Destination Travel & Sales Representative

Minimum Starting Salary is $57,000.00 Annually

The City of Waco Seeks

The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator with experience in sales or event planning who builds strong partnerships to attract group travel and events to Waco. They are organized and customer-focused and use their knowledge of the city to drive tourism and support local businesses.

Minimum Qualifications
Required:

• Valid Texas Driver's License
• Associate's degree in hospitality, business administration, event management, or a related field
• 4 years of experience in customer service, sales, or event coordination, preferably in tourism or hospitality, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field
  
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
• Experience in convention sales, group travel, or tourism-related sales in a competitive destination market

• Solicits convention, meeting, and sporting event business through direct outreach, including presentations, personal calls, telemarketing, trade show contacts, and bid book preparation, targeting assigned markets to generate leads.
• Manages the full lifecycle of DMO group travel, conventions, meetings, and sporting events, from initial client inquiries to post-event follow-up, ensuring high-quality service delivery and client satisfaction.
• Coordinates event logistics with local businesses, venues, hotels, and service providers, ensuring seamless execution and alignment with client expectations.
• Attends supplier/buyer trade shows and industry events to promote the destination and generate new sales leads, representing the DMO professionally.
• Participates in or coordinates familiarization (FAM) tours for meeting planners, event organizers, and travel professionals to showcase Waco’s venues, attractions, and hospitality infrastructure.
• Publicizes event needs and group requirements by sending clear, concise leads to hospitality partners, facilitating effective collaboration within the tourism community.
• Maintains active memberships in industry organizations, representing the DMO at monthly networking events, association meetings, and community engagements to build relationships and attract business.
• Fosters relationships with local attractions, hotels, and tourism partners to promote Waco’s offerings and enhance visitor experiences.
• Supports venue scheduling, bookings, catering arrangements, and contract preparation; resolves event-related issues and ensures compliance with DMO standards and city policies.
• Assists in coordinating with outside vendors, prioritizing local businesses when possible, to support event execution and community engagement.
• Tracks sales activities, leads, and bookings using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, providing data for reports and performance evaluations as directed.
• Analyzes sales data to identify trends and opportunities, contributing to reports on hotel room nights, visitor spending, and economic impact for the DMO.
• Prepares event evaluations and basic reports to assess outcomes and identify opportunities for improvement, submitting findings to the Assistant Director of Destination Travel & Sales.
• Collaborates with DMO marketing teams to align sales pitches with promotional campaigns, ensuring consistent messaging and maximizing appeal to target audiences.
• Engages in proactive client follow-up to secure repeat business and maintain long-term relationships with meeting planners and event organizers.
• Participates in industry training, webinars, or workshops to stay current with tourism sales trends and best practices, enhancing sales effectiveness.
• Maintains confidentiality of work-related issues, client information, and City of Waco data, adhering to all policies and standards.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to support the DMO’s mission and the City of Waco.
• Adapts to a flexible work schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends, to meet event and client needs.