Brett Forshag

Sales and Marketing leader for 280 room Forbes Four Star luxury resort in the heart of Houston's Galleria District. The property is part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts LVX collection.

Promoted by Landry's Inc. to their Forbes Five Star luxury property in Uptown Houston. Responsible for all sales and marketing initiatives in 270 room (including 20 residences) independent property. The hotel is part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legends collection.

Led all group and transient sales efforts for 1,100-room luxury resort owned and operated by Landry's Inc. which generated $123 Million in EBIDTA in 2018. The resort features seventeen restaurants, full service spa, casino and a PGA golf course.

Recruited as first employee to establish pre-opening efforts of first luxury hotel to open in New Orleans in seventeen years. Identified and hired sales and marketing staff, catering and conference services staff as well as revenue management and reservations staff. Led branding process for the 217-room independent central business district hotel and developed all collateral for property. Collaborated with Salamander corporate team on hotel's website as well as micro site of its signature restaurant, Public Service. Created digital and print ad campaigns and coordinated all public relations efforts with corporate agency including hotel's Ribbon Cutting event and Grand Opening.

Led the sales, catering, conference services, social media and revenue management efforts of newly renovated 484-room luxury hotel in downtown New Orleans.

Led all sales and marketing efforts for portfolio which grew from seven to nineteen properties located throughout US in three year period. Managed re-branding and grand openings of four properties and renovation processes of five others. Coordinated photo shoots, updated collateral, and press releases to capitalize on property and staff enhancements. Oversaw total reconstruction of corporate website as well as vanity websites of four existing properties. Responsible for all quarterly sales and marketing presentations with investment partners as well as annual marketing plan/budget processes for each property. Developed Sales & Marketing SOPs for company's handbook and revamped company's Sales Incentive Plan for its sales and catering associates. Collaborated with development team on creation of pro-formas for acquisitions and new builds.

Promoted to hotel's seven member Executive Committee while also managing daily activities of group, wholesale and business travel sales teams (fifteen managers and four assistants). In this position, successfully balanced oversight of hotel's $45 Million renovation of its 1,110 guestrooms, suites, public areas and 105,000 square feet of meeting space. Prepared and presented to hotel's joint venture ownership team (Starwood/MetLife) on quarterly basis including discussion of performance versus comp set, national travel trends, Smith Travel STAR Report data, forecasts, and sales deployment.

Managed daily activities of eleven group sales managers and four sales assistants. Achieved and exceeded hotel's group revenue goal of $30 Million per year in nine of twelve years including being named Starwood's National Sales Team of Year in years 2000, 2004, 2007 and 2010. During this period, was actively involved in communication and risk management plan for both of hotel's $35 Million renovations in 1998 and 2003. Partnered with Regional team on re-branding of hotel as part of Starwood's $6 Billion revitalization plan for Sheraton brand. Partnered with hotel's Director of Sales & Marketing on content and presentation of quarterly joint venture ownership meetings to Starwood/ MetLife executive team.

Recruited by Sheraton New Orleans to handle all key accounts based in Midwest with emphasis on Chicago medical meetings market. Qualified for company's Platinum Sales Incentive Trip in all three years including being leading revenue producer on 1997 National Sales Team of Year for ITT Sheraton North America.

Began with hotel as Business Travel Sales Manager (BTSM) and was eventually promoted to Small Groups Sales Manager followed by Association Sales Manager for Washington DC market. After successfully handling those positions, was promoted to Associate Director of Sales responsible for daily management of three small meetings sales managers in addition to prominent Midwest/Chicago market.