--- title: 'Creative Associate at Access Destination Services' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/creative-associate-access-destination-services-san-diego-2ph5194v5cbe' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-14' --- # Creative Associate at Access Destination Services - **Company:** Access Destination Services - **Location:** San Diego, CA - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** hybrid - **Posted:** 2026-09-08 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-14 - **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/access/c57e57ac-685b-450c-8de7-5f9222fb22b6 ## Job description Access Your Potential. Join us to create and deliver experiences that inspire people, spark connection, and bring imagination to life—while having a lot of fun doing it. We are seeking a Creative Associate based in the San Diego area! ## About the Job This is an entry-level role designed for someone looking to build their experience in creative development, proposal design, vendor sourcing, and event-focused sales and marketing. As a Creative Associate at Access, you will support the Creative team in developing thoughtful, visually compelling proposals and other creative deliverables. You’ll learn Access’ creative systems and processes, research event and design trends, support vendor relationships, and collaborate closely with Sales and Creative leaders to bring client ideas to life. ## What You'll Be Doing - Learn to navigate proposal systems and use brand-aligned templates to create consistent, accurate deliverables. - Research current event and design trends, visual styles, and creative inspiration aligned with client goals. - Support proposal development by assembling visual and written content and contributing to proposal sections as your skills develop. - Research and maintain information on approved suppliers, including capabilities, pricing, and contact details. - Build relationships with vendor partners and support vendor onboarding and evaluation. - Use systems such as Asana and Salesforce to stay organized, track projects, and maintain accurate supplier information. - Collaborate across Creative and Sales on destination guides, FAMs, territory-specific projects, and other creative initiatives. - Help manage project timelines, priorities, and workload to ensure projects are delivered on time. - Learn the fundamentals of scopes of work, vendor negotiations, and supplier collaboration. - Adapt to changing priorities while maintaining strong attention to detail, organization, and accountability. ## About Access Access is a destination management company that designs shared experiences for some of the world’s most recognizable brands. From intimate incentive trips to large-scale meetings, trainings, and sales-driven events, we bring people together through thoughtful design, smart sourcing, and seamless execution. Our work blends imagination with intention. We dream big, then we build it right. ## About You We know that there’s no one in the world like you. And we know that you have a lot to offer the next company you work with. Below is a list of “nice-to-haves”, but don’t let those deter you from applying. Access believes that an inclusive team and culture is important. We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team. Nice-to-haves: - Interest in event design, hospitality, destination management, marketing, or a related creative field. - Strong visual eye with an interest in current design and event trends. - Excellent organization and attention to detail. - Strong written and verbal communication skills. - Comfortable managing multiple assignments and shifting priorities. - Collaborative mindset and willingness to work across teams. - Ability to take direction, ask questions, and apply feedback. - Familiarity with project management or CRM platforms such as Asana or Salesforce is a plus. - Interest in building relationships with vendors and supplier partners. What Success Looks Like - Producing accurate, polished, and brand-aligned creative work. - Consistently meeting performance goals and project deadlines. - Building strong knowledge of Access’ creative processes, systems, vendors, and destinations. - Demonstrating initiative and thoughtful problem-solving. - Successfully completing required training and certifications. - Collaborating effectively with Creative, Sales, and vendor partners. - Maintaining a positive, adaptable approach as priorities shift. - Consistently demonstrating the Access Values: Imagine First, Demand Integrity, Embody Excellence, Always Collaborate, and Service Obsession. Why Access? ## CULTURE & EXTRAS - Certified as a Great Place to Work – 3 years in a row and counting! - 55+ years in the industry! - Women-owned and women-led - Fun, creative, and supportive culture - Focus on recognition and employee value – including annual and quarterly awards - Paid day off to serve your local community - Annual all-company retreat to connect, learn, and have fun together - Annual qualifier-based incentive trip for top performers (certain departments eligible) - Regional team outings - Monthly companywide meetings to connect, learn, and celebrate wins ## COMPENSATION - Highly competitive total compensation, including strong base salary and quarterly bonuses - Very strong performance-based quarterly commission plans - 401k with company match (eligible after 1 year – up to 4% of salary matched, vested immediately - Monthly cell phone stipend ## WORK LIFE BALANCE - Flexible schedule opportunities - Generous PTO - Sick days - 9 full holidays - 5 half days off prior to holidays to unplug early - 2 floating holidays off to be used on holidays of your choice - ½ day Fridays in July & August (based on achievement of goals) HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND FAMILY - Extensive menu of health plans to choose from - Paid parental leave - Pet insurance program - Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) ## PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - Mentorship program - “Masterclasses” in industry/department-specific topics - State-of-the-art technology platforms and tools – including training - Annual and monthly meeting content that focuses on professional development What are you waiting for? Scroll back to the top and apply! Access is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We are a proud Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at careers@accessdmc.com. Access is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We are a proud Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at careers@accessdmc.com. ## About Access Destination Services ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Access DMC is a national destination management company that designs and executes custom corporate events, team-building programs, and experiential gatherings to inspire organizational change. - **Entity Type**: Private (majority women-owned and women-led) - **Headquarters**: Not publicly available (operates coast-to-coast across the US) - **Founded**: Approximately 1968 (55+ years in operation) - **Founders**: Not publicly available ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Destination Management Services, Corporate Event Planning, Experiential Marketing, Team-Building - **Target customers**: B2B – enterprise clients, meeting planners, event professionals seeking national DMC support - **Mission or purpose statement**: To collaborate with clients to transform events into shared experiences – because shared experiences create the opportunity to both inspire and be inspired, and inspired people drive organizational change. [accessdmc.com](https://www.accessdmc.com/) ## Products & Services - **Destination Management**: Full-service event design, site selection, logistics, and on-site execution tailored to client goals. - **Program Design & Procurement**: Creative concept development, vendor sourcing, and risk mitigation with a focus on local, diverse, and sustainable suppliers. - **National Consistency**: Single point of contact and one contract for multi-location events, combining local expertise with nationwide coordination. - **Strategic Site Visits**: Expert-led tours to experience destination-specific program elements and accelerate decision-making. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed - **Key Metric**: Client spend through Access exceeds $120 million annually, with 60% of that reinvested into local communities. [accessdmc.com](https://www.accessdmc.com/about-us) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not applicable (privately held). Emphasizes partnerships with women-owned, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ owned, veteran-owned, and minority-owned local suppliers. - **Growth Signals**: - Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies (2023 & 2024) - Great Place to Work certified (2023–2026) - Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces (2024), America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women (2024, 2025), and America’s Most Admired Workplaces (2026) - 96% client satisfaction rate and 85% repeat client rate [accessdmc.com](https://www.accessdmc.com/) - Stella Awards: Best DMC ## Competitive Advantages - **55+ years of industry leadership** – Access helped define the destination management category and continues to innovate. - **Only majority women-owned and women-led national DMC** – a unique differentiator in a traditionally male-dominated industry. - **National footprint with local impact** – coast-to-coast presence, yet prioritizes local, diverse vendors to keep spend in communities. - **High client loyalty** – nearly 9 out of 10 clients rehire for subsequent events. - **Award-winning workplace culture** – consistent recognition by Great Place to Work and Newsweek, signaling strong employee experience. ## Strategic Focus - Continue elevating events from logistics to transformative shared experiences. - Deepen community impact through diverse and sustainable supplier networks. - Scale national consistency while preserving local authenticity. - Invest in people and technology (mentorship, masterclasses, state-of-the-art platforms) to maintain industry-leading service. ## Why Work Here - **Culture & Values** – Fun, creative, collaborative environment centered on "Service Obsession," "Imagine First," "Always Collaborate," "Embody Excellence," and "Demand Integrity." - **Flexibility** – Work-from-home opportunities (including full home office setup), flexible schedules, half-day Fridays in July & August. - **Compensation** – Competitive base salary, quarterly bonuses, strong performance-based commission plans, 401k with immediate vesting up to 4% match, monthly cell phone stipend. - **Time Off** – Generous PTO increasing with tenure, sick days, 9 full holidays, 4 half-days before holidays, 2 floating holidays, plus a paid day off to serve your local community. - **Health & Family** – Extensive medical/dental/vision plans, company contribution, paid parental leave, pet insurance, Employee Assistance Program. - **Professional Development** – Mentorship program, industry "Masterclasses," training on state-of-the-art technology platforms. - **Recognition & Travel** – Annual all-company retreat, qualifier-based incentive trips for top performers (certain departments), regional team outings, monthly company-wide meetings. - **Diversity & Inclusion** – Proudly majority women-owned and led; actively seeks to support women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, veteran, and minority-owned businesses. ## Sources 1. [accessdmc.com](https://www.accessdmc.com/) – Homepage with stats, mission, and service overview 2. [accessdmc.com/careers](https://www.accessdmc.com/careers) – Careers page with benefits, culture, perks 3. [accessdmc.com/about-us](https://www.accessdmc.com/about-us) – About page with history, leadership, awards, impact 4. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-destination-services) – LinkedIn company page (industry and scope verified) ## Other roles at Access Destination Services - [Senior Staffing Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-staffing-associate-access-destination-services-las-vegas-00nmrhb1m2xq) — Las Vegas, NV - [Senior Events Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-events-associate-access-destination-services-san-antonio-79pccxacdskt) — San Antonio, TX - [Senior Sales Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-sales-associate-access-destination-services-austin-qn1d441x55fr) — Austin, TX - [Sales Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/sales-associate-access-destination-services-miami-q2ksgn0v3jz7) — Miami, FL - [Sales Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/sales-manager-access-destination-services-naples-ycc2jy3kbqrv) — Naples, Italy - [Events Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/events-associate-access-destination-services-orlando-rthjj8j5v1yt) — Orlando, FL - [Sales Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/sales-manager-access-destination-services-houston-79r4b0rahwjr) — Houston, TX - [Senior Creative Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-creative-associate-access-destination-services-south-hg0z77rsh6xs) — South, FL - [Sales Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/sales-manager-access-destination-services-washington-v7b9pxrhk74b) — Washington, DC - [Events Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/events-manager-access-destination-services-las-vegas-s4wak0crxfvt) — Las Vegas, NV