Tech savvy, with high proficiency in all Microsoft Office programs
Laura Hamblen
Director of Sales, Events, And Account Management
1603 Saint Paul Rd Byhalia,MS
Summary
Accomplished and results driven Executive Leader in Sales, Events and Account Management offering 19 + years of experience with solid history of success in bringing in new customers, managing revenue streams and maintaining solid account relationships. Diligent in building and retaining accounts by providing support and attentive service. Expertise in marketing strategies, product and brand promotion to achieve market penetration. Successful record of expanding network connections through persuasive negotiation and program management abilities. Committed to streamlining procedures while optimizing employee talent to identify and capitalize on emerging market trends and revenue opportunities.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Director of Sales & Marketing
Hilton Memphis
Memphis , TN
04.2023 - 12.2023
- Cultivated and maintained strategic alliances with key partners and vendors.
- Managed sales promotions and marketing strategies on major social media sites.
- Analyzed sales and marketing data for improved strategies.
- Achieved sales goals and service targets by cultivating and securing new customer relationships.
- Developed positive, performance-based internal sales and marketing culture to include mentoring staff.
- Resolved problems with high-profile customers to maintain relationships and increase return customer base.
- Delivered recommendations to long-term accounts to promote brand awareness to key audience.
- Directed sales support staff in administrative tasks to help sales reps close deals.
Director of Sales, Events, and Account Management
Sheraton Memphis Downtown
Memphis, TN
04.2017 - 12.2022
- Group and transient revenue strategy and optimization leader for Sheraton Memphis Downtown representing 600 keys.
- Optimization of sales and revenue systems with alignment of strategy tools to increase efficiencies of total hotel revenue by developing pricing strategies, improve customer response times, and increasing profit margins.
- Develop and maintain long-range and short-range forecasts for room revenue and banquet & catering revenue while improving forecast accuracy. Consistent rating of .03% accuracy during 2018 & 2019.
- Development and communication of strategy and forecast adjustments to stakeholders with focus on sales production, strategy alignment, statistics, and metrics.
- Spearheaded strategy sessions with revenue management discipline leaders to increase system adoption, increase efficiencies, fulfillment of individual hotel critical need date(s) and increase overall performance.
- Led total hotel meetings for revenue forecasting, critiques, budgets, and strategy development to execution.
- Pre-COVID, successfully lead team comprised of 16 Sales, Catering and Event associates; with focus on group, banquets, and local catering, peak sizes of 10 – 600 and transient Crew, LNR, CNR production to supplement group decreased demand during Renasant Convention Center renovation
- Led team to highest group room production in history of hotel through sales strategy execution with total team contribution of 76,312 room nights.
- 2019 exceeded total team goals in total revenue (103%), room revenue (101%), group catering revenue (114%), and ADR (101%) culminating in $29.9M in total revenue
- Synchronized selling efforts with Memphis Tourism and Renasant Convention Center to bring brand recognition to facility and interest to city as destination, while simultaneously selling and facilitating events.
- Post-COVID -Lead sales and facilitation of 411 events in first 9 months of 2022 with decreased staff and an increased B&C revenue of $1.9M over 2019
- Proficiently managed Sales, Catering, Events, Administrative Support Staff and Banquets Operations while “'refiring” Food and Beverage Operations at newly renovated Renasant Convention Center
- Increased event satisfaction scores for sales phase by 6.7 points and 4 points over brand average.
- Communicate updated and new policies and processes to conference center staff, clients and vendors as needed.
- Maintain Event Team training manual and Key Performance Indicators.
- Coordinate plan in acquiring new event spaces which includes staffing needs, facility coordination, marketing, and policy updates.
- Strengthened relationships with current accounts through consistent and frequent communication.
- Consistently serviced accounts to maintain active contacts and continuously promote profitable offerings.
- Develop and maintain strategic long-term trusting relationships with high volume clients to accomplish organic growth and long-term company objectives.
- Executive Leader responsible for Guest Experience recovery for all Banquet & Catering Accounts.
Director of Food & Beverage - Convention Center
Sheraton Memphis Downtown
Memphis , TN
08.2020 - 12.2022
- Accountable for reopening, directing, and coordinating the resources, tasks, requirements, staffing, and processes related to the Renasant Convention Center and Cannon Center for the Preforming Arts food & beverage, banquets & catering service and culinary operational areas.
- Lead development and implementation of Food and Beverage related elements of annual business plan and budget to include but not limited to concept development, concept repositioning and branding efforts.
- Completion of monthly, quarterly, annual P/L and operational forecast.
- Directly lead all aspects of banquet operations including developing and maintaining managerial and captain oversight of all operations.
- Review and approve menu concepts, development of menus/recipes, staffing guides and operational hours for both new and existing operations.
- Collaborates with Executive Chef on menu planning, pricing and plating.
- Direct and ensure purchase and inventory processes for all operational areas, including opening and closing inventories, accurate summaries; monthly inventory count completed.
- Responsible for ensuring that department equipment is functioning, and maintenance is scheduled and completed appropriately.
- Vendor management and relations for food including interviews with sales representatives to determine vendor qualifications, new ideas and pricing trends. Recommends specific procedures for buying, shipping, and storing products. Maintains vendor pricing bid lists.
- Analyzes guest feedback to determine root cause and solutions for F&B areas.
- Ensure that evaluation of food products, front-of-house employee performance, and development of product is consistent with our market position.
- Crafts vision for guest experience and develops service training programs and objectives for F&B operations.
Director of Group Sales
Sheraton Memphis Downtown
Memphis, TN
08.2013 - 04.2017
- Developed compelling presentation decks to gain approval for ideas and communicate results.
- Set weekly goals for 8 inside sales representatives.
- Owned all aspects of sales planning, development and team and account management.
- Coached and promoted high-achieving sales and account management employees to fill leadership positions with qualified staff and boost company growth.
- Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
Senior Sales Executive
Marriott International, Inc.
Memphis , TN
03.2010 - 08.2013
- Analyzed market trends in consumer industries to implement appropriate marketing and sales methods.
- Managed full sales lifecycle for Association, corporate and Sports accounts.
- Recognized and resolved compound problems that effected upper-level management and business initiatives.
- Facilitated relationships with target accounts through implementation of proven networking methods.
Sales Manager
Hilton Memphis
Memphis , TN
01.2007 - 03.2010
- Attended and participated in conferences and trade shows to generate new leads, network and drive business.
- Utilized revenue management techniques to negotiate room rates and function space commitments to enhance hotel's financial performance.
- Organized promotional events and interacted with community to increase sales volume.
- Collaborated with upper management to implement continuous improvements and exceed team goals.
Event Manager
Hilton Memphis
Memphis , TN
06.2004 - 01.2007
- Oversaw preparation and management of event budgets to deliver at or below projected costs.
- Produced detailed proposals for events to document timelines, suppliers and budgets.
- Coordinated with kitchen or catering staff on delivery, timing and service style of food.
- Generated ideas to enhance and expand current event offerings.
- Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking and event promotions.
Education
Associate of Arts -
Northwest Community College
Southaven, MS 08.1998 - 05.2000
Skills
Highly motivated hands-on management professional offering multiple years of experience in hotel management, sales and marketing
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with Renasant Convention Center to re-open all Food and Beverage operations after $240 million renovation in Post Covid environment.
Timeline
Director of Sales & Marketing
Hilton Memphis
04.2023 - 12.2023
Director of Food & Beverage - Convention Center
Sheraton Memphis Downtown
08.2020 - 12.2022
Director of Sales, Events, and Account Management
Sheraton Memphis Downtown
04.2017 - 12.2022
Director of Group Sales
Sheraton Memphis Downtown
08.2013 - 04.2017
Senior Sales Executive
Marriott International, Inc.
03.2010 - 08.2013
Sales Manager
Hilton Memphis
01.2007 - 03.2010
Event Manager
Hilton Memphis
06.2004 - 01.2007
Associate of Arts -
Northwest Community College
08.1998 - 05.2000
Software
CI/TY - Administrator
DELPHI / SalesForce - Administrator
Social Tables - Administrator
OnQ ; R&I, Solicitation Management, LightStay, GRO, and GPE - Administrator
Additional Information
City-Wide Sales Leader of the Year - Memphis Tourism
Manager of the Quarter - Sheraton Memphis Downtown
Manager of the Quarter - Marriott International
Manger of the Year - Hilton Memphis
Manager of the Quarter - Sheraton Memphis Downtown
References
Former Employer:
Ryan Wall, Senior Vice President of Operations
Schulte Hospitality Group
Ryan.Wall@schultehospitality.com
Direct: 219-307-6278
Industry Partner:
Dean Dennis, SVP/General Manager
Renasant Convention Center and Cannon Center for the Preforming Arts
ddennis@memphisrcc.com
Direct: 719-240-6368
Current Customer:
(Ms.) Bryann W. Jackson, Advisor – Event Operations, Enterprise Events
ALSAC – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®
bryann.jackson@alsac.stjude.org
Direct: 901-921-7528
References
Former Employer:
Ryan Wall, Senior Vice President of Operations
Schulte Hospitality Group
Ryan.Wall@schultehospitality.com
Direct: 219-307-6278
Industry Partner:
Dean Dennis, SVP/General Manager
Renasant Convention Center and Cannon Center for the Preforming Arts
ddennis@memphisrcc.com
Direct: 719-240-6368
Current Customer:
(Ms.) Bryann W. Jackson, Advisor – Event Operations, Enterprise Events
ALSAC – St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®
bryann.jackson@alsac.stjude.org
Direct: 901-921-7528
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