ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS

At Meet Minneapolis, our mission is to positively impact the economic and social prosperity of our Minneapolis community by attracting visitors, meetings and events that directly support jobs and local businesses, generating critical revenues.

We believe in our shared passion to support the diverse community of Minneapolis through our values of Service, Collaboration, Inclusion, Passion and Integrity. We recognize it's the unique contributions of all of us at Meet Minneapolis that drives our success, and we're committed to building a culture where everyone can thrive and find meaning in their work.

Position/Title: National Account Executive (Chicago)

Department: Destination Sales

Reports to: SVP, Destination Sales

Status: Full-time/ Exempt

JOB SUMMARY:

The National Account Executive, under the directions of the Director of Meeting Sales and the Senior Vice President of Destination Sales, will be responsible for lead generating, promoting, and selling the City of Minneapolis as a premier destination for conventions and meetings. Achieve individual room night goals to positively impact both hotel and Minneapolis Convention Center occupancies. Primary market will be national association and corporate accounts out of the Chicagoland area. Location of the position will be in the Chicagoland area or close proximity.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Effectively carry out duties as assigned by the President / CEO, Senior Vice President Destination Sales & Service, and the Director of Meeting Sales.
• Achieve annual definite and tentative room night goals and other job-related goals as assigned.
• Actively prospect to develop business and generate new leads.
• Maintain communication on account activity through tasks, leads, updates, cancellations, definite groups, and site tours.
• Manage progress of tentative accounts.
• Work with the Director of Meeting Sales to develop strategies on strong market segments based in territory to tie in Minneapolis’s strengths, i.e. Medical market.
• Identify and qualify business for the city that meets booking criteria.
• Coordinate all aspects of bid proposals.
• Coordinate / host client site inspections and FAM tours as required.
• Update and effectively utilize all databases provided such as iDSS and MINT.
• Travel, as required, to attend business-related trade shows, sales missions, sales calls, training, meetings, and sales presentations.
• Professionally conduct phone conversations, electronic correspondence and personal visits with meeting planners, hotel sales personnel, and other hospitality industry partners.
• Attend bi-monthly sales meeting and other sales-related meetings as necessary.
• Attend Director of Sales, General Manager/Director of Sales, and local industry meetings, as required.
• Take an active role in industry associations.
• Maintain a current base of knowledge of Meet Minneapolis partners to include hotels, Minneapolis Convention Center and other local venues, businesses or organizations that can assist our efforts.
• Strive to improve the effectiveness of the Meet Minneapolis sales organization and lead by example.
• Conduct all activities in a professional and ethical manner.
• Utilize all Meet Minneapolis technology to its complete capability.
• Perform other duties as required.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Four-year degree from an academic institution, business or hospitality preferred.
• Five years minimum of hospitality industry sales experience; preference will be given to candidates experienced in selling multi-property and/or convention centers.
• Previous experience selling to the Chicago market a plus.
• Proven track record in business development and managing clients from assigned segments.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong and consistent ability to prioritize activities within specific time guideline and to handle multiple responsibilities within a specific time frame.
• Willing and able to work evenings, weekends and holidays based on client and office demands.
• Strong analytical skills to be able to determine quality of business and best-suited business opportunities for community.
• Both direct and indirect support of the attainment of the Meet Minneapolis Performance Goals as defined in its contract with the City of Minneapolis.
• Skill and ability to develop and implement portions of a business plan and manage a budget.
• Excellent communication skills - written, oral, listening, and grammatical.
• Ability to operate computer, e-mail system and general office equipment including Windows based software programs and others as needed.
• Commitment to the organization’s values, including Service, Collaboration, Inclusion, Passion and Integrity.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Must be located in/near the Chicagoland market.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to:

• Walk, sit, bend and squat
• Talk and hear
• Grab, pull or bend items
• Lift and/or carry up to 40 lbs
• View items at a close and distant range
• Stand, Walk and Sit for extended periods of time
• Use computers for extended periods of time
• Air and ground transportation travel for extended periods of time

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Remote home/satellite office in or near the Chicagoland area.
• Regional and national travel, as needed, to trade shows, client visits and Meet Minneapolis partner and member events

SALARY

• $70,000 - $100,000 starting range for annual base salary plus sales incentive plan.

BENEFITS

• Meet Minneapolis offers a generous benefits package including: medical, dental, vision, STD/LTD, Life Insurance, 401(k), vacation, sick time, parental leave and personal volunteer time for employees who are benefits eligible.

Note: Job Descriptions are not exhaustive lists of all skills, responsibilities, or efforts associated with a job. They reflect principal job elements essential for performing the job and evaluating performance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than as “at will” relationship.

Meet Minneapolis is an equal opportunity employer.