April **, ****

Dear Ms. Booton:

Please see attached my application for a Director of Sales and Marketing position.

As you will see from my resume I have spent the past thirteen (13) years working with a 600 room Hilton hotel/resort in Destin, FL where I have gained considerable sales and leadership experience. During this time I have been responsible for launching strategic campaigns, which generated over $30 million dollars in revenues for group and transient rooms, banquet food and beverage, weddings and audio visual. I am a dedicated person with a high commitment level to the company who employs me.

Having managed a 25-person team, I have strong leadership skills and a proven ability to manage and motivate a team and I feel that these qualities will make a positive impact on your facility. My roles in the past include Senior Sales Manager, Director of Sales and the last five (5) years as Vice President, Sales and Marketing. A sample of my highlights while serving in the above positions includes:

Top producing sales manager, exceeded goals by 25% in 01 and 35% in 02.

Director of a sales team of seven (7) generating an average of 75,000 group room nights from 02-05.

Consistently managed $2.5 million dollar Sales, Advertising and Promotions within budget delivering bottom-line results 05-10.

Generated room record revenues of $30 million in 07, highest in hotel’s 25 year history.

. Oversaw a revenue management team that achieved market share of 130% while increasing ADR growth by 5% average form 05-10.

. Hilton recognition in 2010 for Best Social Media Engagement Award.

For a more detailed presentation of my skills and background, please review the enclosed resume and feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your consideration.

MARSHALL THOMPSON

224 WEKIVA COVE, DESTIN, FL 32541

850-***-**** OR yb6n7y@r.postjobfree.com

OBJECTIVE

To maintain a rewarding and challenging career in the hospitality industry with a respected and prominent company utilizing my experience as a top producing sales professional, Director of Sales and Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

QUALIFICATIONS

Hospitality Executive with more than thirteen (13) years of hospitality experience.

Extensive background in Sales & Marketing.

Proven record of leadership with excellent experience in assessing and putting together high performance teams that deliver strong top and bottom line results.

Always looking to adapt and change as needed to grow the business and the culture of an organization.

A self-directed individual with an excellent record of accomplishment.

EMPLOYMENT

HILTON SANDESTIN BEACH GOLF RESORT & SPA, Destin, Florida 2005-2010

Premier resort hotel located on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Vice President, Sales & Marketing

Generated $30 million dollars in sales for group and transient room, banquet food and beverage, audio-visual and wedding revenues for 598 guest suites, and 32,000 square feet of meeting space. Originated and executed successful sales and marketing programs to heighten product awareness and strengthen brand image. Cultivated and expanded target audiences through client contact and relationship building. Originated brand integration strategies. Managed a 25-person staff, including sales, revenue management, banquets, and conference services with an annual operational budget of $2.5 million.

Strategically positioned hotel as a market leader in over all market share, ADR and RevPar.

Consistently delivered top and bottom-line results.

Educated consumers about product line as part of overall sales program.

Maximized extensive knowledge of products, services, and marketing to capture sales, continually researching new services, and price trends.

HILTON SANDESTIN BEACH GOLF RESORT & SPA, Destin, Florida 2002-2005

Premier resort hotel located on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Director of Sales

Strategize and executed sales campaigns resulting in generation of $17 million+ in group room revenues and $5.5 million in banquet food and beverage revenues. Established the hotel as the largest southeast hotel/resort for meetings with over 80,000 group room nights; utilizing 32,000 square feet of indoor meeting space and 10,000 square feet of outdoor meeting space. Managed a sales team of seven (7).

Increased ADR for five consecutive years alongside Revenue Management.

Booked all aspects of group business; corporate, association, SMERF, and weddings.

Identified and pursued new business opportunities in a competitive, rapidly changing industry through new account development with Hilton National Sales, Hilton Direct, Helms Briscoe, and Conference Direct.

Developed and implemented strategic financial and marketing plans for team success.

Earned promotion to Vice President Sales & Marketing following superior performance and demonstrated ability.

HILTON SANDESTIN BEACH GOLF RESORT & SPA, Destin, Florida 1997-2002

Premier resort hotel located on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Senior Sales Manager

Developed and performed all sales activities in assigned markets of MS, LA, AR, TX, CA and FL. Averaged production of group room revenues of $4.0 million+ over a five year period working Association, Corporate, SMERF and Incentive group business. Established plans and strategies to expand the customer base in the marketing area and enhance long-term relationships with customers for multi-year repeat bookings.

Focused on achieving sales targets, increasing revenue and market share for hotel.

Prepared action plans for effective search of sales leads and prospects.

Provided timely, accurate, competitive pricing on all completed prospect applications submitted for pricing and approval, while striving to maintain maximum profit margin.

Achieved promotional advancement to Director of Sales.

Accomplishments: 2000 Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa Sales Manager of the Year with $6 million in total bookings

THOMPSON ENTERPRISES, INC., Clarksdale, Mississippi 1987-1997

Privately owned retail grocery company operating Thompson’s Liberty Cash.

General Manager/Owner

Operated and managed profitable operation of supermarket and its related departments, including produce, bakery, deli, and floral. Accounted for profits and losses, inventory, sales promotions, merchandising and pricing integrity. Maintained proper product level and inventory control. Managed staff of 25, customer and community relations, compliance with store policies, and other administrative duties.

Maximized sales by maintaining superior store conditions, competitive awareness, implementation, and maintenance of sales/merchandising tactics.

Controlled perishable shrink/gross profit by ensuring proper product handling, shrink control, gross profit enhancement, and inventory control.

Ensured full compliance with all state food safety policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Cultivated and maintained superior customer relations through polite and efficient handling of customer inquiries, attention to store appearance and maintaining service level standards.

EXPERENCE AND SKILLS

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

Delphi software single property edition

Social Marketing; Facebook, Tweets and Blogs

Web analytics, design and marketing

EDUCATION

University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS. 1974-1978

Bachelor of Business Administration; Minor: Marketing

REFERENCES

References available upon request

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