Palisades High School

Santa Barbara High School

Santa Barbara City College

Hospitality Task Force Sales, Catering  & Event Management  -  Creative Producer

Huntington Beach, California, United States

- Convention Services Manager - Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain (Burlington, VT)
-  Executive Meeting Manager / Convention Services Manager - Westin San Diego Downtown (San Diego, CA)
-  Event Meeting Manager - Hotel Vin, A Autograph Collection (Grapevine,TX)
-  Corporate Catering Sales Manager - Marriott San Mateo at San Francisco Airport (San Mateo, CA)
-  Express Sales Manager - Omni San Francisco Hotel (San Francisco, CA)
-  Convention Services Manager - Sheraton Gateway LAX (Los Angeles, CA)
-  Catering Sales Manager / Meeting & Event Services Manager - Westin Dallas Downtown (Dallas, TX)
-  Sales Account Manager - SIXTY Beverly Hills Hotel (Beverly Hills, CA)
-  SMERF Sales Manager - Doubletree by Hilton at Princeton (Princeton, NJ)
-  Sales Manager - Four Points by Sheraton at Scranton (Scranton, PA)
-  Catering Sales Manager - Doubletree by Hilton at Princeton (Princeton, NJ)
-  Corporate Sales Manager - Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Suites (Atlanta, GA)

Independent Consultant

Task Force Sales, Catering, and Event Manager

- Booking Groups with 10 - 50 rooms on peak
-  Markets include : Los Angeles County, Pacific Northwest, and Canada
-  Actively solicit business for meetings and events that require guest rooms with meeting space
-  Identify new ways to expand existing client base; source prospective leads and convert into bookings
-  Negotiate hotel services with guests to achieve maximum profitability while meeting the guests’ needs
-  Synergize with other departments to ensure quality to the guest and/or group satisfaction
-  Address and resolve challenges regarding bookings; inform Director of unusual circumstances
-  Maintain good relationships with new and existing clients in order to encourage repeat bookings
-  Analyze and report on sales and activities in relation to business plan
-  Attend and execute on requirements communicated in sales meetings

Hotel Irvine

Executive Meeting Manager

- Exceeded sales by 16% over budget for 2015
-  Responsible for scheduling tours, educational tastings, experiences, overnight visits and events at the properties within the Foley Family Wines Portfolio including the creation of informative, compelling agendas and private tastings for VIP, Group, FFWS Secret Tours and trade groups.
-  With direction from DOE, spearheads core logistical tasks surrounding the planning and execution of event opportunities, event sponsorships, media partner events and wine festivals.
-  Administrative tasks included the scheduling and recording of all VIP, guest/client communication, feedback collection and distribution, collection of funds, event wine orders, Purchase Orders, invoicing, month end reconciliation, assist with preparation of meal and experience costs for departmental budget expenses, maintaining monthly calendar of events and creation of banquet event orders.
-  Worked with local hospitality teams to ensure readiness of facilities for tours, tastings and overnight stays, ensuring a seamless wine country visit for all VIP guests.
-  Collaborated with events team to network & develop outreach to external partners/vendors, including hotels, partner wineries, transportation companies, caterers, rental companies, etc.
-  Manage timelines and priorities for all special projects assigned. Create timely and accurate reports (Event Overviews/Tracking Forms) for each event/VIP Experience and distribute to key personnel.

Foley Family Wines

Special Event - VIP Manager

- Plan, solicit, book, and coordinate small group meetings and room sales to meet/exceed revenue & profit goals
-  Solicit, negotiate, and confirm new and repeat business through various efforts (lead follow up, telemarketing, direct mail, referrals, internet prospecting, etc) to maximize revenues to meet/exceed goals
-  Plan, up-sell, and coordinate function details with clients to include but not limited to space requirements, meeting times, equipment, menus, billing, etc.
-  Prepare and execute sales/catering contracts, event orders, group resumes to ensure quality product delivery and customer satisfactions
-  Create and distribute effective internal and external communication (written and verbal)
-  Develop and implement creative sales strategy by analyzing historical, current and future hotel/market/account trends
-  Develop and continually enhance relationships with key corporate, business and travel industry accounts
-  Participate in training, trade shows, field trips and community, industry and professional organizations to maintain high visibility in support of the achievement of sales and revenue goals
-  Perform special projects and other responsibilities as assigned and participate in task forces and committees as requested

Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica Hotel

Sheraton Delfina Santa Monica

Sales and Catering Coordinator

Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites

Sales Assistant

- Liaison between the event planner and the catering / convention services manager; event walk-through, tasting and room selection
-  Handle all logistics pertaining to individual events ranging from 10 person conference meetings to 1400 person gala fundraisers and multi day corporate conventions
-  Manage room set up including collateral materials and special requests as well as oversee food functions and ensure they are delivered according to banquet order
-  Strategize ahead of time with event staff to prepare for any unforeseen issues that might occur and prepare for a fluid and seamless event
-  Direct contact with client during event and ensure follow up for positive feedback post function

HYATT REGENCY CENTURY PLAZA

Meeting Concierge

- Assisted 3 managers (Director of Catering, Associate Director of Catering and Catering Manager)
-  Prepared files, transmittals
-  Detailed Banquet Prospectus, Program of Events, Meeting Matrix
-  Assisted with floor work
-  Dealing promptly and courteously with substantial telephone communication as well as face to face information
-  Promoted to Meeting Concierge

Callie Bennett