Joyce L. Grayson

relevant experience

Executive Director of Hotel Sales and Events

July 2013-present

• Aligned department vision, goals, and objectives with company strategy to achieve consistently high results
• Leadership over Sales, Catering and Wedding Chapel to achieve up to 142% of goals in first year, exceeding all goals for seven years straight as an MGMRI hotel
• Managed all City-Wide Convention Group Blocks
• Took the lead in analytics research for the newly acquired 47-acre Las Vegas Festival Grounds, successfully booking numerous leasing contracts the first year totaling over $4,000,000.00 in new business revenue
• Successfully established sales and contracting processes on large scale events for Las Vegas Festival Grounds. 
• Prepared and monitored all budgets and forecasts and presented projected revenues and results to Executive team
• Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
• Spearheaded change management and strategic turnaround for company during significant restructuring through the sale of hotel and downsizing of teams during the Covid 19 Pandemic.
• Direct the planning and implementation of corporate sales initiatives across multiple departments.
• Develop, implement, and measure the success of Financial Plans and Key Account Plans.
• Made Strategic Actions with decisive flexibility

Regional Executive Director of Hotel Sales & Catering

Tropicana Laughlin, NV & River Palms Laughlin, NV

11/2011-6/2013

• Supportive leadership role over two full-service casino hotels, selling 2500 + guest rooms, 36,000 Sq. Ft. of Indoor/Outdoor Event Space, including Sales, Catering, and Wedding Chapel 
• Achieved dramatic sales increase by skillfully managing relationships and initiative-taking sales approaches 
• Created and Managed Social media campaigns for annual Hotel events, the Wedding Chapel, and exclusive campaigns for Summer Music Festivals
• Managed and contracted the annual RFP process, OTA’s and Wholesale.
• Worked closely with the Marketing group to improve online presence, create annual events, and upgrade the loyalty program.
• Managed social media and paid social media advertising
• Formulated and presented innovative strategies to team members, executives, and customers to build foundation for successful sales plans 
• Trained all front desk, reservations and sales managers on current sales strategies that allowed them to close more business and create new revenue streams
• Successfully lead teams for gaining new annual business that increased Hotels revenues by $750,000 in first year.
• Direct the planning and implementation of corporate sales budgets and initiatives across multiple properties in the region.
• Develop, implement, and measure the success of Financial Plans and Key Account Plans.
• Made Strategic Actions with decisive flexibility

Director of Sales, Catering and Marketing

Residence Inn by Marriot

Interstate Hotels and Resorts

7/2003-11/2011

Residence Inn by Marriott Phoenix, AZ

9/2010-11/2011

Residence Inn by Marriott Lloyd center, Portland, OR

7/2003-10/2010

• Managed sales promotions and marketing strategies on major social media sites. 
• Made strong use of creating online landing pages to drive extended stay business to our webpage. Search engine analytics used to attract the right customer base.
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• Instructed sales staff on cross-selling and up-selling techniques resulting in increased net sales revenue by 127% in sales for Portland’s first year and 131% in sales in Phoenix 
• Collaborated with sales, marketing, and management teams to develop solutions and accomplish
• Direct the planning and implementation of corporate sales budgets and initiatives across multiple departments.
• Develop, implement, and measure the success of Financial Plans and Key Account Plans.

shared objectives. 

• Managed and contracted the annual RFP process, OTA’s and Wholesale.
• Worked closely with the Marketing group to improve online presence, create annual events, and upgrade the loyalty program.
• Trained all front desk, reservations and sales managers on new sales strategies that allowed them to close more business and create new revenue streams.
• Worked closely with the Marketing group to improve online presence, create annual events, and upgrade the loyalty program.
• Trained all front desk, reservations and sales managers on new sales strategies that allowed them to close more business and create new revenue streams.

Sales Task Force and Trainer (Dual Role)

9/2007-11/2011

• Provided sales support and training to our sister hotels in need
• Impact of improved Sales focus and training brought to bring revenue growth
• Evaluated current online presence and marketing tools in place, gathered analytics for improved results.
• Evaluated success of training programs and recommended improvements to upper management to enhance effectiveness
• Assessed skill gaps for employees in Hotel Operations and Sales departments and developed training courses to meet identified needs
• Coordinated ongoing technical training in Sales Pro and provided development classes for staff members 
• Conducted Operational Disruptions that could include discipline, termination, re-hiring, and re-training
• Direct the planning and implementation of corporate sales budgets and initiatives across multiple Hotels in the region
• Develop, implement, and measure the success of Financial Plans and Key Account Plans.