Jennifer Wehling
Bethany,OK
Summary
Results-driven sales performer with solid history of success in bringing in new customers, managing revenue streams and maintaining solid account relationships. Continuously monitor competitors and research market conditions to stay responsive and successful in dynamic environments. Persuasive negotiation and program management abilities.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Dual Director of Sales
GCG Hotels
09.2023 - Current
- Spearheaded efforts in improving client retention rates through proactive relationship-building initiatives focused on personalized service experiences.
- Assessed competitor offerings regularly to ensure continued differentiation in products/services offered in the market space.
- Boosted team performance by implementing sales strategies and providing ongoing training to staff members.
- Championed corporate values by modeling ethical behavior while fostering a positive work environment conducive to teamwork and professional development.
- Contracted over $250,00.00 in group revenue.
- Navigated complex contract negotiations to secure favorable terms for both clients and company, resulting in long-term business partnerships.
- Developed strong client relationships through effective communication and negotiation tactics, resulting in increased revenue.
- Managed team of sales representatives, providing guidance, coaching and support.
- Connected with prospects through trade shows, cold calling and local-area networking.
- Directed sales support staff in administrative tasks to help sales reps close deals.
Sales Manager
Best Western Plus Saddleback Inn & Conference Center
10.2022 - 05.2023
- Maintained and grew current and past relationships with Local Negotiated and Group Accounts
- Main focus is Transient Business to obtain higher ADR accounts
- Comprehensive sales efforts to shift market share
- Cultivated new Local Negotiated Rates
- AM/PM lobby coverage to meet and greet in house guest, qualify why they are staying with us and qualify for future business
- Weekly Prospecting goals, with the strong effort in outside sales calls
- Responsible for weekly and monthly forecast in Group rooms and Catering revenue
- Participated in weekly Revenue call, weekly Forecasting call, and a monthly Financial call with Ownership and Regional VPs
- The team conducts weekly and monthly audits, to true up our group blocks between our CRM and front desk reservations system, for all group blocks
- Attended all industry related events, such as all Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce events, OKC CVB DOS forums, local Ribbon Cuttings and Networking events
- Booked over $225,000.00 within six months.
- Built long-lasting client relationships through excellent customer service and consistent followups.
Sales Manager
Wyndham Garden Hotel
12.2021 - 10.2022
- Increased Group Sales by 80% over past year
- Prospected for New Accounts
- Increased New Account by 20%
- Maintained accounts and aided in re-booking for future dates
- Completed all Sales Reports and Month End Reports in addition to other Sales responsibilities
- Responsible for Training Front Desk Staff in aspects of Group Sales
- Completed all Banquet Event Orders and Distributed to Hotel Departments
- Monitored all Revenue Management.
Sales Manager
Embassy Suites Oklahoma City Northwest
10.2019 - 03.2020
- Opening team member of full conversion hotel
- Responsible for Corporate Group, Government Group, Entertainment Group and Business Travel
- Booked $90,000 in group business within the month for the next quarter
- Prospected for new accounts
- Maintained existing accounts
- Re-established past lost accounts.
Director of Sales
Sonesta ES Suites
06.2018 - 02.2019
- Responsible for the redevelopment of under producing hotel after conversion from Residence Inn to Sonesta ES Suites
- Formed and deployed new sales strategy to include group business
- Booked over $100,000 in group business within the month for the next quarter
- Prospected for new LNR accounts and routinely add one new account per month to hotel
- Prospected for new accounts with a focus on Extended Stay Occupancy
- Maintained existing accounts
- Re-established past lost accounts
- Completed all Sales Reports and Month End Reports in addition to other Director of Sales responsibilities
- Responsible for hiring staff and on-boarding with Brand Standards, implemented additional sales training
- Created and implemented new Brand Standards for Sales.
Area Director of New Business Development
ONE Lodging
11.2017 - 06.2018
- Responsible for Business Travel and Corporate Group for (4) Hotels: Holiday Inn Quail Springs, Holiday Inn OKC Airport, Staybridge Suites OKC Airport and Holiday Inn Express - Bethany
- Exceeded 2017 Total Revenue in first six months
- Prospect for New Accounts
- Maintained accounts and aided in re-booking for future dates
- Completed all Sales Reports and Month End Reports in addition to other Director of Sales responsibilities
- Responsible for hiring staff and on-boarding with brand standards and management company standards.
Senior Events Manager
The Skirvin Hilton
08.2016 - 11.2017
- Planned and Managed Conferences, Conventions, Room Blocks and Social Events/Weddings
- Executed all events from beginning to end
- Rental Needs, Budget, Attendance, Food & Beverage, Theme Selection, On-Site Management, Billing
- Maintained accounts and aided in re-booking for future dates
- Responsible for forecasting banquet, catering and group room block revenues
- Advised Sales Managers of contract changes for current bookings and future/repeat business.
Director of Operations/Director of Meetings
Choice Hotels Owners Council
10.2006 - 07.2013
- Managed all national association meetings; Board, Board & Committee, Committee, Owners Summit, Fall Regionals
- National association consisted of over 3500 hotel owners
- Oversaw all RFP processes, contract negotiations, site selections and menu selections
- Responsible for meeting budgets and billing
- Controlled all aspects of the meetings registration process; pre-registration, late registration and on-site registration
- Accountable for speaker selections, entertainment selections and all audio visual needs
- Contracted and organized all Vendor/Supplier Tradeshows
- Assisted COO with marketing themes and designs
- Handled conference calls and any issues in COO’s absence
- Managed marketing efforts in mass contact; direct mailings, email blasts, fax blasts, website updates
- Association management for national hotel owners association
- Managed five regional segments; primarily east coast of United States
- Maintained and increased marketing for each region
- Maintained all operating budgets.
Director of Sales and Marketing
Lovers Key Beach Club & Resort
06.2005 - 10.2006
- Booked group meetings, weddings and special events
- Detailed all group meetings, wedding and special events
- Oversaw all marketing efforts; print, radio, billboards and in-house
- Actively participated in Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Convention Bureau.
Group Sales Manager
Radisson Suite Beach Resort
11.2004 - 06.2005
- Booked group conferences over 25 rooms peak night
- Obtained 100% of monthly goals
- Completed monthly reports
- Maintained and increased the corporate market for the Northwest Territory.
Regional Group Sales Manager
Resorts of Captiva and Sanibel Islands
01.2003 - 11.2004
- Booked group conferences over 25 rooms peak night
- Averaged $285.00 room rate for 2003
- Finished 2003 with over $1.9 million in booked revenue to a goal of $1.6 million
- Completed monthly forecast reports for both resorts
- Maintained and increased segments of Continuing Medical Education, Medical, Legal, Government along with territories of Texas, Michigan, Colorado, Tennessee and Kentucky.
Catering Sales Manager/Business Travel Sales Manager
The Westin Oklahoma City
09.2000 - 01.2003
- Managed room nights for the market segments of National Corporate, Local Corporate, Consortia and Preferred Travel Club
- Maintained budget sales and profit goals, responsible for over $2 million in room revenue
- Upheld monthly solicitation goals of two hundred telephone calls, fifteen site tours and ten outside sales calls
- Exceeded outside sales goals by one hundred and twenty percent
- Developed and implemented strategies to maximized revenue and target key accounts
- Maintained monthly Catering Productivity Reports and Monthly Backlogs
- Elected Vice President of Oklahoma Bridal Merchants Association
- Trained on and utilized Delphi Microsoft based system.
Catering Sales Manager
Hilton Oklahoma City Northwest
06.2000 - 09.2000
- Utilized Delphi DOS Version system for accounts bookings, tracers, function diary, proposals, contracts and banquet event orders
- Solicited business via telephone and outside sales calls
- Maintained budget sales and profit goals
- Proved knowledge of food and beverage composition.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Hotel And Restaurant Administration
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK05.2000
Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office; Word and Excel
- Proficient in OPERA, OnCue, LightSpeed, Choice Advantage, OneSource, CI/TY, Delphi, SalesForce and Sales Pro
- Key account growth
- Negotiation expertise
- Sales Presentations
Timeline
Dual Director of Sales
GCG Hotels
09.2023 - Current
Sales Manager
Best Western Plus Saddleback Inn & Conference Center
10.2022 - 05.2023
Sales Manager
Wyndham Garden Hotel
12.2021 - 10.2022
Sales Manager
Embassy Suites Oklahoma City Northwest
10.2019 - 03.2020
Director of Sales
Sonesta ES Suites
06.2018 - 02.2019
Area Director of New Business Development
ONE Lodging
11.2017 - 06.2018
Senior Events Manager
The Skirvin Hilton
08.2016 - 11.2017
Director of Operations/Director of Meetings
Choice Hotels Owners Council
10.2006 - 07.2013
Director of Sales and Marketing
Lovers Key Beach Club & Resort
06.2005 - 10.2006
Group Sales Manager
Radisson Suite Beach Resort
11.2004 - 06.2005
Regional Group Sales Manager
Resorts of Captiva and Sanibel Islands
01.2003 - 11.2004
Catering Sales Manager/Business Travel Sales Manager
The Westin Oklahoma City
09.2000 - 01.2003
Catering Sales Manager
Hilton Oklahoma City Northwest
06.2000 - 09.2000
Bachelor of Science - Hotel And Restaurant Administration
Oklahoma State University