Debi DeBenedetto
Naples,FL
Work Preference
Summary
As a Tourism Professional, built and have excellent relationships with all of the local area hotels and attractions, Visit Florida, Florida CVB’s, Meeting planner publications and a huge database of meeting planners. I have successfully developed Sales & Marketing plans and implemented them over the years. Through my efforts, I have been able to contribute to the economic impact of Collier County by millions of dollars. I managed a budget of about $600,000 for media recommendations, trade shows registrations, Familiarization trips, Sales missions, Rfp lead generation, Rfp enhancements and sponsorships.
Experienced with strategic planning, team leadership, and operational excellence. Utilizes forward-thinking approach to drive business growth and streamline processes. Track record of fostering collaborative environments and achieving measurable results.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
General Manager
Hotel Escalante
- I worked under Coral Beach Hotels & Resorts on the opening team of Hotel Escalante during the inception of the project to the opening and as General Manager from that point forward. Successfully opened a Five-star quality luxury boutique hotel while evaluating and developing processes for effective results. I created the concept of invisible service, handling construction contractors, designers and owners under the mentoring of Mr. Joseph Freni, past Ritz-Carlton General Manager.
- 3 years
Director of Operations
Coral Beach Hotels & Resorts
- I joined Mr. John Ayres and Mr. Larry Blankenship as General Manager of the Olde Naples Inn & Suites working as General Manager for the hotel for two years. With increased occupancy, average rates, revenue, and a 32% increase in profit for the owner we established a successful sale of the hotel. Moving on to Coral Beach Hotels & Resorts as Director of Operations for their three hotels in South Beach Miami. I worked in many roles from trouble shooting distressed hotels, to temporary General Manager and consultant in opening procedures and design for restoring hotel renovation projects. I have extensive experience in pre-opening and opening new hotels and restaurants. With a talent for proactively identifying and resolving problems-controlling costs, maximizing productivity and gross operating profit. To include process development, P&L management, Service philosophy and development of Invisible Service Concept.
- 3 years
General Manager
Best Western Naples Inn & Suites
- Key Results - Increased occupancy from 56% - 96% Increased revenue and bottom line profits.
- 6 years
Tourism Sales & Marketing Manager
Collier County BCC
04.2003 - 09.2020
- Management position to promote tourism in Collier County began over 18 years ago with the start up of the new Convention & Visitors Bureau. This new position with the County allowed me to work from the inception of the CVB assisting in creation of Visitor Guides, Meeting Planner Guides, Golf Guide, Tourism Week Awards, Marketing and Media Plans and to build data bases of clients and partners.
- Skills and accomplishments
- ROI through lead generation
- Team Leadership & Collaboration
- HR Functions
- Budget Management
- Sales & Marketing Plan
- Promotions
- Social Media
- Website development
- Results focused
- Award winning destination honors – Pinnacle, Gold, Readers Choice & Platinum repeat winner
- Media & Marketing Decisions
- Creativity & Brainstorming
- Trade Show Development
- Communications
- Cooperative Opportunity Marketing strategies
- Plan implementation
Education
High School Diploma -
Benton Harbor High School
Benton Harbor, MI06-1972
Skills
- Leadership and team building
- Problem resolution
- Operations management
- Team player
- Efficient multi-taskerc
- Effective leader
- Training and coaching
- Staff management
- Customer relations
- Training and development
- Relationship building
- Staff training/development
- Verbal and written communication
- Administrative skills
- P&L management
- Client relations
- Deadline oriented
- Strategic planning
- Project management
Affiliations
Member of several Tourism Industry Associations
Certification
- Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) since 1987 equivalent to 4- year degree
- American Hotel Motel Association
- DMAI Sales Academy I&II
- Certified Accreditation of Destination Management Organizations
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Tourism Sales & Marketing Manager
Collier County BCC
04.2003 - 09.2020
General Manager
Hotel Escalante
Director of Operations
Coral Beach Hotels & Resorts
General Manager
Best Western Naples Inn & Suites
High School Diploma -
Benton Harbor High School
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