Event Planning Manager - Santa Barbara, United States - Courtyard Santa Barbara Downtown

Description

POSITION PURPOSE

As a Catering Sales Manager, you will be responsible for developing new accounts, maintaining existing accounts, implementing sales and marketing strategies to maximize profits of the hotel while maintaining customer satisfaction, and meeting and exceeding forecasted and budgeted revenue goals.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage group and catering accounts to maximize business potential.
• Negotiate group and catering business and contracts that meet or exceed hotel revenue goals.
• Negotiate contracts, ensuring that all pertinent aspects of solicitation and closing are complete and documented.
• Make onsite and field presentations to prospective clients.
• Identify opportunities to up sell customer through food & beverage offerings, room upgrades, AV and lighting upgrades and spa services, if applicable.
• Drive strategies to develop long term business relationships and repeat business.
• Enthusiastically and proactively sell the Hotel concept to group and catering prospects in a way that best illustrates the identity of the brand as innovative and new.
• Prospect for new catering business using a wide variety of methods including phone calls, outside sales calls, trade shows, attending community functions, blitzes, internet prospecting, supplier partnerships, etc.
• Develop long term business relationships and consistently book repeat business.
• Conduct unique site inspections that create a WOW experience for the customer.
• Create customized Wedding Packages, Menus, and proposals, etc.
• Respond to all customer inquiries within 24 hours or sooner
• Maintain accurate information on all bookings, specifically program details, client correspondence, traces, and todo lists.
• Follow proper event management procedures for event execution to include but not limited to BEO creation, F&B forecasting, resume communication, amenity/VIP designation and room block management.
• Produce and distribute accurate banquet/catering event orders, timelines, diagrams, and resumes within timeframe set by hotel.
• Coordinate, plan and implement wedding related marketing tactics and events.
• Produce and distribute 10day Event Schedule and BEO Packet, as well as Daily Events Schedule.
• Lead weekly 10day BEO, and daily 3day BEO readings.
• Provide client support to include processing client leads, investigating hotel and preferred guest program issues, and acquiring or sending collateral materials.
• Report generation as needed.
• Maintains liaison with other hotel departments to facilitate services agreed upon by the sales office and prospective clients.
• Be an active part of the property team supporting and developing the desired Azul Hospitality culture.
• Drive product quality and a unique guest experience at every opportunity.
• Take pride in the overall look and feel of the hotel never walking past something out of place.
• Maintain a refreshing attitude focused on positive friendly interactions with guests and staff.
• Develop and maintain strong interdepartmental relationships and open communication lines to assure efficient transfer of information.
• Schedule meetings and business group activities at the hotel.
• Be familiar with all company policies and benefits.

SUPPORTIVE FUNCTIONS
In addition to performance of the essential functions, this position may be required to perform a combination of the following supportive functions, with the percentage of time performing each function to be solely determined by the manager based upon the particular requirements of the hotel:

• Assist with any property or owner inquiry.
• Follow all company and safety and security policies and procedures.
• Report maintenance problems, safety hazards, accidents, or injuries.
• Complete safety training and certifications.
• Ensure uniform and personal appearance are clean and professional, maintain confidentiality of proprietary information, and protect company assets.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with others and listen and respond appropriately to the concerns of other employees.
• Ensure adherence to quality expectations and standards; and identify, recommend, develop, and implement new ways to increase organizational efficiency, productivity, quality, safety, and/or costsavings.
• Perform other reasonable job duties as requested by direct and indirect Supervisors.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Environmental conditions are inside, a job is considered inside if staff spends approximately 75 percent or more of the time inside. Temperature is moderate and controlled by hotel environmental systems.
• Must be able to sit at a desk for up to four (8) hours per day. Walking and standing are required the rest of the working day. Length of time of these tasks may vary from day to day and task to task.
• Must be able to stand and exert wellpaced mobility for up to four (4) hours in length.
• Must be able to exert wellpaced ability to maneuver between functions occurring simultaneousl