Grant Kehler

Oversee all group, transient, and catering sales efforts to drive revenue across two hotels. Lead the development and execution of annual budgets, strategic sales initiatives, marketing campaigns, and public relations plans to maximize occupancy, ADR, and F&B profitability. Conduct proactive sales calls, client tours, and contract negotiations with a deep understanding of revenue management strategies and market trends.

Manage and mentor the Catering & Event Management team to achieve and exceed departmental goals for events, meeting space, and F&B. Train cross-functional staff in sales opportunity recognition to enhance conversion rates and guest satisfaction. Analyze comp set trends and maintain strong CVB and community partnerships to ensure high market visibility. Maintain rigorous follow-up protocols, prioritize pipeline development, and resolve client concerns swiftly to uphold brand standards and ensure operational excellence.

• Worked to develop sales in Association, Corporate markets, Educational, Medical, Government segment. Developed strategy to penetrate these markets for the property. Targets group/catering accounts, markets, or segments with heavy emphasis on proactive solicitation and account saturation. Accountable for all aspects of client lead discovery, development and detailed contract negotiations. Conduct sales trips and attend conferences throughout the year to strengthen relationships with existing clients and establish new relationships. Employed a consultative approach to providing solutions for clients' meeting and event needs. Accept a leadership role in the development and implementation of sales strategies, objectives, and special sales projects, such as sales missions, blitzes, and telemarketing. Exceed all Revenue goals.

• Sold portfolio of nine hotels in Las Vegas and three in Atlantic City to corporate, associations, and non-profit organizations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Secured contracted blocks of sleeping and meeting rooms for business functions, conventions, and other special events. Developed and oversaw strategic accounts. Formed, maintained, and increased account business relationships. Collaborated with clients to engage spending through matching corporate assets with customer long- and short term goals. Created and executed marketing strategies. Attended tradeshows, FAM events, and site inspections. Sourced group/convention customers through prospecting and penetration of new and existing accounts.

• My role focused on a comprehensive account management and support of a portfolio of high-volume government and corporate accounts with direct responsibility for sales for a portfolio of hotels within the Northeastern Region and promotion of the Marriott global hotel portfolio network of 3700 hotels and resorts. Responsibilities included strategic Account Management to leverage their overall global hotel buying power, development and execution of account strategy. Business Travel analysis and Bid/RFP management, Group, Incentive and Relocation coordination through collaboration of Organization's planning and intermediary contacts. Long and Short-term planning to meet the Account's current and crossover goals. Lead planning and execution of conferences and special events. Met with client representatives in-person to guarantee consistent account satisfaction. Built and strengthened partnerships with existing and new customers, industry organizations, and brand network to secure future bookings.

• Determined policies and structure for corporate housing sales for 16 properties with 4,745 apartment units. Taught leasing staff about telemarketing, prospecting, and outside sales skills. Executed marketing strategies to raise furnished unit occupancy. Served as primary client contact. Supervised 20 staff working on development and performance with individual clients. Assessed competitive amenity features and benefits and price points. Proposed changes to existing pricing and amenities to raise profits. Project-managed construction and capital initiatives. Established operation budgets. Design plans and materials for promotions and public relations. Meet or exceed pre-determined booking goals for guest room revenue; meet or exceed budgeted costs and revenue on a monthly average with the liberty to negotiate as needed on individual functions within established guidelines yet maintaining the overall revenue goals.

• Led repositioning, renovations, and re-branding of hotel with 217 guestrooms and 20,000 square feet of meeting space. Collaborated with Hilton national sales to win key national accounts. Restructured sales office and introduced new hotel employee standards and processes. Designed and instituted overall sales and marketing effort of hotels including securing new accounts, sustaining existing clients, overseeing activities of 10 sales personnel, and executing sales and marketing plans to optimize profitability of hotel while preserving customer satisfaction. Redesigned and presented new banquets menus. Implemented Brand Conversion from Hilton to DoubleTree. Formed and maintained relationships with key clients to produce group and/or convention business. Worked with other teams to schedule conventions and activities to facilitate services agreed upon by sales office and prospective clients. Interview, select, train, schedule, coach and support associates, ensuring they perform in accordance with established brand or hotel standards. Work with Revenue Management to develop, communicate and implement sales strategies, mix of business, channel management, and pricing strategies. Strong focus on top accounts in the pharmaceutical/healthcare, financial and technology markets for the Northeast Region.

• Managed Investment properties in NJ, PA, and SC. Manager/GM of Selected service hotel in summers from 1991-1996. Appraise property values. Advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements, and related matters. Promote sales of properties through advertisements, open houses, and participation in multiple listing services. Accompany buyers during visits to and inspections of property and advise them on the suitability and value of the property they are visiting. Prepare documents such as representation contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements, deeds, and leases. Confer with escrow companies, lenders, home inspectors, and pest control operators to ensure that terms and conditions of the purchase agreement are met before closing dates. Coordinate property closings, overseeing the signing of documents and disbursement of funds. Arrange for title searches to determine whether clients have clear property titles. Investigate clients’ financial and credit status to determine eligibility for financing. Develop a network of attorneys, mortgage lenders, and contractors to whom clients may be referred. Inspect condition of premises and arrange for necessary maintenance or notify owners of maintenance needs. Appraise properties to determine loan values. Evaluate mortgage options to help clients obtain financing at the best prevailing rates and terms. Rent or lease properties on behalf of clients. Investor in Rental Properties & Real Estate (Flips)

• Led and directed sales development strategies for all revenue opportunities. Spearheaded pre-opening sales activities and marketing plans for The Londonbury. Attended trade shows, blitzes, and open houses and made outside calls and appointments. Established operational procedures for corporate furnished units. Facilitated corporate suites design, furnishings, décor, and amenities with designer. Executed PMS system with GDS, POS, PBX, and accounting system. Hired and trained six leasing staff. Prepare accurate and complete sales reports documenting marketing budgets, current market share, direct sales, and outline marketing plans. Create and implement short and long-term marketing strategies to meet sales team goals and annual sales targets. Oversaw proactive team of outside sales managers and communications between all sales channels for two properties.

• Led and directed sales development strategies for Business Development managers. Prospected, negotiated, and secured new corporate and incentive business for retail store and corporate travel desk in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington, DC. Oversaw long-term relationships with new and existing customers while noting potential revenue opportunities. Developed strategic proposals, negotiated business terms, and completed sales transactions. Identified target companies and key decision makers and presented value of proposition of product, solution, and service offerings. Built pricing opportunities to encourage repeat sales. Trained 50 travel consultants how to handle business travel and to negotiate contracts with vendors. Manage sales territory, which includes identifying prospective customers, communicating, coordinating customer visits, and closing projects with customers. As the strategic leader of the territory achieved sales objectives, forecast customer needs and completed the annual budget process. Cultivate new business opportunities within a territory and lead the pursuit and management of business development activities, which may include teaming/partnering