Strategic Planning Career Change

Gail Burnette-Drouillard, CHSP

Peachtree City, GA. 30269

678-***-**** ************@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Versatile senior level executive with 30+ years of leadership. Specializing in sales, revenue management, marketing, and event services. Work with hotel owners and stockholders to maximize revenue and gross operating profits. Hands -on and responsive professional with ability to lead, motivate, and develop highly effective sales and operation teams. Self-motivated and promotes a guest/client centric culture.

Strong Negotiation Skills

Solving Complex Problems

Vision & Strong Leadership Skills

Strategic Planning

F&B - Catering Operations

Innovative and Results Driven

Critical Thinker

Increasing Top Line Revenues Budget & Forecasting

Sales & Marketing Initiatives

Strong Shareholder Relations

Positive Guest Results

CAREER HISTORY

Hotel Colee Buckhead, Marriott Autograph Collection 10/2023 - 2/2024

Director of Sales & Marketing, Atlanta, GA

(Management Company lost Contract)

Selling 291 room 4-star luxury hotel with 10,000 square feet of meeting space. Hiring and training staffing to increase sales and revenue.

Annual budgeting and weekly/monthly forecasting, strategic planning

December 23 revenue came in at $124K over STLY,1st Qtr 2024 Forecast to coming in at $53K over Budget, pace at $492K to STLY at $151K.

Developed and implemented sales initiatives to increase market share

Created Catering Menus to be competitive, Wedding Packages, Quarterly Sales Event Promotions

Increasing Corporate/Association group business, and Business Travel (Managed National Market)

Selling Rooms, Event and Catering Space to return to 2019 Business Levels

Open Positions - Recruiting, managed and training Sales Managers and Event Manager.

Atlanta Marriott Buckhead 11/2022 - 10/2023

Director Sales, Marketing & Events, Atlanta, GA

Selling 350 room conference center with 30,000 square feet of conference space. Hiring and start-up from the Covid- 19 hotel closure. Hiring and training sales and conference planning team

Annual budgeting and weekly/monthly forecasting, strategic planning

1st Qtr 2023 came in at 89% of Goal, April 105% of Goal and May 116% of Goal/Budget Revenues

Developed and implemented sales initiatives to increase market share

Create Complete Meeting Package, New Catering Menus to be competitive

Increasing Corporate/Association group business, and Business Travel (Regional/National Markets)

Selling Rooms, Event and Catering Space to return to Pre Covid-19 Business Levels

Recruiting, managed and trained Sales Managers and Conference & Event Managers (6 on-site Sales and Event Managers, Coordinator and 9 remote Sales Managers)

Hilton Peachtree City Atlanta Hotel & Conference Center

Director of Sales & Marketing, Peachtree City, GA 5/2021 - 11/2022

Selling 250 room conference center with 30,000 square feet of conference space. Re-branding the hotel from an independent property to a Hilton Hotel. Post Covid-19 and Grand Opening with a newly renovated hotel. 4-Star

Increased revenues the last 6 months of 2021, and pre-sold 50% of budget room nights for 2022 in 2021

Recruiting, set new standards and trained team for a customer centric culture

Annual budgeting and weekly/monthly forecasting, strategic planning

Developed and implemented sales initiatives, advertising and public relations to increase market share

Increased corporate group business in 2021 and 2022 (Regional/National Markets) share by 36%

Managed and trained Sales Managers and Conference & Catering Managers

Arbor Terrace Senior Living 11/2019 - 12/2020

Sales Director, Peachtree City, GA

Full-Service Luxury Senior Living Community with 95 Independent and 51 Personal Care Apartments

Member of the Executive Team and supported a team of 3 (Senior Care Counselors and Team Coordinator)

Managed marketing, advertising and out-reach events for the community and prospects. Sales calls to hospitals, cancer centers, doctors, rehabilitation and senior health care centers, private home care teams, hospice, and local senior centers

Trained Senior Sales Counselors and Move-in Coordinator on new sales processes and software

Sold apartments at full rate, achieved monthly bonus, monthly occupancy 87% to 94%

Managed 1st impressions throughout community and worked closely with all departments.

Worked closely with A Place for Mon, Caring.com, local Chamber, and other external lead sources

Weekly and Monthly Marketing, Occupancy Reports and EOM Budget to Management Company

Interstate Hotels & Resorts 3/2015 - 9/2017

Task Force/Sales & Marketing - Interstate Hotels & Resorts 6/2016 - 9/2017

(Macon Marriott City Center/ Hyatt Atlanta Midtown / Streamsong Golf Resort FL-Luxury Hotels)

Assisting several 4-Star hotel and resorts in all areas of Sales & Marketing

Business Development for National Corporate and Association Markets

Responsibilities included selling guest rooms, meeting space, golf, and other services groups, managing accounts, conducting site inspections, working with Management to increase revenues

Duties included preparing and presenting effective proposals and contracts, maintaining organized documentation and reports, and coordinating customer service requirements as appropriate.

Lodge & Spa at Callaway Gardens, Marriott Autograph, Pine Mtn., GA

Director of Sales & Marketing - Interstate Hotels & Resorts 3/2015 - 5/2016

Selling 149 room boutique hotel with 22,000 square feet of conference space in addition to selling amenities and overflow rooms within the 6,000-acre Callaway Gardens Resort. 4-Star Luxury Hotel

Increase top line revenues within first year through strategic planning and positioning. Over $11Million in Annual Revenues.

Exceeded Total Hotel Revenue by $202,842/ GOP by $214,270/ YOY Increase of $1,638,714

Exceeded F&B/Catering revenue goal by $423,805 dollars by up-selling group banquets/spa events.

Managed Sales Managers, Conference & Catering Managers, and Group Reservation Coordinator

Annual budgeting and weekly/monthly forecasting, strategic planning

Developed and implemented sales initiatives, advertising, public relations, and outlet promotions

Increased corporate group business (Atlanta and Feeder Markets) share by 22%

Conference Solution Network, Atlanta, GA 9/2010 - 3/2015

Vice President Sales & Marketing

Consulting and Senior-level support for individual properties and management companies in all hospitality disciplines. Specializing in Conference Centers and Resorts. (Marriott, Hilton, and Independents)

Providing owners and operators with feasibility studies, operational efficiencies, sales and marketing review, and marketing efforts to improve revenues

Pre-opening, recruiting executive and management level positions

Assist in building brand and re-positioning properties

Sales Training to include prospecting and sales calls, planning and guest services

Destination Club Management 5/2009 -10/2010

Resort General Manager, Seacrest Beach, FL

Managed day to day operations for this new 5-Star Luxury Oceanfront Fractional Property. Handled all marketing efforts for the short-term rental programs and assisted real estate with fractional sales presentations.

Prepared client billing, accounts receivables and payables, month-end and forecasting

Built relationships with the Registry Collection, RCI and Luxury Link for the upscale fractional travel market in addition to the Chamber of Commerce, Visit Florida, 30-A.com and other web-based marketing channels to increase exposure for this new vacation product

Worked closely with the developers to close-out the project, sourcing, bidding and procurement of new contracts with over $10K in cost savings first 6 months

Hosted receptions for prospective new owners and special holiday events for all guest

Conference Center Consulting Group

Vice President Sales & Marketing, General Manager & Senior Consultant, GA 10/1989 - 5/2008

Vice President Sales & Senior Consultant 11/2007 - 5/2008

Vice President Sale, Marketing & General Manager 12/1998 - 11/2007

Aberdeen Woods Hotel & Conference Center, Atlanta, GA

Assured the day to day operations for this 40 acres, 230 rooms and 90 sq. ft. Conference Center

Provided leadership, professional development, coaching to 22 directors/managers and 190 team members.

Director Sales, Marketing and Event Planning 10/1989 - 12/1998

Advised projects specifically related to hotel and conference centers feasibility studies, operational efficiencies, and revenue improvement

Acquired and managed 6 multi-year contacts ranging from $1.2M to $3.1 Million annually, with 3 of the accounts resulting in long term partnerships with the owner/facility and construction build out of 2 conference center additions. Contracts worth over $75 Million Dollars

Sourcing, Contract Bids, Procurement of all Property Requirements (Facilities, Engineering, Food & Beverage, Housekeeping)

Achieved highest annual revenues; totaling $17 Million and Exceeding GOP all years

Oversaw multiple comprehensive construction projects, working with owner, client, designer, and general contractors. Most current renovation project at $25 million spanning 2 years

Managed all aspects of advertising, public relations, and promotions including directing two national Agencies to achieve synergies for corporate and property specific positioning

System Software: Vitals, Delphi, Opera, IHG, Marriott, Hyatt, Word, Outlook, Excel, Cvent, and PowerPoint

Gail Burnette-Drouillard, CHSP

HONORS & AWARDS

Regional Winner Interstate Triple Crown Competition for RevPAR Index YOY Growth

Conde’ Nast Traveler, Top 20 Resorts in South

Top 100 Industry Experts, Cambridge Publishing

Female Executive of the Year, Cambridge Who’s Who in Hospitality

Female Executive of the Year, Cambridge Who’s Who in Hospitality

EDUCTION/TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONS

Cornell University; Hotel Management School

Advance Marketing Program

Real Estate, Property Development & Investments

Advance Management Program

General Manager Program

Real Estate License, State of Georgia

Eckerd College/ MDI, Leadership Development Program

Disney Institute, Disney Leadership Program

Granby High School, Graduate

AFFLIATIONS/ACTIVITIES

Member, Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau

Member, Fayette County Board of Realtors

Member, Fayette & Coweta Chamber of Commerce -Visitor Bureau

Member, National Association of Female Executives

Member, Meeting Planners International

Past Board Member/Member - IACC -North American Board of Director

Past Council Member, EMC Venues

Event Planner & Fundraiser – Gigi’s House, Atlanta and Bloom Our Youth, Inc.

Volunteer - Southside Church, Peachtree City, & Past Team Leader Destiny Worship Center Destin, FL

Parent Volunteer - Young Life, Fayette County

Past PTO - McIntosh HS/Booth MS, Peachtree City

Past Leader - Girl Scouts of Florida Panhandle & Awana’s Village Baptist Church

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