Job Posting: Visitors Service Coordinator

Job Description

Job Title: Visitor Services Coordinator Employer: Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau, Council Bluffs, IA Reports to: Executive Director Classification: Full-time

Background

The Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit, 501(c)6 organization with the express purpose of promoting Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County as a travel destination. Travelers spend more than $300 million annually in Pottawattamie County. While the bureau has led the effort to promote the city’s tourism assets for approximately 30 years, it only recently became a separate, stand-alone organization governed by a seven-member board of directors. Currently, the CBCVB employs three staff members. The visitor services coordinator would be the fourth member of the bureau’s team.

The Position

This position supports the sales efforts of the Council Bluffs CVB by assisting with room blocks, soliciting guest room pick-up reports following events, ascertaining event attendance, and other similar duties. Separate from sales, he or she will collect economic impact information pertaining to the Mid-America Center, Iowa West Field House, Council Bluffs Recreation Complex, and Iowa West Sports Plex. In addition, this staff member will recruit and oversee volunteers who staff the visitor center function of the bureau’s new office. The coordinator will work with these same volunteers when information tables are requested for meetings, conferences, and sporting events held in Council Bluffs.

Responsibilities

• Service the needs of all booked groups to their satisfaction ensuring repeat business.
• Finalize room blocks with Council Bluffs hotels for contracted groups and provide booking links.
• Efficiently collect and track room-block pick-up for all booked groups within one week of group departure. Ultimately take that information and ascertain the economic value of that business.
• Work with CB’s premier event venues (Mid-America Center, Iowa West Field House, Council Bluffs Recreation Complex, and Iowa West Sports Plex) to compile attendance figures and calculate economic impact.
• Coordinate and communicate specific sporting or convention event needs, details, and logistics with partners to ensure client satisfaction and success – take ownership and follow-through.
• Coordinate welcome packets for groups and gift items for sales calls.
• Prepare trade show booth, collateral, table displays, and materials for shipping or delivery for programs, trade shows, and sales missions.
• Track brochure inventory and replenish supplies as necessary along with regular office supplies.
• Recruit, onboard, train, and schedule volunteer staff for onsite and offsite locations.
• Arrange site visits for volunteer staff to ensure accurate communication of products and services available to visitors in Council Bluffs and/or Pottawattamie County.
• Ensure a successful volunteer program through regular communication and recognition programs.
• Collect and report data pertinent to the visitor experience in the Council Bluffs area. Implement attendee and visitor satisfaction survey and data collection programs.
• Manage the maintenance and upkeep of the office space including physical plant, parking lot, grass, landscaping, and general supplies.
• Ensure visitor center area is clean, welcoming, and well-maintained.

Requirements

• Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills with an emphasis on proper usage of English, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Should be well-versed in the principles of business letter writing, business proposal development, and report preparation.
• Strong computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and average to above-average competency in using a keyboard.
• Understand general mathematics including addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication in order to calculate attendance and economic impact figures efficiently and effectively.
• Education and/or training equivalent to a bachelor’s degree plus at least two (2) years professional experience in an administrative role.
• Projects a positive attitude, willing to adapt to change, and sees him/herself as a member of the CBCVB team.
• Manages and prioritizes multiple tasks and projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while remaining detail oriented.
• Must be capable of exercising independent judgement, discretion, and initiative. Utilizes tact and courtesy in frequent contact with business and industry representatives, government officials, and the general public.
• Ability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as required.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Those candidates possessing experience in travel and tourism with a knowledge and appreciation of Council Bluffs are preferred.

How to Apply

To apply, please write a 300-word description of Council Bluffs touting the destination’s key assets for visitors. Send the writing sample, cover letter, and resume to Mark Eckman, Council Bluffs CVB, 509 23rd Ave., Council Bluffs, IA 51501, by emailing it to meckman@UNleashCB.com. The Council Bluffs CVB requests no phone calls or walk-ins regarding the position during the hiring process.

Salary Information

• Salary range: $35,000-45,000 (based on experience)