Sarah Nester
Mt Juliet,United States
Summary
A Maestro of Moments
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Area Director of Catering and Events
Sigma Management LLC
Nashville Metropolitan Area, United States
03.2023 - 10.2023
- Responsible for all areas where food and beverage is needed within the properties, including restaurants, outdoor and banquet spaces
- Experienced in revenue management, staffing, menu creation and implementation and event/fine dining planning.
- Goal of 1.5 million across the 4 properties I sold within. Sq footage of 10,000 total in event space, not including outlets.
- Provided technical assistance when needed for employees working on complex tasks or projects.
- Established training programs for staff members to increase sales, customer relations and performance.
- Created menu (all f/b) concepts fpr banquet spaces and outlets.
Senior Catering Sales Manager
JW Marriott Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
08.2021 - 04.2023
- Oversaw catering sales managers and staff.
- Grew business through outside catering sales, executed food deliveries to perfection and devised and implemented marketing and promotional campaigns.
- Led sales planning, development and account management to grow existing accounts and establish new sales accounts.
- Improved profit margins by effectively managing expenses, budget and overhead, increasing closings and optimizing product turns.
- Attended networking events and trade shows in order to build relationships with potential customers.
- Coordinated and supervised staff in order to achieve maximum efficiency at events.
- Conducted market research and reported on competitors.
- Built sales forecasts and schedules to reflect desired productivity targets.
- Established details of sold catering events with clients and followed up personally, resulting in satisfied clients.
- Met with sales and design departments to determine project road maps and create unique products to drive profitability and champion brand.
- Established ambitious goal of 1.5 million in catering revenue alone and achieved goal every quarter while employed there.
Associate Director of Social Events
The Watergate Hotel
Washington D.C. Metro Area, United States
06.2019 - 07.2020
- Develop and conduct persuasive verbal sales presentations to prospective clients
- Solicit new pieces of business by participating in wedding planner events, receptions, local networking opportunities
- Write banquet menus, memos, and send out amenities for VIP Guests
- Review and revise Catering Department, weekly events sheets and banquet event orders
- Assist the DOC in formulating and revising annual and monthly forecasts
- Communicate with sales, front office and reservations to coordinate and monitor guest room blocks and special reservation needs
- Assist and mentor Event Managers and Co-coordinators
- Establish rapport with and entertain event planners while promoting hotel facilities and services
- Conduct walking site inspections throughout property
- Plan and conduct pre and post-convention meetings with clients and respective departments
- Meet and exceed sales goals per quarter ($200,000 per quarter).
- Create special celebration themes and wedding menus.
- RECRUITED TO from Dupont Circle Hotel as a promotion.
Senior Catering Sales Manager, The Dupont Circle Hotel
The Doyle Collection
Washington D.C. Metro Area, United States
04.2018 - 11.2019
- RECRUITED for and promoted to position of senior catering sales manager and social sales for The Dupont Circle, a luxury hotel part of the Irish-owned Doyle Collection
- Strong emphasis on the wedding and social market, with further emphasis on marketing and prospecting.
- Prepared invoices for payment processing following completion of an event or series of events.
- Collaborated with marketing team to create promotional materials that highlight catering services offered by the organization.
- Established ambitious goals for employees to promote achievement and surpass business targets.
- Inspected banquet room and checked with catering team before functions to verify correct room set-up, schedule of events, staffing and audio-visual configuration.
- Maximized profit through contract negotiation with vendors and venues.
- Built sales forecasts and schedules to reflect desired productivity targets.
- Negotiated pricing for services with vendors such as caterers, florists, photographers.
- Conducted market research and reported on competitors and even explored the European catering market within the collection.
- Resolved customer complaints regarding sales and service.
- Cultivated relationships with existing clients to ensure repeat business.
- Maintained accurate records of all event details including budgeted costs, actual costs and payments received.
Event Designer and Sales Manager Off-Premise Catering
Windows Catering Company and Quite a Stir
Washington D.C. Metro Area, Rockville, MD and Travel, United States
09.2012 - 09.2017
- Seasoned Event Designer for social and corporate events
- Marketing professional, Windows Catering and Quite a Stir in Catering
- Proficient in Social Tables (event production software)
- Event design for weddings and social events-Quite a Stir in Catering
- Event management for multiple corporate clients, including Georgetown University, National Institutes of Health, PG Co Chamber
- Windows Catering is Washington, DC's premier luxury off premise caterer
- Top awards and national recognition for over 30 years.
- Researched venues and made recommendations based on client's requirements.
- Collected feedback from attendees regarding their experience at an event.
- Attended and participated in industry events.
Event Planner
Bash, LLC
Washington, DC, United States
01.2010 - 06.2013
- Coordinate, plan and complete weddings for Bash clients
- Full service, day of coordinator and event design
- We also produced corporate, private and nonprofit events.
- Helped with end-to-end event planning process through meetings, walk-throughs and day-of execution.
- Followed local regulations for events and obtained necessary permits.
- Tracked payments, balances and registrations for various events.
- Worked with professional and trade associations to create memorable and successful events.
- Maintained accurate records related to attendance, budgeting, contracts.
- Procured necessary permits from local authorities for outdoor events.
- Organized catering services by selecting menu items, negotiating prices, ordering food and beverages, setting up buffet areas.
- Oversaw event logistics, venue scheduling and accommodations.
Education
Master's degree (M.A.) - English and Publishing
Rosemont College
Bachelor of Science - Communications (B.S)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Study Abroad General Language and Culture Immersion (1 semester) - French Studies
Université de Caen Basse Normandie
Skills
- Sales Tracking
- Business Forecasting
- Purchasing and Planning
- Marketing Strategies
- Operations Management
- Direct Sales
- Sales Coaching
- Proficient in mulitple sales CRMs from Salesforce, Delphi, CITY, and other systems Proficient in Word software and G-Suite/Outlook
Certification
- Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism
- Revenue Management
- Cvent Supplier Network Certification
- TIPS Training -100%
- CPR Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED
Top Skills
- Retail Sales
- Hospitality Management
- Food and Beverage Operations
Personal Information
Title: Hospitality Services Maestro
Languages
- French, Professional
- English, Native or Bilingual
Languages
French
Professional
Timeline
Area Director of Catering and Events
Sigma Management LLC
03.2023 - 10.2023
Senior Catering Sales Manager
JW Marriott Nashville
08.2021 - 04.2023
Associate Director of Social Events
The Watergate Hotel
06.2019 - 07.2020
Senior Catering Sales Manager, The Dupont Circle Hotel
The Doyle Collection
04.2018 - 11.2019
Event Designer and Sales Manager Off-Premise Catering
Windows Catering Company and Quite a Stir
09.2012 - 09.2017
Event Planner
Bash, LLC
01.2010 - 06.2013
Master's degree (M.A.) - English and Publishing
Rosemont College
Bachelor of Science - Communications (B.S)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Study Abroad General Language and Culture Immersion (1 semester) - French Studies
Université de Caen Basse Normandie
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