National Account Executive

Visit St Paul•Saint Paul, MN

8d•$70,000 - $80,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Visit Saint Paul is seeking a National Account Executive to promote Saint Paul as a premier meetings and convention destination and generate business for Saint Paul RiverCentre and member hotel properties. This position serves as a sales leader and ambassador for Saint Paul, developing regional and national accounts and building relationships with meeting professionals to bring meetings, conventions, and events to the city. The National Account Executive plays an important role in generating hotel room nights, supporting Saint Paul’s hospitality community, and creating meaningful economic impact. Success in this role means developing new business, connecting meeting planners with Saint Paul’s hotels, venues, attractions, and hospitality partners, and confidently bringing Saint Paul’s story to life throughout the sales process.

Requirements

Four-year college or university degree preferred. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
3–5 years of hotel, convention center, destination, or related hospitality sales experience.
Knowledge of the hospitality and meetings industry and its terminology.
Familiarity or proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 and database management or CRM programs. Experience with iDSS is preferred, with the ability to learn new software programs as required.
Demonstrated ability to build professional relationships, manage accounts, develop new business, and work toward established sales goals.
Excellent written and verbal communication and listening skills.
Strong initiative, self-motivation, and work ethic.
High emotional intelligence and an “of service” attitude.
Superior organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong account management and relationship-building skills.
Ability to establish and cultivate effective cross-functional working relationships.
Ability to prioritize activities, meet deadlines, and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
A collaborative and flexible working style with a strong service mentality.
Enthusiasm for learning and embracing new technologies.
Ability and willingness to travel.
Willingness to work outside traditional business hours when necessary, particularly for networking events, client functions, and industry activities.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook, Word, and Excel, and experience working with database or CRM programs.
A valid driver’s license and access to an automobile.

Nice To Haves

Experience with iDSS is preferred

Responsibilities

Market and sell Saint Paul’s hotel community, Saint Paul RiverCentre, and destination assets to generate tentative and definite convention, meeting, and event business across assigned market segments.
Develop and manage regional and national accounts through consistent prospecting, relationship-building, and account management.
Meet or exceed established individual and team sales goals, including definite bookings, room nights, conversion goals, prospecting activity, and site visits.
Identify, develop, and respond to qualified leads through phone, email, presentations, written proposals, site inspections, tradeshows, sales missions, networking, and other sales activities.
Build and maintain strong relationships with meeting professionals, industry organizations, hotel partners, Saint Paul RiverCentre, attractions, venues, and service providers to maximize sales opportunities and generate repeat business.
Prepare compelling bid proposals and destination presentations by coordinating hotel availability and rates, convention center costs, incentives, and other information necessary to meet client requirements.
Maintain timely and effective communication with meeting planners throughout the sales process, ensuring client needs, deadlines, and follow-up expectations are met.
Develop and execute sales strategies and account plans that support Visit Saint Paul’s overall sales goals and strengthen Saint Paul’s position within key association, corporate, sports, and other assigned markets.
Maintain complete, accurate, and current account, contact, lead, activity, and booking information in iDSS (CRM).
Represent Visit Saint Paul at national tradeshows, sales missions, industry events, networking opportunities, and client-facing functions.
Conduct pre-show planning, identify target accounts, schedule appointments, complete timely follow-up, and coordinate other sales activities associated with industry events.
Coordinate and conduct destination site visits for qualified meeting planners, showcasing Saint Paul hotels, venues, attractions, and other destination assets.
Identify and invite qualified meeting planners to participate in Visit Saint Paul familiarization programs (FAMs) and assist in developing customized itineraries designed to convert prospective business.
Partner with Visit Saint Paul’s Destination Services Manager to transition confirmed business and connect meeting planners with appropriate local resources and service providers.
Collaborate effectively with Visit Saint Paul team members, Saint Paul RiverCentre, hotels, venues, attractions, and community partners to support client needs and organizational goals.
Participate in internal and partner meetings, industry events, Visit Saint Paul programs, and other business-related functions as appropriate.
Prepare required sales, activity, expense, and performance reports.
Manage assigned program or sales-related budgets.
Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.