Sales Manager

Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce; Branson (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau is seeking a Sales Manager to drive new business, manage inquiries, and secure bookings for Branson as a premier meetings destination. You will lead lead generation efforts, research market opportunities, and maintain a strong pipeline while delivering exemplary customer service.

The role requires a proactive, detail-oriented professional with excellent communication, travel readiness, and proven sales experience in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing or related tourism preferred. Industry experience may be considered as acceptable option.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in Hospitality, Tourism Sales, Operations, Sales.
• Management in hotel industry, destination management organization, tourism-related entity or appropriate field.
• Strong command of Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or similar spreadsheet software.
• Knowledge of leisure travel and hospitality, and other related tourism industries required.
• Must show patterns of significant growth and consistency in prior work experience.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be able to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Aggressively pursue new business opportunities by identifying leads from databases, RFP platforms, and industry contacts.
• Research potential clients and market opportunities aligned with Branson's offerings.
• Follow up on leads with timely, personalized communication.
• Convert inquiries into confirmed business.
• Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline and update CRM systems.
• Collaborate with Sales team to track economic impact metrics and align with goals.
• Provide strategic input to the Assistant Director of Sales.
• Cultivate relationships with planners and decision-makers for tailored solutions.
• Travel to industry events, trade shows, and conferences to represent Branson.
• Plan in-market conferences, FAM tours, and site tours with brand standards.
• Advise clients on meeting spaces, venues, and services.
• Work with clients to refine event details and ensure seamless execution.
• Conduct regular sales activities including emails, calls, and occasional cold calling.
• Monitor industry trends to stay competitive in meetings and conventions.
• Coordinate visitor satisfaction surveys and feedback for improvements.
• Contribute to marketing materials and sales presentations.
• Provide weekly pipeline updates to the Assistant Director of Sales.

Skills

Highly organized

Public speaking

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/marketing or related tourism

Job description

Company Description

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau provides leadership to support a strong and sustainable economic and environmental climate in the region. The organization focuses on enhancing the quality of life for community members, visitors, and future generations. It works closely with local businesses and partners to increase visibility, drive tourism, and support long-term success. Through value-added benefits and collaborative opportunities, the Chamber aims to improve business performance and promote growth in the Branson/Lakes area.

Role Description

The Sales Manager is a full-time, on-site role based in Branson, MO, responsible for generating leads, following up on inquiries, and securing bookings to position Branson as a premier destination for meetings, conventions, groups, and events. This role requires a proactive and detail-oriented professional with exceptional communication skills, a positive attitude, and excellent customer service. The ideal candidate is an analytical thinker and creative problem solver who can identify opportunities, cultivate relationships and deliver elevated customer experience. With a focus on lead generation and booking business, this position demands expertise in leveraging databases, analyzing market trends, and engaging clients to tailor solutions. Experience in hotel settings and a deep understanding of high-end service standards are preferred, as this role requires a polished and enthusiastic approach to communication and service delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Aggressively pursue new business opportunities by identifying and soliciting leads from databases, RFP platforms, and industry contacts.
• Conduct thorough research to uncover potential clients and market opportunities, ensuring alignment with Branson's offerings.
• Actively follow up on leads, ensuring timely communication and a personalized approach
• Convert inquiries into confirmed business.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospects and regularly update CRM systems with accurate and detailed information.
• Collaborate with the other Sales team members to track and report economic impact metrics, ensuring data-driven decision-making and alignment with organizational goals.
• Provide strategic input and actionable feedback to the Assistant Director of Sales.
• Cultivate relationships with planners, decision-makers, and stakeholders to build trust and loyalty, delivering tailored solutions that align with client needs.
• Travel to and represent Branson at key industry events, trade shows, and conferences to build relationships with potential clients and position the destination as a premier meetings and conventions location.
• Take a leadership role in planning and executing in-market conferences, FAM tours, and site tours, ensuring these events are meticulously organized, align with Branson's brand standards, and deliver an exceptional experience that highlights the destination's offerings.
• Provide expert guidance on Branson's meeting spaces, venues, and services, offering recommendations to clients based on their unique objectives and preferences.
• Work closely with clients to refine event details and ensure all logistics align with their vision, providing a seamless experience from initial inquiry to event execution.
• Conduct regular lead follow-up and sales activities to include email campaigns, phone calls, and on occasion, cold calling for prospecting if necessary.
• Maintain awareness of competing cities and industry trends to refine sales tactics and stay competitive in the meetings and conventions market.
• Coordinate and distribute visitor satisfaction surveys to clients, gathering valuable feedback to assess performance, identify areas for improvement, and enhance future experiences.
• Contribute to the development of marketing materials and sales presentations including but not limited to sales videos, publications, advertisements, scripts, PowerPoints, and more.
• Provide weekly sales pipeline report updates on sales activities, opportunities, and outcomes to the Assistant Director of Sales, ensuring transparency and alignment with broader organizational objectives.

Special Characteristics and Abilities:

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple assignments effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a focus on developing public speaking confidence.
• Ability to work collaboratively while taking initiative on individual tasks.
• Professional, adaptable, and able to handle stress and urgency with poise.
• Demonstrates a customer-focused approach and a commitment to excellence in all interactions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing or related tourism preferred. Industry experience may be considered as acceptable option
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in Hospitality, Tourism Sales, Operations, Sales
• Management in hotel industry, destination management organization, tourism-related entity or appropriate field.
• Strong command of Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or similar spreadsheet software
• Knowledge of leisure travel and hospitality, and other related tourism industries required.
• Must show patterns of significant growth and consistency in prior work experience.
• Must have a valid driver's license. Must be free to travel as needed to carry out organizational goals.