Business Development Manager – Sports & Special Events, and Business Events

Economic Development Winnipeg

The Business Development Manager – Sports & Special Events, and Business Events is responsible for increasing overnight visitations to Winnipeg by attracting sports, special events, meetings, and conventions from the Canadian, U.S., and international markets through the sport directorates and economic sectors of associations, corporate, government, and event right holders. The Business Development Manager prospects leads, attends sales initiatives and networks at a senior level with decision-makers to attract sports, special events, and business events to Winnipeg.

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify prospects from the sport directorates and economic sectors of industry associations, corporate, government, and event rights holders;
• Conduct daily prospecting and qualifying sales calls through cold calls and lead generation;
• Convert sales prospects into confirmed sports, special events, meetings, and conventions business for Winnipeg;
• Strengthen relationships with clients and stakeholders;
• Deliver presentations on Winnipeg’s value propositions at regional and national tourism business development initiatives and marketplaces;
• Host clients on site visits showcasing Winnipeg;
• Develop and execute accurate and detailed sales records on a daily and monthly basis utilizing a customer relations management system;
• Develop relationships with clients and build partnerships with the local tourism industry;
• Travel within Canada, and as required to the United States to attend tourism business development initiatives and marketplaces;
• Understand the competitive tourism environment related to other cities and Winnipeg’s economic sectors; and 
• Represent Tourism Winnipeg on national tourism committees and boards to strengthen partnerships and industry knowledge.

Business Development Activities

• Prospect new leads using a variety of tools such as research, search engines, industry directories, trade publications, and memberships;
• Strengthen customer relationships and develop new business opportunities;
• Adjust selling tactics for market changes and clients;
• Develop and work on target lists to identify future opportunities with a focus on Winnipeg’s economic sector to connect to local influencers;
• Assist the sales and service team in the planning and execution of familiarization (FAM) tours, site inspections, client events, and trade marketplaces as required;
• Work alongside the sales and service team who provide services such as event planning advice, tool kits, welcome packages for meetings and conventions confirmed for Winnipeg;
• Maintain awareness of competing cities and the tourism industry (i.e. through trade publications, research, workshops, committees and relationships); and
• Have a strong knowledge of the Winnipeg tourism industry and infrastructure.

• Highly energized, flexible, results-oriented individual with a drive to succeed;
• Excellent skills in account management, direct sales, and sales presentations;
• Strong interpersonal skills and aptitude for relationship-building and strategic networking;
• Ability to work well independently and within a team environment;
• Experience with budget management; and Must be flexible and adaptable to change.