SearchWide Global Position Overview – Louisville Tourism – Page 1 of 6

POSITION OVERVIEW

LOUISVILLE TOURISM SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT CONVENTION DEVELOPMENT

(Louisville, Kentucky)

ABOUT THE DESTINATION

Louisville is the largest city in the state of Kentucky and the county seat of Jefferson County. Louisville is southeasterly situated along the border between Kentucky and Indiana, the Ohio River, in north-central Kentucky at the Falls of the Ohio. The Louisville metropolitan area is often referred to as Kentuckiana because it includes counties in Southern Indiana. A resident of Louisville is referred to as a Louisvillian. Although situated in a Southern state, Louisville is influenced by both Southern and Midwestern culture. Once referred to as “The Gateway to the South,” Louisville has its own unique brand of “southerness” and is sometimes referred to as either one of the northernmost Southern cities or as one of the southernmost Northern cities in the United States. Wherever you place it, it is Bourbon City, Derby City and River City all at once.

Louisville is many things - original, eclectic, historic, dynamic, and above all…authentic. You could spend a lifetime getting to know our city, the people, the neighborhoods, the culture, and the history that make Louisville truly original.

LOUISVILLE – A WAY OF LIFE…

North, south, east, or west – Louisville offers a wealth of attractions and fantastic historic architecture in every direction. The striking local landscape includes six tree-lined parkways and 18 parks designed by New York’s Central Park planner Frederick Law Olmsted. One of only five Olmsted park systems in existence, Louisville is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city’s public parks include playgrounds, swimming and wading pools, basketball courts, baseball fields, football fields, hockey rinks, recreation centers, horseback riding and more than 30 miles of bike lanes throughout the city.

Louisville Neighborhoods:

Downtown East End/Hurstbourne Bardstown Road/Baxter Avenue

Frankfort Avenue Old Louisville Beechmont

Irish Hill Butchertown NuLu

Crescent Hill The Highlands Germantown

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MEETING FACILITIES, ATTRACTIONS & POINTS OF INTEREST

Louisville is home to two world class convention facilities as well as additional venues offering unique qualities and atmosphere. Located in the heart of downtown, the Kentucky International Convention Center, has 300,000 square feet of space, a 200-person conference center and 52 meeting rooms. Perfect for corporate gatherings, trade shows, conferences, and multi-day conventions, the downtown center is fully supported by a dedicated and professional fulltime staff, in-house catering, and technical production specialists. After a massive expansion and renovation, KICC re-opened with a completely modernized 200,000+ contiguous exhibit area with a 40,000 square foot ballroom. New hotel rooms brought took the downtown package to 6,200 and growing.

The Kentucky Exposition Center is the seventh largest facility of its kind in the United States, covering more than 1.2 million square feet of indoor exhibition space, meeting rooms and public areas including Freedom Hall, a 19,000-seat indoor arena. Located just minutes from downtown and the Muhammad Ali Louisville International Airport, the Kentucky Exposition Center is the permanent home of large-scale events like the Kentucky State Fair, the National Farm Machinery Show, and the North American International Livestock Exposition. The over one million square feet of

contiguous, climate-controlled exhibit and meeting space - all on one level - will accommodate all shapes and sizes of events. Over 26,000 visitors can pour into the facility's two arenas simultaneously while meetings commence in the 54 meeting rooms. The 600-seat auditorium can host a more intimate gathering while 300 acres of outdoor demonstration areas provide plenty of wide-open spaces. Distinct to the facility is the outdoor championship-size covered equestrian/livestock arena which comes equipped with over 1,000 permanent horse stalls and an additional 720 temporary stalls situated on 400+ acres.

The Kentucky State Fair Board has been at the forefront of Kentucky tourism development. Today, the Kentucky State Fair Board, an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates two of the largest facilities in the state — the Kentucky Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center.

The KFC Yum! Center is Louisville’s thriving multi-purpose arena with 721,762 square feet. It’s opened in 2010 created an entire “arena district” with surrounding restaurants and retail. It boasts 22,000-plus seats, seven levels, 72 suites, 62 premium boxes, six lounges, four meeting rooms and a 1 ½ acre landscaped entry plaza. The KFC Yum! Center is the official home of the University of Louisville men’s and women’s basketball programs. It is an ideal venue for concerts, family shows, conventions, corporate gatherings, and various sporting events.

ATTRACTIONS AND POINTS OF INTEREST

Bourbon Culture, Urban Bourbon Trail Bourbon City reclaimed its bourbon heritage in the last decade with the opening of 10 urban distilleries. America’s Native Spirit is part of the core fabric of the city and Louisville’s bourbon culture extends far beyond its production tours. It’s woven into the culinary scene and receives prime billing at festivals and events. It’s even on display in many unique accommodations and a headline exhibit at the Frazier History Museum, which is now the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and features its own tasting experience and the highly instagrammable Wall of Bourbon.

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In addition to the distilleries, Louisville is home to the Urban Bourbon Trail® – a cocktail and culinary experience highlighting the city’s best Bourbon bars and restaurants. This elevated “pub crawl” continues has 40 stops, each stocked with at least 60 bourbons.

Churchill Downs – Of course, no visit to Louisville would be complete without the classic Louisville experience of Churchill Downs, home of the world’s most famous thoroughbred horserace: the Kentucky Derby. In addition, the adjacent Kentucky Derby Museum provides visitors with 364-day access to the “the two fastest minutes in sports” including historical exhibits and tours of the track itself.

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory – Home of the world’s largest baseball bat at six stories high, this iconic attraction is both a museum and working factory tour located on "Museum Row," part of the West Main District of downtown. The museum showcases the story of Louisville Slugger baseball bats in baseball and in American history.

Old Louisville – For the history buff, the neighborhood of Old Louisville is home to one of the largest historic preservation districts in the nation. Visitors will find the country’s greatest collection of preserved Victorian architecture. Alternatively, guests can find a fresher look at history with a visit to the Muhammad Ali Center where they’ll experience exhibits that tell the life story of Louisville’s most famous native son.

Fourth Street Live – Louisville’s version of a “Times Square,” this city block along Fourth Street is a popular dining, entertainment, and retail destination in the heart of historic downtown. Just a short walk from downtown hotels, waterfront park, Main Street, Slugger Field, and other major attractions, Fourth Street Live is a central gathering point for many convention delegates.

Jefferson Memorial Forest – For a respite from all the excitement, visitors can make a break for the 6,000-acre Jefferson Memorial Forest in south Louisville. The nation’s largest urban forest, the Jefferson offers more than 30 miles of hiking trails through a designated wildlife refuge within view of downtown Louisville. Part of the soon to be completed Louisville Loop connecting the city’s parks by a paved walkway, visitors will be able to stroll from the Jefferson Memorial Forest all the way to Waterfront Park.

Kentucky Performing Arts – Kentucky's premier performing arts venue. Home of ballet, Broadway, opera, orchestra & children's theater. The Kentucky Center has four times been voted Kentucky’s best venue for music, theater and dance by the readers of Kentucky Monthly magazine. But it is more than stages and theaters. It is the Governor’s School for the Arts in Lexington, offering three weeks of intensive training for hundreds of Kentucky’s finest high school artists every summer.

Belle of Louisville – The Belle of Louisville is the oldest river steamboat in continuous use. Since 1963, the Belle has been cruising up and down the Ohio River along the Louisville border and racing in the annual Kentucky Derby Festival Great Steamboat Race. She is one of Louisville's biggest attractions among visitors to the city as well as a favorite piece of local culture among Louisville residents.

Museum Row on Main – Nine original Louisville attractions within four walkable blocks—and adventures every step of the way. There’s something for everyone along Museum Row on Main. All nine of these unique downtown Louisville attractions have one-of-a-kind offerings for families and groups. Discover the history of the city's beginnings and its future along historic Main Street, recently named one of "America's Top Ten Great Streets" by the American Planning Association.

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ABOUT LOUISVILLE TOURISM

Budget: $16 Million Size of Staff: 54

As the official marketing organization for Louisville, the agency’s mission is “to enhance Louisville’s economy through tourism— to position and sell the community worldwide, in partnership with the public and private sector, as a premier destination for conventions, trade shows, corporate meetings, group tours, and individual leisure travel. In pursuit of its mission, the Bureau generates increased visitor spending, local tax receipts, and job development.”

Within the last decade, Louisville Tourism has evolved from a destination-marketing organization to a leadership position in destination management by forming corporate and community alliances, not just marketing partnerships; developing a diversified portfolio of meeting and convention clientele with special emphasis on customer service, retention and sales; growing the leisure visitor segment by pursuing special interest groups through the introduction of new destination product; and acknowledging the value and depth of our destination brand through a fully integrated marketing investment strategy with focus on key target markets.

In 2019, more than 19 million visitors generated $3.5 Billion in tourist dollars spent on daytrips and overnight trips to Louisville. And as Louisville’s third largest industry, tourism supported nearly 60,000 jobs in the region. The economic impact is of course significant, but the results are even more important, as they positively affect the quality of life in Louisville itself.

By maintaining its commitment to this critically important industry, Louisville simultaneously enriches and nurtures its infrastructure — which is why, year after year, Louisville ranks as one of the very top cities in the nation for quality of life.

LOUISVILLE VISITOR OVERVIEW:

86.1% of travelers come for leisure or personal reasons with 13.9% visiting for conventions & tradeshows; average age: 42.9 years old; 57.4% female, 30.3% male; average length of stay: 2.6 days; average visitor spend: $292.69 per travel party

Click here to view the full 2019/2020 Visitor Profile Study Click here to view the Destination Strategic Plan Click here to view the Official Louisville Visitor Guide Click here for additional research and the most recent Marketing Plan Click the links for Louisville’s 2019 and 2020 national accolades

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Vice President of Convention Development will be responsible for managing the convention sales team to achieve annual room night goal of 730,000 room nights, (post pandemic). The convention sales team includes VP Tradeshow Sales, Sales Information Manager, 10 Sales Managers, 1 Sales Coordinator and 4 Sales Assistants.

Reports To: Executive Vice President

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads the efforts of developing and implementing the Convention sales and marketing plan.• Outlining specific sales objectives and priorities for the individual sales market segments and prospecting for

new business.• Implement the results of the recent KICC Optimization plan.• Establishes sales policies and procedures designed to maximize convention room night potential.• Monitors the individual file load/account base of sales managers to maintain an equal distribution of accounts

in terms of market segment and booking potential.

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• Oversee the preparation, follow up action, and assesses the effectiveness of all sales programs, includingindividual sales trips, monthly account qualifying, industry meetings/trade shows and all local, state, andnational promotions.

• Establish specific goals and tracks performance toward those goals for convention sales team.• Effective communication with hotel director of sales via email, phone, and regularly scheduled meetings.• Approves departmental invoices and expenses.• Attends all commission meetings and provide accurate, informative reports for the commission.• Responsible for preparation and administration of Convention Development budget, including the approval

and projections of all future funding commitments.• Work with the Executive VP and other departments on special projects.

IDEAL BACKGROUND AND SKILL SET

• Previous sales leadership experience with a DMO/CVB and/or major hotel company is a must.• 10+ years of selling experience specifically to the large convention and tradeshow segment.• Demonstrated leadership with the major industry associations, preferably at the board or committee level.• Respected as an influential, strategic thinker for and within the organization.• Strategic experience in recruiting and building a strategic sales organization.• Strong presentation skills.• Ability to inspire people, a motivator with a contagious, positive attitude.• Excellent communication skills and the ability to connect with external and internal customers at all levels.

The right individual will possess exceptional credibility.• An established and visible national industry profile, especially in the leisure and group meetings segment.• Knowledge of Louisville and its convention and tourism assets desired.• Strong quantitative analysis skills.• Expertise in technology applications and electronic distribution channels.• High level of enthusiasm and a passion for sales.• Demonstrate team approach with a collaborative focus.• Receptive management style; someone open to feedback and ideas.• Optimistic, results orientated and high energy leader.• Follow-through to implement ideas with structure and process.• Demonstrate high integrity at all times, trustworthy and ethical with impeccable work ethic.• Successful track record with administrative skills and budget experience.• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.• Computer proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, Word.• An understanding of sales methods, procedures, and techniques.• Strong organization skills, mathematical aptitude, and attention to detail.• Possesses or will obtain knowledge of all bureau departments.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND CHARACTERISTICS NEEDED

Energetic

Creative

Patient

Extrovert

Diplomatic

Consensus Builder

Motivational

Open-Minded

Politically Astute

Even-keeled

Positive Attitude

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KEY PRIORITIES FOR THE FIRST 6-12 MONTHS

1. Engage in the sales process immediately at all levels to understand and evaluate strengths and weaknesses ofthe team and our destination product.

2. Meet and gain confidence with hotel GM’s, DOS’s, and key attractions.3. Know and recognize Louisville’s convention assets, existing hotels and new hotel products coming online i.e.,

Cambria Sites, Lynn Family Stadium, Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center.4. Embrace the history and expansion of the Kentucky International Convention Center and establish annual

productivity goals for KICC, KEC, and in-house business.5. Assess all levels of current and potential convention business at the Kentucky Exposition Center6. Assess current booking guidelines and make recommendations based on outcomes from KICC Optimization Study.7. Work closely with the Sales Information Manager on monthly, mid-year, and FY end suite of reports.8. Assess staffing needs and recommendations as Post Pandemic budget and specific sales needs present

themselves.

NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

If interested in learning more about this great opportunity, please send your resume to the SearchWide Global Executive listed below.

Mark Gnatovic, Executive Vice President | SearchWide Global

www.searchwideglobal.com | info@searchwideglobal.com

817-789-9879 (mobile)

About SearchWide Global

SearchWide Global is a full-service executive search firm primarily for companies in the travel, tourism and convention, and hotel and lodging industries. We specialize in C-Level, Director and Management level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies.