Business Development Specialist, International - Saskatoon, Canada - Discover Saskatoon

Description

Business Development Specialist, Sport and Major Events

Full Time - Permanent
- _Available Immediately_

As the internationally-accredited destination management organization for Saskatoon, Discover Saskatoon markets and manages Saskatoon's authentic experiences at home and around the world.

By telling the story of our city, we inspire people around the world to visit.

Working as our Specialist, International Business Development, you will be looked to as a leader, spokesperson, and partner with individuals, organizations, and strategic partners that support the growth and development of international business events in Saskatoon.

This position is a part of the Business Development team.


Position Summary:

As the Specialist, International Business Development, you will research, qualify and develop leads that create RFP and BID opportunities.

With a solid foundation of nurturing relationships and maintaining a focus on Saskatoon's sectors of strength, you are responsible for developing and maintaining Discover Saskatoon's database of international business event leads and prospects.

Keeping detailed and accurate records of your contact with international clients, international lead-generation partners and lead-generating data bases provides value to our stakeholders and accountability to Discover Saskatoon's vision of hosting excellence and a thriving visitor economy.

Your active prospecting generates new business for Saskatoon while you maintain our relevance and competitiveness in the global business event marketplace.

Simultaneously you will build strong relationships with local organizations and leaders to ensure international business events are well supported by leaders able and willing to form local organizing and/or host committees.

Your strong commitment to working as a team with an ability to foster strong working relationships, and gain agreement on timelines and data requirements to manage both external and internal stakeholder requirements will ensure Saskatoon continues to be top of mind through our business development efforts.

What You'll Need:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in sales, marketing, and event hosting.
• Postsecondary degree or equivalent experience in business or tourism is an asset.
• Demonstrated track record in prospecting, researching and qualifying leads that convert to confirmed business or cultural events.
• An existing network of association clients and local sector connections.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills with an eye for detail and follow up.
• Knowledge and ability to articulate Saskatoon's business event facilities and venues.
• Ability to travel globally representing Discover Saskatoon at industry events, site visits and FAM tours.
• Sales experience is required with exemplary strategies for conversion
• Established networks in business events, travel trade Saskatoon's sectors are an asset
• Excellent communication and customer relations skills
• Extensive knowledge of Saskatoon and area with specific knowledge of venues, hotels, sectors of strength and hosting facilities
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• An entrepreneurial spirit that supports the growth and development of Saskatoon's sectors of strength through international business event hosting

What You'll Do:


In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Generate leads through researching, qualifying, and developing international business event and incentive opportunities
• Participate in local associations' and sector networking and education events
• Support with the coordination, management and execution of inmarket initiatives for client events and tradeshows
• Communicate frequently with stakeholders/partners and clients in the BID process on behalf of Discover Saskatoon
• Coordinate bid submissions, ensure local support is in place for each bid
• Ensure all lead communications and updates are current in CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system and Bid site
• Coordinate and confirm international business event BIDs for Saskatoon, including research and intelligence gathering, local outreach to confirm support for each bid
• Represent Discover Saskatoon in market at industry event and conduct meetings with prospective clients
• Assist and the coordination and hosting of FAM tours, site visits, special events, and sales missions.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnership with the University of Saskatchewan, SREDA, STEP, City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Tribal Council, FSIN and Discover Saskatoon
• Attend and participate in Business Events Advisory Committee meetings when necessary
• Develop and execute sales missions in core international markets
• Contribute local leadership opportunities to Discover Saskatoon's Legacy Project to continue building ambassadorship and local leadership for national and international business event opportunities
• Providing content and communications to Manager, Brand & Conten