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Destination Management Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Marriott

Dual Destination Sales Executive

Chicago, IL · On-site

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES Managing Sales Activities Pulls through business and achieves revenue goals ... destination (e.g., local attractions, events, etc.) Grows business of existing accounts by ...

Destination Careers

Travel Coordinator | Online

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$40K - $70K/yr

Stay informed about travel promotions, supplier updates, and destination information Qualifications * Strong organizational and communication skills * Ability to manage multiple travel requests and ...

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All JobsDestination Management JobsDestination Management Jobs in Chicago, IL

Destination Management information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$56.7K

$88.5K

$141.1K

How much do destination management jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for destination management in Chicago, IL is $88,545.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,400.00 and $113,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is destination management?

A Destination Management job involves planning, marketing, and coordinating travel experiences for a specific location to attract visitors and enhance tourism. Professionals in this field work with local businesses, government agencies, and tour operators to create smooth and memorable experiences for travelers. Responsibilities often include event planning, logistics, budgeting, and promoting the destination through various marketing strategies. The goal is to boost tourism while ensuring sustainable and positive impacts on the local economy and community.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of someone working in destination management?

Professionals in Destination Management are responsible for coordinating every aspect of group travel, events, or incentive programs in a specific location. This includes working closely with clients to understand their needs, negotiating with local vendors, arranging transportation and accommodations, and overseeing on-site logistics. The role often involves collaborating with a diverse team and regularly adapting to changing client requests. Daily tasks may also include researching local attractions, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and delivering exceptional customer service to ensure memorable experiences for attendees. Managing multiple projects at once and resolving unexpected issues are key parts of the daily routine.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in destination management, and why are they important?

To succeed in Destination Management, you need strong organizational skills, in-depth knowledge of travel and tourism, and a degree in hospitality or a related field. Familiarity with event planning software, CRM systems, and destination management tools such as Cvent is highly valued. Excellent communication, negotiation, and cultural awareness are crucial soft skills for building relationships with clients, vendors, and local partners. These capabilities ensure seamless program execution, high client satisfaction, and effective problem-solving in a dynamic, fast-paced industry.

How do you get into destination management?

To enter destination management, individuals typically need a background in hospitality, tourism, or event planning, along with strong organizational and communication skills. Relevant experience can be gained through internships or entry-level roles in tourism companies, hotels, or event organizations, and some positions may require knowledge of local attractions and vendor networks.

What do destination managers do?

Destination managers coordinate and oversee the development and promotion of a specific location to attract visitors. They handle tasks such as marketing, event planning, stakeholder collaboration, and ensuring a positive visitor experience, often working with tourism boards and local businesses.

What does a destination management company do?

A destination management company (DMC) provides local expertise and services for event planning, transportation, accommodations, and activities for groups visiting a specific location. DMCs coordinate logistics, offer vendor connections, and ensure smooth execution of events or tours, often requiring strong organizational and communication skills. They typically work closely with clients to customize experiences and may hold industry certifications.

What are popular job titles related to Destination Management jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Destination Management jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Destination Management jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Destination Management jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Destination Management jobs near you
Infographic showing various Destination Management job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 97% In-person, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,545 per year, or $42.6 per hour.

Sourcing Manager, Hospitality & Events (Experiential)

160over90

Chicago, IL

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Who We Are:160over90 is an award-winning global marketing agency which forges stronger human connections and creates shared moments where people feel something real. With 800 thinkers, doers, and makers across every cultural corner of the world, the agency offers a full-service, channel-agnostic approach and a deep connection to the people, places, and properties that drive the conversation of tomorrow. 160over90 works with leading brands including AB InBev, Amazon, Coca-Cola, DP World, Macy's, Marriott International, McDonald's, Verizon and Visa. 160over90 is part of WME Group, a global representation business comprising the world's leading talent, intellectual property and brands.

The Role and WhatYou'llDo:

160over90 is seeking a Sourcing Manager, Hospitality & Events (Experiential) to join the Hospitality team. This role sits at the intersection of hospitality sourcing, commercial negotiation, and experiential program execution, supporting live events, brand activations, employee and client engagement programs, and executive hospitality.

The Sourcing Manager serves as a strategic partner to Hospitality, Experiential, Client Services, Creative, and Production teams, owning sourcing strategy and vendor negotiations while ensuring that contracts and commercial decisions translate into seamless, operationally sound program delivery.

In this role, the Sourcing Manager balances strategic leadership with hands-on execution - leading complex, high-volume sourcing initiatives while also independently managing smaller, fast-turn hospitality and operational needs without requiring full program infrastructure.

Responsibilities

Sourcing Strategy & Commercial Negotiation

  • Serve as the lead for sourcing strategy, commercial negotiations, and contract execution across hospitality and experiential programs, ensuring every agreement delivers financial efficiency and operational success.

  • Lead complex negotiations across hotels, venues, transportation providers, destination management companies, and related vendors - securingoptimalpricing, concessions, and favorable contract terms while protecting margin and minimizing risk.

  • Evaluate vendor proposals, build comparative analyses, and lead contract review and negotiation with a focus on both commercial advantage and operational practicality.

  • Leverage and expand a strong network of industry vendors, including hotels, DMCs, transportation providers, venues, gifting partners, and temporary staff, to accelerate sourcing timelines and unlock competitive advantages.

Operational Fluency & Risk Management

  • Anticipate and evaluate how sourcing and contracting decisions impact downstream program operations, including attrition, cancellation, service delivery,logistics, on-site execution, and guest experience.

  • Proactivelyidentifyand mitigate contractual and operational risks to ensure seamless program delivery.

  • Supportaccurateprogram forecasting andmaintaincurrent financials within the business management system until turnover to operations.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Execution

  • Qualify incoming requests and develop clearsourcingbriefs aligned to program goals and timelines.

  • Act as both a strategic partner and hands-on operator, navigating high-volume sourcing needs while independently executing smaller-scale, fast-turn program components.

  • Work closely with Client Services, Creative, Hospitality, and Production teams to manage multiple concurrent initiatives in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.

  • Maintain proactive, clear communication with client and account teams to ensuresharedunderstanding of deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities.

RFP Support & Program Development

  • Contribute to and lead sourcing input for RFPs, RFIs, new business opportunities, presentation deliverables, and special projects,clearly articulating vendor strategy, negotiation approach, and value creation.

  • Utilize technology tools, including Cvent Sourcing, to manage sourcing activity and track contracted volume.

  • Assist Client Services with site inspectionlogisticsandparticipatein destination and programming ideation sessions as needed.

Process, Turnover & Documentation

  • Prepare and conduct formal turnover meetingstoassigned Client Services teams.

  • Maintain complete andaccurateelectronic filesin accordance withcompany standard operating procedures.

  • Identifyopportunities to improve workflows and strengthen collaboration across departments.

  • Demonstratea high levelof accuracy, diligence, and ownership throughout all phases of work.

You Will Have These:

  • Knowledge of the MICE and Experiential landscape.

  • 5-8+ years of experience in hospitality sourcing, event production, destination management, or experiential marketing, with a proventrack recordof negotiating and executing complex vendor agreements.

  • Strong experience in contract negotiations, including hospitality-specific nuances and legal considerations, securing best rates, concessions, and favorable terms.

  • Strong knowledge of hotels and destinations globally, with the ability to build andmaintainsupplier relationships.

  • Strongproficiencyin Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

  • Strong knowledge of Cvent Sourcing.

  • Initiative-taking, motivated, resourceful, andan effectivecommunicator.

We'dLove If You Also Have These

  • Agency or experiential marketing experience.

  • Experience supporting fast-paced, high-volume hospitality or experiential programs.

  • Comfort balancing strategic sourcing responsibilities with hands-on, tactical execution.

  • CMP or similar industry certifications.

How we work:

160over90is at the center of sports, media, entertainment, and fashion and is alargely relationship-basedbusiness. To foster an environment of collaboration, develop our future talent, andbuild onrelationships across leadership, peers, and teams, we work from the office 4 days per week. We see immeasurable value internally and throughout the core of the businesses we support.

Don'tmeet every single requirement? We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, authentic workplace, so ifyou'reexcited about thisrolebut yourpast experiencedoesn'talign perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Follow our story at160over90.comand onInstagramandLinkedIn.

Per local requirements and in the interest of transparency, the rate shown below reflects the prevalent current hiring range for this position. Hiring pay rates are based on a number of factors, including location and may vary depending on job-related qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience. The company strives to provide locally competitive rewards packages, which include base rate along with, as applicable, short- and long-term incentives, growth and developmental opportunities, and robust benefits, such as health care, retirement, vacation and other paid time off, and additional offerings.

Hiring Rate Minimum:

$60,000 annually (minimum will not fall below the applicable state/local minimum salary thresholds)

Hiring Rate Maximum:

$80,000 annually160/90 is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that encourages applications from qualified, eligible candidates from all backgrounds and life experiences regardless of race, gender identity, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, or belief.

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