Event Destination Planner

Elite Escapes; Naperville (IL); Remote; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Comprehensive onboarding and training

Growth and leadership paths

Collaborative team environment

Job summary

Elite Escapes is seeking an Event Destination Sales Specialist to turn clients' travel visions into memorable group experiences. This fully remote role focuses on sales, travel research, and cultivating lasting client relationships across weddings, corporate retreats, and incentives.

You will guide inquiries through bookings, craft compelling proposals, and collaborate with suppliers while leveraging CRM to track progress and upsell opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to generate and qualify leads.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills.
• Capable of managing multiple leads and deadlines.
• Experience with CRM and travel spaces is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Generate, qualify, and follow up with leads for events and travel.
• Guide clients from inquiry to booking with expert recommendations.
• Prepare proposals and maintain CRM records.
• Coordinate group travel logistics and accommodations.
• Identify upsell opportunities and ensure client satisfaction.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams.

Skills

Sales

Communication

Relationship building

Organization

CRM proficiency

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Job brief

Join Elite Escapes and turn your passion for travel into your next career.

We are seeking a motivated, relationship-focused Event Destination Sales Specialist to help clients plan unforgettable group travel, destination celebrations, corporate retreats, incentive trips, and special events. This remote role is ideal for someone who enjoys sales, travel research, building client relationships, and turning a client's vision into a well-organized travel experience.

You will guide prospective clients from first inquiry through booking, recommend destination and event options, prepare compelling proposals, and provide outstanding follow-up throughout the sales process.

Responsibilities

• Generate, qualify, and follow up with leads for destination weddings, group trips, milestone celebrations, corporate retreats, incentive travel, and special events.
• Conduct discovery conversations to understand each client's destination preferences, event goals, budget, travel dates, group size, and expectations.
• Guide clients through the decision-making and booking process with confidence and professionalism.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, travel suppliers, resorts, cruise lines, and internal team members.
• Track leads, sales activity, proposals, payments, deposits, deadlines, and outstanding client requests in the CRM.
• Coordinate travel logistics such as group accommodations, airport transfers, excursions, and pre- or post-event stays.
• Follow up consistently to move opportunities forward, answer questions, and close bookings.
• Maintain accurate client records, sales documentation, and booking details.
• Assist with email campaigns, social media content, client onboarding, and referral follow-up.
• Identify upsell and cross-sell opportunities, such as excursions, travel protection, room upgrades, and pre- or post-event extensions.
• Provide excellent customer service by phone, email, chat, and online platforms.
• Identify opportunities to improve sales workflows, client experience, and business growth.

Requirements

• Strong sales, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with a warm and professional tone.
• Strong organization, time management, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple leads, clients, and deadlines independently.
• Comfortable using CRM systems, email tools, calendars, spreadsheets, and web-based travel or booking platforms.
• Reliable high-speed internet and a dedicated remote workspace.
• Customer service, sales, hospitality, event planning, administrative, or travel-industry experience is advantageous but not required.
• Interest in travel, luxury travel, destination events, cruises, resorts, and group experiences is a plus.
• Self-motivated, coachable, and comfortable following a sales process while building genuine client relationships.

What You Get

• Fully remote work with the flexibility to build your schedule around your life.
• Comprehensive onboarding and training on group travel, supplier platforms, negotiation and sales conversations, and travel planning.
• A collaborative, supportive team atmosphere with colleagues who want to see you succeed.
• The opportunity to grow into specialties such as sports team travel, corporate meetings and incentives, family reunions, milestone celebrations, or luxury group getaways.
• Clear paths toward leadership and higher earning potential.