National Account Executive (Minneapolis Convention Center)

At Meet Minneapolis, our mission is to positively impact the economic and social prosperity of our Minneapolis community by attracting visitors, meetings and events that directly support jobs and local businesses, generating critical revenues. We believe in our shared passion to support the diverse community of Minneapolis through our values of Service, Collaboration, Inclusion, Passion and Integrity.

About the role

Under the direction of the Minneapolis Convention Center Director of Sales & Marketing and the SVP of Destination Sales, this position promotes and sells the Minneapolis Convention Center and City of Minneapolis as a premier destination for small, mid-market, and citywide meetings, conventions, and events. The role focuses on achieving convention center KPIs to provide a positive social and economic impact on the Minneapolis Convention Center, local hotels, and the community. Deployment markets include Medical/Pharmaceutical/Legal, High-Tech/User Groups/Computer (using the MCC), and Local MN Association.

Responsibilities

• Achieve annual revenue potential and other job-related goals as assigned.
• Actively prospect to find business and generate proposals through calls, in-person visits, email communication, and trade-show/event attendance.
• Conduct professional phone conversations, electronic correspondence, and personal visits with meeting planners, hotel sales personnel, and other hospitality industry suppliers.
• Attend Meet Minneapolis Director of Sales Meetings, Minneapolis Convention Center Sales Meetings, local industry meetings, and other required meetings.
• Manage event activity through proposals, Letters of Commitment (LOC), Schedule A documents, PFOs, SEPs, addendums, deposits, cancellations, and other sales/event documentation.
• Negotiate, draft, and manage client agreements, including citywide events, ensuring mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Collect deposits or outstanding bills, including managing space revenue and cancellations.
• Manage progress of tentative accounts and those of Meet Minneapolis National Account Executive Partners.
• Create and coordinate all aspects of the Minneapolis Convention Center portion of bid proposals for local and citywide events.
• Update and effectively utilize databases provided by Momentus and IDSS.
• Attend business-related trade shows or travel for sales calls and presentations as required.
• Develop and execute sales presentations.
• Coordinate and conduct Minneapolis Convention Center client site inspections.
• Strive to improve the effectiveness of the Meet Minneapolis/MCC sales organization.
• Communicate future activities to other Minneapolis Convention Center and Meet Minneapolis departments with adequate lead time.
• Maintain a current base of knowledge of Minneapolis Convention Center contractors, Meet Minneapolis partners (including hotels), and other local businesses or organizations.
• Utilize all Minneapolis Convention Center and Meet Minneapolis technology to its full capability.
• Provide direct and indirect support for the attainment of Meet Minneapolis Performance Goals as defined in its contract with the City of Minneapolis.
• Carry out duties as assigned by the President/CEO, Senior Vice President Destination Sales, Executive Director of Sports Minneapolis, and Executive Director of the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Requirements

• Four-year degree from an academic institution (business or hospitality preferred) or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of three years of hospitality industry sales experience; convention bureau and/or convention hotel experience preferred.
• Strong ability to prioritize activities and handle multiple responsibilities within specific time frames.
• Willingness and ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays based on client and office demands.
• Ability to operate computers, email systems, and general office equipment, including laptops while traveling.
• Valid private driver’s license.

Skills

• Ability to develop and implement portions of a business plan and manage a budget.
• Creativity in problem-solving.
• Effective leadership and followership, as appropriate.
• Hardworking, dependable, and competitive in striving to achieve potential and identified goals.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude.
• Excellent written, oral, and grammatical communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate business opportunities and identify those best-suited for the community.
• Detail-oriented approach.
• Familiarity with various social media platforms and their uses for client connection and promotion.

Physical Demands

• Walk, sit, bend, and squat.
• Talk and hear.
• Grab, pull, or bend items.
• Lift and/or carry up to 30 lbs.
• View items at close and distant ranges.
• Stand, walk, and sit for extended periods.
• Use computers for extended periods.
• Travel via air and ground transportation for extended periods.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid office environment (60% in-office; 40% remote option).
• Attendance at trade shows and site visits.
• May require domestic and/or international travel.

Pay

$70,000 - $90,000 annual base salary plus annual sales incentive potential.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Short-term/long-term disability (STD/LTD) and life insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Vacation and sick time.
• Parental leave.
• Personal volunteer time.