Events Development Manager

Events Development Manager

Job purpose

The Events Development Manager will help create the strategy, implementation, and measured performance relevant to the growth and activation of spectator events, festivals, and youth/amateur sports as it reflects overall goals in High Point’s 10-year Strategic Destination Plan for Tourism.
Events and sports activation will be used to grow the visitor economy in High Point, NC as well as brings consumer traffic into High Point’s new downtown anchored by Truist Point Stadium and surrounding mixed-use development.

Duties and responsibilities

• Will work with event and tournament planners to ensure success for the rights holder as well as the City of High Point to enhance the visitor economy with maximized economic potential

• Will serve as the key representative from Visit High Point to manage and support the Visit

High Point Sports Committee (SC). The SC includes but is not limited to local sports facility managers, local clubs, local educational institutions, City of High Point Parks and Recreation, City of High Point support staff, etc.

• Will connect and engage the appropriate members of the SC and community to focus on development within a specific sports opportunity.

• Will host familiarization tours with members of the SC committee and city to introduce High

Point to potential sports/event planners

• Will conduct site visits with potential planners to package facilities, services, and business connections that fit their planning needs to host a successful event in the city

• Will work outside High Point to maximize booking potential for overflow fields, event space, and overnight hotels to bring city-wide and regional events.

• Will represent Visit High Point and the City of High Point through various sports and event festival associations such as North Carolina Sports Association, Sports NC, Sports ETA, and

NC Festival and Events Association, as well as other relevant networks as needed.

• Will research new tradeshow and lead generation opportunities servicing sports and event planners.

• Will establish positive business relationships with the High Point community including city departments, local and civic clubs, private and non-profit businesses, local venues, and media

• Will work with Visit High Point’s branding department to implement sales collateral and bid proposals for sports and events planners who are potential leads to book future events in

High Point.

• Will report to Visit High Point Board and relevant stakeholders at board meetings to measure progress in attaining goals as it relates to the 10-year Strategic Destination Plan for

Tourism.

• Will lead the Downtown Events Taskforce to leverage event activation to promote consumer traffic to the new downtown area

• Will manage the internal event planning calendar with area stakeholders to maximize opportunities or mitigate capacity issues as it relates to managing logistics and marketing.

• Will cultivate sponsorship opportunities with event planners, sports planners, and the private sector.

• Will assist with lodging needs for sports or event planners who need overnight accommodations that include soliciting competitive rates and availability from area properties

• Will manage event booking incentives and bid fees per company policy to remain competitive in the bid process

• Will manage a volunteer pool to support events and sports needs in the community

• Will manage post-event recaps and post visitor surveys for enhanced research and event development within the destination.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a destination marketing organization or sports commission is strongly preferred

• Must have 5 years of events development, management, or sports management experience

• Must be able to lead initiatives and teams while working autonomously to complete goals. This is not an entry-level position

• Comprehensive knowledge of High Point, NC and the surrounding region especially as it pertains to the events and sports products and culture is a plus

• Must be able to adjust to a fast-paced professional environment

• Ability to coordinate multiple tasks

• Strong organizational skills

• Must be able to communicate efficiently

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs

• Knowledge of Simpleview CRM applications is a plus

• Associate or Four-year degree preferred in a relevant field in event management, hospitality, or sports

Working conditions

The Events Development Manager will work at least 40 hours a week, Monday – Friday 8:30 am
– 5:00 pm. This position may require travel, night, or weekend work as needed. A flexible work plan can be discussed to fit the needs of the employee and organization for remote work or flexible hours that are mutually beneficial.

Physical requirements

Must be able to perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force frequently and or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, do accounting tasks, operate a computer, and do extensive reading. Must be willing and able to travel via public (planes, trains, subways, and watercraft) and private transportation.

Salary and Benefits

Salary compensation is based on experience and qualifications. A tech allotment for cellphone use will be compensated as well as mileage reimbursement for travel outside of High Point on business to be reimbursed based on annual IRS standard gas mileage rates.

A comprehensive benefits package is provided including 12 paid holidays per year, vacation, and sick time as well as one floating PTO. Retirement, health insurance, life insurance, and other positive corporate culture perks are offered to ensure a motivating and rewarding environment.
Visit High Point nurtures a growth mindset and will support professional development opportunities for its employees. This position reports to the President and is Salary Exempt.

Direct reports
Volunteers
Interns

VISIT HIGH POINT MISSION STATEMENT

To position High Point as a vibrant destination that visitors will enjoy, and locals will want to promote.

VISIT HIGH POINT VISION STATEMENT

To leverage High Point’s reputation as the “Home Furnishings Capital of the World!”™ and the home of a world-class university to further the evolution of High Point as a unique destination.

Visit High Point has been transitioning to meet the needs of our community in a holistic way.
While we work to bring outside dollars into our local economy through travel and tourism; we also focus on the transformational aspect and destination development. The added value that we share with our citizens, is the need to make our city a place that is competitive in the marketplace and shape High Point as a community that we all are proud to promote, and bring a renewed quality of life to live, work, and play.

We strategically find the authentic High Point that our citizens love and that visitors enjoy and experience. We collaborate, invest, and take action to make High Point “the place” for all to enjoy!

We want you to join us in the work that we do – to build High Point as a year-round, thriving destination that is recognized through our branding, by our community ambassadors, our High
Point fans, and our notable bright future ahead.

We are positioning High Point to garner more attention ...and it all starts with the visit.

Deadline: April 29, 2022

No phone calls, please.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Events management: 5 years (Required)
• sports management: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: One location