Regional Event Sales Manager

PRA Business Events•San Antonio, TX

20d•Hybrid

About The Position

PRA is seeking a Regional Event Sales Manager based in the Austin, San Antonio, or Houston area. The role can be performed from home, with regular in-person attendance required for client meetings, events, and site inspections. The position is responsible for growing sales and assigned accounts, developing new business, and delivering outstanding client experiences while meeting financial goals. The manager works with clients, hotels, suppliers, Business Development, Experience Designers, Creative, and Event Producers to develop proposals and program strategies, secure contracts, and support successful event experiences. The role also represents PRA in the local market, builds industry and community relationships, and implements destination-specific business and marketing plans.

Requirements

At least 5 years of sales experience, specifically in a DMC, incentive travel, event management, or related field; listed as preferred.
Knowledge of client development, including new business development, lead follow-up, client qualification, proposal presentation, and closing business.
Knowledge of program design and development from inception through contract.
Proven ability to meet sales goals consistently.
Ability to provide solutions or resources for challenges and opportunities during program development and sales.
Ability to interpret, define, and document complex program requirements.
Ability to develop and maintain strong supplier, partner, hotelier, and community relationships.
Ability to negotiate with suppliers and partners on behalf of clients for locations, terms, and other needs.
Ability to represent PRA professionally at client meetings, site inspections, industry and association functions, supplier and partner meetings, and staff meetings.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret client proposal requirements, RFPs, contracts, financial reports, and other legal documents.
Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from clients and suppliers or partners.
Ability to prepare reports, business correspondence, proposals, and sales reports.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from clients, supplier partners, and hoteliers.
Ability to calculate program costs, percentages, profit margins, and other figures required for proposal development and contract negotiation.
Applicants must be based in the Austin, San Antonio, or Houston area and able to regularly attend in-person client meetings, events, and site inspections.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality & Tourism, Business Management, Marketing, Communication, or a related field is preferred.
At least 5 years of sales experience in a DMC, incentive travel, event management, or related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Increase overall sales volume by developing relationships with new accounts and growing assigned accounts while prioritizing client experience and profitability.
Manage key account relationships and develop new business to maintain a strong pipeline of opportunities.
Participate in industry organizations and the local community to develop business and pursue leadership opportunities when possible.
Qualify leads, develop program strategies, and achieve individual annual sales goals.
Partner with Experience Designers and the Creative Team on proposal vision and program specifications, and present proposals to prospective clients.
Arrange and conduct client site inspections, entertain clients, and build rapport.
Close business, arrange program deposits, and obtain signed contracts before transitioning programs to the event production team.
Forecast program revenue and gross profit, and enter information into Salesforce for tracking and financial target management.
Manage travel and client marketing budgets and schedules for appropriate approval.
Initiate sales calls and follow up with leads and clients.
Keep hoteliers and clients informed about venues, services, and destinations through locally derived marketing initiatives.
Be available for client contact during programs.
Work with Business Development to respond to referral leads from hotels and clients.
Collaborate with Experience Designers and Event Producers to meet client expectations and create memorable experiences.
Meet sales and gross profit goals and ensure programs exceed client expectations.
Follow up with clients about future opportunities and generate system leads through the pay it forward program.
Stay current on industry trends and developments.
Educate the Global Sales team about the local market and program opportunities, including sending quarterly destination overviews to the GSD Team.
Implement and execute the destination's business and marketing plan.