Experience

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  Levy Restaurants

  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin

  • Director of Catering Sales

    • Apr 2019 - Present
    • Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    After 14 years previously with Levy Restaurants, I am thrilled to be a "boomerang" back with Levy serving as Director of Catering Sales at the Wisconsin Center District (WCD)--which is Milwaukee's Convention Campus--featuring three unique event venues--The Baird Center, University of Milwaukee's Panther Arena and Miller High Life Theatre. Our incredible WCD team executes and hosts the hottest galas, concerts, meetings, live sporting events and more! With over 189,000 square feet and space to seat over 2,000 guests--the Baird Center offers incredible and creative food for your next gathering. Miller High Life Theatre combines history and 4,000 seats to create the perfect OUT OF THE BOX event space! Dinner on a theater stage? We have your space! Or for those with a sporty vision--our 12,000 seat arena offers fantastic sight lines and the ability to be in the heart of an intimate sporting location.We truly deliver the best in Mid West hospitality at the Wisconsin Center District. Please email me for a personal tour, our menus, or for more information on our offerings in downtown Milwaukee. [email protected]

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  The Bartolotta Restaurants

  • Bartolotta Catering Company & Events--Italian Community Center

  • Director of Sales

    • Jan 2018 - Mar 2019
    • Bartolotta Catering Company & Events--Italian Community Center

    Learning from the legendary Joe Bartolotta, I served as Director of Sales within Bartolottas incredible Catering & Events division, where I was able to represent the ICC and had the ability to cater tailor made events at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward and off premise locations. Just steps from the entrance of the Lakefront Summerfest grounds, the Bartolotta location had over 40,000 square feet of event space. The engaging role allowed me to lead and manage an entire Sales team and set a vision for the location to become more current, influential and have a better recognized presence in the community. It was a great experience in letting me deliver exceptional events, from Charity Galas, to corporate meetings and community events in Milwaukee.

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  Aparium Hotel Group

  • Greater Milwaukee Area

  • Director of Sales, The Iron Horse Hotel

    • Jan 2017 - Sep 2017
    • Greater Milwaukee Area

    My passion for motorcycles, cool food and kick ass parties came to light as Director of Sales at The Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I was fortunate to also serve on the Iron Horse's Executive Committee in a key leadership role. The role had me responsible for group room contracting, banquets and catering, meeting spaces, associations, sports team and more while spearheading a team of five designated members of the sales team. I directly managed all social media, special events, Eblasts, and led the public relations management of the hotel with an outside agency. It was so exciting to implement, initiate and direct so many of the hotel activities including Bike Nights, the first ever Kohls' Intern Happy Hours, inaugural Bubler Sales Blitz, 9th Anniversary Party, etc. while personally securing all of the corporate sponsorships of the hotel's Thursday motorcycle industry nights. It was the perfect job to sharpen my hotel skills while still incorporating food/beverage/marketing and social media. One of my highlights was creating a new IHH Video, which you can see shared below in the media. From the band selection, to the hiring of the actual Milwaukee bikers on screen (some of my personal friends!) it was amazing to see my vision come to life.

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  Chicago Botanic Garden, Sodexo

  • Chicago

  • Director of Sales & Special Events

    • Oct 2009 - Dec 2016
    • Chicago

    Can you imagine having a Garden be your office? Well, as Director of Sales & Special Events at the Chicago Botanic Garden, I led a team of full service event producers focusing on catering, venue management, and comprehensive event production. The Garden, "my office" offered 385 acres of floral displays, indigenous prairie, woodlands and peaceful lakes--perfect for meetings, gala receptions and social events/weddings. From scenic vistas, to enchanting gardens, an array of both indoor and outdoor sites were available for year round events. The services included full event management with an on site Chef and team from Culinary Landscape creating custom menus, event design. Executing both public and private events, from start to finish, was the highlight of my Garden experience. Having one of my CBG weddings featured in the national magazine, The Knot, was a bucket list completed!

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  BBJ Linen

  • Chicago/Indiana

  • Director of Sales

    • Jan 2009 - Oct 2009
    • Chicago/Indiana

    I have always been inspired by color and the quest for true hospitality while creating events for 8-13,000 guests. For all of the years of my hospitality career, I was able to provide amazing linens from BBJ and couldn't wait to join their team as Director of Sales. BBJ Linens offered amazing fashion forward fabrics, custom linens, design expertise and outstanding customer care for linens for all events globally. With eco friendly business practices, and even eco friendly linen offerings--BBJ Linen focused on being a great GREEN business partner. As Director of Sales, I was responsible for the Illinois and Indiana sales offices and coordinated sales blitzes, bridal shows and events, along with sales team direction, customer service management and high end client production/sourcing. Learning from the ground up about the entire linen process, really sharpened my tabletop design experience and I have carried those new skills to every job since 2009. Linens make your event and create a tactile experience to partner with the food and beverages.

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  Levy Restaurants-Off Premise Catering, Restaurant, Hotel and Sporting Venues

  • United States
  • Food & Beverages
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Director of Sales & Marketing

    • May 1995 - Dec 2008

    Over 14 years of marketing and event production/sales management for Levy Restaurants in both the sports and restaurant division. Roles including marketing, restaurant openings, arena event production, four star hotel food and beverage services, and management of full event production and planning teams. My passion for food and beverage, and my keen eye for sales talent and management, led a devoted history with this nationally recognized restaurant leader. Culinary creativity is one of my passions and areas of expertise.

  • Director of Sales & Marketing; Bistro Toujours, Deer Valley Ski Resort

    • Feb 2001 - Jun 2005

  • Director of Sales & Marketing-American Airlines Arena, Miami HEAT

    • May 1999 - Feb 2001

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  Walt Disney World Resort-Levy Restaurants

  • Marketing Director

    • May 1995 - May 1999

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  Mississippi Public Television

  • Development

    • 1985 - 1987