Event & Catering Manager - Hospitality Specialist

LATISHA J. SANDERS

***************@***.*** 202-***-**** Fort Washington, MD

WORK EXPERIENCE

Event & Catering Manager

Independent / Self-Employed

- current Washington, DC Metro Area

Plan and produce end-to-end events including décor, menu design, banquet setup, service execution, and breakdown for weddings, corporate events, government functions, and VIP celebrations. Coordinated with 10+ vendors and managed budgets of up to

$50,000 for corporate events, maintaining client expectations and achieving a 95% client satisfaction rate.

Lead and oversee event staffing to maintain flawless guest flow and timely service delivery.

Serve 200+ guests at upscale functions with refined hospitality and attention to guest comfort.

Manage catering logistics for weekly meal programs serving 30-40 guests consistently, driving repeat business.

Oversaw beverage operations, buffet stations, and plated meal execution for high-capacity events (up to 200 guests), ensuring smooth service flow, timely delivery, and elevated VIP experiences. Customized service style after assessing client expectations, guest demographics, event formality, and dietary preferences to ensure a flawless and personalized experience.

Respond proactively to last-minute changes, special requests, and high-pressure demands with professionalism.

Upheld rigorous food safety, cleanliness, and presentation standards across all phases of event setup and on-site service, ensuring adherence to protocol and maintaining a refined, guest- ready environment.

Support confidential and high-profile events for celebrities, corporate executives, and government personnel.

Managed 5+ large-scale events from end to end, overseeing planning, vendor coordination, setup, service flow, and post-event wrap-up to ensure flawless guest experiences.

Built strong client loyalty through authentic hospitality Recognized by clients for successfully managing 30+ upscale events with smooth execution, high service standards, and exceptional guest satisfaction outcomes.

Hostess

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

Arlington, VA

CAREER OBJECTIVE

Event and hospitality professional with

strong experience managing luxury-

level guest service, large-scale events,

VIP clientele, and full catering

operations. Skilled in reading guest

needs before they are expressed, solving

problems under pressure, and elevating

the environment through polished,

attentive service. Known for taking

initiative, learning quickly, and delivering

memorable, high-standard experiences

in upscale and fast-paced settings.

EDUCATION

Associate of Applied Science

Cybersecurity

College of Southern Maryland

La Plata, MD

SKILLS

Event & Banquet Operations

Luxury Guest Engagement &

Professional Communication

Vendor Relations & Contract

Negotiation

Corporate & VIP Event Execution

(200+ Guests)

Team Coordination & Service Flow

Management

Queue Management & Service

Recovery

Upselling & Revenue Support

Food Safety & Presentation Standards

Flexible Scheduling: Evenings,

Weekends & Holidays

Technical Skills: Microsoft Office

(Word, Excel, PowerPoint), POS

Systems

Designed personalized arrival experiences for VIP guests, managing seating for over 100 diners to ensure seamless service flow. Managed 50–80 weekly reservations and guest inquiries, ensuring specialized requests were met promptly to uphold fine-dining service standards, while maintaining the lobby's presentation during peak traffic.

Maintained lobby and entrance presentation consistent with fine- dining standards during peak traffic.

Sales & Guest Experience Associate

Sheehy Volkswagen

Springfield, VA

Fostered strong guest relationships by listening carefully to needs and providing tailored recommendations, resulting in increased repeat visits and word-of-mouth referrals.

Guided 10–20 customers weekly through the full vehicle purchase process — model selection, feature review, test drives, and delivery

— while maintaining high guest satisfaction and trust. Excelled in a high-demand service environment, supporting 40–60 guest interactions per shift while maintaining polished communication, attentiveness, and efficiency.

Retail Manager

Luxury & Co

McLean, VA

Supported 20-40 guests daily with elevated service tailored to luxury brand standards.

Contributed to a 10–15% increase in store sales by delivering elevated guest service, offering tailored recommendations, and fostering repeat customer relationships.

Trained and coached 5+ associates in luxury hospitality etiquette, refined guest communication, and service presentation to enhance the overall guest experience.

Maintained high-end visual and merchandising standards by refining product displays and correcting presentation inconsistencies, resulting in a more polished guest environment and improved brand perception.

Retail Supervisor

Crabtree & Evelyn

National Harbor, MD

Earned early promotion within six months through exceptional guest satisfaction, reliability, and strong contribution to service operations.

Provided tailored guest guidance that boosted sales by 15% while strengthening the brand’s luxury service experience. Elevated store presentation through meticulous merchandising and visual standards; onboarded and trained 5+ associates in service etiquette, product knowledge, and brand-aligned guest interactions.

Experience managing VIP, corporate,

and high-profile events with

discretion

Strong multitasking ability in luxury,

fast-paced environments

Skilled in anticipating guest needs,

resolving challenges, and elevating

brand standards

Passionate about creating

memorable, refined guest

experiences

Contact this candidate