Career Center

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau is seeking an ambitious, team-oriented sales professional with a passion for sports, who is experienced in leading teams and developing strategies focused on achieving data-driven results. We love to have fun, take risks, and be bold. If you are passionate about sports, sports marketing, event logistics, and event management, Happy Valley is the home for you and has a long history of hosting amazing sporting events and a fantastic relationship with our university and the local sports community.

This individual will report directly to the Vice President of Sales & Marketing. The team member is responsible for all aspects of the sales and services for bringing high-quality, room night generating sporting events, tournaments, and championships to Happy Valley. This individual will be immediately tasked with securing sporting events (all levels) for the area impacting member hotels and spearheading the launch of a new initiative, Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Commission, and leading an all new sales effort into key markets.

While the primary focus of this position is sports, this position also helps to bring non-sports related events to Happy Valley by developing group business leads and creating opportunities for area hotel partners.
  

Responsibilities include:

• Execute sports sales strategy, ultimately attracting new sporting events to Happy Valley
• Responsible for the soliciting and confirming sporting events & tournaments on a national, regional, and state level for Happy Valley venues and facilities, with a primary focus on securing hotel room nights for the area.
• Build relationships with key industry, collegiate, and local sporting event planners.
• Review requirements, needs and budgets in RFPs of potential sporting events and determine if Happy Valley is a possible host.
• Work closely with the VP of Sales & Marketing to evaluate event ROI, potential financial support and resources needed to successfully host the event.
• Develops custom proposals and bid presentations as a response to RFPs addressing client specifications for hotel accommodations, transportation requirements, and site location for sporting events.
• When necessary, helps organize Local Organizing Committees for hosting tournaments and events.
• Promote good will toward the organization among partners, area hotels and motels, the community at large and fellow team members.
• Send sales leads to hotels/motels advising them of dates and requirements of potential group events in the city.
• Works closely with marketing team for brand consistency and to elevate the sports marketing efforts.
• Provide support and logistical assistance to event organizers in the planning and conducting of their athletic related events held in Happy Valley.
• Develop, grow, and manage and event volunteer program.
• Attend industry trade shows and conventions to represent and sell Happy Valley as a destination.
• Tracks all efforts and manages sales contacts in bureau’s database.
• Maintain a well-informed, working knowledge of all athletic and event facilities, both private and public, available in the area to customers and acts as liaison between these entities and the customer.
• Attend hosted events to ensure event is running smoothly and to ensure repeat business.
• Assists in the development of sports business goals and objectives for the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau budget and marketing plan.
• Oversees preparation of post event, post tradeshow, and other event reports.
• Research best practices, new opportunities, and trends on a regular basis and shares information with internal team and partners.
• Participates in various industry organizations and activities to maintain positive relationships and awareness of the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau.
• Assists with special projects as assigned by the Vice President of Sales & Marketing.
• Maintains a well-informed working knowledge of the attractions and services available in the area to visitors.
• Assists with general office duties and marketing fulfillment as needed.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.
• This role is based in State College, Pa.
• Start date is as soon as possible 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ideal candidate must have excellent communication skills, bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university, and a minimum of 5 years in the DMO, Resort, or Full Service Hotel environment as an accomplished sales person.
• Working knowledge of Word, Excel, Power Point, databases, and web searches.
• Experience in entering and receiving leads in an electronic format.
• Experience with Sports Market and major sports events, tournaments.
• Knowledge of Centre County a plus.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. and transport HVAB equipment and materials for use in programs.
• Must have valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License and auto insurance.