April Dial
Charlotte,USA
Summary
Strategic Sales and Operations Executive with 25+ years of leadership experience driving revenue growth, operational excellence, and brand performance across Hilton, Marriott, and IHG portfolios. Known for elevating hotel market position through decisive commercial strategy, high‑value corporate acquisition, and disciplined execution in competitive environments.
Builds and leads high‑performing teams that consistently exceed sales targets, strengthen guest satisfaction, and deliver measurable financial results. Excels at developing enterprise‑level business partnerships, expanding market share across all segments, and aligning sales and operations to maximize profitability and service delivery.
Recipient of the prestigious IHG Spirit of Hospitality Award, recognized for cultivating a culture of service, accountability, and performance—driving Guest Love Scores, enhancing brand reputation, and positioning properties for sustained commercial success.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
4
4
Certification
Work History
Regional Sales Manager
SREE Hotels
Cincinnati, OH
01.2026 - 05.2026
- Lead sales strategy for a 513-room, multi-brand downtown portfolio, driving revenue performance across Courtyard, The Cincinnatian, and Hampton/Homewood Suites.
- Manage all segments for the Courtyard, generating double-digit YOY growth in corporate transient and LNR production.
- Oversee association, corporate, and citywide group sales for two full-service/upper-upscale assets, increasing group contribution by 22% within the first six months.
- Lead and develop a sales team of three, improving productivity and response efficiency by 30% through structured coaching and KPI alignment.
- Manage all catering sales and event execution, increasing cross-property event retention by 40% and boosting total revenue capture.
- Increased portfolio RevPAR by 9.8% YOY through targeted account development and strategic market penetration.
- Secured a new Hilton corporate account valued at $580K in the first 30 days, accelerating base business growth.
- Expanded market share by 6.2% in Q1, strengthening competitive positioning in downtown Cincinnati.
- Built and maintained key relationships with corporations, associations, CVBs, and meeting planners, increasing repeat business by 18%.
- Partnered with revenue management to optimize pricing and inventory, improving group conversion by 25%.
- Conduct ongoing market and comp-set analysis to identify opportunities, contributing to consistent share gains across all four assets.
Director of Sales and Marketing
SpringHill Suites by Marriott – Charlotte Arrowood
Charlotte, NC
05.2025 - 11.2025
- Led all pre-opening sales and marketing for a 94-room new-build, establishing the full commercial strategy across BT, group, SMERF, extended stay, and government segments.
- Executed a 90-Day Pre-Opening Action Plan, completing 100% of Marriott brand deliverables on schedule and ensuring full readiness of all sales systems and digital platforms.
- Secured corporate partnerships with Fortune 500 and regional companies, building an opening pipeline valued at $1.2M+ in potential annual revenue.
- Drove BT and GPP production through Marriott National Sales, generating 40+ activated accounts pre-opening.
- Launched integrated marketing campaigns that produced 5,000+ early impressions and established strong pre-opening visibility.
- Built the 2025–2026 group pipeline with national partners, securing $350K in tentative and definite group business prior to opening.
- Conducted competitive analysis (STR, CoStar) to establish rate strategy, positioning the hotel to enter the market at a top-3 ADR rank within its comp set.
- Ensured brand-compliant collateral and digital presence, contributing to a fully optimized online footprint by opening week.
- Represented the hotel at community and industry events, generating 20+ early RFP opportunities.
- Collaborated with ownership on forecasting and revenue strategy to support aggressive first-year RevPAR and ADR targets.
Director of Sales and Marketing
Embassy Suites by Hilton
Winston-Salem, NC
10.2024 - 05.2025
- Provided strategic leadership to the sales and catering team, elevating commercial performance through advanced selling methodologies, key account optimization, and Hilton brand standards, resulting in a 20% uplift in individual productivity within five months and securing multiple high-value group wins.
- Oversaw the full commercial lifecycle for group, corporate, and social segments, ensuring disciplined pipeline management and strategic account prioritization that consistently exceeded quarterly revenue targets and strengthened the hotel’s market position.
- Leveraged data-driven analysis to identify operational and sales process gaps, implementing targeted improvements that increased proposal-to-contract conversion by 75% and materially improved RevPAR and catering contribution.
- Directed ongoing competitive intelligence efforts, synthesizing market trends, demand shifts, and comp-set performance into actionable strategies that positioned the hotel as a top competitor within the market.
- Partnered closely with the General Manager to architect and execute holistic sales and catering strategies aligned with Hilton’s commercial framework, optimizing revenue performance across all segments and channels.
- Cultivated and expanded strategic relationships with key corporate, association, and social accounts, driving sustained repeat business and measurable market share growth in a highly competitive environment.
- Championed cross-functional alignment by reinforcing Hilton’s Commercial Services framework, enhancing collaboration between Sales, Catering, Revenue Management, and Operations to deliver a seamless, high-impact guest and event experience.
Director of Sales and Marketing
DoubleTree by Hilton
Charlotte, NC
03.2024 - 09.2024
- Led a sales team collectively achieving an annual revenue target of $6 million through strategic account management and proactive sales efforts.
- Increased catering sales by 18%, generating over $150,000 in new group and catering revenue by securing corporate meetings, social events, and group blocks.
- Grew LNR (Locally Negotiated Rate) share by 12%, capturing key corporate accounts and strengthening the hotel’s position within the local business travel market.
- Developed and executed targeted sales plans to penetrate new market segments, resulting in a 25% increase in market share and expanded group business opportunities.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with key corporate, group, and social clients, driving repeat business, referrals, and long-term partnerships.
- Analyzed market conditions, competitor performance, and business demand patterns to refine sales strategies, maximizing revenue opportunities and improving forecasting accuracy.
- Negotiated high-value contracts with major accounts, securing multi-year agreements that supported sustained revenue growth and improved account retention.
General Manager
Cambria hotel & suites
Rock Hill, SC
09.2023 - 03.2024
- Mentored department heads, enhancing leadership capabilities and staff engagement across the hotel.
- Established performance metrics, driving accountability and continuous improvement among team members.
- Cultivated relationships with vendors, ensuring high-quality supplies and services for hotel operations.
- Oversaw full property operations with direct accountability for hotel, restaurant, and banquet performance, ensuring alignment with brand standards and ownership expectations.
- Aligned all departments around the brand vision, ensuring consistent execution of product, service, and guest experience standards.
- Implemented strategic initiatives to improve occupancy rates and revenue generation.
- Analyzed market trends to develop competitive pricing strategies and promotional offers.
General Manager
Accente Group-Country Inn & Suites By Radisson - Asheville, NC
Asheville, NC
12.2022 - 08.2023
- Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts and costs.
- Applied performance data to evaluate and improve operations, target current business conditions and forecast needs.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision and long-range planning.
- Hired and trained new employees, demonstrating best methods for serving clients and guests.
- Increased customer service ratings through personable service.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
General Manager
Accente Group -Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Greenville, SC
Greenville, SC
09.2021 - 12.2022
- Responsible for day-to-day operations for hotel.
- Increased overall sales by 20%.
- Responsible for P&L, guest satisfaction, brand quality assurance, budget and labor cost.
- Responsible for training of fellow associates as it relates to brand and company standards to maximize revenue and reinforce superior service culture.
- Responsible for Revenue management and Sales of hotel.
- Works closely with corporate teams in Human Resources, and Accounting, to ensure that property and company goals are being achieved.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
Area Director of Sales
Aloft Hotels/Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Columbia,SC
06.2020 - 07.2021
- Maintained and promoted teamwork environment with effective and clear communication amongst coworkers through positive leadership.
- Met with sales and design departments to determine project road maps and create unique products to drive profitability and champion brand.
- Collaborated with marketing staff to ensure promotional materials are up-to-date and relevant to current customers' needs.
- Developed working knowledge of operations of hotels, including food and beverage, guest services, reservations.
- Identify and pursue new and repeat business through prospecting calls, visits, site tours, lunches, and networking events increasing sales by 30%.
- Developed and maintain market awareness to predict revenue opportunities and proactive strategies.
- Analyzed sales and revenue management reports to identify trends and future demand opportunities.
Director of Sales
Residence Inn, McKibbon Hospitality
Greenville, SC
08.2016 - 06.2020
- Maintains positive relationships with management company, property owners, and clients.
- Connected with prospects through trade shows, cold calling and local-area networking.
- Monitor pricing to ensure it is in acceptable range based on available inventory, current sales/ revenue strategies and market demand.
- Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
- Achieved dramatic sales increase by skillfully managing relationships and proactive sales approaches by 20%
- Forecasted sales and established processes to achieve sales objectives and related metrics.
Director of Sales Holiday Inn Express Greenville Airport
Interstate Hotels & Resorts
Greenville, SC
07.2014 - 08.2016
- Increased total hotel revenue by 12% and grew market share by 10% through targeted corporate account acquisition, strategic rate management, and proactive group sales.
- Developed and executed strategic sales and marketing plans aligned with IHG brand standards to drive transient, corporate, and group business, resulting in sustained revenue growth during a competitive market period.
- Managed the annual sales and marketing budget, optimizing spend on key promotional activities to maximize ROI while staying within corporate guidelines.
- Led the execution of advertising and promotional campaigns across print, online, and email marketing platforms, increasing brand visibility and direct booking conversions.
- Conducted and evaluated regular market research and STR data analysis to monitor competitive performance, adjusting sales strategies to respond to market shifts and increase RevPAR index scores.
- Cultivated long-term relationships with high-producing accounts in the corporate, government, and group segments, driving repeat business and year-over-year account growth.
- Collaborated with revenue management to align pricing strategies with demand trends, ensuring competitive positioning and rate integrity across all channels.
- Delivered consistent sales growth through community involvement and networking with local business organizations, generating new business leads and enhancing the hotel's presence in the market.
Director of Sales Holiday Inn Express
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
Greer, SC
05.2011 - 07.2014
- Strengthened key client relationships by supporting the sales team in account management, negotiations, and closing high-value corporate and group contracts, contributing to increased repeat business.
- Maintained 100% responsiveness to all phone and email inquiries, ensuring timely follow-up and exceptional customer service that improved client satisfaction and retention.
- Represented the hotel at local trade shows, chamber events, and industry association meetings, increasing brand visibility and generating new business leads within target market segments.
- Assisted in growing local corporate account production through personalized outreach and relationship-building, helping to drive consistent occupancy during off-peak periods.
Corporate Sales Manager
Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts
Greenville, SC
08.2007 - 04.2010
- Lead sales strategy for three downtown Cincinnati hotels: Courtyard (126 rooms), The Cincinnatian (146 rooms), and Hampton Inn/Homewood Suites dual property (241 rooms).
- Manage all segments for the Courtyard, including corporate transient, group, leisure, government, and LNR accounts.
- Oversee association, corporate, and citywide group sales for The Cincinnatian and the dual-branded Hampton/Homewood property.
- Lead and develop a sales team consisting of one Sales Manager and two Sales Coordinators, driving performance, accountability, and portfolio-wide alignment.
- Handled all catering sales and event coordination, cross-selling meeting and event spaces across brands to retain business within the portfolio and maximize total revenue capture.
- Increased RevPAR across the entire portfolio through targeted sales initiatives and proactive account development.
- Secured a new Hilton account worth $580K within the first 30 days, significantly expanding the corporate base.
- Increased market share by approximately 6% in the first quarter, strengthening competitive positioning in the downtown Cincinnati market.
- Build and maintain key relationships with corporations, associations, CVB partners, and meeting planners to secure repeat and long-term business.
- Collaborate with revenue management and operations to optimize pricing, inventory, and group execution across all properties.
- Analyze market trends and competitive activity to drive strategic decisions and continued portfolio growth.
Director of Sales
Concord Hospitality Enterprises
Greenville,SC
04.2005 - 08.2007
- Closed an average of 45% of all leads and achieved between 100-110% of projected monthly sales goals during tenure.
- Identify, research, and develop new clients in the local market.
- Recognized as a Key Contributor for bringing in more than 25 new accounts in 2 months.
- Captured and completed sales with customer-savvy quotes, proposals and contract management strategies.
- Achieved dramatic sales increase by skillfully managing relationships and proactive sales approaches.
- Established and maintained relationships with corporate clients, enhancing customer loyalty and retention.
Education
Business
Florida Atlantic University - College of
Boca Raton, FL04-2020
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of South Carolina Upstate
Spartanburg, SC06-1996
Skills
- Multi‑Property Commercial Strategy
- - Corporate Account Development
- - Revenue Management & Forecasting
- - Sales Pipeline Optimization
- - Contract Negotiation & Pricing Strategy
- - Cross‑Functional Team Leadership
- - Market Analysis (STR & CoStar, Kalibri, Light House, Agency/Demand 360
- - CRM & PMS Systems Expertise (Opera, OnQ, PEP, CI/TY, Delphi, FOSSE, STAYPMS)
Timeline
Regional Sales Manager
SREE Hotels
01.2026 - 05.2026
Director of Sales and Marketing
SpringHill Suites by Marriott – Charlotte Arrowood
05.2025 - 11.2025
Director of Sales and Marketing
Embassy Suites by Hilton
10.2024 - 05.2025
Director of Sales and Marketing
DoubleTree by Hilton
03.2024 - 09.2024
General Manager
Cambria hotel & suites
09.2023 - 03.2024
General Manager
Accente Group-Country Inn & Suites By Radisson - Asheville, NC
12.2022 - 08.2023
General Manager
Accente Group -Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Greenville, SC
09.2021 - 12.2022
Area Director of Sales
Aloft Hotels/Holiday Inn Express & Suites
06.2020 - 07.2021
Director of Sales
Residence Inn, McKibbon Hospitality
08.2016 - 06.2020
Director of Sales Holiday Inn Express Greenville Airport
Interstate Hotels & Resorts
07.2014 - 08.2016
Director of Sales Holiday Inn Express
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
05.2011 - 07.2014
Corporate Sales Manager
Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts
08.2007 - 04.2010
Director of Sales
Concord Hospitality Enterprises
04.2005 - 08.2007
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of South Carolina Upstate
Business
Florida Atlantic University - College of