Regional Event Sales Manager

PRA Business Events•Austin, TX

21d•Remote

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 at client meetings, events, and site inspections. The position focuses on growing sales volume and profitability by developing new accounts, expanding existing relationships, qualifying leads, and building a robust pipeline. The manager collaborates with Experience Designers, the Creative Team, Business Development, and event teams to develop proposals, present program concepts, close business, and deliver outstanding client experiences. The role also represents PRA in the local market, develops destination marketing plans, maintains industry and community relationships, and keeps internal teams informed about local opportunities.

Requirements

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 consistently meet sales goals.
Ability to provide solutions and resources for challenges and opportunities arising 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 professionally represent PRA 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 client and supplier or partner inquiries and complaints.
Ability to prepare reports and business correspondence and develop and write 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 involved in proposal development and contract negotiation.
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

Five or more years of sales experience, preferably in a DMC, incentive travel, event management, or related field.
Bachelor's degree in Hospitality & Tourism, Business Management, Marketing, Communication, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Increase sales volume by developing relationships with new accounts and growing assigned accounts while prioritizing client experience and profitability.
Manage existing key-account relationships and develop new business to maintain a strong pipeline.
Participate in industry organizations and the local community to develop business and pursue leadership opportunities.
Qualify leads, develop program strategies, and achieve individual annual sales goals.
Partner with Experience Designers and the Creative Team to develop proposals and program specifications that meet client goals and budgets.
Develop and deliver presentations to prospective clients.
Arrange and conduct client site inspections, entertain clients, and build personal rapport.
Close business and arrange program deposits and signed contracts before transitioning work to the event production team.
Project program revenue and gross profit budgets and enter them into Salesforce for tracking and financial-target management.
Manage travel and client marketing budgets and schedules for approval.
Initiate sales calls and follow up with prospects and clients.
Keep hoteliers and clients informed about venues, services, and destinations through local marketing strategies and initiatives.
Be available to clients 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 local market and program opportunities and send quarterly destination overviews.
Implement and execute the destination's business and marketing plan.