Work Schedule:
Primarily 8am–5pm, with occasional evening and weekend involvement
Reports to:
Director of Destination Development
Help Showcase Brookings as a Place People Want to Visit, Gather, and Invest.
Location:
Brookings, SD
Status:
Full-Time • Exempt • Benefits Eligible
Brookings Regional Growth Alliance is dedicated to advancing economic opportunity, strengthening community vitality, and growing tourism across the Brookings region. Through strategic partnerships, events, and outreach, we enhance quality of life and position Brookings as a vibrant place to visit, live, work, and invest.
We’re looking for a
Destination Development Specialist
who is energized by relationship-building, event services and support, and community impact—and who enjoys being at the center of activity that brings people to our region.
About The Role The Destination Development Specialist plays a key role in growing tourism and event activity by recruiting and supporting meetings, conventions, and special events. This position works closely with hotels, venues, event organizers, and local businesses to create positive visitor experiences that drive economic impact.
If you enjoy juggling projects, building partnerships, and seeing your work come to life through successful events, this role offers variety, visibility, and meaningful community impact.
What You’ll Do Event Development & Support
Recruit, retain, and support meetings, conventions, and special events that benefit the Brookings community
Serve as the primary point of contact for event organizers—from initial inquiry through execution
Coordinate logistics and provide hands‑on event support to ensure smooth, successful experiences
Help develop strategies to attract new events and grow existing ones
Sales & Revenue Generation
Promote Brookings as a premier destination for meetings, events, and group travel
Identify and secure new business opportunities that generate event‑related revenue
Build and maintain strong relationships with hotels, venues, attractions, and local partners
Track event outcomes and performance to demonstrate return on investment
Community & Partner Engagement
Serve as a key liaison to hotels, venues, and hospitality partners
Lead outreach efforts to engage stakeholders and promote tourism opportunities
Coordinate and host site visits and bus tours showcasing Brookings’ assets to prospective groups
Grants & Administration
Manage the Destination Development grant program, including application review, record‑keeping, ROI analysis, and reporting
Identify grant opportunities that support tourism, events, and community development
Collaborate with internal teams to align grant activities with organizational priorities
What We Are Looking For
Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, tourism, marketing, communications, nonprofit management, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
1–3 years of experience in event planning, tourism development, sales, community engagement, or a related area
Demonstrated success in event coordination, business development, or grant‑related work
Strong communication, presentation, and relationship‑building skills
Ability to manage multiple projects, work independently, and collaborate across teams and sectors
Familiarity with hospitality, tourism, or community development trends is a plus
As part of our hiring process, final candidates will complete a standard post‑offer background check
What We Offer Salary Range:
$45,000 to $54,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications
We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support our team members both professionally and personally. Benefits may include:
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Employer‑supported retirement plan
Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and sick leave
Professional development and training opportunities
Flexible work environment, with occasional evening or weekend event support
Opportunity to work in a mission‑driven organization making a visible impact in the community
Ready to Apply? Submit Resume at https://jobs.ourcareerpages.com/job/975139?source=websiteDDS
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Primarily 8am–5pm, with occasional evening and weekend involvement
Reports to:
Director of Destination Development
Help Showcase Brookings as a Place People Want to Visit, Gather, and Invest.
Location:
Brookings, SD
Status:
Full-Time • Exempt • Benefits Eligible
Brookings Regional Growth Alliance is dedicated to advancing economic opportunity, strengthening community vitality, and growing tourism across the Brookings region. Through strategic partnerships, events, and outreach, we enhance quality of life and position Brookings as a vibrant place to visit, live, work, and invest.
We’re looking for a
Destination Development Specialist
who is energized by relationship-building, event services and support, and community impact—and who enjoys being at the center of activity that brings people to our region.
About The Role The Destination Development Specialist plays a key role in growing tourism and event activity by recruiting and supporting meetings, conventions, and special events. This position works closely with hotels, venues, event organizers, and local businesses to create positive visitor experiences that drive economic impact.
If you enjoy juggling projects, building partnerships, and seeing your work come to life through successful events, this role offers variety, visibility, and meaningful community impact.
What You’ll Do Event Development & Support
Recruit, retain, and support meetings, conventions, and special events that benefit the Brookings community
Serve as the primary point of contact for event organizers—from initial inquiry through execution
Coordinate logistics and provide hands‑on event support to ensure smooth, successful experiences
Help develop strategies to attract new events and grow existing ones
Sales & Revenue Generation
Promote Brookings as a premier destination for meetings, events, and group travel
Identify and secure new business opportunities that generate event‑related revenue
Build and maintain strong relationships with hotels, venues, attractions, and local partners
Track event outcomes and performance to demonstrate return on investment
Community & Partner Engagement
Serve as a key liaison to hotels, venues, and hospitality partners
Lead outreach efforts to engage stakeholders and promote tourism opportunities
Coordinate and host site visits and bus tours showcasing Brookings’ assets to prospective groups
Grants & Administration
Manage the Destination Development grant program, including application review, record‑keeping, ROI analysis, and reporting
Identify grant opportunities that support tourism, events, and community development
Collaborate with internal teams to align grant activities with organizational priorities
What We Are Looking For
Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, tourism, marketing, communications, nonprofit management, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
1–3 years of experience in event planning, tourism development, sales, community engagement, or a related area
Demonstrated success in event coordination, business development, or grant‑related work
Strong communication, presentation, and relationship‑building skills
Ability to manage multiple projects, work independently, and collaborate across teams and sectors
Familiarity with hospitality, tourism, or community development trends is a plus
As part of our hiring process, final candidates will complete a standard post‑offer background check
What We Offer Salary Range:
$45,000 to $54,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications
We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support our team members both professionally and personally. Benefits may include:
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Employer‑supported retirement plan
Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and sick leave
Professional development and training opportunities
Flexible work environment, with occasional evening or weekend event support
Opportunity to work in a mission‑driven organization making a visible impact in the community
Ready to Apply? Submit Resume at https://jobs.ourcareerpages.com/job/975139?source=websiteDDS
#J-18808-Ljbffr