Marketing/Public Relations Specialist

Duties/Responsibilities

• Facilitate the acquisition of leads, requests for proposals, room rates, and pertinent information from local hotels, attractions, restaurants, and meeting service providers as per the requirements of potential decision-makers.
• Cultivate and sustain positive relationships with key contacts and existing clients.
• Develop and implement marketing strategies to recruit new events.
• Devise and execute comprehensive sales strategies targeting diverse markets, tailoring approaches to meet specific segment needs.
• Research, identify, and solicit group planners in targeted markets including motorcoach, sports tournament planners, golf, cycling, religious, business, and educational groups.
• Conduct thorough research on market trends and customer preferences to position the county as the preferred event destination.
• Showcase attractions, venues, accommodations, and services through persuasive strategies and tailored materials.
• Stay updated on industry trends and customer preferences to inform ongoing sales strategies and product development efforts.
• Collaborate with local businesses, attractions, hotels, and service providers to offer comprehensive event packages, enhancing the county's offerings.
• Attend after-hour networking events and trade shows to build and maintain key relationships.
• Foster strong ties with community organizations, associations, and government bodies relevant to each market segment.
• Conduct community outreach initiatives to bolster the county's reputation.
• Cook up with DMO team members for a seamless customer experience across sales, operations, and customer service.
• Collaborate directly with event planners to facilitate the seamless execution and planning of their events, guiding them to suitable vendors when required.
• Provide support to groups coordinating site visits.
• Research, identify, and solicit group planners in specific markets of motorcoach, sport tournament planners, golf, bike groups, religious, business, and educational groups.
• Attend trade shows, industry events, and client meetings.
• Utilize CRM software expertise for accurate group information maintenance, fostering effective communication and follow-up.
• Track and analyze sales data to assess strategy effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Deliver regular reports to management on sales performance, market trends, and potential growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Completion of core course work for Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Sports, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field with 36 mos. related experience and/or training in marketing, resource development, or public relations.
• Valid Ohio Driver’s License.

Supplemental Information

Unusual Working Conditions: Predictable and regular attendance is required. Travel may be required. May work rotating shifts (e.g. evenings, weekends).

Physical Demands: Stooping, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Exert up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Benefits: The County pays 80% of the health care premium and 39% of the dental premium. All full-time employees are eligible for $50,000 group life insurance paid 100% by the County.

Note: Employees who are non-permanent, seasonal, intermittent, part-time scheduled for less than 60 hours per pay period, and external interim, are not benefit eligible.