this role ensures all events align with organizational goals, reflect Visit Detroit’s brand, and deliver measurable value. The Director oversees event design and logistics, collaborates across departments, and manages, develops, and evaluates a team of event professionals to deliver innovative, high-impact experiences that elevate Detroit’s presence and reputation.

LOCATION & SCHEDULE:

• Full time
• This position currently involves a hybrid working model with 2 days remote, and 3 days in-office in Detroit, MI.

WHAT WE REQUIRE:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, hospitality management, event management, or related field.
• CMP designation (or ability to obtain within one year of hire).
• 10+ years of progressive event management experience, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role managing large-scale, high-profile events.
• Proven record of delivering financially successful events that enhance brand visibility and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated experience managing multimillion-dollar budgets and negotiating contracts.
• Ability to travel locally, nationally, and internationally, unrestricted.
• Valid, unrestricted Michigan driver’s license.

PREFERRED:

• Advanced degree in business, hospitality, marketing, or related field.
• Experience working within a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) or related hospitality/tourism industry setting.
• Existing professional certifications and accreditations relevant to event management beyond CMP.
• Strong national industry network and experience cultivating international partnerships.

HOW YOU’LL CONTRIBUTE:

• Develop and implement short- and long-term event strategies that drive engagement, brand visibility, and partner/member value.
• Lead planning and delivery of tradeshows, conventions, and sponsored events of varying scale and complexity.
• Develop, produce, and track promotional items, VIP gifts, and sponsorship deliverables.
• Direct event logistics, including registration processes, site selection, contracts, food & beverage, décor, audio/visual, staging, transportation, and on-site management.
• Design and oversee Visit Detroit’s tradeshow presence, including booth fabrication, activations, and interactive elements.
• Effectively manage, develop, and evaluate the performance of direct reports, providing coaching, feedback, and professional growth opportunities.
• Assign projects and balance workloads across the team to ensure efficiency, quality outcomes, and exposure to a variety of event types.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture aligned with Visit Detroit’s values and goals.
• Conduct regular department meetings and maintain transparent communication with staff.
• Establish clear objectives and success measures for each event, ensuring brand consistency in partnership with Marketing & Communications.
• Develop and monitor event budgets; review invoices, reconcile reports, and negotiate contracts to ensure cost control and maximize member/vendor participation.
• Build and maintain relationships with host committees, hotels, cultural institutions, businesses, and partner organizations to secure venues and elevate Detroit’s presence.
• Issue RFPs and negotiate contracts with venues, service providers, and suppliers, maximizing in-kind contributions and member vendor participation.
• Serve as primary point of contact for stakeholders, ensuring effective communication, collaboration, and accountability.
• Partner with Marketing & Communications on event promotion, collateral, social media, and branding integration.
• Ensure compliance with permits, insurance, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead post-event evaluations, ensuring best practices and lessons learned are applied to future planning.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on departmental activities, outcomes, and financials for the SVP.
• Represent Visit Detroit at local, national, and international tradeshows, events, and conferences.
• Serve as subject matter expert on event management best practices and maintain relevant professional certifications.
• Committed to partnering with Visit Detroit in embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into company culture and operations, and actively contributing to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and stakeholders.

OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS:

• Manage Visit Detroit’s marquee events and special projects, serving as on-site lead as needed.
• Collaborate with SVP to anticipate and navigate challenges.
• Contribute to cross-departmental initiatives and represent Visit Detroit at partner, member, and industry initiatives.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Senior Vice President.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic thinker with creativity in event design, branding, and activation.
• Superior organizational and project management skills with acute attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple complex events simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including budget management, reconciliation, and ROI evaluation.
• Excellent negotiation and vendor management abilities.
• Experience leveraging digital and social platforms to enhance event promotion and engagement.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor and motivate staff, foster collaboration, and build accountability.
• Ability to navigate sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism.
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to clearly express thoughts, ideas, and concepts, verbally and in writing, in the English language, to diverse audiences.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, peers, colleagues, and external stakeholders.
• Maintains a positive and professional work attitude, appearance, and behavior even in the most demanding situation.
• Ability to work effectively in both remote and in-person work environment; proficient using video conferencing software and other remote work tools.
• Proficient in using personal computer software and applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Available weekends and outside of normal work hours for long event days, assignments and travel, as needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Office work involves extended periods of sitting or working at a desk, utilizing repetitive typing motions on a computer or laptop, and reading text on a video display monitor.
• Ability to perform extensive standing and/or walking for work-related assignments and events.
• Ability to lift push, and or carry up to 40lbs. occasionally.

Visit Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

We respect and seek individuals of a diverse background and do not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Please ensure to regularly check your email spam folder for any communication from Visit Detroit to avoid missing important updates regarding your application status.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements and does not imply a contract. I understand that my employment is at-will and that either you or I can terminate my employment at any time, for any reason. No oral or written contractual commitments have been made concerning my employment.