Sara Maria Forrester Obando
El Cortez
Las Vegas,NV
2
Languages
28
Years of experience
Dynamic sales and marketing professional with 27 years of experience in catering and event planning. Proven ability to develop innovative sales strategies, foster client relationships, and exceed sales quotas. Committed to delivering exceptional service while managing diverse projects within deadlines.
Work History
Promotions Team Member
10 Months- Coordinated promotional events to enhance guest engagement and brand visibility.
- Collaborated with team members to execute successful marketing campaigns.
- Managed inventory of promotional items for events and giveaways.
- Engaged with guests to inform them about ongoing promotions and offers.
- Trained new team members on promotional processes and customer interaction techniques.
- Responded to customer inquiries regarding promotions via email or phone calls.
- Maintained professional and efficiency while working closely with leadership.
Administrative Assistant
5 Years 1 Month- Collaborated with local law enforcement agencies throughout county to enhance communication.
- Maintain database and filing systems
- Perform basic bookkeeping.
- Maintained filing systems both physically and digitally to enhance data retrieval efficiency.
- Supported project management by tracking deadlines and ensuring timely completion of tasks.
- Answered phone calls and emails to provide information, resulting in effective business correspondence.
- Organized and maintained filing systems for physical and electronic documents, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality of records.
- Greeted visitors in a professional manner, responding to inquiries and directing them to appropriate personnel.
Catering Sales Manager
9 Months- Developed creative sales strategies to meet individual customer demands, generating new accounts daily through direct market campaigns and cold calls to clients including legal firms, medical offices, universities, colleges, and sports facilities. Designed custom catering programs for businesses of all sizes, from small offices to independent enterprises.
- Prepared presentations and delivered product demonstrations while managing event scheduling, contract writing, and vendor supervision for deliveries and set-ups, consistently meeting established weekly, monthly, and quarterly sales quotas for each location.
- Conducted field work to strategize market coverage and cultivate new clients across a 210-mile territory spanning Greater Tampa, Greater Sarasota, and Greater Naples, Florida, often planning and making calls from home office to maximize outreach.
- Catering to their needs begins before the first Sale, by then I've made a client forever.
Memorial Event Planner- Sales and Marketing
7 Months- Supported grieving families with compassionate guidance, ensuring meaningful tributes to their loved ones.
- Advised families on personalized memorial programs, reflecting diverse cultures while coordinating venues, vendors, and entertainers for seamless event execution.
- Organized memorial services with detailed attention to client preferences.
- Coordinated with vendors to secure venue and catering services.
- Developed event timelines to ensure smooth execution of ceremonies.
Wedding Planner- Sales and Marketing
10 Years- I have personally created and delivered over 5,000 Happy Ever Afters....
- Planned custom wedding experiences for brides worldwide, creating packages that consistently exceeded sales goals. Leveraged multilingual and multicultural skills to interpret customs and traditions, ensuring exceptional wedding experiences. Navigated complex demands with creativity and patience, delivering stress-free events while managing budgets and coordinating with vendors including photographers, event halls, caterers, and entertainment.
- Developed email marketing campaigns that fostered long-term client relationships, resulting in referrals and repeat business for vow renewals, anniversary events, and second marriages.
- Rewarded by Bellagio Hotel Management: Employee of the Year for 2008, 2011,2016.
Events Planner/ Sales and Marketing
8 Years 9 Months- Managed sales and marketing efforts for facility rentals, created financial projections to meet sales goals, and developed custom events that enhanced client satisfaction and drove product sales. Negotiated with vendors and venues to meet client needs while aligning with employer's financial objectives.
- Planned and executed over 2,975 events, ensuring each received my utmost attention and quality service.
- Coordinated event schedules for timely task execution and planned events for groups of 20 to 6,500, consistently delivering professional service.
- 2002: Nominated as Employee of the Year. 2005: Rewarded Employee of the Year.
Education
- Hospitality
Graduate Diploma
Certifications
Skills
Catering logistics
Event execution
Vendor management
Client relationship building
Team leadership
Software proficiency
Strong communication acumen
Multilingual communication
Speak fluent Spanish
Creative problem solving
Time management
Multitasking and organization
Languages
English
Professional
Spanish
Professional
Timeline
Promotions Team Member
El Cortez
11.2025 - CurrentRead More
Administrative Assistant
AU
07.2021 - 08.2026Read More
Catering Sales Manager
TooJays Management, LLC
07.2018 - 04.2019Read More
Memorial Event Planner- Sales and Marketing
Dignity Memorial Gardens
08.2017 - 03.2018Read More
Wedding Planner- Sales and Marketing
Bellagio Hotel MGM Resorts International
08.2007 - 08.2017Read More
Events Planner/ Sales and Marketing
Bellagio Hotel MGM Resorts International
11.1998 - 08.2007Read More
University of Las Vegas
from Hospitality
Read More
Las Vegas High School
Graduate Diploma
Read More
Las Vegas Interior Design Institute
Certifications
Read More
Personal Information
Title: Sales and Marketing, Events Planner, Catering Sales Manager, Wedding Planner, Corporate Meeting Planner