Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Hobbies and Interests
Timeline
Generic

Cecilia Hudnet

Summary

Accomplished Independent Consultant proficient in planning and executing events. Award-winning team leader and persuasive communicator. Prepared to bring a 25-year record of success to a long-term position with room for advancement.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Independent Consultant - Director of Sales & Marketing

Strategic Solution Partners
08.2023 - Current
  • As an independent consultant, I bring to the table a wealth of experience from a 25-plus-year career in executive sales & marketing leadership roles, a unique selling point that sets me apart in the industry.
  • With a strong focus on revenue growth, I travel to different areas. No matter the property's culture or location, I create powerful teams for the sales department and inspire them to work toward a common goal.
  • Assisted clients in identifying new market opportunities, leading to successful expansion efforts.
  • Responsible for developing and executing strategies to maximize revenue, increase market share, and enhance their brand presence.
  • My energy, enthusiasm, and innovative ideas help the team stay ahead of the competition and attract diverse guests.
  • Provide guidance and support to achieve sales targets and deliver exceptional customer service.
  • Fostered strong relationships with clients through consistent communication and collaboration.
  • Compiled research data and gave professional presentations highlighting findings and recommended optimizations.

Sales East Coast Representative

Independently Yours
09.2022 - 08.2023
  • At Independently Yours, we specialize in working with independent hotels, focusing on sales efforts and strategies with luxury travel partners for luxury branded hotels we were representing
  • I was responsible for developing and driving relationships with Americas-based luxury travel advisors.
  • Built and maintained strong relationships with existing clients and prospects, sold and represented our Independently Yours portfolio of luxury branded hotels to travel advisors, and supported luxury travel agencies and members of luxury travel consortia (Virtuoso, Signature, etc.)
  • Our team engaged deeply with each client to understand what makes their property unique.
  • Then, in partnership with our clients, we develop the correct narrative and marketing plans to create desire and drive bookings.
  • We deliver representation services connecting independent hotels with leading travel advisors, wholesalers, and consortia with tailored marketing and management programs.
  • Our solutions are not one-size-fits-all; we create custom programs for each client that are as unique as the property.
  • Developed and maintained positive customer relations and coordinated with team members to handle requests and questions properly.
  • Managed a diverse portfolio of clients, ensuring that each received tailored solutions aligned with their specific requirements.
  • Planned and executed property participation in trade shows and conferences to initiate relationships with potential clients.

Director of Sales

The Chesterfield Palm Beach
12.2014 - 09.2022
  • Responsible for coordinating and producing the Sales and Marketing Plan, identifying and soliciting new business, and focusing on Corporate, Corporate Groups, and Leisure Business
  • Established relationships with major wholesalers and tour operators in the USA, Europe, and Latin America.
  • Actively maintain key existing accounts, qualify, and continually re-qualify all new and existing accounts.
  • Cross-qualify all accounts for potential lead referrals to sister - Red Carnation Hotel Properties.
  • Look after our critical producers in the leisure market and maintain a closer relationship.
  • Maintain a closer look at our top agencies, connecting with them to share promotions of our hotel and visiting them to let them know what is happening in the area and get them excited to see the property.
  • Conduct monthly audits with Front Office and Reservations to ensure all upcoming reservations are correctly assigned.
  • Direct, complete, and evaluate activities of all sales through action plans
  • Coordinate new methods of maintaining and increasing business volume, especially with leisure business.
  • Participate as an active community member through associations, relationships, and other trade organizations.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction levels by addressing concerns promptly and providing tailored solutions.

Business Travel Manager

Embassy Suites West Palm Beach Central
06.2013 - 11.2014
  • Responsible for managing business development in the West Palm Beach area: directly responsible for developing and managing a solid business relationship between the hotel and all local accounts; working to achieve sales targets, but the primary responsibility is maintaining and further building the relationship to ensure continuing solid business.
  • Working closely with Hilton Direct to ensure the property gets selected for National Accounts such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo; and others, developing and managing a professional service for all National Accounts to deliver profitable growth.
  • Define, produce, and own critical customer relationship and customer contact strategy.
  • Establish strong personal bonds with the client's key decision-makers and influencers throughout the sales effort.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.

Director of Sales & Marketing

Hilton Palm Beach Airport
02.2012 - 06.2013
  • Responsible for effectively soliciting and becoming familiar with all accounts in the market; possess the necessary skills and develop and execute sales plans and strategies and request new business to meet and exceed established revenue goals.
  • Increase domestic leisure client base and ensure repeat business through exceptional relationship building, negotiation, and management of top accounts.
  • Grow Domestic and International Business Travel / Wholesale market segment by acquiring new accounts (tour operators, travel agents, consortia, corporate accounts)
  • Plan for and execute inside/outside calls and client entertainment with Corporate Travel Managers, Travel Agents, and other intermediaries
  • Host and direct property Travel Partner, FAMs, Sites, and Educational Tours.
  • Coordinate local transient sales initiatives and activities for national and regional transient accounts.
  • With the direction of the Revenue Team, set and negotiate all rates for wholesale, special corporate, and preferred corporate accounts locally and nationally.
  • Understand the transient sales strategies, promotional programs, and strengths and weaknesses of competitor transient hotels.
  • Developed comprehensive sales plans for business growth, resulting in significant market share expansion.
  • Spearheaded trade show participation to showcase products and services, generating valuable leads and networking opportunities.
  • Managed sales promotions and marketing strategies on major social media sites.

Director of Sales & Marketing

Courtyard Marriott Fort Lauderdale North
10.2010 - 02.2012
  • Responsible for obtaining key business accounts.
  • Include weekly revenue meetings, action plans, and sales activity logs, worked on the End of the Month reports
  • Update all information on Goldmine and oversee all catering and sales of the hotel
  • Responsible for selling and booking group business
  • Review all LNR accounts; submit all new rates on Marriott National Accounts.
  • Proactively visited the top 10 accounts, ensuring they sent more business to our property. This included accounts such as Banyan Air, Microsoft, AT&T, Bank of America, Kaplan University, Keiser University, Honeywell, Liberty Power, and the Department of Army. Maintained a keen awareness of competition facilities, strengths, weaknesses, and customer base.
  • Developed comprehensive sales plans for business growth, resulting in significant market share expansion.
  • Spearheaded trade show participation to showcase property and services, generating valuable leads and networking opportunities.

Director of Sales

Doubletree Hotel West Palm Beach Airport
07.2009 - 10.2010
  • Responsible for selling and booking group business to enable hotels to achieve or exceed annual budgeted revenues by achieving quota established by market responsibilities
  • Responsible for contributing to the successful operation of the hotel Sales Department to maximize profitability and overall success
  • Responsible for new business development, which includes personally going on outside sales calls to obtain new accounts
  • Contribute to hotel budgeted revenue and occupancy goals
  • Maintain an awareness of competition facilities, strengths, weaknesses, and customer base
  • Create, design, and execute targeted action plans for designated markets or territories
  • Responsible for travel to territory or attendance at tradeshows as outlined in the Marketing Plan
  • Conduct client site visits and entertainment at the hotel as necessary to achieve financial objectives
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction levels by addressing concerns promptly and providing tailored solutions.
  • Achieved regional sales targets through effective territory management and relationship building with key clients.

Director of Sales

Island Hospitality
11.2006 - 07.2009
  • Responsible for revenue production for the hotel and meeting or exceeding planned revenue objectives for occupancy and average daily rate (ADR)
  • Manage all sales areas according to Brand standards to achieve a professional rapport within the local business community
  • Hands-on' manager, actively involved daily in securing, qualifying, and following up on leads to book specific business
  • Able to meet and exceed budgeted REVPAR for the hotel
  • Assist in preparing the hotel's Annual Marketing plan
  • Forecasts occupancy fluctuations and directs selling activities to maximize revenues
  • Study the competition for each market segment and use the hotel's strengths against each competitor
  • Identifies and maintains constant communications with the hotel's key accounts
  • Educate hotel employees (specifically front desk staff) to be familiar with critical reports and 'specifics' (special rates, special requirements, etc.) relating to business booked in the hotel
  • Won the May 2007 Walker Cup Achievement! Achieved a 12.4% increase over budget, a 23.3% increase in Room Revenue over Budget, and an 81.3% RevPAR index change.

Sales Manager

Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort and Marina
07.2005 - 11.2006
  • Responsible for the planning, soliciting, booking, and coordinating group room business to meet the revenue objectives of the property
  • Book groups that are timely, profitable, and manageable and meet the hotel's overall sales objectives
  • Responsible for Association and Northeast Market
  • Worked closely with Marriott National Global Sales Department to increase property awareness
  • Attended FSAE, TSAE, and the Annual Northeast GSO Customer Event
  • Created and followed quarterly action calendars that are market-specific, measurable, attainable, and targeted to achieve group revenue goals
  • Increase sales volume by assisting in developing and executing projects for assigned market areas as needed
  • Participate in all problem-solving activities as required with other departments to ensure client and guest satisfaction
  • Represent the hotel professionally at community functions to create networking opportunities and book business.

Education

Diploma -

Newtown High School
Queens, NY

Sales Growth Certificate -

Cornell University

Certificate in Hospitality Management -

Florida Atlantic University

Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration And Management

Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, FL

Business Administration -

St. John's University
Queens, NY
01.1988

Skills

  • Bilingual, read and write Spanish
  • Lotus 1-2-3
  • Word Perfect
  • Business Analysis
  • Organizational Development
  • Microsoft
  • Visual One
  • CAST/System 21
  • Delphi
  • Goldmine
  • SalesPro
  • Sales Leadership
  • CI/TY
  • Team Development

Hobbies and Interests

  • Discover The Palm Beaches Board Member (2019 - 2022)
  • Board Member of Executive Women of the Palm Beaches (2015 - Present)
  • Vice President of Resources & Development (2018 - Present)
  • SKAL International Ft. Lauderdale & The Palm Beaches - Member 2015 to present - President 2019 - 2022
  • Leadership West Palm Beach - Class of 2019
  • Board Member of Women's Chamber (2015 - 2018)
  • Member of Junior League of the Palm Beach - Vice President of Events - 2023 - present
  • Committee member for Habitat for Humanity Gala (2016 - 2020)
  • Committee member for Jupiter Medical Center Foundation (2017 - Present)
  • President for the Jupiter Tequesta Junior Woman's Club (2015-2017- Member 2002 - 2017)
  • Walking, yoga, Pilates

Timeline

Independent Consultant - Director of Sales & Marketing

Strategic Solution Partners
08.2023 - Current

Sales East Coast Representative

Independently Yours
09.2022 - 08.2023

Director of Sales

The Chesterfield Palm Beach
12.2014 - 09.2022

Business Travel Manager

Embassy Suites West Palm Beach Central
06.2013 - 11.2014

Director of Sales & Marketing

Hilton Palm Beach Airport
02.2012 - 06.2013

Director of Sales & Marketing

Courtyard Marriott Fort Lauderdale North
10.2010 - 02.2012

Director of Sales

Doubletree Hotel West Palm Beach Airport
07.2009 - 10.2010

Director of Sales

Island Hospitality
11.2006 - 07.2009

Sales Manager

Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort and Marina
07.2005 - 11.2006

Diploma -

Newtown High School

Sales Growth Certificate -

Cornell University

Certificate in Hospitality Management -

Florida Atlantic University

Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration And Management

Palm Beach State College

Business Administration -

St. John's University

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Cecilia Hudnet