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
2023.03 - 2023.10
- 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
2021.08 - 2023.04
- 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
2019.06 - 2020.07
- 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
2018.04 - 2019.11
- 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
2012.09 - 2017.09
- 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
2010.01 - 2013.06
- 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
2023.03 - 2023.10
Senior Catering Sales Manager
JW Marriott Nashville
2021.08 - 2023.04
Associate Director of Social Events
The Watergate Hotel
2019.06 - 2020.07
Senior Catering Sales Manager, The Dupont Circle Hotel
The Doyle Collection
2018.04 - 2019.11
Event Designer and Sales Manager Off-Premise Catering
Windows Catering Company and Quite a Stir
2012.09 - 2017.09
Event Planner
Bash, LLC
2010.01 - 2013.06
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
- Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism
- Revenue Management
- Cvent Supplier Network Certification
- TIPS Training -100%
- CPR Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED
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