Visit Ithaca is hiring!
The Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the official destination marketing organization for Tompkins County and is a division of the Tompkins Chamber. The purpose of the CVB is to positively impact the economy through visitor spending in Tompkins County, to proactively support our tourism partners, and to diligently ensure that all visitors to our destination have a positive experience.
The Sales Assistant will support the sales team in accomplishing its annual workplan goals, including managing client-facing sales social media channels. The Sales Assistant will make referrals to tourism partner businesses in response to weddings, reunions, and other social event inquiries. This is an entry level role with growth opportunity. Please read through this posting for job duties, essential functions, candidate profile/position requirements, and performance factors.
This role is a non-exempt, full-time hourly role paid at $24.82/hour, at 37.5 hours/week. A comprehensive benefits package includes health insurance, paid leave time, 401K match, and wellness benefits. The Chamber/CVB is committed to supporting team members through a flexible hybrid schedule, professional development opportunities, and collaborative work environment.
To apply, send a resume highlighting your role-specific qualifications and answer all of the assessment questions, below. Materials should be submitted to chansen@tompkinschamber.org. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Assessment Questions:
- Are you eligible to work in the United States?
- Are you able to commute to in-person work in Ithaca, NY?
- Please share why you are attracted to a role in the Destination Management field
- Please share one of your key recommendations for a memorable Finger Lakes wedding event, and how you made this choice.
JOB DUTIES:
Sales Assistance (80%)
- Field and respond to wedding block inquiries
- Respond to social events and reunion inquiries
- Assist Sales team with database management
- Ensure all contacts from sales missions and trade shows are entered into database in a timely manner.
- Assist Sales team with distribution of leads and notes to partners post sales missions
- Gather and record in database post conference reconciliation of actual attendee numbers and room night pickups
- Update all membership online portal profiles
- Update tradeshow registration profiles
- Assemble and coordinate sales event giveaways, baskets, client gifts, and welcome bags
- Assist Sales team with recurring meetings, including sending Zoom links/meeting location information, coordinating meeting responses in Simpleview, recording and circulating meeting agendas and minutes
- Assist with Sales mission planning and logistics
- Schedule Threshold 360 Captures with tourism partners and photographer
- Manage Threshold 360 account to ensure all listings are live and accurate
Social Media Management (10%)
- Schedule posts on Instagram and LinkedIn platforms highlighting destination unique differentiators, conference center updates, and group friendly partner news
- Work with CVB marketing team to develop graphics and reels which resonate with group travel markets.
- Help plan and implement strategy to grow social media following
- Engage and amplify partner sales content to extend reach
Conference Services (5%)
- Receive and respond to brochure & info material requests
- Manage conference concierge table requests and coordinate scheduling with Visitor Experience Team
Other Duties (5%)
- Stay informed of competitive destinations, industry, and marketplace changes
- Complete cross training at Visit Ithaca visitor centers
- Become familiar with group friendly tourism businesses to provide referrals
- Support and attend Chamber events and programs as requested
- Other duties as assigned
Essential Functions
This role is a combination of desk work (hybrid in-office/remote) and onsite, hands-on work that requires time moving about an office and/or an event or meeting in both indoor and outdoor settings. This role includes some lifting and packing to prepare for client visits and tradeshows.
Travel to off-site meetings, and client event throughout Tompkins County and the Finger Lakes region is scheduled as needed. This travel is completed mostly by driving the company van or riding in a car. Most of this role is accomplished Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm, with occasional weekend and evening hours to support events.
Candidate Profile & Position Requirements
Desired Education & Experience:
One to two years related work experience in hospitality, tourism, industry sales, business development, event coordination/management, or related fields, with demonstrable skills applicable to the work scope is required. An educational degree or certification in tourism/travel, sales/marketing, or business is advantageous.
Desired Characteristics: This position is ideal for someone who enjoys connecting with people and values fulfilling client expectations. Strong oral and written interpersonal communications skills; effective time management; attention to detail; planning, organization, and ability to execute by deadline are success factors. A commitment to embrace a workplace culture encouraging and elevating diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential.
Additional criteria, working conditions, or technology used: Work is completed in digital formats individually and in collaborative groups. Social capacity includes small meetings, networking at small and large events, and one-on-one in-person and/or digital communications with team members, tourism partners, wedding and event planners, and service providers.
Technological systems and platforms used include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams); Zoom/virtual environments; PowerPoint; Adobe Suite; Simpleview/CRM database; MailChimp/email platform; and social media platforms.
Training & Development: All staff members are expected to participate in regular staff training sessions and team development opportunities, pursue professional development opportunities deemed mutually beneficial to the individual and organization and as budget allows, and to participate earnestly in diversity, equity, and inclusion educational offerings and discussions.
PERFORMANCE FACTORS:
A separate work plan document will be generated identifying the specific Goals/Objectives for the employee work program area and collective Sales department annually, to be utilized to gauge objectives and performance during the review period. Overall goals for the role will include:
- Conversion of potential client inquiries into actionable leads for tourism partners
- Meet annual targets of Threshold 360 captures
- Consistent and accurate maintenance of database and sales tools
- Timely creation and delivery of engaging digital content
- Efficient and thorough preparation of materials for varied sales activities including meetings, conferences, trade shows, missions, and site visits/FAM tours
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