Destination Growth & Partnerships Director

Bloomington-Normal Convention & Visitors Bureau; Bloomington (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Bloomington-Normal Convention & Visitors Bureau is seeking a Destination Development Director to lead initiatives across tourism development, destination enhancements, and industry collaboration in the Bloomington-Normal region.

The role focuses on creating partnerships with hotels, attractions, municipalities, and businesses, advancing tourism initiatives, and guiding strategic plans to boost visitor experiences and economic impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in destination marketing, tourism, hospitality, economic development, community development, event management, marketing, sales, or related field.
• Demonstrated success building collaborative partnerships among public, private, and nonprofit organizations.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to facilitate meetings, build consensus, and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Ability to analyze trends and translate data into strategic recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies to attract meetings, sporting events, group travel, and other targeted visitor markets in collaboration with VisitBN's marketing team.
• Recruit, develop, and attend client familiarization tours to include consulting with and accompanying clients on site inspections showcasing facilities and area benefits.
• Generate, maintain and leverage key domestic and international relationships with partners such as tour operators, receptive tour operators, wholesalers, planners, and other key partners to showcase VisitBN’s viability in the international, leisure, and meeting market segments.
• Manage the development and coordination of sales leads, events for key markets and retain existing meetings, conventions, tours, and events in the Bloomington-Normal area.
• Oversee vendors on bids, contracts, timelines, and execution of projects.
• Identify emerging tourism opportunities that align with VisitBN's strategic priorities.
• Lead implementation of destination development initiatives identified in VisitBN's Strategic Plan.
• Identify opportunities to improve Bloomington-Normal's visitor experience through destination enhancements, tourism infrastructure, placemaking, and hospitality initiatives.
• Collaborate with municipalities, attractions, arts organizations, educational institutions, and community partners on destination improvement projects.
• Identify opportunities to leverage arts, culture, recreation, and area assets to increase visitation.
• Oversee destination assessments to make recommendations that enhance visitor satisfaction.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive partner engagement strategy.
• Convene quarterly tourism industry meetings and an annual tourism event.
• Coordinate hospitality education and visitor readiness programs.
• Develop recognition programs that celebrate outstanding hospitality and visitor service.
• Represent VisitBN on community committees and regional tourism initiatives.
• Utilize research and visitor data to identify destination opportunities and industry trends.
• Oversee stakeholder engagement and partner sentiment research.
• Prepare reports demonstrating VisitBN's economic impact, partnership success, and destination development progress.
• Support organizational planning through research and data analysis.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications Director to ensure destination development initiatives are effectively communicated and promoted.
• Participate in organizational strategic planning, budgeting, and annual work planning.
• Develop departmental goals, work plans, and performance metrics.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and service-oriented culture within VisitBN.
• Mentor and develop assigned staff.
• Represent VisitBN professionally at events, conferences, and industry meetings.
• Maintain productive working relationships with staff, board members, elected officials, tourism partners, and community stakeholders.
• Stay informed on emerging tourism trends and best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned to advance VisitBN's mission.

Skills

Written & verbal communication

Project management

Organizational skills

Data analysis & trends

Facilitation & consensus-building

Partnership development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

Zartico

Job description

Bloomington-Normal Convention & Visitors Bureau is seeking a Destination Development Director to lead initiatives across tourism development, destination enhancements, and industry collaboration in the Bloomington-Normal region.

The role focuses on creating partnerships with hotels, attractions, municipalities, and businesses, advancing tourism initiatives, and guiding strategic plans to boost visitor experiences and economic impact.