Michael Albanese

• Assigned tasks to associates to fit skill levels and maximize team performance.
• Enhanced team member performance through use of strategic and tactical approaches, motivational coaching and training.
• Led team meetings and one-on-one coaching sessions to continuously improve performance.
• Organized and laid out buffet equipment, food displays and other items.
• Orchestrated breakdown of rooms and cleanup to return event spaces to original order.
• Interacted with kitchen staff to plan food and beverage logistics.
• Communicated with external vendors such as florists and musicians to plan details and guide from beginning to end of event.
• Supervised bar staff including scheduling shifts, assigning tasks, providing guidance and monitoring performance.

Oversee a staff of over 500 Banquet Servers to cover 2.2 million square ft of convention space. Direct the team to execute events up to 20,000 guests.

Key Contributions:

• Delivered positive customer experiences by implementing effective quality assurance practices.
• Recruited, hired and trained crew members on application of projects, customer relations and customer service.
• Developed initiatives for process improvement and reviewed and assessed ongoing operations.
• Guided employees on understanding and meeting changing customer needs and expectations.
• Enforced federal, state, local and company rules for safety and operations.

Spearhead banquet operations for resort generating over $40M revenues annually. Hire, train, lead, and schedule team of 180+ Team Members serving events ranging in size and value (30 to 3,000 attendees).

Key Contributions:

• Oversee team performance to ensure quality experiences and deliverables.
• Organize buffet equipment, food displays, and additional items - working closely with venue personnel to coordinate logistics.
• Quickly and effectively address issues and complaints.
• Control inventory and maintain detailed stock records, ensuring optimal readiness and resources allocation.
• Manage special requests, ordering items in alignment with customer needs and specifications.
• Drive culture of continuous improvements, evaluating, mentoring, supporting, and motivating staff to surpass expectations.
• Develop custom banquet packages in alignment with client needs, including business events, celebrations, meetings, and charity functions.
• Ensure compliance with health/safety regulations as well as corporate policies and procedures.

Orchestrated preparation and execution of daily banquet events in 600K square-foot convention facility - generating over $68M revenues annually. Managed serving of 20 to 4,000 guests by team of over 200 members.

Key Contributions:

• Facilitated banquet planning and services with creation of floor and flow diagrams.
• Improved team performance through process improvements, training, and implementation of new systems - optimizing customer experiences, satisfaction, and loyalty.

Oversaw daily banquet operations, serving corporate and local social events in 100K square-foot convention space located in Four Star/Four Diamond resort.

Key Contributions:

• Collaborated with leadership team of nine, coordinating 150 team members dedicated to food, beverage, and banquet set-up.
• Managed financials, including general ledger, beverage ordering, FOH food ordering, and general non-stock items purchases.
• Maintained expense checkbook with annual revenues exceeding $28M.
• Organized and laid out buffet equipment, food displays, and other items.
• Awarded Manager of the Quarter in first quarter of 2012.