Jeff Turgeau
Fort Lauderdale,FL
Summary
Dynamic event professional with extensive experience in event sales, excelling in logistics planning and client relationship management. Proven track record in driving sales and maximizing event space utilization. Skilled in vendor management and contract negotiation, consistently delivering exceptional events that exceed client expectations.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Wedding Planner / Gig Worker
Self Employed
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
08.2022 - Current
- Applied industry knowledge and personal expertise to customize meetings, conferences and conventions to specific standards.
- Oversaw set-up of reception sites prior to events to make sure everything was ready.
- Performed day-of coordination duties such as checking in vendors and managing timeline.
- Organized and coordinated wedding ceremonies, receptions, and rehearsal dinners.
Catering Sales & Service Manager
Charles Hotel Group
Miami Beach, FL
12.2017 - 04.2020
- Catering Department Head for a privately owned hotel management company operating five individual hotels under the Marriott, IHG, Best Western, and Red Lion brands.
- Managed function space rentals, catering orders, and audio-visual rentals for 16 individual function spaces hosting a variety of event types, including small multi-day corporate meetings, large tour and travel groups, and mid-size destination weddings.
- Direct report for the banquet staff, and held daily review meetings for current and next day groups. Oversaw setup, food service of all event bookings, and managed the weekly tasks of scheduling staff based on business levels, processing weekly payroll, and gratuity allocations, and performance reviews.
Catering Sales Manager
Coral Gables Country Club
Coral Gables, Florida
04.2015 - 12.2017
- Catering Sales Manager for a luxury event venue featuring a grand ballroom with a capacity of 700 guests, an atrium with an attached pool deck with a capacity for 150 guests, and two meeting spaces with a capacity of 75 guests each.
- Daily tasks include responding to new sales inquiries, following up with tentative holds to maximize booking potential, conducting site tours with potential new clients to book event spaces, and logistical site tours with vendors/planners to review setup needs, and detailing Banquet Event Orders.
Event Manager
Clevelander Hotel / Marlins Park
Miami Beach, Florida
08.2013 - 04.2015
- Managed banquet staff for pre-function event set needs, led pre-shift meetings to review all banquet event orders specific to each staff member's assigned event, and managed overall food and beverage service pre- and post-event to ensure proper service and adherence to all guidelines established by the hotel.
- Heavy emphasis on generating new event business through cold calling corporate clients, attending various networking events, hotel associations, visitors and convention bureaus, and partnering on sales referrals with competitive set venues.
Catering Sales and Reservations Manager
Nikki Beach
Miami Beach, Florida
08.2010 - 08.2013
- As a multi-unit concept combining elements of a beach club, an upscale restaurant, nightlife, and retail sales, my position was uniquely created to provide additional support to various departments and increase overall profitability and marketing exposure.
- Handled sales, day of service, and payment for group bookings of 10 to 100 guests, and managed the property's reservation system to reserve spaces and manage overall business flow.
- Served as Floor Manager for general restaurant and nightclub operations, managed table reservations for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch (average of 650 to 800 guests), and set up and broke down buffets, managing the service staff.
Director of Group Sales
Christine Lee's at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino
Hallandale, Florida
09.2006 - 08.2010
- Managed event sales and operations for a privately owned restaurant for the third floor dining room, indoor and outdoor lounge areas and 18 private sky boxes for a nationally recognized horse track and casino complex. Extensive PDR group sales, bar/bat mitzvahs and sports related events.
- Assisted in Restaurant Floor Manager duties, aided Maitre D' with reservations and seating, managed inventory and ordering of wine and spirits program.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business
University of Tulsa
01-2006
Skills
- Event coordination
- Vendor management
- Logistics planning
- Sales strategy
- Marketing communications
- Client relationship management
- Networking skills
- Brochure and publication development
- Contract negotiation
- Creativity
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Wedding Planner / Gig Worker
Self Employed
08.2022 - Current
Catering Sales & Service Manager
Charles Hotel Group
12.2017 - 04.2020
Catering Sales Manager
Coral Gables Country Club
04.2015 - 12.2017
Event Manager
Clevelander Hotel / Marlins Park
08.2013 - 04.2015
Catering Sales and Reservations Manager
Nikki Beach
08.2010 - 08.2013
Director of Group Sales
Christine Lee's at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino
09.2006 - 08.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Business
University of Tulsa
Similar Profiles
Lance KniselyLance Knisely
Auto Mechanic/Tow Truck Driver at Self EmployedAuto Mechanic/Tow Truck Driver at Self Employed
Prachi PatelPrachi Patel
Freelance Architect at SELF EMPLOYEDFreelance Architect at SELF EMPLOYED
Ninette HodgeNinette Hodge
Nanny/Babysitter at Self EmployedNanny/Babysitter at Self Employed
Zain SaeedZain Saeed
Entrepreneur at Self EmployedEntrepreneur at Self Employed
Carlos Alves-MilhoCarlos Alves-Milho
Yacht Technician at Cheoy Lee ShipyardsYacht Technician at Cheoy Lee Shipyards