Courtney Gewitz
Pittsboro,NC
Summary
Area Director of Catering for The Focus Properties, specializing in operational efficiency and customer relationship management. Expertise in contract negotiation and event logistics, resulting in heightened client satisfaction and loyalty. Recognized as Best Salesperson 2023 and Manager of the year 2024.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Area Director of Catering – Multiple Properties
The Focus Properties
Chapel Hill, NC
08.2025 - Current
- Developed and implemented strategies that improved operational efficiencies in catering departments
- Collaborated with senior leadership and operations team to establish long-term plans for catering programs across full service and limited service hotels
- Cultivated positive relationships with customers to increase satisfaction and loyalty
Group Sales and Catering Manager – The Siena Hotel
The Focus Properties
Chapel Hill, NC
04.2022 - 08.2025
- Exceeded yearly budget goals in group and catering sales for 2022, 2023 and 2024
- Conducted site tours for prospective clients, organized event schedule for four spaces, and negotiated contracts to secure bookings
- Coordinated room blocks, food and beverage, audiovisual needs, and timeline details for events, ensuring seamless communication with front desk and banquet teams for execution
- Fielded inquiries for social and corporate events and room blocks, tracking all leads
Crew Leader
The Naples Princess
Naples, FL
10.2018 - 04.2021
- Oversaw the execution of private events and charters
- Delegated tasks to crew members
- Handled guest relations during cruises and related all pertinent customer information to office
- Performed end of day reconciliation of all on-board food and beverage transactions
Staffing Director
The Party Staff Inc.
Phoenix, AZ
10.2014 - 06.2018
- Managed staffing team
- Responsible for recruiting field staff: posting all internet recruitment, partnering with schools and career centers, attending job fairs
- Hired and onboarded 20-100 staff per month depending on client needs: conducted interviews, processed all paperwork, E-verify and background checks and conducted new hire orientations
- Met with clients for large scale and long term assignments to coordinate all logistics
- Provided on-site management as needed
Staffing Coordinator
The Party Staff Inc.
Phoenix, AZ
02.2014 - 10.2014
- Communicated with clients to determine staffing needs
- Reviewed clients’ staffing requirements for each event order, selected appropriate staff and coordinated work details between client and staff
Event Coordinator (Contract Position)
Electronics for Imaging
Scottsdale, AZ
06.2013 - 10.2013
- Coordinated logistics for trade shows including obtaining appropriate booth space, registering staff, securing show services, booking hotel reservations and shipping collateral
- Ensured that bills were paid on time by closely communicating with Accounts Payable. Worked with Marketing Manager to reconcile budgets
- Created and tracked attendee lists and worked with 3rd party travel companies to manage hotel reservations for staff
- Worked with vendors and show service organizations to resolve any issues that arise for staff prior to or during the event
Restaurant Manager
Seasons Grille
Portland, ME
02.2011 - 11.2011
- Wrote designed and produced menus and beverage lists and posted daily specials using social media sites
- Created entertainment calendar, booked local musicians and arranged special social nights including: Trivia Night, Wine-Not Wednesdays and Friday Happy Hour with Big Hits Y100.9 to increase bar traffic
- Increased beverage sales by revamping wine program: meeting with distributors to secure lower pricing, offering specials and designing signage
Event Coordinator
Dunegrass Country Club
Old Orchard Beach, ME
04.2009 - 01.2011
- Conducted site inspections and menu tastings and prepared event estimates and proposals for prospective clients
- Planned and developed a variety of events such as concerts, dinners and outings to sporting events to promote involvement among club members within a specified budget
- Created and maintained records of event aspects including contracts, banquet event orders and financial details using Microsoft Word and Excel
- Represented and promoted facility at local wedding and trade shows and during community networking events
Education
Masters - Education
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NYBachelors - Psychology
Binghamton University
Binghamton, NYSkills
- Catering management
- Contract negotiation
- Customer relationship management
- Attention to detail
- Program leadership
- Event logistics
Timeline
Area Director of Catering – Multiple Properties
The Focus Properties
08.2025 - Current
Group Sales and Catering Manager – The Siena Hotel
The Focus Properties
04.2022 - 08.2025
Crew Leader
The Naples Princess
10.2018 - 04.2021
Staffing Director
The Party Staff Inc.
10.2014 - 06.2018
Staffing Coordinator
The Party Staff Inc.
02.2014 - 10.2014
Event Coordinator (Contract Position)
Electronics for Imaging
06.2013 - 10.2013
Restaurant Manager
Seasons Grille
02.2011 - 11.2011
Event Coordinator
Dunegrass Country Club
04.2009 - 01.2011
Masters - Education
Hofstra University
Bachelors - Psychology
Binghamton University