Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills
Key Highlights And Core Competencies
Areas Of Excellence
Timeline
Generic

MARY ELIZABETH ABELL

Dallas,USA

Summary

Hospitality sales expert with strong capabilities in market assessment and revenue strategy. Proven ability to drive corporate group bookings and enhance guest engagement, delivering exceptional results through innovative sales approaches and targeted business strategies.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

Regional Sales Manager

LANDRY’S INC. (HOSPITALITY DIVISION)
Galveston, TX
01.2026 - Current

Oversaw strategic sales initiatives and revenue development for premier beachfront property portfolio, enhancing market presence and guest engagement.

  • The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center
  • Hilton Galveston Island Resort
  • Holiday Inn Resort Galveston – On the Beach

Developed and executed targeted sales strategies to drive corporate group bookings across multi-brand oceanfront assets, increasing overall revenue potential.

Director of Business Travel

DRIFTWOOD HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
Houston, TX
11.2023 - 12.2025
  • Led dual-property sales strategy for business travel at Hilton Houston North and Marriott Houston North.
  • Increased government market segment revenue by 123% across two properties in 2024.
  • Spearheaded prospecting, RFP submissions, and retention of key corporate clients, enhancing client relationships.

Director of Sales & Marketing (Aloft DFW Grapevine Coppell)

CHAMPION HOTELS GROUP
Coppell, TX
07.2022 - 10.2023
  • Generated $5,000,000 in guest room sales in 2023.
  • Exceeded monthly budget goals by an average of X% for new airport hotel within two months of hire (September 2022 to October 2023).
  • Negotiated and secured Local Negotiated Rate (LNR) accounts, expanding market reach within flat market in four months.

Regional / Area Director of Sales & Task Force Specialist

DRIFTWOOD HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
Various Locations
06.2015 - 04.2022
  • (Promoted to Regional Director of Sales 2019–2020)
  • Sheraton Dallas Galleria: Director of Sales (June 2021 – April 2022)
  • Hotel Indigo Houston Galleria & Sheraton Houston Galleria: Area Director of Sales (2020 – 2021)
  • SpringHill Suites Bossier City & Hawthorn Suites Fort Worth: Area Director of Sales
  • Awarded Director of Sales of the Year (IHG Indigo Brand) in 2018.
  • Increased government market segment revenue by 104% in a 4-month period.
  • Captured $300,000 in corporate group revenue within 3 months.
  • Increased government market segment revenue by 123% across two properties in 2024.
  • Outperformed aggressive quarterly budgets continuously (Q4 2016 through all quarters of 2017 & 2018).

Corporate Group & Government Sales Manager

PEARL HOSPITALITY
Houston, TX
07.2014 - 06.2015
  • Managed corporate and government accounts for Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites, Hawthorn Suites, and La Quinta Inn & Suites to ensure client satisfaction and retention.
  • Led sales teams to achieve revenue targets and enhance customer satisfaction.
  • Developed strategic sales plans aligned with company goals and market trends.
  • Trained and mentored staff to improve sales techniques and product knowledge.

Corporate Sales Manager (Hotel Indigo Atlanta - Midtown)

INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP (IHG)
Atlanta, GA
11.2012 - 07.2014
  • Drove market share growth and secured business travel accounts for boutique brand property.
  • Developed corporate sales strategies to enhance client engagement and revenue growth.
  • Managed key account relationships to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Collaborated with marketing teams to create promotional materials for corporate clients.

Sales Coordinator & Director of Owner Services

TANGLEWOOD RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER
Pottsboro, TX
08.2008 - 02.2011
  • Coordinated sales efforts for hotel division and directed owner services for timeshare division to enhance customer satisfaction.

President & Owner

BUTTERFLY VACATIONS INC.
01.2002 - 01.2008
  • Founded and operated vacation fulfillment company specializing in timeshare ownership services and bulk sales, delivering tailored solutions for clients seeking vacation ownership options.
  • Led strategic planning initiatives for company growth and market positioning.
  • Managed cross-functional teams to enhance customer experience and service delivery.
  • Oversaw financial operations, ensuring budget alignment with company objectives.

Skills

  • Lead generation and cold calling
  • Sales negotiation
  • RFP management
  • Corporate account management
  • Client retention
  • Outside sales and group sales
  • Market analysis
  • Business case development
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Event management
  • PMS systems proficiency

Key Highlights And Core Competencies

  • Meeting & Event Space Management: Direct experience negotiating and executing events for properties with 15,000+ sq. ft. of meeting space.
  • Multi-Brand Expertise: Deep operational sales expertise across Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt, and Independent Resort portfolios.
  • Task Force Agility: Specialized ability to rapidly integrate into diverse hotel properties, evaluate operational strategies, and deliver fast turnarounds.

Areas Of Excellence

  • Sales Strategy & Negotiation: Market Analysis, Task Force Sales, Strategic Planning, Business Case Proposals, RFP Management
  • Account & Revenue Management: Key Account Retention, Lead Generation, Cold Calling, Outside Sales, Business Travel & Group Sales
  • Client & Relationship Building: Problem Resolution, Client Retention, Stakeholder Engagement
  • Technical & Brand Proficiency: Opera, Delphi, OnQ, Lightspeed, CITY, One Source, Innfusion, Kalibri Labs, PMS Systems

Timeline

Regional Sales Manager

LANDRY’S INC. (HOSPITALITY DIVISION)
01.2026 - Current

Director of Business Travel

DRIFTWOOD HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
11.2023 - 12.2025

Director of Sales & Marketing (Aloft DFW Grapevine Coppell)

CHAMPION HOTELS GROUP
07.2022 - 10.2023

Regional / Area Director of Sales & Task Force Specialist

DRIFTWOOD HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
06.2015 - 04.2022

Corporate Group & Government Sales Manager

PEARL HOSPITALITY
07.2014 - 06.2015

Corporate Sales Manager (Hotel Indigo Atlanta - Midtown)

INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP (IHG)
11.2012 - 07.2014

Sales Coordinator & Director of Owner Services

TANGLEWOOD RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER
08.2008 - 02.2011

President & Owner

BUTTERFLY VACATIONS INC.
01.2002 - 01.2008
MARY ELIZABETH ABELL