Love Catalina Events Director
Job Title: Events Director
Location: Southern California/Catalina Island (hybrid/remote options available depending on candidate)
About Us:
We are a dynamic, well established organization with strong destination awareness among Southern California travelers. We are passionate about innovation, collaboration, and creating unforgettable experiences. Our team is entrepreneurial, supportive, and driven by a vision to connect people through a variety of events.
Learn more about Catalina Island Tourism Authority, AKA Love Catalina Island (nonprofit 501c6) here
Learn about existing events on Catalina Island here
Learn about our affiliate 501(c)3 nonprofit Care For Catalina here
About Catalina Island:
Located just 22 miles off southern California’s coast, Catalina Island welcomes visitors year 'round. Getting to Catalina is easy with travel time to the island as little as 15 minutes by air or one hour by high speed passenger ferry. California’s only island resort, Catalina Island offers endless options for visitors to enjoy.
Avalon, Catalina's only incorporated city, hosts all the amenities of a larger city for residents to rely upon, while the unincorporated village of Two Harbors offers a boater’s paradise and quiet escape from the crowds with easy access to camping and wildlife. The island is also home to many camps and campsites as well as the Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, home to the USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber.
Position Overview:
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Events Director to lead our event attraction, sales, and logistical facilitation efforts. This role is critical to expanding our presence in the region, growing lodging occupancy and community revenue and to building relationships with both government and non-government entities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Drive event attraction efforts to bring a variety of events to Catalina Island venues and spaces
- Identify events in other cities and destinations that could be successfully activated on Catalina and aggressively solicit, target and attract them to the island
- Facilitate, solicit and coordinate with on island suppliers for events
- Lead event sales, negotiation, and contract management processes
- Collaborate with government agencies, nonprofits, and private sector partners for transportation, logistics, equipment, event space, catering, and lodging
- Oversee all administrative aspects of event attraction and facilitation
- Facilitate a seamless experience for clients, vendors, and stakeholders in a unique and dynamic place
- Manage CRM and CMS systems to track leads, contacts, and event data
- Direct in person and electronic solicitation and outreach to event planners, production organizations, etc.
- Work closely with internal and external teams to ensure event success from start to finish
- Attend pertinent industry events, meetings, trade shows and symposiums
- Manage and update Events Handbook and microsite content
- Manage and recommend event marketing/seed funding program
- Develop event fund strategy possibly to include a fee per participant paid for each event booked
- Fill need periods for area lodging, event venues and public areas
Key Markets
- Sporting Events: Individual and Team Competitive
- Corporate Events: 500+ attendees
- SMERF Events: 500+ attendees
- Other events or festivals that can make use of unique island location, venues, trails and facilities
- Groups attending mainland Olympics, World Cup, large cultural events, etc.
Qualifications:
- Proven experience in event sales, management, and facilitation
- Strong negotiation and contract management skills
- Familiarity with nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements
- CRM and CMS platform proficiency
- Deep familiarity with the events and startup ecosystems in Southern California
- Excellent communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills
- Ability to navigate both government and private sector processes
- Excellence in communications and time management
Why Join Us:
- Be part of a vibrant, innovative team that values creativity and results
- Work on diverse projects that make a real impact in the community
- Enjoy opportunities for professional growth and leadership development
- Work in and on behalf of one of the most beautiful places on earth, Catalina Island
Salary: DOE (incentive, IRA, medical plan, paid vacation)
Applications: Submit one to two page resume and three professional references to apply@lovecatalina.com. Position open until filled with a goal of having candidate final selection by late 2025.