Sales Manager

COLLEGE PARK DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATION

SALES MANAGER

COLLEGE PARK, GEORGIA

THE CITY AND THE DESTINATION

 The city of College Park, Georgia, is a place with all the benefits of a large city and the neighborliness of a small hometown community connected to the busiest airport in the world, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International that served over 93 million passengers in 2011. Originating from a land grant awarded in 1846, College Park has the fourth largest urban historic district in Georgia and is home to the largest independent school in the continental United States, Woodward Academy. Close proximity to Atlanta provides residents and visitors with easy access to colleges and universities, shopping and many points of interest.

The city through the efforts of its economic development department continues to attract top tier hotel development, unique dining concepts and there are plans for major attractions that will create an even more unique destination appeal for the city.

CONVENTION FACILITY, HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS

GEORGIA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER

The Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) is Georgia’s newest, second largest convention center. Located adjacent to the Atlanta Airport, and only 10 minutes from downtown Atlanta, the GICC features 150,000 feet of exhibit space, Georgia’s largest ballroom, and one of Georgia’s premier culinary centers.  Additionally, the GICC campus features two brand new convention hotels, a 403-room Marriott headquarters hotel that opened in August 2010, and a 147-room Springhill Suites, which opened December 2009.

With the recent opening of the Atlanta airport’s new light rail train, the ATL Sky Train, patrons are shuttled from the world’s busiest airport to the GICC in just two minutes, free of charge, making it one of the only convention centers in the world with a direct connection to an airport.

HOTELS

More than 5,000 hotel rooms can be found in the city at the 33 properties, all of which are either full or limited service. No extended stay properties exist nor or zoned within the city limits.

The largest properties include the Marriot Airport with 638 rooms, the Westin Atlanta Airport with 495, the new Marriott Gateway at the GICC with 403 and the Sheraton Gateway at 395 keys.

The College Park hotels have over half a million square feet of prime meeting space.

RESTAURANTS

We have over 50 restaurants representing culinary diversity across a broad spectrum from the whimsical to the traditional. The Pecan offers white tablecloth service with an eclectic American fusion menu while Jamaica-Jamaica Luxe offers the spicy delights of the Caribbean. Mix and mingle with the locals at The Break Pad, an old converted fifties era gas station offering the best pub grub in the Metro. Manchester Arms is our English Alehouse complete with your favorites such as Bangers and Mash and Sheppards Pie. Our Place Bakery offers baked goods in the southern tradition to tempt your sweet tooth. A free hospitality connector shuttle called the College Park GoBus serves all of these restaurants. You can’t miss these literally green, both in design and CNG fuel, as they connect the GICC with all of our hotels and restaurants.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE PARK DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATION

The College Park destination marketing organization (CP-DMO) was created by a resolution of the Mayor and City Council of College Park in November of 2010. Earlier that same year during the Georgia General Assembly session the additional 2% Hotel-Motel Excise Tax was levied that is dedicated to the operation of the DMO and tourism and convention development. A 10-person board is contracted by the city to operate the DMO that governs the non-profit organization.

Mission Statement: The mission of the CP-DMO is to generate and stimulate economic development and impact for the city of College Park by effectively marketing facilities of the community as a preferred tourism, convention and business destination, and to promote and enhance the quality of life within the community and drive economic success as a premier destination.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

A Sales Manager conducts sales efforts of the CP-DMO on a day-to-day basis. Responsible for participating in the sales efforts and related activities for the purpose of promoting the GICC and College Park hotels and restaurants as a premier destination for conventions, meetings, and trade shows. Ensure established goals and quotas are met.  May have responsibilities for select customers and accounts.

Reports To: Sr. VP / COO

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

o   Identify, solicit and secure new business through personal and telephone sales calls.

o   Ability to achieve 90% of production goals and fulfill activity goals as established by management.

o   Ability to operate and sell to multiple market segments.

o   Manage and maintain existing accounts in assigned segments.

o   Assist in the planning and organization of FAM trips.

o   Assist in the implementation of the sales and marketing plan and strategies to promote the destination to convention business.

o   Follow up on leads and inquiries with the appropriate action in a timely manner.

o   Ensure effective communication is maintained with clients, hotels, and convention center.

o   Oversee the coordination and transition of clients from account sales to account services, in conjunction with the Director of Convention Services.

o   Contribute to the overall success of the organizations goals.

o   Ability to work with people at all levels.

o   Identify and explore emerging markets.  Stay current on competition, industry trend, and practices.

o   Understanding of the market and its facilities.

o   Exhibit a positive and involved team attitude.

o   Actively participates in community and trade organizations that best fulfill the mission and goals of the organization.

o   Display a neat, clean and business like appearance at all times.

Client, Industry and Community Relations

o   Participate in meetings with partner hotels.

o   Represent the CP-DMO at the local, state and national level by maintaining active memberships in pertinent industry associations, and attending industry meetings to promote sales and services. 

o   Maintain close working relationship with partner hotels, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Delta and Southwest (AirTran) Airlines and partners.   

o   Identify, recruit, and encourage local stakeholders who can influence targeted clients on site decisions.

o   Maintain well-informed working knowledge of all related GICC, hotel, restaurant and other stakeholder facilities and services.

If you are interested in this position please respond via e-mail with cover letter, resume, and compensation information to hr@cpdmo.org

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

o   Requires knowledge of general sales techniques.

o   Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in business, hospitality, marketing, communications or related field preferred.

o   Minimum 5 years direct sales experience in a hotel, or convention center environment.

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE / ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS

o   Proven skills in sales lead development, persuasion and negotiations, relationship building.

o   Excellent communication skills and demonstrated presentation skills.

o   Ability to develop and write effective proposals, reports, sales plans and business correspondence.

o   Requires effective oral and written communication skills.

o   Ability to hear, speak, read, and write English fluently.

o   Requires highly developed customer service skills.

o   Experience with MS Office applications, Delphi or other booking software and CRM databases.

o   Ability to travel by air and personal vehicles.

o   Must possess a valid driver’s license.

o   Ability to work evenings and weekends.

o   Involvement with ASAE, PCMA, MPI and other industry trade organizations a plus.

o   Strong national, local and state client base desired and considered a plus.