Latanya Grandberry-Carter

*** ********* ****** ********, ** 60104 / 773-***-**** / adlj8b@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY

Highly effective Meeting and Event Coordinator specializing in efficient event planning, production, and execution. Offering an array of skills in creative issue resolution, tracking goals, accurate reporting, cross-functional collaboration, and project management. Focused on process improvement and team work to achieve departmental goals. Proven ability to remain calm while multi-tasking in dynamic, fast-paced environment.

PROFICIENCIES

- Effective Communicator

-Strong organization Skills

-Problem Solving

-Upselling

-Social Media

-Client Interaction and Mediation

-Administrative Support

-Project Management

-Budget Management

-Team Building

Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and hotels systems: ISAC, CITY Lightspeed PMS, Starguest, and Delphi

WORK EXPERIENCE

Meeting and Event Coordinator 4/2018-09/2020

Marriott International, Chicago Westin River North

Facilitated and planned corporate and social groups events to create memorable experiences for attendees. Focused on groups with 10-200 attendees

Responsible for meeting with group contact to assist or review with the following:

Contracts, rooming list, gift bags, first look for the bride and groom photos, reviewing menus and conducting site visits.

Meet on-site contact day of event make introductions and ensure that all arrangements are agreeable.

Assisted in all areas of problem resolution with customers- (revising and detailing event orders, guest room accommodations and billing)

Utilized effective communication skills to promote inter-departmental communication. This assisted with increasing guest feedback scores 3% YOY.

Prepared banquet event orders for department and customer to ensure high level service throughout the pre-event, and post-event phases

Developed post-conference follow up call process to ensure event satisfaction and to improve guest feedback scores

Completed forecasting for food, beverage, and guest rooms within hotel catering system to ensure accuracy of revenue reporting

Utilized upselling skills to encourage group guests reserve suites versus standard rooms

Used negotiating skill and creative selling abilities to close on last minute meeting space

Catering and Event Coordinator 6/2010 – 4/2018

Marriott International, Chicago Westin Michigan Avenue

Act as the on-site liaison for catering and event managers for the following:

-Solving problems or suggest alternatives to previous arrangements if necessary

-Lead pre-event and post-event meetings for upcoming groups

-Coordinated events and work with guests to achieve the highest level of guest satisfaction

-Use negotiating skill and creative selling abilities to close on last minute catering business and negotiate contracts

-Conduct site visits for future business (social and corporate events)

Coordinated and prepare all banquet event orders for catering and corporate events, reserve space in hotel database (Isac) for catering/corporate business

Responsible for sending out mass e-mail blast to solicit for holiday parties, wedding brunches and rehearsal dinners

Prepared sales-related documents throughout the pre and post sales process (proposals, contracts, event orders, group resumes addendums, attrition, cancelation letters and invoices)

Gathered materials and assemble sales and wedding packages (brochures, promotional materials)

Provided administrative support for catering sale and event managers

Responded to emails, phone calls, and other forms of correspondence

Coordinator 5/2005 – 6/2010

Marriott International, Chicago Westin Michigan Avenue Hotels

Prepared the following documents: food labels, parking vouchers, breakfast coupons, amenity cards, menu cards, group calendar, spreadsheet, expense reports and invoices

Coordinate and prepare all banquet event order for in-house events

Prepare mass e-mail blast to solicit for holiday parties, wedding brunches and rehearsal dinners

Prepare sales-related documents (proposals, contracts, addendums, attrition, cancelation letters and invoices)

Lead Administrative: responsible for assigning all catering and sales leads in the following websites: Cvent, Lanyon/Starcite, Choose Chicago and Isac.

Provide administrative support for catering managers

Respond to emails, phone calls, and other forms of correspondence

Sales Assistant 4/2000 – 5/2005

Marriott International, Chicago Westin Michigan Avenue Hotels

Enter, reconcile, and verify information (sales and catering leads, in software involved in the sales process.

Preparing correspondence to customers including contracts and thank you letters.

Gathered materials and assemble sales and wedding packages (brochures, promotional materials)

Compile, copy, sort, and file records of office activities, business transactions, and other activities

Responsible for preparing all banquet event orders for Catering and Sales Department

Handled general administrative duties, such as filing, faxing, copying, and mailing and respond to emails, phone calls, and other forms of correspondence

Sales Assistant 01/1995 - 04/2000

Hyatt Regency O’Hare Rosemont

Gathered materials and assemble sales and wedding packages (brochures, promotional materials)

Compile, copy, sort, and file records of office activities, business transactions, and other activities

Responsible for preparing all banquet event orders for Catering and Sales Department

Handled general administrative duties, such as filing, faxing, copying, and mailing and respond to emails, phone calls, and other forms of correspondence

EDUCATION

Business Administration Taylor Business Institute – Chicago, IL

Contact this candidate