Event Sales Specialist

Location: Orlando, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Industry: Hospitality / Restaurants / Events
Compensation: Base Salary + Commission

A growing multi-concept hospitality group is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Event Sales Coordinator to drive private dining, group events, corporate events, and special event sales across multiple restaurant locations.

This is a sales-focused position with a strong emphasis on business development, prospecting, lead conversion, relationship building, and revenue generation.

The ideal candidate has a proven sales background, is confident developing new business, and is motivated by achieving and exceeding sales goals. Previous experience in hospitality, restaurants, catering, or event sales is highly preferred.

The Event Sales Coordinator will be responsible for actively building a pipeline of new business while converting incoming inquiries into confirmed events and developing long-term client relationships that generate repeat and referral business.

Key Responsibilities Sales & Business Development

• Actively generate new event business through prospecting, cold outreach, networking, referrals, community engagement, and outside sales.
• Identify and pursue new corporate, social, and hospitality event opportunities throughout the Orlando market.
• Develop relationships with corporations, local businesses, hotels, event planners, wedding planners, convention organizers, tourism partners, residential communities, and other potential referral partners.
• Research local conventions, conferences, corporate meetings, celebrations, weddings, and community events that may generate business.
• Conduct sales calls, email outreach, client meetings, site visits, presentations, and follow-ups.
• Build and consistently maintain a strong pipeline of qualified sales opportunities.
• Convert incoming event inquiries into confirmed bookings through timely and persuasive follow-up.
• Upsell event packages, food and beverage selections, enhancements, and additional services to maximize event revenue.
• Negotiate and close event opportunities within established Company guidelines.
• Build repeat and referral business by maintaining strong relationships with past and current clients.

Lead & Client Management

• Respond promptly and professionally to assigned event inquiries.
• Qualify prospective clients by identifying event type, budget, guest count, preferred date, expectations, and decision timeline.
• Maintain consistent follow-up with prospects until the event is booked or the opportunity is closed.
• Conduct venue tours and client consultations with a strong focus on converting inquiries into bookings.
• Prepare proposals, pricing, contracts, and event packages.
• Maintain accurate records of leads, client communications, follow-up activity, bookings, and lost opportunities.
• Maintain relationships with clients after events to encourage future bookings and referrals.

Event Sales Support & Handoff

• Collect all necessary event information after the sale, including menu selections, guest counts, timelines, layouts, and special requests.
• Ensure deposits, contracts, final payments, and required client information are received according to established deadlines.
• Prepare and communicate accurate event information to restaurant management, culinary teams, and operations.
• Participate in important site visits and event meetings when necessary to support the client relationship and protect future business opportunities.
• Ensure a smooth transition from the sales process to event execution.

Sales Performance & Accountability

The Event Sales Coordinator will be expected to consistently work toward established sales targets and performance expectations, including:

• Event revenue generated
• Monthly and quarterly sales goals
• Number of new leads generated
• New accounts developed
• Lead-to-booking conversion rate
• Outbound sales and prospecting activity
• Average event revenue
• Repeat and referral business
• Pipeline development and follow-up
• Client retention and satisfaction

Because this position includes a commission-based compensation component, consistent sales activity, revenue generation, and achievement of established sales goals are essential responsibilities of the role.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in sales, business development, account management, or another revenue-generating role.
• Previous experience in event sales, hospitality, restaurants, catering, hotels, venues, or private dining is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to prospect, develop relationships, negotiate, and close business.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Confident conducting outbound sales calls, networking, and face-to-face business development.
• Highly motivated by sales goals and performance-based compensation.
• Strong follow-up and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent organization and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple leads, clients, and sales opportunities simultaneously.
• Professional, polished, and confident when representing the Company.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with restaurant management and operations teams.
• Knowledge of the Orlando hospitality, corporate, tourism, or events market is a plus.
• Flexible availability for networking events, client meetings, venue tours, and occasional event support.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a salesperson first.

We are looking for someone who enjoys developing business, meeting new people, building relationships, following up with prospects, and closing sales. This individual should be comfortable creating opportunities rather than relying exclusively on incoming leads.

Experience selling events, catering, private dining, hospitality services, venues, or related services is highly desirable.

The right candidate is competitive, organized, persistent, professional, relationship-driven, and motivated by both individual performance and revenue growth.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this position means consistently developing new business, converting qualified leads into booked events, increasing event revenue, expanding the Company's client base, and generating repeat and referral business.

The strongest performer will develop a reliable sales pipeline and become a trusted point of contact for corporate clients, event planners, local businesses, and community partners throughout the Orlando market.

*Growth Opportunity*

This position offers continued growth within a multi-concept hospitality organization. A successful Event Sales Coordinator may have the opportunity to advance into an Event Sales Manager or broader sales leadership position with responsibility for larger accounts, more complex events, and expanded revenue goals.

Pay: From $17.30 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid training

Work Location: In person