National Account Director Midwest (Chicago Area–Based)

National Account Director – Midwest (Chicago Area–Based)

Position Summary : Are you inspired by the opportunity to bring the nation's most influential meetings and conventions to Washington, DC? Do you take pride in driving business that fuels the city’s growth and connects people, ideas and innovation in the heart of the nation’s capital? As our National Account Director for the Association and SMERF (Midwest and West Coast) markets, you will lead efforts to secure new meetings and conventions for the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and the metropolitan hotel community. You will represent Washington DC as a connected capital where access, innovation and collaboration transform gatherings into powerful experiences.

Based in the Chicago area, you will be dedicated to developing and nurturing relationships with Association (600+ peak) and SMERF (1,350+ peak) accounts headquartered across the Midwest and West Coast. If you are a highly motivated sales expert who thrives on developing strategic business initiatives and delivering tangible, measurable results, we invite you to bring your skills to our team.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Generate new citywide and in‑house bookings for Washington, DC in alignment with the organization’s annual sales and marketing goals.
• Promote Washington DC as a premier meetings and convention destination through direct sales efforts, client engagement, and participation in industry trade shows and promotional events.
• Produce and distribute qualified sales leads to hotel partners and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to ensure cohesive destination representation.
• Convert leads into confirmed business by preparing customized proposals, coordinating with hotels and the convention center, and overseeing client site visits.
• Maintain an active presence in the Midwest and West Coast by attending relevant industry events, networking functions and association meetings that strengthen relationships and drive new opportunities.
• Represent Destination DC as a regional voice among DESTINATION R EP S, positioning Washington DC as a competitive and collaborative destination.
• Maintain direct engagement in Washington DC through regular travel for internal collaboration and client site visits that showcase DC with confidence.
• Conduct persuasive destination presentations to clients, boards and site selection committees.
• Build and sustain strong client relationships to ensure satisfaction and long‑term partnerships.
• Collaborate with hotel partners and industry stakeholders to deliver seamless customer experience.
• Manage travel, entertainment, networking, and co‑op budgets with accountability and strategic purposes.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Convention Sales and the Senior Vice President of Convention Sales and Services.

What You Bring : Experience, Competencies & Education

Your Measure of Success : Accountabilities & Measures

To Apply

Submit cover letter and resume to https : / / www.washington.org / careers

Equal Opportunity Employment

DESTINATION DC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. We welcome all to apply and are committed to retaining, hiring, developing, and promoting diverse talent. We recognize and celebrate cultural differences within our organization by establishing opportunities for education and allyship. Please reach out to us if you need accommodations with an application.

About Destination DC

Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation's capital, is a private, non‑profit membership organization of nearly 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism, and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. www.washington.org

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