Louise Duccini
Nashville,Tennessee
Summary
Highly experienced Hospitality Professional with 25 years of experience in Sales and Service.
Personable and dedicated customer service representative skilled in establishing rapport with clients and colleagues. Motivated to maintain customer satisfaction and contribute to company success. Articulate and enthusiastic team player with a passion for building relationships and cultivating partnerships.
I am returning to the hospitality field after spending the last 4 years within the nonprofit sector in facility operations, fundraising, event planning and management currently seeking a Catering Sales Management position with a company where I can utilize and build on my expertise.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Shelter Manager
True Rescue Animal Rescue
Mount Juliet, TN
05.2020 - Current
- Planning and executing annual conference and fundraising events, including The Ultimate Cat Conference, Annual Whisker Walk, Holiday Open House, and silent auctions.
- Solicited sponsorship for these events.
- Management of daily shelter operations, inventory control, animal care including medical.
- Intake and adoption coordination.
- Volunteer Recruitment & Retention
- Host weekly adoption events at PetSmart
- Liaised with PetSmart Charities as a Rescue liaison
- Engaged in community outreach activities and performed field work.
Catering Sales Executive
Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center
Nashville, TN
03.2016 - 01.2018
- Sales Executive on local sales & catering team selling and detailing all resort events with ten rooms or less
- Sold, planned, and detailed all restaurant events 15-1000 people and all events at the Gaylord Springs Golf Course.
Catering Sales Manager -Level 2
Embassy Suites by Hilton
Nashville Airport, TN
01.2015 - 03.2016
- Selling any event with ten rooms or less
- Corporate, Association, Meetings, Seminars, Social Events and Weddings
- In addition to handling incoming leads and inquiries I meet monthly prospecting goals to uncover and actualize new business and future potential business
- Planned, detailed and overseen the execution of all events related to the group bookings for the Director of Sales and the three additional Group Sales Managers.
Senior Event Manager
Renaissance Nashville Hotel
Nashville, TN
05.2000 - 01.2013
- I was the liaison between the hotel and the group contact once the contract was signed
- I completed all sales contract addendums and revisions
- Planned and executed events while maximizing hotel revenues, grew client relationships, secured repeat bookings, and provided excellent overall event satisfaction
- Managed every stage of the event pre-planning, on site turnover to the operations team, post event billing and follow up
- Managed conventions 200-600 room nights on peak night
- The majority of which were citywide events with the Renaissance being the host hotel
- My focus was also large social catering events of up to one thousand people
- Monitored group room blocks daily, adjusting forecasts as needed
- Worked closely with the revenue management team to adjust sales strategy and maximize room revenue
- Forecasted and monitored food and beverage revenues
- Ensuring the group was aware of contractual obligations during the planning process
- Finding ways to upsell to meet and exceed projections
- Completed Sales calls on a regular basis with the group sales managers
- Active with NACE over the years
- I was part of the community service programs the Renaissance worked with including Children’s Miracle Network, Second Harvest food bank, Kid’s Café, Kid’s Café annual holiday party, the Making Strides against Breast Cancer, and the Adopt a Highway program.
Event Manager
Renaissance Nashville Hotel
Nashville, TN
09.1999 - 05.2000
- Planned events with 10-200 room nights on peak nights in addition to local catering events.
Catering Sales Manager
Wyndham Garden Hotel Buckhead
Atlanta, GA
08.1998 - 01.1999
- Solicited, contracted, and planned all catering only events and events with up to twenty room nights on peak night
- Planned and detailed events for two additional sales managers.
Restaurant and Hospitality Suite Coordinator
Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Atlanta, GA
01.1995 - 08.1998
- Sold, planned, staffed, and executed events in the hotels seventy hospitality suites in addition to the Restaurant outlets generating $1,000,000 revenue annually
- The Marriott Marquis was the host hotel for the 1996 Summer Olympics installed and implemented a mini bar system for the suites in addition to taking care of VIP suites.
Education
Bachelor of Commerce Degree with Majors in Banking and Financial Management -
University College Dublin
Dublin, Ireland04-1992
Skills
- Proven Sales Expertise
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
- Ability to successfully lead and manage people while maximizing revenue, profit, guest, and employee satisfaction
- Experienced in conflict management and problem resolution
- Initiative-taker with strong time management skills
- Experience in budgeting, forecasting and strategic planning
- Strong Attention to Detail
- Exceptional customer service skills
- Ability to implement and manage change well
- Skilled in Managing Projects
Affiliations
- My two great loves are animals, animal rescue and travel especially trips to the beach and visits to friends and family all over the world.
- I enjoy staying active working out at the YMCA, pilates, swimming, hiking, walking the greenway's and exploring the local parks.
- There is always an audio book or podcast ready to play on my phone.
Timeline
Shelter Manager
True Rescue Animal Rescue
05.2020 - Current
Catering Sales Executive
Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center
03.2016 - 01.2018
Catering Sales Manager -Level 2
Embassy Suites by Hilton
01.2015 - 03.2016
Senior Event Manager
Renaissance Nashville Hotel
05.2000 - 01.2013
Event Manager
Renaissance Nashville Hotel
09.1999 - 05.2000
Catering Sales Manager
Wyndham Garden Hotel Buckhead
08.1998 - 01.1999
Restaurant and Hospitality Suite Coordinator
Atlanta Marriott Marquis
01.1995 - 08.1998
Bachelor of Commerce Degree with Majors in Banking and Financial Management -
University College Dublin
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