Lynn Margolis

Director of Catering / Senior Event Planner / Catering Sales Manager

adqf0e@r.postjobfree.com • 571-***-****

Versatile and results-driven professional with 20+ years of experience in Catering and Event Planning working within prestigious hotels and industry-leading companies. Possesses a track record of delivering outstanding service and managing high-achieving teams while driving company growth and satisfaction.

Areas of Expertise

Event Lifecycle

Client Relations

Regulatory Compliance

Sales / Contract Negotiations

New Business Growth

Networking / Vendor Relations

Process Improvement

Team Development / Leadership

Cross-functional Leadership

Professional Experience

The DAYTONA Hotel, an Autograph Collection by Marriot October 2021 – Present

Catering Sales Manager

Oversees the catering/meeting sales and customer relations for the hotel. Responsibilities include finding new and repeat customers, handling room blocks under 30, all events & meetings that are turned over from the group sales team, helping with menu selection and planning, handling all aspects of detailing each event & meeting, negotiating cost, securing vendors and reviewing their contracts and hiring and training banquet staff.

●Supports Sales Managers having arranged for meeting spaces for their respective groups.

●Property Administrator for CI

●Conducts Site Visits for all potential clients

●Will be part of the team designing our new Ballroom. The space is 16,000sq ft that will be broken down into a kitchen, equipment storage, bathrooms, bridal suite & will have the capability to be separated into 3 smaller rooms.

●Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

●Strong organizational and time management skills.

●Decision making skills.

●Ability to manage in a diverse environment with a focus on client and customer services.

●Good business and commercial acumen.

Oceanside Beach Bar & Grill, Flagler Beach, FLA April 2021 – October 2021

Being a bartender means a lot more than making high-quality cocktails and being fast. It also means being courteous and aware of all of the surroundings both behind the bar and in front of the bar. A good bartender will possess confidence, attitude and personality, but always have respect for customers, fellow staff and their venue. Great customer service, organization, cleanliness & multi-tasking are key to this job!

The Bethesdan Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Bethesda, MD February 2017 – February 2021

Promoted through roles of increased scope and accountability, advancing from Conference Service Manager to Catering Sales Manager before serving as the Director of Catering.

Director of Catering, June 2019 – February 2021

Oversee daily operations and manage personnel, ensuring that all efforts result in continued department sustainability and profitability. In partnership with department heads, chefs, and clients, plan and execute events that exceed customer expectations. Implement departmental policies and procedures that streamline workflow, while maintaining compliance with health and safety regulations and company guidelines.

Recruit, hire, develop, and lead qualified staff, with a high-achieving team in place that is managed cost-effectively without sacrificing quality of service. Additionally, perform budget control, inventory control, build and maintain relationships with vendors / suppliers, review and honor client contracts, and develop and carry out business growth strategies to expand the client base.

●As a result of effective leadership combined with superior customer service skills, customer satisfaction and retention rates continue to increase.

●By applying salesmanship expertise, quickly convert prospective customers into clients.

●In partnership with the Head Chef, plan menus that account for client specifications.

●Prior to being The Bethesdan Hotel, A Tapestry Collection by Hilton, the hotel was a Doubletree, I was instrumental to the converting process, ensured the transition was seamless with minor to no interruptions to daily business. Assisted in some design aspects

●Handled events from 20 people to 400 people; Social, Corporate, Conferences, Expos

Catering Sales Manager, April 2018 – June 2019

Consulted with prospective clients and promoted and upsold the catering services offered by the hotel, which resulted in social and corporate event contracts being secured. Gathered event requirements from clients and incorporated such requests and necessities into the planning process. Contributed to event preparation and post-event procedures, and supervised the catering facility during events. Continuously communicated with clients to address and resolve issues with minimal interruptions, and perform additional duties that elevate their experience. Directed catering / hotel staff and vendors.

●Supported Sales Managers having arranged for meeting spaces for their respective groups.

●Conducted Site Visits for all potential clients

Conference Service Manager, February 2017 – April 2018

Based on the needs of a client, reserved rooms and provided the necessary resources need for corporate meetings, conventions, and supplementary events. Coordinated with various department heads to supply additional services such as catering.

●Introduced a new Delphi FDC. Property Admin for Delphi FDC – Set up all aspects of Delphi

●Contributed to menu development.

●Spearheaded the establishment of the social catering business.

●Detail all meetings/events

Ocean Breeze Club Hotel – Premier Resort Management, Daytona Beach, FL 2016 – 2017

Senior Catering Sales Manager

Identified opportunities to secure catering contracts with new and existing clientele, and upsold catering and select hotel services and packages that increased total sales and overall revenue. Additionally, performed exhaustive industry / market research to pinpoint effective outreach and branding efforts to increase the client base. In delivering dedicated service throughout an event life cycle, preference and loyalty growth was exponential.

●Concentrated on group / catering accounts that had the greatest sales and revenue potential.

Relish Catering, Rockville, MD 2015 – 2016

Senior Event Planner

Educated interested parties on event services offered by the catering company, and reached agreements that converted individuals, companies, and organizations into clients. Leveraged relationships with vendors and venues to procure new clientele. Reviewed preparation efforts and verified that customer specifications and contracts were honored.

●Events planned included weddings, bar / bat mitzvahs, and additional events of various scale.

Previous Experience

Director of Catering, Quite A Stir In Catering, Rockville, MD, 2013 – 2015

In overseeing successful events, $75K in additional revenue was generated, and total business referrals increased.

Managed the overhaul of the company’s website that was vital in stimulating $60K in new business.

During tenure, secured 30 new corporate clients with the social client base increasing 20%.

In partnering with a law firm, $400K in revenue growth was achieved in 18 months.

Senior Event Planner, Purple Onion Catering, Vienna, VA, 2012 – 2013

Upgraded administrative software utilized by the company and enhanced daily workflows.

Instrumental to catering efforts during the Democratic National Convention.

Assistant General Manager, Wolfgang Puck Catering / ESPN Zone LA Live, 2008 – 2012

Oversaw an event for Home Depot event at Nokia Theater on short notice that was successful and had 4K+ attendees.

Event Planner, Garden of Eating Catering, Los Angeles, CA

Spearheaded the expansion of the company services to include wedding catering, which led to immediate and significant company growth.

Senior Sales Executive, RSVP Catering, Fairfax, VA

For ten consecutive years, met and surpassed sales targets and generated $1M+ in total revenue each year.

Education

Associate of Arts in Restaurant and Hotel Management

Tidewater Community College, Virginia Beach, VA

Certificate in Tour and Travel

ATI Career Institute, Falls Church, VA

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