Event Development Manager, Business Events

About Us

We are Edmonton’s Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO). We also manage two of Edmonton’s award-winning venues, the Edmonton Convention Centre and the Edmonton EXPO Centre. We help tell Edmonton’s story, elevate the Edmonton experience, and drive inbound visitation and economic impact in the visitor economy.

Working together in a one-team approach aligned by our core values, Explore Edmonton’s business units’ market and sell Edmonton as a year-round destination to visit, work, and play in while also developing products and experiences that have a uniquely Edmonton flavour. And by incorporating the management of the city’s two award-winning venues into Explore Edmonton, we are uniquely positioned to attract major events, meetings, and conventions to our city, generating greater economic impact. While Explore Edmonton’s mandate is focused on generating inbound visitation, what we do and how we do it also enhances and amplifies the quality of life for Edmontonians. The people who live here are our greatest ambassadors, so making it easier for them to love our city makes it easier for us to sell it.

About the Position

Explore Edmonton is seeking an Event Development Manager to join the Business Events team.

The Business Events team fosters economic growth by working collaboratively with tourism businesses, stakeholders, and economic development partners. By attracting and supporting business events, the team helps position Edmonton as a premier destination for meetings, conventions, and events while generating economic impact for the city.

Reporting to the Director, Business Events, the Event Development Manager leads the planning and delivery of event enhancements, servicing initiatives, marketing activations, and partnership opportunities for major business events. This role is responsible for creating exceptional client experiences by building strong relationships, maximizing event potential, and connecting planners with local partners, sponsors, and community resources. The Event Development Manager plays a key role in strengthening Edmonton's visitor economy and ensuring organizers receive seamless, high-value support from bid win through event delivery.

This is a temporary position for 12–18 months, starting in late November 2026.

What You'll Do:

• Lead the transition of business events from sales to event development, ensuring a seamless client experience
• Manage sponsorship fulfillment, marketing activations, and partnership deliverables for business events
• Collaborate with event planners, internal teams, and stakeholders to enhance event services, processes, reporting, and the overall client experience
• Work with Marketing and Communications teams to maximize event visibility through media, digital channels, and promotional opportunities
• Develop delegate programs, visitor experiences, social impact initiatives, and Responsible Event Program outcomes
• Champion authentic Indigenous inclusion by supporting meaningful opportunities to celebrate Treaty 6 culture and community engagement
• Support event attraction efforts through site visits, familiarization tours, attendance-building initiatives, and partner activations
• Build and maintain relationships with event planners, venues, suppliers, attractions, community organizations, and industry stakeholders
• Identify and develop partnership opportunities that create value for clients, delegates, and Explore Edmonton
• Represent Explore Edmonton at industry events, conferences, networking functions, site visits, and community engagements
• Support strategic initiatives, service enhancements, onboarding activities, and continuous improvement projects
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, contract administration, reporting, and organizational systems management

What You’ll Bring:

• Post-secondary education in project management, event management, hospitality, marketing, or a related discipline
• Three to five years of related experience in event execution, project management, marketing, tourism, sales, Indigenous relations, or a related field
• Strong project management, organizational, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build productive relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, solve problems, and deliver creative, client-focused solutions
• Experience managing partnerships, stakeholder relationships, and cross-functional initiatives
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering exceptional client service
• Knowledge of event management, partnership development, and marketing principles
• Knowledge of Edmonton's tourism industry, visitor economy, and local attractions is considered an asset
• Knowledge of Indigenous inclusion, accessibility, and sustainable event practices is considered an asset
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, CRM systems, and Asana
• Valid driver's license and ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and travel as business needs require