The simple answer is it depends. It depends on the person, tone and situation. I suspect this person does not value your role in the success of your organization as much as you do, nor most people probably. Put that aside for a moment. I agree with Kayla, "titles are decided by an HR rep somewhere", so I would not put much stock in them. Though, it is common for you to take pride early in your career. I know I once did. I have found that integrity (do what you say and say what you do) is MUCH more important than your title.

The bigger issue to me is why the statement by this business representative "struck me right in my core"? You own your reactions and if I were you I would spend some alone time trying to figure out what inside of you was struck by the relativity innocuous statement that I bet the person doesn't remember. Reading about Physiological Projection might help. Fixing the larger issue that allows a person to dismiss you publicly is not nearly as easy and what I am suggesting is not easy.

People don’t resist change. They resist being changed! – Peter Senge