Position Overview – Visit Spokane, Director of National Accounts Position Page 1 of 5

VISIT SPOKANE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL ACCOUNTS POSITION (SPOKANE, WASHINGTON)

SPOKANE AT A GLANCE

Looking for a fun and vibrant destination, you will find Spokane to be just that!

Natural Attractions: With 76 lakes, Washington’s two largest state parks and the 16,000-acre Turnbull Wildlife Refuge all within driving distance, Spokane is a true outdoor lover’s paradise. Adventurous meeting attendees will love hiking, mountain biking, skiing or rafting. It’s the perfect location to experience the abundant natural beauty of eastern Washington and the Inland Northwest.

Walkable Downtown: Spokane mixes charm and friendliness with the vibrant energy and cultural offerings of a much larger city: the perfect recipe for delegate appeal. With dining, shopping and entertainment only a few blocks from the convention center and hotels, it’s entirely possible to arrive in Spokane and walk everywhere. Downtown Spokane’s attractions include museums, tasting rooms, great parks and theaters as well as dozens of shops and restaurants.

Environmentally Friendly: With a history of environmental stewardship stretching back to Expo ’74, Spokane is a great place for green meetings and the area’s hotels and meeting facilities incorporate numerous green practices. The Spokane Convention Center is powered by 100-percent renewable energy and is LEED-EB Silver Certified. Public buildings are designed to be energy efficient and reduce waste through pro-active recycling and composting programs.

Versatile Venues: The Spokane Convention Center has more than 372,000 square feet of flexible event space that can be arranged to fit any need. With 23 meeting rooms, four exhibit halls and three ballrooms, you’re sure to find the perfect event space, whether it’s an intimate corporate retreat for a board of directors or a large convention with exhibit booths. The Convention Center includes Wi-Fi throughout the building and audiovisual support services. The attached INB Performing Arts Center and other nearby conference facilities create even more options for creative planners searching for the perfect venue. On July 31st the Spokane Convention Center broke ground on a 90,000 square foot addition that will bring the total square footage of meeting and exhibit space to 462,000 square feet.

Delightful Dining: Spokane has memorable dining experiences for any group and cuisine to fit every taste. Discover farm-fresh flavors of locally grown seasonal menus, enjoy the outdoors with alfresco dining options, or plan an event surrounded by the Northwest’s beautiful scenery at a nearby winery. Eastern Washington is a burgeoning northwest wine destination with 20 wineries and tasting rooms and more on the way, so it doesn’t take long to find a great winery or tasting room where meeting attendees can sample the flavors of the region.

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SPOKANE CONVENTION HOTELS AND VENUES

With more than 7,250 hotel rooms throughout the metro area, Spokane offers variety and convenience. There are 30 hotel properties with meeting space located throughout the area. The Spokane Convention Center, the city's 372,000 square foot convention center, INB Performing Arts Center and the Spokane Veteran’s Memorial Arena, are close to more than 2,500 downtown hotel rooms. Spokane Valley hotels are near the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center and CenterPlace Regional Events Center. For those meetings requiring quick in and out access from the Airport, consider the many options in the Airway Heights section of the city. Browse the list below for an introduction to Spokane’s hotel inventory and contact our expert staff for additional recommendations if you need them. Our convention center hotel package is expected to be even better in Fall of 2015 with the addition of a new connected 721 plus room convention hotel located directly across the street from our expanded convention center.

The Spokane Region has so many things to do, it just might surprise you! Get ready for a thrilling whitewater adventures, shred through fresh powder or bike your way to a delicious meal on the Spokane River. Then take time to discover Spokane's unique neighborhoods and communities, walk around our historic downtown, meander through a Smithsonian-affiliated museum and spend the afternoon sipping on award-winning wines. Whatever your definition of fun is, Spokane's got it!

WHY SPOKANE

Value: Spokane is more than great venues, hotels and event centers; we're also a great value! When you're looking to stretch your limited budget and still get a major market bang for your buck, Spokane delivers the experience you and your delegates are looking for!

Delegate Appeal: Set in scenically beautiful eastern Washington, where sunshine and fresh air are abundant, Spokane is a hip and vibrant urban center for a three state, two province region. Delegates can indulge in fine dining, wine tasting, great shopping, arts, entertainment and nightlife along with abundant outdoor adventures all within a few minutes' walk!

National Accreditation: See why Spokane stands out from the crowd with a DMAP accredited DMO and front line employees trained in one of the nation's most successful Certified Tourism Ambassador programs.

Planners Love Spokane: Testimonials – Check out what some of our biggest fans have to say about their meeting experiences in Spokane.

To learn more about the Spokane area, please visit: http://www.visitspokane.com

Spokane Restaurants Spokane Shopping Spokane Recreation Spokane Arts & Entertainment

Spokane Attractions Spokane Wineries Spokane Nightlife Spokane Events Calendar

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ABOUT VISIT SPOKANE

Visit Spokane is the destination management organization for Spokane County and its jurisdictions. As the primary programmatic arm for Spokane’s travel and tourism promotion, it leads the Spokane tourism industry to work together to generate visitor spending by developing and implementing comprehensive destination management programs. It is a self-governing private not-for-profit corporation with a Board of Directors elected by dues paying members.

Mission Statement: The mission of Visit Spokane is to help promote economic development for Spokane County through tourism and tourism promotion.

Brand Promise: Visit Spokane is a creative, entrepreneurial, market driven leader that champions and protects the Spokane destination brand by bringing knowledgeable leadership and innovative programming to its regional community.

Funding: With funding from dedicated lodging taxes, the Tourism Promotion Area (TPA), business improvement district and private membership investments, Visit Spokane has a current operating budget of $3.8 million dollars. An 18-member board of directors, made up of diverse industry partners and stakeholders, oversees our operations.

Visit Spokane 2012 Tourism Research Study-Randall Travel Marketing: In order to better understand the visitors to Spokane, a joint effort led by Visit Spokane along with the Public Facilities District, Spokane Regional Sports Commission, Downtown Spokane Partnership and Avista underwrote a year-long research project. Randall Travel Marketing was retained to capture the voice of the visitor and explore what attracts them to the region. What are their likes and dislikes? What is the purpose of their trip and what do they do when they are visiting? The study also looked at Spokane as a destination regarding gateways and signage, attractions, visitor infrastructure and services, and how Visit Spokane is implementing programs with the tourism industry to attract visitors. The study results and recommendations will enable Visit Spokane and the regional tourism industry to further refine messages that will lead to greater visitation. Read the full Randall Study Executive Summary

Visit Spokane is responsible for the integrated process of managing the destination. The essential purpose is to increase visitation to Spokane in a more comprehensive and balanced manner acknowledging both tourist demand and supply parameters. Key elements include visitor assistance, visitor mix, marketing communications, promotion, advocacy, and destination partnership formations. With the new thinking of destination management, the DMO is involved in land use policy, economic development, and destination development in addition to promoting the existing tourism products and services. Program oversight is performed by an elected and appointed board of directors comprised of a regional business leaders, tourism professionals, and representatives from funding partners.

Why is it important to promote tourism? In 2010, visitors spent $856 million in Spokane County, providing jobs for 9,240 residents and generating $56.9 million in state and local taxes and $312 dollars of tax relief for every household in Spokane County. These figures were provided by Dean Runyan Associates in a January 2012 report to the Washington State Office of Trade and Economic Impact. To view the report in its entirety, click here: Washington State Travel Impacts & Visitor Volume 2001-2011p

To learn more about Visit Spokane and the area, please visit: http://www.visitspokane.com SearchWide™ Position Overview – Visit Spokane, Director of National Accounts Position Page 3 of 5

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of National Accounts, under the direction of the Director of Sales, will be responsible for marketing Spokane and Spokane County as a desirable meeting destination site consistent with the annual goals and objectives established in the annual DMO Marketing Plan.

The Director of National Accounts will be responsible for lead generation, qualification and solicitation of accounts based on key primary and secondary market segments through personal sales calls, telemarketing, direct mail, electronic media, and tradeshow involvement. He/She shall also be responsible for public relations activities involving local hotels/motels, facilities, city officials, local media, meeting planners, and other related representatives.

Reports To: Director of Sales

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage research and qualify prospective business opportunities in assigned market segments and actively solicit convention and group business in an effort to produce sales leads and definite bookings for partner hotel/motel properties, and other facilities. • Responsible for conducting sales calls and meetings with current and prospective clients. • Manage bid process. • Serve as liaison between client and facilities. • Identify the sales materials needed for promotional pieces & programs. • Invite meeting planners and decision makers to Spokane for site visits. • Establish and maintain excellent business relationships with representatives of Spokane’s hotels/motels and facilities through personal contact, leads, etc… • Meet with organization executives, planners and committees to assist as necessary in the selection of Spokane as a convention destination. • Direct and escort clients on familiarization trips and site inspections. • Facilitate meetings between clients and Visit Spokane partners. • Attend events and community activities as assigned. • Participate in industry tradeshows and conventions; schedule and conduct sales trips. • Maintain and ensure timely input in Visit Spokane’s comprehensive sales tracking system.

ANNUAL ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

Generate a predetermined number of definite guestroom nights generated by your direction and support of local hospitality community.

Generate a predetermined number of lead guestroom nights for hotels/motels and facilities in Spokane and Spokane County.

Accomplish personal goals as outlined in your annual review.

QUALIFICATIONS

Academic – The Director of National Accounts will have a BA/BS with an emphasis in marketing or sales, and/or at least five years of related experience which may substitute for academic experience. Industry certifications preferred (CDME, CMP, CGMP, CDMP, etc.).

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Personal Characteristics – Good communication and public presentation skills, and proven ability to work with a diverse group of individuals and groups. Must be people-oriented, have high stamina/high energy levels, and be very “goal oriented”. Other characteristics important are proven problem analysis and resolution skills with exceptional analytical skills that work with a very diverse group of partners.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities – The Director of National Accounts will have demonstrated sales success in a hotel or convention bureau (a minimum of five years), or have at least five years’ experience as a meeting planner for a state, regional or national association or corporation. Must have experience in general office computer programs (Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint) type 40 words per minute as well as experience in working with a comprehensive computerized sales tracking system. This position requires an ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects/responsibilities and people simultaneously while meeting stringent deadlines.

Physical Requirements – Must be able to lift and carry 40 pounds, have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and the ability to maintain a flexible work schedule that includes early mornings, evenings and weekends. The individual must be able to travel independently to domestic and international destinations via commercial airlines.

Visit Spokane provides a working environment free of substance abuse and its attendant dangers and costs. The final applicant will be required to submit to a drug test after the organization has extended an offer of employment.

PRIORITIES FOR THE FIRST 12 MONTHS

 Promote the expansion of the Spokane Convention Center and build awareness of Spokane as a meetings destination through sales missions, sales calls, and presentations.  Generate leads and confirmed bookings from new business that has not met in Spokane in the recent past.  Strengthen existing relationships and create new ones in the assigned market segments.  Increase the awareness of Spokane’s meeting venues and hotels through active participation in the professional meeting organizations.  Build relationships with key stakeholders in the local community and market.

Visit Spokane is an Equal Opportunity Employer

If you are interested in this position please respond via e-mail with cover letter, resume, and compensation information to Nicole Newman, Executive Recruiter, SearchWide™ [email protected] or call 951-640-3745

For additional information on this and other opportunities with SearchWide™ Please visit www.searchwide.com

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