Executive Director. Hays Convention & Visitors Bureau

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1 Shortly after the Civil War, railroad builders and settlers began pushing into western Kansas with ever-increasing intensity, provoking resistance from the Indian inhabitants of the area. To provide protection for this citizenry of railroad workers, soldiers and desperados, Fort Hays was established in 1867 and the city of Hays sprang to life on the plains in August of that year. Today Hays is a regional hub for Northwest Kansas for education, healthcare, professional services, shopping, culture, arts and recreation for the western half of Kansas servicing a population of nearly 100,000. This opportunity is presented exclusively by Executive Search and Talent Acquisition for DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS

2 s m all tow n charm...bi g time fun The City of Hays has been professionally managed under the city manager form of government since Toby Dougherty became the current city manager in The CVB reports directly to the City Manager and responsible for operations, planning, managing and implementing Strategies for marketing our community. The city is fiscally sound and CVB has a budget capable of achieving greatness. Operationally the organization is well respected throughout the community and supported by its employees because of its open communication, proper planning and innovativeness. The Community The City of Hays, Kansas (population 20,500) is a progressive community located on I-70 midway between Kansas City and Denver. As the largest city in Northwest Kansas it serves as a regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, arts, and recreation for the western half of Kansas - serving a population of nearly 100,000. This excellent community is recognized among the top Kansas cities in entertainment and named one of the best cities for young families. The community also has award winning public and private schools. Hays is home to Fort Hays State University, known for its innovation and entrepreneurship. Fort Hays State University is a regional comprehensive university with over 13,000 students. With the lowest tuition in the region, Fort Hays State offers its students hands-on learning with close attention from a faculty that prepares them with a global perspective, professional skills and confidence to pursue successful careers. Fort Hays State is the fastest growing university in the Kansas Regents system. Hays Medical Center employs more than 1,000 people. Hays Medical Center is the home to the DeBakey Heart Institute of Kansas and is one of the top rural medical centers in the United States. Community assets include the Chestnut Street District in Historic Downtown Hays with its unique shopping, galleries, and eateries. The Hays Arts Council is the oldest local arts agency in Kansas and has successfully fostered a strong and nationally notable arts community. The Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the Fort Hays State University campus is home to the Encore Series, the Hays Symphony, university events and other national and world caliber performances. Hays boasts excellent recreational facilities including the comprehensive Center for Health Improvement, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, an extensive recreational program, and excellent opportunities for walking, running, and biking. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes providing boating and other water sports. The Hays Municipal Airport provides connecting service to both Kansas City and Denver with several flights in each direction daily. Multiple high-speed Internet service providers service Hays, and the community has consistently been a national leader in connectivity. To find out more about the amazing community of Hays, KS that over 20,000 people call home, visit

3 P o s i tion Profile Budget Funding Employees Website Hotels $1.2 million with $750,000 as an operating budget 5% Transient Guest Tax (Bed Tax) 4 full time and 2 part time America's Best Value Inn, Baymont Inn and Suites Best Western Butterfield Inn, Budget Host Villa Inn, Comfort Inn and Suites, Days Inn, EconoLodge, Fairfield Inn by Marriott, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Motel 6, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn & Suites, Super 8 Motel Major Venues Fort Hays State University, Sternberg Museum, Downtown Hays, Larks Baseball, Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center, Encore Series, Bickle/ Schmidt Sports Complex Additional Details The Convention and Visitors Bureau operates primarily off the 5% transient guest tax (bed tax) which generates $750,000 annually and continues to grow. Excluding the operational budget, funds exist for more marketing endeavors. Hays is strategically located on highway I-70 between Kansas City and Denver and is primarily funded by sales tax with a pull factor of 1.8. The increase of more overnight visitors and use of restaurants and gas stations will progress the municipal budget with direct impact to the Convention and Visitors Bureau. The city commission recently approved retaining the 5% transient guest tax as they understand the potential impact additional revenues can have on increasing the overall sales tax and the local economy.

4 Your Job T h e N ew Under the supervision of the City Manager, the of the Convention and Visitors Bureau is an exempt position under FLSA. This employee is responsible for the management of the Convention and Visitors Bureau operations and budget. Developing advertising and promotional materials is required. The should possess excellent communication skills, strong supervisory and organizational skills. Mission To market the City of Hays to potential overnight visitors by promoting to individual and family travelers, conventions and groups, sports and recreation events, motor coach tours and encouraging special community events; and to service those travelers while visiting our city. Oversees all departmental activities. Promotes dining, shopping, leisure, recreation, lodging and attractions to current community and visitors within a 100 mile radius. Makes recommendations to the City Manager regarding all departmental personnel actions. Serves as a marketing agent for the City of Hays. Acts as a liaison between conventions, athletic events, tour groups, individual travelers and local motel owners and managers. Develops, plans and manages advertising and marketing opportunities for the City of Hays. Supervises and assists subordinate personnel. Fields questions, concerns and complaints from the general public and motel owners and managers. Designs and updates local community and state-wide signage program. Develops, prepares and monitors departmental budget. Performs convention and group sales duties. Oversees monthly Advisory Board meetings. Participates in State and Regional Tourism groups. Monitors financial statements and prepares yearly reports and programs. Consults with the City Manager regarding department policies and procedures. Responsible for long-range planning for the department. Oversees the Departments maintenance of the CVB website. Maintain stakeholder relationships within community, regional and State. Create and/or coordinate marketing incentives for shopping, dining and lodging. Guide and direct a vision to Hays visibility to state region of attractions, events, etc. Plans, directs, and coordinates subordinate level staff with clear direction and communication. Assists other departments as the need arises. Distributes brochures and other promotional materials as needed. Performs other duties as deemed necessary or assigned. Implements plans and strategies to solicit groups, organizations and individuals to dining, shopping recreation, lodging and attractions.

5 R e q u i r e d Skill Set & Experience Executive management in CVB as Director and/or Senior Executive. Charismatic and energetic. Strong leader and manager. Marketing expert and comfortable with contemporary technology. Very approachable and can create immediate rapport. Visionary that can think and act outside of the norm. Believes in empowering the employee and celebrates success. Straight forward and honest to the core. Politically astute but never compromises integrity. Appreciates the public process and has documented history of developing public and private sector relationships. Embraces empowerment team play. Ability to handle criticism and diverse viewpoints. Direct sales experience in group meetings and leisure packaging. Excellent speaker and presenter. Exhibits a sense of humor and creates comfortable dialogue with all. Understands role of media and how to maximize marketing/brand position through media partners. Extroverted and self-confident. Engaging style and likeable. Consensus builder who believes in participative management of staff. Can handle criticism and different points of view. Understand P&L management and managing money with efficiency. Enjoys leisure/tourism marketing. The will be required to reside within the City of Hays city limits. Key Issues at Hand: Creation and Implementation of effective marketing opportunities. Improve Revenue streams and return on investment (ROI). Utilization of best management practices and trends. Solidify marketing to region and community which includes Fort Hays State University students to create immediate communications and working relationships. Drive leisure marketing and improve market share for visitors in region. Ready to move forward? Contact: Natalie Johnstone - Horizon Hospitality Associates, Inc. natalie@horizonhospitality.com Cell: