LAURA CARR

**** ******** ******, #3-310-***-****

Playa Del Rey, CA 90293 acq28y@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY

Award Winning Hospitality Executive with over 20 years of experience in Sales & Marketing; Event Planning and Site Selection; Leadership & Management; and Market Research. A self-starter who is dedicated, driven and pragmatic.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Sales & Marketing

Received Achievement and Recognition awards for surpassing all sales and business goals for an internationally recognized hotel brand.

Reached Bronze, Silver and President’s levels in Marriott’s Top Sales Elite Group - Golden Circle Awards Program for exceeding sales goals.

Exceeded an Individual Goal of $2.5 million in group-room sales and $1.5 million in catering sales by planning and executing a sales strategy and building personal customer relationships.

Proactively solicited appropriate business opportunities through a combination of attending industry events, entertaining, teleprospecting and direct sales to develop accounts and uncover new business.

Negotiated and evaluated sales contract changes and customer contract addendums to secure high profit margins for complex key accounts such as Accenture, Amgen, Assurant, Billboard, Cetera, DIRECTV, Genentech, GE, Health Net, J&J, Kraft Foods, Mattel, Nestle, Netflix, Pfizer, SKECHERS, Wells Fargo

Worked collaboratively with off-property sales channels to ensure sales efforts and site inspections were coordinated and the business was secured to the utmost satisfaction of the hotel and customer.

Developed strong network community ties along with public relations in business associations such as Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Financial and Insurance Conference Planners (FICP) and CVB’s by participating in monthly meetings, client events, committees, conventions and tradeshows.

Created persuasive descriptive proposals and presentations for clients by understanding the customers’ business issues and concerns and recommending the best features and services to meet their business needs.

Knowledgeable of the overall market fluctuations and changes and the competition’s strengths and weaknesses to effectively sell the hotel and improve market share.

Specialized in customer focus and loyalty to build relationships, grow account share, ensure repeat business, and enhance profitability.

Aggressively pursued the catering market segment, developing the type of group business that best suited the hotel and supported the selling philosophy.

Marketed the hotel in order to satisfy the client’s goals through presenting the benefits and unique features while negotiating to maximize the profitability of each event.

Continuously promoted in rank throughout my career while being offered the opportunity to sell the latest premiere hotel and city.

Event Planning & Site Selection

Managed an excess of $3.5 million in catering and rooms revenue per year.

Ensured repeat and new sales by delivering the highest quality of service by coordinating all aspects of each event with the sales team, all hotel departments, and the client.

Managed significant corporate accounts and coordinated high profile events ranging from 10-1500 guests and developed strong client relationships.

Researched, evaluated, and presented the ideal venues for events based on clients’ specific needs.

Negotiated rates and concessions and facilitated the contracting process to ensure a win-win for both sides.

Conducted Site Inspections to ensure that venues met client requirements and provided for a successful event.

Recipient of Spirit to Serve Awards each year for outstanding customer service from written client commendations and letters.

Leadership & Management

Provided guidance and direction to the 8-person Sales Team regarding customer correspondence, problem resolution, decision making, and contract negotiations.

Responsible for in-house computer system, serving as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all Sales and Event Team goals, trainings, reports and results.

Proficient in Microsoft Office, SFA, Delphi, NGS, MARSHA, PMS

Coordinated all Customer Appreciation Events for Corporate Clients and ensured Sales Team participation.

Supervised restaurant and banquet daily operations and served as client liaison.

Recruited, interviewed, hired, and trained all new banquet and restaurant associates for a staff of 50 associates.

Administered written performance reviews and schedules for banquet and restaurant associates.

Initiated recommendations and developed procedure manual for the restaurant.

Trained a 40-person staff in opening of Resort & Convention Center during a Task Force Assignment

Awarded Manager of the Quarter three times.

Market Research

Evaluated clients’ brand and researched key competitors via one-on-one interviews, in-store research, social media, and through traditional media publications to discover overall brand’s strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Delivered findings and recommendations in a summarized presentation for brand clarity and platforming. Client industries included fashion apparel and business products.

CAREER HISTORY

crescent hotels, Lake Arrowhead, CA Oct 2014 – May 2015

Senior Group Sales Manager for Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa

Autograph Collection by Marriott/West Coast and Midwest Market

viceroy hotel group, Santa Monica, CA April-Oct 2014

Senior Group Sales Manager for Le Meridien Delfina/Vertical Markets

Freelance Sales & Marketing Consultant, Playa del Rey, CA 2011-2014

Brand Texture, Los Angeles, CA

Competitive & Market Trend Research

Bond Events, London, England

Site Research & Selection/Tradeshow Representation

marriott international 1993-2011

Eden Roc Renaissance, Miami Beach, FL 2009-2011

Senior Account Executive/West Coast and Midwest Market

Marina del Rey Marriott, Marina del Rey, CA 2000-2009

Senior Sales Manager/ West Coast Market (2005 – 2009)

Group Sales Manager/ West Coast Market (2004 – 2005)

Catering Sales Manager/ All Markets (2002 – 2004)

Senior Event Manager/ All Markets (2000 – 2002)

Renaissance Los Angeles Hotel, Los Angeles, CA 1998-2000

Event Manager/ All Markets (1998 – 2000)

The Inn and Conference Center University of Maryland, College Park, MD 1994-1998

Catering Sales Manager (1997 – 1998)

Banquet Maitre d’ (1995 – 1997)

Restaurant Manager (1994 – 1995)

EDUCATION

University of Maryland, College Park, MD 1989-1993

Bachelor of Science

Internships: UMUC Marriott and UMCP Dining Services

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