Business and Events Attraction Manager

**Business and Events Attraction Manager**

**Reports to**: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

**Direct Reports**:None

**Status**: Permanent, Full Time

**Summary**:
Tourism Red Deer is the Destination Development Corporation (DDC) for Red Deer and region. We exist to grow the visitor economy in Red Deer, Red Deer County, and Central Alberta. Our goal as an organization is to position our region as the top major event destination in Canada among small sized cities. We want you to join our team and be a part of that

We are looking for a **Business and Events Attraction Manager**. The key function of the role is to seek out, attract/recruit, and host events in our community. This is done in collaboration with internal Tourism Red Deer personnel as well as key stakeholders within the region including but not limited to venues, businesses, hotels, and community partners.

**Key Responsibility Areas**:
**Event and Business Attraction (50%)**
- Conducts market research to identify potential business and event opportunities that align with Tourism Red Deer’s strategic objectives.
- Attracts business and events to the region through direct contact. Events include sporting events, cultural events, music events, tradeshows, conferences, meetings, etc.
- Develops and prepares bid submission packages for presentation and bids (when necessary)
- Develops strategic partners with other community stakeholders that enhances Red Deer’s ability to attract business and events
- Maintains and utilizes Tourism Red Deer’s Client Relationship Management software to cultivate and nurture relationships with key clients, event producers and organizers.
- Develop and implement business strategies to achieve organizational goals.

**Event Coordination (25%)**
- Evaluates all event submissions received by Tourism Red Deer and assists the Events Advisory Committee in making recommendations to the Tourism Red Deer Board to support these events.
- Coordinates the bid process and negotiations with the event producers / organizations (if required)
- Negotiates contracts with event organizers on behalf of Tourism Red Deer
- In collaboration with the Destination Development Manager, provides local production support and acts as a conduit into the community for event organizers
- Assists event organizations with obtaining necessary permitting to host events locally (i.e. special event permits)
- In collaboration with the Marketing and Communications Manager, helps promote and market events to both local and external audiences.
- Manages the major event calendar to ensure community capacity to support events within the region
- Debriefs with event stakeholders on post-event measures, evaluation, findings, and learnings

**Event Hosting (20%)**
- Acts as the Tourism Red Deer Liaison with Event Producer/Organizer during events within the region
- Assists with managing ticketing, scheduling/hosting of VIPs, and activation on Tourism Red Deer assets at each event
- Connects with event producers, stakeholder groups and residents during events to ensure successful event hosting.

**Business Planning, Budget, and Administrative Responsibilities: (5%)**
- Oversees the business planning process, management, and reporting for tourism regional and events
- Works with other Managers to coordinate overall strategy and actions, as well as resources available to support events
- Tracks expense variances and provides forecasts for spending
- Provides progress reporting on activities, financial indicators, and economic, environmental, and social impact of events.
- Coordinates Event Advisory Committee activities including but not limited to meeting scheduling, minutes, and building agendas
- Performs a variety of other related projects and assignments as required

**Qualifications**:
**Education**:

- Post secondary education (Diploma / Degree) in related fields including tourism, hospitality, event hosting, sales, and/or business/economic development
- A combination of education and equivalencies may be considered.

**Experience**:

- 3 - 5 years of sales and business development experience
- Experience in the tourism or events hosting field

**Competencies**:

- **Sales and Business Development**: Generate leads through various channels such as networking, event attendance, and relationship management. Prepare and present business proposals to prospective clients. Experience in CRM software would be considered an asset.
- **Communication Skills**: possesses strong written and verbal communication skills. Experience developing effective sales presentations for various audiences would also be considered an asset. Negotiation experience would also be considered an asset.
- **Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills**: able to effectively work with teams from different areas to achieve a common goal or objective.
- **Leadership**: able to think strategically, solve complex problems, and make informed decisions
- **Creativity / Innovative**: ability to use ‘outside