Visit Alexandria seeks a creative and energetic Meetings Support Specialist to work alongside the Meetings sales team to deliver programs that attract meetings and group travel. As a key member of the team, the specialist manages the wedding/social event inquiries and provides administrative support to the team on corporate, government and association meetings. The ideal candidate will be an organized self-starter with a passion for service.

Join a dynamic team representing one of the top three “Best Small Cities in the U.S.” according to the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. You will find a friendly office culture marked by high energy, creativity, and positivity. The office is Metro-accessible (King Street Metro on the Blue and Yellow lines) and bike friendly. Salary commensurate with experience; annual bonus potential; excellent health, dental and vision benefits; up to 12% 401(k) match after 1 year of employment; paid transit or parking; and vacation and sick time. Employees are currently working 2 to 3 days from home.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to:)

Meetings Support & Sales

• Cultivate and manage wedding, reunions, and social market by responding to leads, identifying prospects, building relationships with social event-centric members, and following through the sales cycle to close the leads to support hotels, restaurants, and unique event venues.
• Support VP of Sales on International, Tour and Travel sales market leads and client events
• Provide principle administrative support for sales team, including client events, account management system, updating sales report and event calendars, mailing and shipping, managing gift inventory
• Administer sales leads including qualifying, processing, distribution and tentative lead follow-up and closing leads.
• Prepare special reports, forms, data entry and management of client events/list.
• Create printed materials and reports utilizing Visit Alexandria software such as Simpleview CRM, Cvent, Canva, MailChimp, etc.
• Maintain knowledge of the destination including the infrastructure (airports, conference venues, hotels, etc.), attractions (museums, activities, restaurants, etc.), nontangible assets (industry sectors, accolades, etc.) and overall market landscape
• Maintain awareness of industry trends, current events and competing cities through industry organizations, trade publications/newsletters/articles, webinars, and professional social media such as LinkedIn.
• Provide insightful solutions and collaboration with internal team(s), members, and industry partners to elevate the team and organization

Prospect Cultivation & Travel

• Coordinate travel and follow-through for industry conferences including data input for contacts and appointment notes
• Coordinate familiarization trip (FAM) itineraries and site inspection requests including the solicitation of support from hotels and members; arrange logistics; prepare materials; accompany the guests as appropriate
• Coordinate member/partner meetings
• Conduct market research with the aim of finding potential Alexandria bid opportunities, preparing bid briefs, assisting with outreach, and maintaining an up-to-date tracking system

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• B.S. degree or prior experience in similar capacity. Experience in the events and tourism industry a plus.
• Organized self-starter—able to prioritize tasks
• Flexible thinker—adaptable and intellectually curious
• Strong communication skills (oral, written, technical and phone/email etiquette)
• Team player who loves to foster strong relationships and meet external and internal stakeholder needs
• Strong sense of urgency and comfort in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
• Able to adjust schedule to work some evenings and weekends
• Knowledge and passion for Alexandria and tourism
• Be able to work independently in a remote office setting with flexibility for client meetings, events.
• Position incorporates a hybrid blend of in-office and remote

TO APPLY

Please forward resumé,cover letter and salary requirements to CBHebble@VisitAlexVA.com with “Meetings Support Specialist” in the subject line.