Destination Specialist, Welcome Center/Retail

Experience Columbus•Columbus, OH

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Experience Columbus is the destination marketing organization for the city of Columbus, which is the 15th largest city in the United States and one of the fastest growing cities in the Midwest. Our team is comprised of passionate, smart staff members who are proud to amplify the Columbus community and the amazing people, developments and businesses in our city. Just like the community we serve, Experience Columbus team members are open-minded, hard-working, and welcoming. Beyond our forward-thinking professional development and flexible policies, we’re proud to be a progressive, vibrant, and uplifting workplace. Every day, the team strives to live out each of the organization’s core values: Value the Voices, Take It On, Live Your Passion, Create Moments, and Think Forward. We incorporate these into daily responsibilities and meetings, and they’re crucial to our organization’s interactions with partners and community members — we honor our past and are always looking to the future. Provide visitors and clients with an extraordinary impression of Experience Columbus and the Columbus destination. As a Destination Specialist staff member at our Welcome Centers, you will have the responsibility to handle retail sales in addition to providing visitor information and generating visitor survey completions. You also will have the opportunity to work additional shifts periodically when needs arise at conventions, meetings, and sporting events.

Requirements

Abundant and continuing knowledge of Greater Columbus, its attractions, events, and activities, etc.
Basic computer, tablet and mobile phone skills (i.e. webpage/app navigation and search engines)
Excellent customer service skills, in person and on the phone
Training on the POS system
Adherence to Experience Columbus policies on professionalism for which training will be provided
Minimum age is 18
Demonstrates strong written and verbal communications skills
Demonstrates flexibility and openness to new ideas, and different perspectives
Demonstrates the ability to work independently but also can be a collaborative team member
Demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration
Demonstrates a strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
Familiar with and advocate for the Columbus region
Demonstrates a commitment to our company values: Value the Voices, Think Forward, Take it On, Create Moments and Live your Passion
The organization requires all employees to obtain and maintain the Experience Columbus Insider (ECI) accreditation
Viewing computer monitors
Frequent talking and/or listening
Remain standing and actively engage when visitors are in space.
General “office load,” i.e. laptop
Ability to lift 35lbs with or without assistance

Nice To Haves

Previous Retail Associate and/or Welcome Center experience is a plus

Responsibilities

Staff the Experience Columbus Welcome Center
Greet visitors with energy and a cheerful disposition while responding to questions, anticipating needs and maintaining a general knowledge of the Columbus area and its assets
Suggest locally crafted items to visitors looking for souvenirs and gifts
Maintain order and general knowledge of retail items available, requested items and communicate that to Destination Specialist Leads
Assist with the setup, breakdown, and operation of Welcome Center activations, displays, and special events.
Staff information tables, booths, welcome centers, registration tables, and other visitor-facing locations as needed.
Respond professionally to difficult or unexpected visitor interactions and follow established safety and escalation procedures when necessary.
Maintain a strong understanding of Experience Columbus’ Experiential Trails and Passes and actively promote these free programs based on visitors’ interests.