Experience

Fairmont Washington, D.C.

• United States
• Hospitality
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Event Sales and Services

  • Oct 2021 - Present

• Senior Catering Manager

  • Nov 2016 - Oct 2021



The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

• United States
• Hospitality
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Catering Sales Manager

  • Oct 2011 - Oct 2021

  *Responsible for coordinating all corporate and social events with a large emphasis on weddings. *Responsible for responding to inquiries, meeting with and entertaining clients, conducting extensive property tours, promoting facilities and services, creating and negotiating contracts and detailing events. *Work closely with brides & grooms to ensure a custom and unique experience for their special day throughout the planning, managing and coordinating of their wedding ceremony, reception and guest room block. This process includes extensive one on one meetings as well as arranged group meetings to discuss menu, décor and logistics with our culinary department, banquet staff and many non-hotel vendors. *Responsible for building and maintaining relationships with local corporations in an effort to secure their business and loyalty. This process is managed by frequent phone calls to inquire about new business opportunities, in person visits, consistent follow up on rebooking previous events and continuous efforts to engage the client with the Hotel. *Daily department meeting to discuss status of business, schedules, priority assignments, opportunities, bookings and all information pertinent to the department operation. *Strive to create a professional and enthusiastic working environment and dynamic within the Catering Department and throughout other departments within the Hotel. Show less



Waldorf Astoria New York

• United States
• Leasing Real Estate
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Catering Sales Manager

  • Aug 2007 - Oct 2011

  *Responsible for the development of market segments and solicitation of new customer relationships while maintaining existing relationships with previous customers. *Sales and service of corporate, philanthropic and group catering events with budget responsibility for $4.2 million annually. The department is responsible for 60,000 square feet of event space budgeted to produce $65 million annually. Events range from world class fundraising galas and corporate conferences to large scale social events. *Typically achieve a 40% new business booking ratio of total bookings. *Manage customer relationships by telephone or in-person to solicit, explain, negotiate and close group and local catering business. Responsibilities include responding to inquiries, meeting with and entertaining clients, conducting property tours, promoting facilities and services, drafting contracts and detailing events. *Creative design of menus while maintaining effective negotiation of services and pricing to maximize revenue and contribute to reaching the annual team goal of an average check of $96.82. *Provide post event summaries for the Hotel detailing service issues, function space cleanliness and maintenance requests, and operational staff effectiveness or areas for improvement. *Liaise weekly with the catering staff to review status of business, schedules, priority assignments, bookings and all information pertinent to department operation. Show less



Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

• Hong Kong
• Hospitality
• 700 & Above Employee

• Catering Sales Manager

  • Feb 2005 - Sep 2007

  *Responsible for coordinating all corporate business events for Hotel Crescent Court and the Crescent Club.*Conduct site tours, and entertain clients on a regular basis.*Identify client’s requirements in order that all operating departments can fully be informed and all services rendered as promised.*Create imaginative menus as well as suggest wine to guests within their budgets.*Ensure supervisory coverage at all meetings, meal functions and receptions.*Conduct daily event order meeting with the kitchen, banquet, stewarding and audiovisual staff.*Provide a weekly summary of solicitation calls and bookings and achieve sales goals set by Catering Director.*Direct and monitor the performance of catering staff, ensuring that all procedures are followed. Show less

• Catering Coordinator

  • Jul 2002 - Feb 2005

  *Responsible for coordinating all social and corporate business events for groups of 30 or less within a 30-day period.*Assist guests with creating menus to coordinate all details for private functions according to client’s specifications.*Sell to maintain a high average check by offering amenities and providing services outside of food and beverage.*Create banquet event orders detailing and confirming dates, times, menus, prices, space and miscellaneous details.*Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly reports to distribute to the different departments summarizing upcoming events.*Complete sales cycle with post event activities such as reviewing banquet bills for accuracy, calling clients for post event feedback, mailing out thank you letters and invoices.*Assist Managers in the selling, production and service of all private dining activities.*Assist in culinary events representing the Hotel such as: “Dean’s Cuisine”, Guys and Grills, The Mansion’s Hands on Cooking Experience, and Dean Fearing’s Annual BBQ Bash.*Assist in planning and executing employee events such as: Children’s Holiday Party, Easter Egg Hunt, Health Fairs, Staff Appreciation, and Employee Thanksgiving. Show less