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Catherine Smith
Area Director Association Sales/Ocean Properties Hotels,Resorts&Affiliates/Samoset Resort on the Ocean/Portland Sheraton
Professional Background
Catherine Smith is a highly accomplished hospitality professional with an extensive career dedicated to enhancing guest experiences and optimizing revenue across various hotel properties. With the majority of her experience concentrated in the vibrant city of Boston and now flourishing in her role with Ocean Properties Hotels, Resorts & Affiliates in Maine, Catherine has made a significant impact in the hospitality industry.
Currently serving as the Area Director of Association Sales, she has established herself as a leader capable of guiding sales teams towards achieving and surpassing revenue goals. Under her dynamic leadership, teams are motivated to provide exceptional levels of customer service, which not only meet but exceed client expectations. Building long-term relationships has become a hallmark of her career, underpinning her success and fostering loyalty among clients and guests alike.
Her expertise spans across core areas including sales, marketing, and yield management. Catherine's keen analytical skills enable her to assess market conditions and competitive landscapes effectively, facilitating strategic decisions that bolster property performance. She excels in preparing comprehensive budgets and marketing plans tailored for hotel environments, ensuring that each property she oversees is well-positioned for success in a competitive market.
Catherine is adept at managing bookings across all market segments, encompassing transient guests, business travelers, extended stays, groups, and meetings ranging from intimate gatherings of 10 to larger events accommodating up to 300 guests. This versatility underscores her capability to adjust strategies and drive sales tailored to various customer needs, reinforcing her reputation as a trusted industry expert.
Education and Achievements
Catherine Smith pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Business, with a focus on Management, Entrepreneurship, and Marketing at Northeastern University. This solid educational foundation laid the groundwork for her future achievements in the hospitality sector. Equipped with academic knowledge and practical experience, she successfully transitioned into increasingly responsible roles within the hospitality industry.
Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in a myriad of key positions that have shaped her extensive understanding of the business. Some of her notable positions include:
- Director of Sales & Marketing at Point Lookout: Here, she led innovative marketing initiatives that positioned the resort as a premier destination within the region.
- Director of Sales & Marketing at Pyramid Hotel Group's Marriott Residence Inn in Boston/Woburn: In this role, Catherine demonstrated her ability to drive revenue through strategic marketing campaigns and effective relationship management.
- Director of Sales at Hotel Commonwealth: Catherine played a vital role in enhancing the hotel's visibility and appeal to diverse clientele, ultimately leading to an increase in occupancy rates and guest satisfaction.
- BT, Corporate Sales, Transitional DOS at Lenox Hotel: Her role involved managing sales for corporate clients, where her negotiation skills and unwavering dedication to service were pivotal.
Achievements
Catherine Smith's name is synonymous with success in the hospitality realm, marked by numerous achievements that highlight her commitment to excellence. As someone who consistently aims to improve property performance through innovative strategies, Catherine has cultivated a strong track record of exceeding sales targets and enhancing customer satisfaction. These accomplishments are a clear testament to her outstanding leadership and dedication to the industry.
Some of her memorable achievements include:
- Leading her teams to exceed revenue goals consistently year over year through a combination of strategic sales initiatives and relationship-building efforts.
- Recognizing opportunities in competitive markets and employing yield management techniques that optimized pricing strategies and occupancy levels.
- Successfully negotiating contracts and building lasting partnerships with corporate clients, leading to significant increases in repeat business and customer loyalty.
- Developing and executing comprehensive marketing plans that not only promoted the properties she worked with but also elevated their status as premier hospitality options within their respective regions.
- Renowned for her hands-on approach, Catherine has established a reputation for not only being a strategic thinker but also someone who thrives on mentoring and developing her sales teams for future success.
In summary, Catherine Smith's blend of strategic acumen, sales expertise, and dedication to cultivating enriching guest experiences distinguishes her as a leader within the hospitality industry. With a passion for exceeding goals and a commitment to fostering relationships, Catherine continues to leave an indelible mark on the hotels and resorts she represents, ensuring they thrive in a competitive marketplace.
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