Maria Baesa
Arlington,VA
Summary
Accomplished Senior Sales Executive with success converting leads, exceeding quotas and maximizing revenue with proactive and ambitious strategies. Decisive, passionate and devoted to outperforming expectations. Attentive, resourceful and personable with customers.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Sales Executive
Crystal Gateway Marriott
02.2022 - Current
- Exceeded Year End Goals in 2023 of 150.15% in Room Revenue and 149.68% in Group Catering Revenue
- Currently at 128.56% in Room Revenue and 112.38% in Group Catering Revenue Year to Date
- Handles groups with a 100 rooms and above on peak nights in every segments
- Platinum Level in Golden Recipient in 2023; currently Gold Level for Quarter 3
- Developed customized proposals that addressed specific client needs, ultimately securing their commitment and loyalty.
- Leveraged strong negotiation skills to maximize profit margins while maintaining exceptional customer service standards.
- Established long-lasting relationships with key clients through effective account management and consistent communication.
Destination Sales Executive
Crystal Gateway Marriott
08.2019 - 02.2022
- Recipient of 2019 Property Sales Team for the Year in US Eastern Region
- Managed over 16 million in total revenue through Sales Office - 104%
- Examined business opportunities within the market and collaborates with individual Area Sales Managers to bring business to the property
- Understand the business need of each lead and authorizes any up sells of products and services to bring the sale to closure
- Enforced selling strategies and group sales promotions aligned with the property’s revenue goals
- Maximizes function space through updating the hotel’s maximum room capacities, provides room set up variations and creative event set up models
- Coordinated and executes all site inspections/visits at the property for out-of-market and non-deployed accounts
- Developed site standards and pricing guidelines to control Department expenses and to allow for accurate projecting
Senior Event Manager
Renaissance Washington DC Downtown
08.2017 - 08.2019
- Managed over $23 Million in Total Quote Revenue, with an individual Catering Forecast Accuracy of 3% and Rooms Forecast Accuracy of 2.6%
- Oversaw large complex groups, and citywide conventions with over 650+ on peak night
- Partnered with Sales Managers on closing Sales Agreements and provide post-convention reports to maximize total revenue for repeat groups
- Bronze Golden Circle Recipient, 2017 and Gold Level- Golden Circle Recipient, 2018
Event Manager
Crystal Gateway Marriott
11.2015 - 08.2017
- Oversaw the execution of sales agreements for meetings and conventions covering up to 500+ cumulative room nights
- Partnered hotel Sales Managers with the negotiation of contractual concession for repeat groups
- Maximized revenues and control expenses through effective negotiation of prices, services and accurate forecasting of room blocks, food and beverage, and other revenue
- Managed over $4.6 Million in Total Quote Revenue, 2017 YE
- Responsible for communicating to all hotel department leaders the customer’s preferences and needs for their meeting to include housing, meeting set ups, food and beverage, housing and Audio Visual to ensure a successful event and maintain future business opportunities from client or group
- Ended at 94.2% on individual Event Satisfaction Overall, 2017 YE and a Rooms Forecast Accuracy of 2.3%, 2017 YE
- Gold Level- Golden Circle Recipient, 2017
Reservation Sales Coordinator
Multi-property
10.2014 - 11.2015
- Oversaw group housing of 500+ rooms at peak night with great focused on special requests and VIP accommodations
- Processed reservation requests, changes and cancellations and rectified housing issues for both transient and group rooms
- Reviewed contracts, build room blocks through CI/TY, E Tools, MARSHA and set up personalized reservation links through Passkey/ResLink
- Managed group housing billing accounts for seamless bill reviews and faster payouts
- Prepared group projections on a weekly basis to ensure hotel forecast accuracy
Food and Beverage Supervisor
Fairview Park Marriott
03.2014 - 10.2014
- Managed the daily Food and Beverage operation in three outlets: In-room dining, restaurant and lounge
- Moved Guest Satisfaction Survey scores from previous year’s 32% to 66%
- Enforced positive employee relations and address employee’s questions and concerns
- Scored 91 points at the 2014 Associates Engagement Survey, an increase of 20 points from previous year
- Ensured compliance with all food & beverage policies, standards and procedures by training, supervising, follow-up and hands on management
- Scored 86% for Food and Beverage in Brand Standard Audit 2014
- Responsible for keeping inventory up to par and balancing operational budget
- Maintained beverage cost on average of 20% each month
- Served as the client’s point of contact for restaurant private event sales
- Handles reservations, event logistics and follow up reports
- Works with high-end clients in reoccurring events as well as pop ups
- Processed payroll, scheduling through ATLAS, and conducted the Hourly Performance Process for associates
Event Coordinator
LivingSocial Inc.
03.2013 - 04.2014
- Coordinated event logistics, including registration and attendee tracking, area management, presentation and materials support, inventory tracking, and pre- and post-event evaluations
- Worked directly with merchants, operators and key partners and communicated event status reports to clients
- Built strong consumer relationships and promoted positive brand identity and awareness through engaging and educating customers about upcoming events
Event Coordinator
United States-Indonesian Society (non-profit)
03.2013 - 04.2014
- Organized Special Reception Honoring President of Indonesia for his contribution to the US-Indonesian relations
- Oversaw entire event logistics, working with the Embassy of Indonesia, The Willard Hotel, and local vendors
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Minor in Human Resources
University of Maryland
Timeline
Senior Sales Executive
Crystal Gateway Marriott
02.2022 - Current
Destination Sales Executive
Crystal Gateway Marriott
08.2019 - 02.2022
Senior Event Manager
Renaissance Washington DC Downtown
08.2017 - 08.2019
Event Manager
Crystal Gateway Marriott
11.2015 - 08.2017
Reservation Sales Coordinator
Multi-property
10.2014 - 11.2015
Food and Beverage Supervisor
Fairview Park Marriott
03.2014 - 10.2014
Event Coordinator
LivingSocial Inc.
03.2013 - 04.2014
Event Coordinator
United States-Indonesian Society (non-profit)
03.2013 - 04.2014
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Minor in Human Resources
University of Maryland
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