Sales Manager

Huntington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau; Huntington (WV); On-site; USD 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Simple IRA with 3% employer match

Vacation and sick leave

13 paid holidays annually

Life insurance

Job summary

The Huntington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is seeking a Sales Manager to promote the destination for leisure travel, meetings, conventions, and group tours in Huntington, WV. This on-site role focuses on generating new business and maintaining relationships with partners and clients.

You will respond to RFPs, develop proposals, and collaborate with local hotels, venues, and attractions to create compelling bids and itineraries.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, hospitality, tourism, communications, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple prospects, projects, and deadlines independently.
• Must work cooperatively and maintain positive relationships with diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Prospect for and develop new business with meeting planners, sports organizations, tour operators, associations, businesses, and other leads.
• Maintain relationships with current and prospective clients and partners throughout the sales cycle.
• Respond to RFPs and develop proposals, itineraries, and destination information.
• Coordinate with hotels, venues, attractions, and partners to develop competitive bids and packages.

Skills

Sales

Prospecting

Negotiation

Relationship management

Presentation skills

Travel readiness

CRM/database systems

Microsoft 365

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM/database systems

Job description

Reports To: President/CEO

Status: Full Time; Exempt

Location: On-site; Huntington, WV

Position Summary

The Sales Manager is responsible for maintaining current business and generating new business by promoting the destination as a premier location for leisure travel, meetings, conventions, sporting events, group tours, reunions, and other organized travel. The position plays a critical role in driving visitation, increasing destination awareness, and strengthening the local tourism economy.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Prospect for and develop new business with meeting planners, sports organizations, tour operators, associations, businesses, and other qualified leads.
• Maintain relationships with current and prospective clients and partners throughout the sales cycle.
• Respond to RFPs and develop proposals, presentations, bid materials, itineraries, and destination information.
• Coordinate with hotels, venues, attractions, restaurants, sports facilities, and other partners to develop competitive bids and packages.
• Conduct sales calls, presentations, site inspections, and familiarization tours.
• Follow up with prospects and clients to secure business and encourage repeat visitation.
• Represent the CVB at relevant trade shows, conferences, sales missions, networking events, and community functions.
• Maintain strong relationships with local tourism partners, municipalities, sports organizations, and industry groups.
• Maintain current knowledge of area hotels, meeting facilities, attractions, restaurants, sports facilities, events, and other destination assets.
• Track leads, contacts, proposals, bookings, room nights, attendance, and other appropriate sales metrics in the organization's CRM/database.
• Prepare regular sales reports and monitor progress toward established goals.
• Assist with group arrivals, hospitality activities, registration, special events, and other needs when applicable.
• Collaborate with President/CEO and outside agencies to ensure sales efforts and destination messaging are aligned.
• Stay current on tourism, hospitality, meetings, sports, group travel, and destination sales trends.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Core Competencies

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, hospitality, tourism, communications or related field, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple prospects, projects, and deadlines independently.
• Must work cooperatively and maintain positive relationships with diverse groups of people.
• Strong sales, prospecting, networking, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.
• Strong customer service skills, organization, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Working knowledge of hospitality, tourism, meetings, conventions, sports, or group travel.
• Proficiency with standard office technology like Microsoft 365 and Google programs, CRM/database systems, email, and presentation software.
• Ability to travel, including overnight travel, and work evenings/weekends when required.
• Basic math skills and reasoning abilities.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for business-related travel.

Performance Expectation

Success in this role is demonstrated through consistent progress toward organizational sales goals, effective management of business opportunities, and positive contributions to destination growth. Performance expectations may include:

• Achieving established sales objectives and contributing to increased visitation, bookings, and tourism-related economic impact.
• Maintaining a proactive sales approach that supports a strong pipeline of qualified business opportunities.
• Demonstrating effective stewardship of client, partner, and community relationships.
• Providing accurate and timely reporting, documentation, and insights to support decision-making and strategic planning.
• Representing the CVB and destination in a manner that reflects professionalism, credibility, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Continuously identifying opportunities to improve sales strategies, enhance client experiences, and support the overall success of the destination.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The Sales Manager works primarily in a professional office environment with standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, and filing cabinets with moderate noise levels and adequate lighting. This role requires participation in trade shows, conferences, community events, and other destination-marketing activities. These events may require extended periods of standing or walking and occasionally lifting, carrying, or moving displays, promotional materials, supplies, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.

About the HACVB

The Huntington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau offers health insurance through West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA), Simple IRA with a 3% employer match, optional life insurance, generous vacation and sick leave, and 13 paid holidays annually.

HACVB is an equal opportunity employer. We commit ourselves to recruit and employ the best qualified staff without regard to race, color, age, sex, religious or sexual preference, disability, ethnicity, national origin, or any other legally protected status.