HONG KONG TOURISM BOARD
Manager, Conventions—Eastern Region
Job Description
Background: Hong Kong is Asia’s World City, an international marketplace that links the booming economies of Mainland China and the rest of Asia with the world. Hong Kong's strategic location at the heart of the world's fastest growing economies along with its sophisticated infrastructure, easy accessibility, business-friendly environment, professional expertise and vibrant lifestyle converge to become what is recognized as Asia's premier destination for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions.
In addition to multi-purpose venues such as Asia World-Expo, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, and Hong Kong International Trade & Exhibition Centre, there are many other facilities, hotels, private clubs, theme restaurants and attractions around town that can cater for meetings and functions of all types. Each year, Hong Kong hosts over 100 major exhibitions that attract some 800,000 international and Mainland visitors. In 2008, over 49,000 of these visitors were from the US. Hong Kong provides the platform for international traders involved in wholesale, retail and trade-related services to access Mainland Chinese suppliers. Hong Kong also stages industry exhibitions that showcase the latest technology and know-how to the huge Asian market.
Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong (“MEHK”), also known as the Hong Kong Tourism Board in the US, is seeking a new Convention Manager for its Eastern Region who will develop and implement marketing plans and sales activities that drive Convention business to Hong Kong.
The Position:
The successful applicant will be an experienced professional with a proven ability to grow MEHK’s Eastern US Convention business. He/she must be a self-starter with broad MICE experience, an extensive convention sales background and contacts & rolodex to match. He she/will exhibit the ability to conduct official business for MEHK with a wide range of stakeholders and/or customers on a highly professional level that will instill confidence and respect from all concerned. The position focus will be on Convention business (100%) with international and national associations with international Convention histories. The position is located in our New York City office.
The position reports to the Director, USA based in the HKTB Los Angeles office and General Manager, MICE in Hong Kong headquarters. He or she also has regular communication with NY HKTB staff; Director, USA based in Los Angeles; Manager MEHK, Western Region based in Los Angeles; General Manager/MEHK in Hong Kong and MEHK department in Hong Kong.
This person must be skilled at planning, an excellent writer, detail oriented, and extremely organized with a demonstrated ability to establish priorities and achieve results. In addition, he or she must be able to work collaboratively with staff to promote an open, inclusive environment that emphasizes cooperation and teamwork with a minimum of ego.
Specific responsibilities:
- The role involves negotiation, liaison, contact with and/or management of personnel of the following organizations:
- Associations with the potential to hold international Conventions
- Professional conference organizers and event and exhibition organizers
- Convention industry associations
- MICE trade media
- The HK.Inc. family including Economic Trade Offices in the US and InvestHK representatives as needed
- Trade partners including accommodations, airlines, destination management companies, attractions, venues and representatives of complimentary destinations.
- Retained companies/agencies including advertising production agency, media agency, sales and marketing consultancies and research consultancies as needed
- Solicit new association Conventions business through sales calls, mail, phone, interaction with industry partners and third party meetings planners and industry association event attendance and exhibition
- In cooperation with Manager MEHK, Western Region, develop and execute annual business and marketing plans and budgets for the US Convention market.
- Promote Hong Kong through the development and execution of integrated sales and marketing strategies to position Hong Kong as the premier Convention destination in Asia Pacific
- Promote MEHK products and services to Convention planners and event organizers
- Maintain a thorough working knowledge of the services provided by MEHK and Hong Kong’s MICE product and service providers and promote same to top clients
- Assist Convention planners with site inspections in coordination with MEHK local office
- Coordinate participation and represent MEHK at trade shows, Conventions, and other industry networking events as required
- Coordinate and conduct sales trips to high potential markets and customers
- Present bids for Conventions as necessary
- Promote attendance at select Exhibitions in Hong Kong through integrated campaigns
- Review and maintain updated database of potential customers
Qualifications:
· A university degree in related subject.
· 9+ years of general MICE sales and marketing experience with a specialization in Convention sales at the NTO, CVB, PCO or convention facilities level. International experience, while not necessary, would be a plus.
· Experience in direct marketing, promotions, database and trade events management is required along with a strong convention sales background.
· Must be conversant in the Microsoft Office suite of applications.
· Excellent written and oral communication skills
· Well organized and ability to multi task and effectively prioritize projects
· Can work independently, possesses outstanding interpersonal skills, results driven
For more information about the Hong Kong Tourism Board, please visit their website at http://www.discoverhongkong.com/mice
To Apply: The Hong Kong Tourism Board has retained the services of Harris Rand Lusk to conduct this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to:
Jack Lusk, Managing Partner
jlusk@harrisrand.com
or
Anne McCarthy, Senior Associate
amccarthy@harrisrand.com
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