Category: Career Advice

2023 Sports Destination Leaders Salary, Compensation and Benefits Report

by jsl_web_admin

Sports ETA, SearchWide Global, and Northstar Meetings Group Present New Executive Compensation Report for the Sports Events and Tourism Industry

 

Sports ETA and SearchWide Global partnered to release the “2023 Sports Destination Leaders Salary, Compensation and Benefits Report” led by researchers from Stoll Strategies, sponsored by the Northstar Meetings Group.

 

The benchmark study provides an overall look at the employment landscape for the $39.7 billion sports events and tourism industry among sports destinations while offering a resource to organizations with actionable information.

 

The last industry Salary, Compensation and Benefits Report was conducted in 2013 by Enigma Research Corporation. The research for the 2023 report was led by Dr. Jennifer Stoll, and Dr. Blake Price, from Stoll Strategies.

 

Data from more than 200 sports destination leaders, with a majority of those employed by a Destination Marketing Organization or Convention & Visitors Bureau, was collected and organized in the six following areas of the report:

  • Organization Information
  • Performance Goals
  • Industry Experience
  • Employment Agreements
  • Salaries and Bonuses
  • Benefits

 

A tool kit is also included in the report and will serve as an advocacy tool to help organizations advance sports events and tourism in their destinations.

The DNA of Tomorrow’s Destination Leaders Podcast with Mike Gamble

by jsl_web_admin

Our President & CEO, Mike Gamble had the pleasure of being a guest on the DMOU: Destination Marketing Organization University podcast with host, Bill Geist. DMOU features the brightest voices in the Destination Marketing field, sharing innovative case studies and evolving philosophies.

 

Bill is also the Chief Instigator of DMOProz;  a resource for Destination Marketing Organization Professionals everywhere. Since 1995, they have provided cutting-edge consulting and speaking services to the tourism and hospitality industry with a focus on Destination Marketing and Management Organizations across North America.

 

In this episode, Bill sits down with Mike to talk about his perspective on what the future looks like for destination leaders.

 

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Sales Skills Podcast with Mike Gamble

by jsl_web_admin

Our President & CEO, Mike Gamble had the pleasure of being a guest on the new podcast with host, Christine Shimasaki. Christine “Shimo” Shimasaki, CDME, CMP of 2Synergize, Inc. has provided leadership and guidance to destination organizations since 2009.

 

The podcast, ShimoCast is dedicated to destination organization and convention and visitors bureau professionals looking to make quantum leaps in the meetings and events space. This is where you’ll gain planner perspectives, insights from industry experts, and discover how some of the most successful CVB’s continuously improve upon their strategies and tactics.

 

In this episode, she sits down with Mike Gamble to talk about his perspective on the most important skills in a sales professional today. Listen directly on 2Synergize, iTunes, Google Play, or Stitcher.

 

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The Benefits of Becoming a Member of Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI)

by jsl_web_admin

SearchWide Global believes in the power of networking, industry visibility, participation, and volunteerism as keys to continued success, both professionally and personally.  As founding sponsor of DMAI’s 30 Under 30 (now in it’s 6th year), SearchWide Global is a strong supporter of Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI).

 

SearchWide Global believes in the power of networking, industry visibility, participation, and volunteerism as keys to continued success, both professionally and personally.  As founding sponsor of DMAI’s 30 Under 30, SearchWide Global is a strong supporter of Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). Along with sponsoring the 30 Under 30 program, we sit on the Foundation board, take a leadership role with the apprenticeship program, participate in their annual convention, volunteer for the association at a variety of levels, and have had the pleasure of DMAI being a client of ours.

 

DMAI professes that destination marketing, at its core, is a strong driver of job creation and economic growth in cities, counties, states and countries across the globe. As an organization, DMAI is an advocate and a resource for destination marketing organizations (DMO) and destination marketing professionals worldwide. The organization’s mission is to be “an advocate for the professionalism, effectiveness, and significance of destination marketing organizations worldwide.”

 

DMAI offers their members’ access to over 600 official DMOs around the world. Take a look at some of the key benefits below. We hope to connect with you at the DMAI 2016 Annual Convention, August 1-3 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

 

 

DMO Professional Membership Benefits:

As the largest international association dedicated exclusively to the destination marketing industry, DMAI provides its members with the most cutting-edge educational resources, networking opportunities, and marketing benefits available worldwide.

 

DMAI is passionate about advancing the DMO professional, and is investing significant resources into new and innovative educational content, with the goal of raising the performance level of DMOs.

 

Every employee of a member DMO is welcome to join DMAI as an individual member, at no additional cost to the individual or the organization, giving them full access to DMAI’s resources, including:

 

 

 

Advocate for the DMO Industry:

With destination marketing budgets facing increased competition from other government priorities for funding, it is now more critical now than ever before to be a constant advocate for the travel industry and the dedication of marketing resources.  DMAI’s advocate resources include:

 

  • Organization Accreditation
  • Event Impact Calculator
  • empowerMint (a collaborative marketing initiative whose mission is to connect planners to DMOs)
  • Industry Research and Data
  • Performance Reporting
  • Destinations Showcase

 

 

Partnership Advantages:

DMAI’s Partner and Business Members are valued vendors, service providers and industry organizations that continue to invest in the DMO industry year after year.  In return, DMAI’s “Allied Members” get direct access and exposure to member DMOs, CVBs and Tourism Boards worldwide.  Allied members enjoy the following benefits:

 

  • Connect with key DMO decision-makers and senior leaders in the industry
  • Increase visibility and create unparalleled business relationships
  • Build trust and credibility as a support of the industry
  • Maintain a competitive edge in the market through access to industry resources
  • Numerous opportunities for exposure and networking
  • Collaborate with destination professionals and effect change

 

 

DMAI Business Member Benefits:

  • Listing in the Allied Member Directory
  • Access to the DMAI Membership Directory
  • Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities
  • Participation in DMAI meetings and activities
  • Access to DMAI’s Product Store and Resource Center
  • PDM and CDME Designation Courses
  • myDMAI
  • E-Newsletter Publications
  • Discounted Rates on Publications and mailing lists
  • Eligibility for a seat on the DMAI Board of Directors and/or the Allied Member Advisory Council

 

 

More information, along with membership rates and membership applications can be found on the DMAI website, www.destinationmarketing.org.

 

We hope to connect with you at the DMAI 2016 Annual Convention, August 1-3 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

DMAI 2016 Convention

 

DMAI_new_annual_meeting

6 Simple Ways to Spruce Up Your LinkedIn Profile

by jsl_web_admin

Nowadays, your LinkedIn profile is equally, if not more important than the traditional resume or curricula vitae. Hiring managers tend to visit LinkedIn profiles to get to know candidates better and assess how they present themselves online.

Before you start making a ton of changes, we recommend that you change your “Sharing profile edits” to “no” so your peers don’t get notified with every little change you make. You can change it back to yes once you have made your updates. Access this under “Privacy and Settings”, then click on “Privacy”, and change it to “no” under “Sharing profile edits”.

 

LinkedIn_profile_changes

 

1. START WITH A PROFESSIONAL LOOKING PROFILE PICTURE AND ADD A BACKGROUND PHOTO OF SOMETHING RELEVANT TO YOU AND YOUR INDUSTRY.

You’ll see that one of our recruiters, Kellie uses a professional head shot for her profile photo. It’s easy to see and you can click to enlarge. You should use a high-res or good quality photo that is square. The ideal pixel size for your photo is 400 x 400.

Now look at the background image, Kellie chose a photo of a bridge because it resembles her company’s tagline, “The Bridge Between Professionals”. You can choose a scenic photo of where you live, or something that resembles your company. Just avoid using an image with text because it often gets covered by LinkedIn ads, notifications, or the profile photo when viewing on a mobile device.

LinkedIn_example of profile photo

 

2. CUSTOMIZE YOUR PERSONAL URL FOR YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE. 

Instead of having a long jumbled looking link clean it up by deleting the extra numbers and letters. To do this, go to “Profile”, “Edit Profile”, then select the settings button next to the current URL (under your profile photo). Then on the right side it allows you to edit the URL, if you have a common name it might be taken so you might have to try a few versions.

Include this new link in your email signature and any material you hand out.

kellie_LI_contact_info

 

3. WHEN CREATING YOUR SUMMARY, USE KEYWORDS SO YOU CAN BE EASILY FOUND. 

Your summary is your personal brand.  It tells the story about who you are personally and professionally. To create your summary quickly and efficiently, create a list of 3-5 keywords you would like to include. Then type your summary plugging those words in. You’ll see Kellie states what she does in the first sentence, then explains where she is located and why she is an expert in her field. She concludes with asking her viewers to then connect with her company on social media. Keep it brief and easy to read and your summary will be well-read by viewers.

Kellie_li_summary

 

4. KEEP YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE CURRENT AND PROVIDE DETAILS FOR EACH POSITION LISTED OF WHAT YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WERE.

List job duties, accomplishments etc. and sell yourself! We’ll use another SearchWide Global employee’s profile for example. Start with a 1-2 sentence description of the position and/or company. Then use bullet points to list 5-7 job duties and accomplishments. Make sure you link the job to the company profile if they have one.

Linkedin_work_experience

 

5. JOIN GROUPS THAT ARE RELEVANT TO YOUR INDUSTRY AND PROFESSIONAL INTEREST 

Search for associations you belong to, industry topics, such as “Digital Marketing” or “Recruiting”, that way you can start getting involved in discussions and expand your network. Using the same search bar you would to find a person or page, press enter to perform the search, and you can select “groups” on the left column menu bar. When searching for companies you’d like to follow, instead of selecting “groups” on the menu bar, select, “companies”.

LInkedin_search

 

6. STAY ACTIVE! PROVIDE STATUS UPDATES, UPLOAD A PHOTO, AND PUBLISHING A POST IS A GREAT WAY TO GET NOTICED.

LinkedIn users tend to prefer industry news, your company updates or something relevant to them. So keep the topics you share professional. LinkedIn and Facebook are not the same.

 

Linkedin_sharing

 

 

By following these simple steps, you can improve your profile it just a few simple clicks.  Start now to boost your personal brand and become noticed!

 

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SearchWide Global™ is a full service executive search firm, placing hundreds of executives, primarily for companies in the convention, trade association, and travel/tourism industries. Specializing in C-Level and Director level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies and associations. Headquartered in St. Paul, MN, USA and several regional offices, SearchWide Global is able to serve clients and candidates nationwide. Founded in 1999, we have remained focused on four core values for almost two decades: INTEGRITY, ETHICS, PASSION and RESPECT.

 

 

Hospitality Acquisition and Mergers: The Career Impact

by jsl_web_admin

People have been asking for our crystal ball view on what the current consolidation of hotel and travel brands will mean for career opportunities.  Our answer, “Go get some popcorn and let’s watch the movie!”

 

It is interesting how rumors of Starwood being shopped around made the morning news shows with many commenting on how “their points” will be impacted. The raw emotion and allure of travel made it more public than many larger deals that are relegated to the back stories of the Business section and trade pubs.

 

OTA’s (On Line Travel Agents) have also experienced merger mania, with Expedia leading the pack in acquisition of Orbitz and Travelocity.  People are commenting that with roughly 20% of hotel brand reservations coming from OTA’s that major changes would need to occur in lodging to account for continued market share.

 

Most articles on these mergers discuss the Wall Street implications and the customer affects- potential negative pricing and diminished value of travel programs.

 

Back to the popcorn- what should the employee do when watching this movie develop?  Acquisitions are announced and there is a gap of time before the deal is done. Will there be job duplication and therefore position jeopardy? Who will be in a better situation due to a lack of depth in the gobbling company’s portfolio?  At what level is there the most risk?

 

A majority of people will want to wait and see the whole thing to the end, “I’ll wait for the buy-out”.  And that may be the best thing, a chance to take a lump sum and go on that sabbatical.  Go for the next job after it is recognized that your garden is better than any neighbor’s on the block.

 

Another consideration is to measure the opportunity cost of that buy out…  Or the diminished responsibility in a new company and the angst of SO MANY MEETINGS to see where you fit in.

 

Opportunity cost is relatively simple to measure.  If I get a sum of 3, 6 or 12 months’ severance, what job will I get after that time?  At what compensation, how long will it take, and how satisfied will I be?  Will there be an oversupply of people with my qualifications at that time?  Will that push competitive salaries down?  Regardless, blow cobwebs off your resume and get a professional document completed and ready.  You will need it just as much internally as you will for outside opportunities.

 

In this unique time, keep your eyes wide open- listen and even potentially seek opportunities in the interim period.  Take care of yourself and your family; to the degree of designing what you think a career plan can be in the newly restructured company, or on a path in an outside organization.  Include financials, determine whether relocation is possible.  What are you willing to accept or pursue?

 

Try to enjoy this movie as it plays out to its conclusion!

 

 

 

SearchWide Global is the leader in executive search and recruitment for public and private organizations in the convention, hospitality, tourism, lodging and event industries for almost two decades. We specialize in executive recruitment at all levels. Our knowledge and experience help us fully understand and interpret your business, competitive set and individual dynamics related to your business. With offices across the country, we remain connected at all levels while valuing our client and candidate relationships which in turn will build a solid bench for future success.

Contact us to learn more about our services.

Executive Search Firm Assistance: Do You Need It?

by jsl_web_admin

The very best candidates do not respond to postings or ads. They typically are not looking for new positions. They’re well compensated, they’re peak performers, and they’re more than likely being taken care of by their current employers. They have to be sold on the idea of leaving a job and a company they love—they want and need to be recruited!

Based on the book, Effective Sales Force Leadership: The Science and Art of Sales Leadership by SearchWide Global President and CEO, Mike Gamble and co-author, Leadership Synergies President and CEO, John S. Parke. Here are four things to think about when considering hiring a search and recruitment firm.

 

1. It will be very difficult (if not impossible) for you or your human resources department to identify, contact, and persuade these all-stars to consider your opportunity. 

 

2. The expense associated with retaining an executive search firm is well worth the investment. It will also give you peace of mind to know that no stone was left unturned and that you’re seeing the very best talent available.

 

3. Your search will also have more structure and accountability if managed by a retained firm.

 

4. Lastly, the search firm executive will play the role of the unbiased consultant, providing honest, candid feedback throughout the process that will prove invaluable.

 

hiring a recruitment search firm

 

When hiring a professional company to handle your job search, you have a wide range of options. Your human-resources department will likely have existing relationships with contingent and retained firms. A retained search is the best choice for executive-level leadership positions. Once a Request for Proposal (RFP) is developed, it is best to distribute it to a cross-section of retained firms to compare the services and costs between large and boutique firms.

 

Things to ask when hiring a search firm:

1. What is the level of experience of the executive who will be assigned to your search 

2. Who is their past and current clients

3. What is their search process detail and services provided

4. What is their needs assessment detail

5. How your referrals will be handled

6. What is the timeline

7. What is their guarantee (one year is standard, but two is negotiable)

8. What is their pricing structure (especially costs above and beyond the fee)

 

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SearchWide Global is a full service executive search firm primarily for companies in the travel, tourism, hospitality, convention, trade association, venue management and experiential marketing industries. We specialize in C-Level and Director level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies and associations. Headquartered in St. Paul, MN, USA and several regional offices, we’re able to serve clients and candidates nationwide. Founded in 1999, we have remained focused on our four core values for almost two decades: INTEGRITY, ETHICS, PASSION and RESPECT.