DIONNE PIERCE

*** **** ****** ~ Saint Simons Island, Georgia 31522

843-***-**** ~ adno9t@r.postjobfree.com

EDUCATION:

**** - **** ********** ** ******* Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management Athens, GA

EXPERIENCE:

October 2018 - The King and Prince Resort Director of Catering & Conference Services Saint Simons Isl, GA

Wedding Catering Manager (October 2018-April 2019)

●Oversee Catering Department which handles social, wedding and corporate events

●Promptly reply to all on-line and phone inquiries for weddings and/or receptions with availability and pricing

●Conduct site visits for prospective clients

●Execute planning visits with clients for currently booked events

●Work with Banquet Chef and Manager to create customized menus

●Orchestrate details for client tastings as part of the pre-planning process

●Prepare Banquet Event Orders with all event details - Food and Beverage, set up, event diagram, etc.

●Attend and service catered events

●Create deposit invoices and collect them according to contractual agreement

Jan - October 2018 Sea Island Company Sales Department Administrator Sea Island, GA

●Support National Directors of Sales and Director of Sales and Marketing by inputting data from leads, creating function space summaries, merging contracts, and handling all tasks related to turning definite programs over to Conference Services

●Assist with preparing Site Visits with clients with potential programs at the resort by doing site agendas, ordering room amenities, confirming dining, activity, and transportation reservations during visit

●Create diagrams with software program, Social Tables, to show room layout with requested set up

●Manage calendars of the department and assis with scheduling meetings within and outside of the Sales Department

●Answer all incoming Sales Department calls and handling requests promptly and professionally

Nov 2017 - Jan 2018 The King and Prince Resort Wedding Catering Manager Saint Simons Island GA

2015 - 2017 RMC Senior Operations Manager Bluffton, SC (based out of Aspen, CO)

●RMC purchased my Destination Management Company (Palmetto Group Management) contracts with Palmetto Bluff Resort, opening the new location and hiring me as the head of the new operation based on my extensive experience, vendor connections, and high end client service

●Worked with vendors to negotiate contracts and coordinated all details of a group program – which includes details of off-site dinners, airport transfers and local ground transfers, entertainment, florals, décor, linens, lighting, tents, activities, food and beverage, special interest programs, tours, etc.

●Handled corporate client site visits to the Palmetto Bluff property to discuss event space and logistics, activities and potential opportunities to upsell client

2011 - 2015 Palmetto Group Management Owner / Operator Hilton Head Island, SC

●Created own DMC to provide excellent customer service and creative experiences of the Low Country to corporate groups at area resorts

●Provided perfectly orchestrated activities, events, decor, florals, etc. to the highest level corporate and social clients

●Communicated with corporate meeting planners to identify their goals for their meetings and events and strategized to exceed expectations

●Established relationships with vendors to receive preferred pricing on various items – lighting, rental items, activities, speakers, décor, entertainment

●Created memorable experiences for corporate guests

●Participated and contributed to all site visits with corporate event and meeting planners, as well as on property pre-conference meetings

●Serviced transportation requests for all groups with multiple vendor partners to provide high quality service with detailed manifest coordination and management

●Corresponded with corporate clients – proposals, contracts, deposit request, invoices, etc.

2009 – 2011 Destinations by Outside Director of Destination Management Services Hilton Head Island, SC

●Hired to start DMC division of Outside Hilton Head, a 30-year established outdoor adventure company

●Created relationship with five-diamond property, Palmetto Bluff Resort, and became the preferred DMC for resort

●Established credibility to this new division of the company to various hotel sales and convention services staff

2002 - 2008 Berkeley Hall Golf Community Director of Club Services & Membership Marketing Bluffton, SC

●Created events for upscale golf community members as a marketing tool for generating real estate sales within the community

●Promoted real estate sales by planning and marketing 20 sales presentation events around country

●Handled all of the marketing of the club events and community information to the members

●Communicated with the membership via email and mailings, including monthly newsletter

●Coordinated all aspect of the club events with food and beverage staff, chef, rental companies, vendors, etc.

1997 – 2001 Gray Line Director of Sales and Marketing Savannah/Hilton Head Island

●Oversaw DMC side of the tour business - coordinating convention/incentive/tour group activities including transportation, tours, off-site events, special interest programs, etc.

●Developed new convention/corporate market in the Hilton Head Area by cultivating relationships with hotel General Managers, Sales and Conference Services Staff

●Created internal incentive programs to increase revenue of each market

●Acted as Interim General Manager of Gray Line Hilton Head during transition

1993 - 1997 The Mulberry Inn Director of Catering Savannah, GA

Executed weddings and corporate events, from the initial contact to the day of the event

●Worked with Chef and Banquet Staff with details and requirements of each event

●Created Banquet Event Orders, updating with changes and communicated to hotel team

●Oversaw and managed budget for the Catering Department in relation to the hotel bottom line

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

●Hilton Head Island / Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, Member

●2005 USGA State Team Championships, Tournament Coordinator

●Hilton Head Visitors & Convention Bureau, Co-Chair Steering Committee

●Hilton Head Hospitality Association - Board of Directors

●Hilton Head Island Academy of Travel and Tourism, Advisory Board Member

●American Society of Association Executives, Member

●Meeting Professionals International, Member

●Hilton Head Island Celebrity Golf Tournament, Volunteer

●Savannah Hospitality Association, Board of Directors

●Savannah Maritime Festival, Co-coordinator

●Tybee Island Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors

REFERENCES:

●Amy Glos, Senior Flight Attendant, Gulfstream Aerospace, 912-***-****

●Marisa Faverio, Director of Conference Services, Palmetto Bluff Resort, 843-***-****

●Steve Wilmot, Tournament Director, RBC Heritage PGA Tournament, 843-***-****

Additional corporate meeting planner references are available upon request.

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