Job Description / Duties

About the Role & Responsibilities
The Events Specialist is responsible for leading planning initiatives required for all Culinary Tourism Alliance events through stakeholder engagement and administering all program-related activities at the CTA.

You will ensure that CTA’s events are planned, organized, dynamic, inclusive, and representative of the diversity that exists within the culinary cultural communities of Ontario. You will also build capacity with businesses in our network and across the culinary tourism value chain, assist in the development of both current and new programs, and manage the administration required for all events.

Responsibilities

• Event planning, design and production while managing all project delivery elements and timeline
• Liaise with clients to identify their needs and to ensure customer satisfaction
• Conduct market research, gather information and negotiate contracts for approval prior to closing any deals
• Provide feedback and periodic reports to stakeholders
• Propose ideas to improve provided services and event quality
• Organize facilities and manage all event’s details such as decor, catering, entertainment, transportation, location, invitee list, special guests, equipment, promotional material etc.
• Ensure compliance with insurance, legal, health and safety obligations
• Specify staff and volunteer requirements and coordinate their activities
• Cooperate with marketing and PR to promote and publicize event
• Proactively handle any arising issues and troubleshoot any problems on event day
• Conduct pre - and post-event evaluations and report on outcomes
• Research market, identify event opportunities and generate interest
• Leads community engagement and supports programming initiatives while ensuring that administrative details and databases are kept up to date.
• Supports events content for the monthly program e-newsletters, industry interviews, other communications as needed
• Assists in identifying new recruitment opportunities of stakeholders and partners
• Conducts outreach (by phone, email, and potentially in-market) as means of servicing our stakeholders and identifying new recruitment opportunities.
• Collects program tracking and reporting metrics through events.
• Tracks inventory of program events assets for promotional use
• Assists in the coordination and implementation of new program development
• Attends and participates in events as required (including public speaking)
• Works with all CTA departments to foster a teamwork environment and culture that encourages personal integrity, accountability & responsibility.
• Other duties as reasonably required to support the programs team.

Qualifications / Required Skills

• A minimum of 2-3 years of experience within an event planning role, relevant marketing, sales, or customer service in tourism or hospitality sector
• Strong organizational and analytical skills and a keen eye for detail are necessary
• Ability to undertake multiple tasks at one time and to keep appropriate records, files, and other materials readily available
• Excellent team-oriented skills and capacities
• Ability to work with people in multiple and varied forms, involving all staff levels, as well as the public, community leaders and others.
• Ability to travel out of town and attend content creation trips, trade or consumer shows on evenings and weekends, as needed
• Valid G license is required, access to a reliable vehicle is an asset
• Knowledge of inclusion work and an appreciation of the complexities of inter/intracultural interactions
• Adept at Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, CRM, and project management software
• Ability to work effectively in a remote work setting and manage shifting priorities
• Passion for food, drink and travel an asset
• Bilingual (FR/EN) candidates will be prioritized

Additional Information

• Other stuff you will do:
• Foster a culture that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion within the CTA.
• Bring people from diverse communities together to represent the breadth and depth of culinary cultural diversity in Ontario.
• Infuse the team with your knowledge, skills, energy and passion.
• Foster an environment of innovation, collaboration and personal accountability.
• Proactively establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Understand and enforce all organizational policies and procedures.

More about you

• You are a problem solver, not a barrier builder
• You are comfortable with self-directed project work
• You thrive in ambiguous situations and on exceeding targets
• You think critically and make effective decisions
• You enjoy working on a small, nimble team

Note: We reserve the right to terminate employment early should our team member on maternity leave choose to return earlier than anticipated.

Interested applicants should submit their resume and cover letter referencing: Events Specialist to nicole@culinarytourismalliance.com no later than 4:00 PM EST on Monday, July 26, 2024.

The Culinary Tourism Alliance is certified as a Living Wage Employer. Compensation is based on previous experience and level of expertise. The Culinary Tourism Alliance is an equal-opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and communities.

Salary: $55,000 - $65,000, plus benefits

Contact Information

Nicole Brown, VP Operations and Partnerships
nicole@culinarytourismalliance.com

Employer Profile

The Culinary Tourism Alliance is a not-for-profit organization on a mission to ensure that culinary tourism is a meaningful and sustainable contributor to local economies in destinations worldwide. We work with communities to grow culinary tourism by leveraging the history, heritage, and culture behind the food and drink that makes each destination unique.