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LISA A. SMITH

ac7ei1@r.postjobfree.com *** North Hoyne

Chicago, Illinois 60622

773-***-****

2

LISA A. SMITH

PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE

A management position capitalizing on project/event management experience and an established client base.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

High-energy business builder, Translates strategic market planning into luxury guest experience. Constantly in touch with emerging concepts, products, and services impacting the hospitality industry

Specialized expertise in restaurant start-up, revitalization, and event management. Created new cash flows in five fine dining restaurants.

Consultative group sales professional. Doubles / triples sales via rapid response to leads generated by high octane networking. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

September 2012 NAHA & BRINDILLE’S Chicago, Illinois To Present DIRECTOR OF PRIVATE EVENTS

Re-recruited by Carrie and Michael Nahabedian to turnaround flagging sales at Naha and open new 50-seat Parisian cuisine restaurant in April 2013.

Changed strategy to focus on buy-outs of five-star restaurants by top tier corporate and private hosts.

Develops harmonious menus and accoutrements with hosts; pairs wines at Naha and teams with Brindille sommelier.

Plans, contracts, and manages all logistics, food, beverages, flowers, rental items, entertainers, and top servers to each event.

Tripled Naha’s sales in first month.

Generated $120,000 in Brindille’s first year of operation through buy-outs of entire restaurant.

Personally planned and staged dinner that turned around Chicago’s mayor’s initial experience to host of frequent events. May 2009 CHIEF O’NEILL’S RESTAURANT & PUB Chicago, Illinois To August 2012 CATERING DIRECTOR

Doubled catering business in first year.

Invited prospective hosts to experience highly personalized events in restaurant, bar, and 200-seat garden.

Rotated as front-of-house and bar manager

Changed menu and pricing.

Wrote content and project-managed design of email package.

Re-branded menus and all marketing communications. 3

LISA A. SMITH

May 2008 AIGRE DOUX Chicago, Illinois

To May 2009 PRIVATE DINING DIRECTOR

Convinced renowned Los Angeles chefs, Mohammad Islam & Malika Ameen, to create new position in high profile, 100-seat restaurant.

Designed contract; established policies and procedures.

Expanded single menu into larger selection.

Authored content for web designer.

Captured corporate business via personal network, e-mail blasts and direct presentations to C-level executives.

Went from Zero to 100 events within five months in a very bad economy.

September 2007 TAVERN AT THE PARK Chicago, Illinois To May 2008 PRIVATE DINING DIRECTOR

Recruited by owner to expand into corporate dining market. Developed and executed aggressive marketing strategy targeting AON Building companies as well as direct mail to own client database.

Generated over $1 million in sales in nine months.

Sold, coordinated all resources, and project managed up to 10 events in one day. Filled schedules of five rooms. September 2000 NAHA Chicago, Illinois

To September 2007 CATERING DIRECTOR

Recruited by owner and former Beverly Hills Four Seasons Chef, Carrie Nahabedian, to establish and manage catering services in new fine dining restaurant.

Scheduled private dining room or entire restaurant for parties larger than 65 guests. Oversaw events to ensure total customer satisfaction.

In 2007, generated $800,000 in catering sales in nine months by leveraging relationships with Chicago’s social and business elite.

Generated $600,000 in 2001 despite cancellation of 20 parties out of 200 booked between 9/11 and New Years.

Set up computer system; created Outlook database from personal contact directory; grew database from 200 to 500+ listings. 1998 to 2000 CROFTON ON WELLS Chicago, Illinois

DIRECTOR OF PRIVATE DINING

Increased beverage sales and profits by converting closet into a bar and replacing two servers with one bartender.

Developed database of 200 corporate decision-makers. 1990 To 1998 SERVER Spruce, Green Dolphin Street, Marchè & Pump Room EDUCATION HARRINGTON INSTITUTE OF DESIGN Chicago, Illinois ASSOCIATES DEGREE, Interior Design

WESTERN STATE COLLEGE OF COLORADO Gunnison, Colorado English & Fine Arts

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