Merzedes Suarez
Valrico,FL
Summary
Highly organized & detail-oriented event manager with over 7 years of experience in selling, planning, & executing a variety of catered events. Passion for creativity & providing exceptional service. High energy, hands on, and charismatic with a consistent positive attitude. Easily able to relate to others and adapt to any kind of work environment. Highly successful at building and maintaining relationship with clients & co-workers. Exceptionally proficient & comfortable in high-stress, fast paced environments.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Catering Sales Manager
Bellwether Beach Resort
06.2022 - Current
- Organized corporate meetings, special events and social occasions to satisfy client requirements and increase facility revenues.
- Communicated with venue personnel to coordinate event logistics.
- Explaining policies and procedures associated with the Grand Plaza Resort including room block agreements/rates for guests, attrition, & cancellation policies
- Providing clients with estimates of all potential costs associated with an event clients and producing banquet event orders for distribution to all event staff
- Exceeded both quarterly and annual sales goals.
- Collaborated with clients to confirm event details such as setup logistics, decorations and food and beverage selections to fulfill client requests.
- Achieved sales goals and service targets by cultivating and securing new customer relationships.
- Completed final reviews of ceremony and banquet area setups to resolve last-minute issues.
- Worked closely with clients to develop personalized wedding plan that fit within budget.
- Coordinated with vendors in securing necessary supplies and services for wedding.
General Manager
Crystal Ballroom
04.2020 - 06.2022
- Boosted efficiency and team performance by setting goals and plans to achieve each target
- Improved operations by implementing procedural changes
- Organized supplies based on expected demands and specific department requirements
- Offered to assist with additional tasks to keep projects on-task and meet tight deadlines
- Listened to customer requests and specifications and made suggestions to appropriately fulfill needs
- Organized files and records and handled other support tasks, freeing up managers to take on more pressing responsibilities
- Responded promptly to customer, vendor, and staff questions and quickly resolved issues, cultivating strong, long-term relationships
- Met operational needs by securing facility space through purchase or lease.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
Catering Sales Assistant
Grand Plaza Hotel
12.2019 - 04.2020
- Conducting site tours and contract negotiations
- Producing, managing, & following up on all client leads
- Consistently achieving & exceeding top sales goals
- Explaining policies and procedures associated with the Grand Plaza Resort including room block agreements/rates for guests, attrition, & cancellation policies
- Providing clients with estimates of all potential costs associated with an event clients and producing banquet event orders for distribution to all event staff
- Guiding clients on set-up options and types of materials needed to achieve desired results
- Ensuring correct set up of chairs, tables, linens, and other details are in accordance with
- Contracted individual's finalized agreement
- Delegating responsibilities to banquet staff, chef's, housekeeping, and engineering staff
- Coordinating wedding ceremonies; Site set up, pinning of flowers, seating guests, line up of bridal party, processional and recessional.
Event Assistant
Jennifer Matteo Event Planning Company
03.2018 - 12.2019
- Fulfilled contractual obligations, including communications, vendor coordination, schedule creation, budget administration and rehearsal and day of event coordination
- Corresponded with clients to answer questions and resolve issues
- Coordinated with participating vendors during event planning
- Coordinated florists, photographers, videographers, musicians, officiants and ceremony participants during rehearsals and pre-ceremony, ceremony and reception events
- Evaluated existing plans, processes and events planning services to identify opportunities for improvement
- Conferred with event staff at event site to coordinate details.
Education
High School Diploma -
Brandon High School
Brandon, FL2013
Skills
- Time Management
- Multitasking
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Event Organization
- Detail Oriented
- Service Coordinator
- Critical Thinker
- Banquets and Catering
- Budgeting and Expenditures
- Delphi
- Microsoft Office
- Contract Negotiation
Timeline
Catering Sales Manager
Bellwether Beach Resort
06.2022 - Current
General Manager
Crystal Ballroom
04.2020 - 06.2022
Catering Sales Assistant
Grand Plaza Hotel
12.2019 - 04.2020
Event Assistant
Jennifer Matteo Event Planning Company
03.2018 - 12.2019
High School Diploma -
Brandon High School