Short Description:

Hospitality Sector Bus. Development Rep. - work experience in related business, including hotel group sales, meeting planning, major event planning, hospitality business development, and urban tourism. 

Complete Description:

The Hospitality Sector Business Development Representative is responsible for building and managing relationships with top employers and professional associations in the hospitality industry and encouraging the attraction and growth of visitors to the District. The representative will track data related to conventions, and use this information for business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts, and development of targeted marketing materials. The candidate will make policy recommendations to support job growth within the hospitality service providers, and work closely with leading hospitality organizations such as Destination DC; Events DC; Washington Convention and Sports Authority; Hotel Association of Washington, DC; and the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.  Upcoming projects relevant to this position include marketing the District to as a conference destination to business visitors; identifying industry ambassadors to assist in conference bids; aligning business retention incentives with associations who host meetings in the District; and streamlining the process to host special events.

Specific responsibilities include: 

• Maintain up-to-date database of business prospects and company interactions.  

• Provide project management support on hospitality initiatives within the 5 Year Economic Development Strategy.

• Identify and pursue organizations most likely to host events in the District.

• Research and recommend hospitality-related economic development policies. 

• Support the District’s economic development efforts, including through tax incentives, legislation, etc. 

• Identify grants and other funding opportunities to support the creative economy.

• Manage relationships with hotel, museums, industry organizations, restaurants and performing arts venues.

• Serve as a liaison in the sales process or during the execution of the events (i.e., securing letters of support from the Mayor, hosting receptions from the city or facilitating the Mayor or Deputy Mayor's participation in key meetings or receptions for clients or perspective clients) in support of group business 

• Work with agencies on both domestic and international tourism/leisure travel related events/conferences (i.e. letters of support, meetings, etc)

• Coordinating with city agencies (e.g., DDOT, MPD, etc.) to facilitate permitting, licensing, public space, and special event needs 

• Assisting in identifying businesses that could help serve as ambassadors in conference bids 

• Help sustain/connect tourism messaging between Hospitality Alliance and DC government. For example, ensure all parties are working with the same numbers for economic development, visitor statistics, economic impact of tourism, etc.

• Liaise between the Mayor’s Office, DMPED and the District’s hospitality industry on issues impacting the industry and creative economy.

Behavior Characteristics:

• Ability to effectively manage and prioritize multiple tasks in fast paced environment

• Positive attitude; problem-solver

• Excellent organizational skills

Skills:

Skill

Required / Desired

Amount

of Experience

Expertise Rating

Presentation and public speaking experience; advocacy and promotion

Required

4

Years

3 - Expert

Understanding of local economic development tools

Required

4

Years

3 - Expert

Familiarity with DC’s tourism, creative economy, food services, and hotel operations

Required

4

Years

3 - Expert

Understanding of organizational convention and meeting planning

Required

4

Years

3 - Expert

Genuine interest and experience in hospitality, workforce development, and job creation

Required

4

Years

3 - Expert

Ability to communicate and build partnerships with different constituencies

Required

4

Years

3 - Expert

An existing network of hoteliers, restaurateurs, conference and meeting venues, performing arts and spectator sports companies, and key industry assoc

Required

4

Years

3 - Expert

Bachelor's Degree

Required

  

 

Master's Degree

Highly desired