TRACEE MERKEL
Clermont,FL
Summary
Hospitality and operations leader with deep experience in guest experience, catering, conventions, and food and beverage operations. Leads cross-functional teams, manages staffing and event logistics, and builds strong service cultures that support guest satisfaction, operational consistency, and smooth execution across high-volume environments.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Guest Experience Manager/Catering/Conventions
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Lake Buena Vista, FL
06.2015 - Current
- Direct the execution of large-scale conventions, catered events, and premium dining experiences while ensuring exceptional guest satisfaction and operational excellence.
- Coordinated complex event logistics with Sales, Culinary, Disney Event Group, Park Operations, Resort Operations, and Convention Services to deliver seamless guest experiences.
- Lead and develop multiple operational teams supporting Catering & Convention Services across Walt Disney World.
- Oversaw team staffing strategies, scheduling, and operational planning to align with business demands, ensuring adherence to financial and service objectives.
- Coach, mentor, and develop coordinators, captains, servers, housepersons, stewards, and event guides creating an inclusive and high-performing culture.
- Lead onboarding and training initiatives for newly promoted leaders and coordinators, strengthening leadership, readiness, and operational consistency.
- Implemented continuous process improvements to streamline operations, enhance communication, and elevate guest satisfaction.
Guest Experience Manager/Food & Beverage
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Lake Buena Vista, FL
- Supported labor deployment, staffing, and scheduling to improve daily operations and guest service.
- Built inclusive work environment that valued cast members and supported strong guest experiences.
- Worked with culinary operations and pricing teams to develop seasonal and holiday menu offerings.
- Trained new cast members and coached existing teams to strengthen performance and operational standards.
- Led daily operations across multiple quick-service and beverage locations in fast-paced, high-volume setting.
Sales Support Manager
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Lake Buena Vista, FL
- Led strategic business initiatives for domestic leisure, sales, Disney Cruise, Adventures, Disney, and Aulani, aligning efforts to drive measurable outcomes.
- Directed CRM implementation and SharePoint business systems enhancements to improve sales efficiency.
- Collaborated with travel agency, domestic wholesale, DTTAA, and national account sales teams, including US Sandloca cast, to provide strategic direction and implement a new business system that enhanced sales initiative efficiency. Evaluated business needs, conducted benchmarking, identified trends, and proposed cost-effective technology solutions that supported sales teams and facilitated projects with cast leaders across marketing and sales departments.
- Managed multi-million-dollar operations, marketing budgets, forecasting, reconciliation, and financial reporting.
- Managed analysts, coordinators, interns, and sales leaders while supporting executive leadership initiatives.
- Reduced operational marketing costs by 8% through proactive financial oversight and improved forecasting.
- Delivered executive reporting, core analysis, and business insights supporting strategic decision-making.
- Managed gear-end allocation, reconciliation, and AOP processes with sales finance and business partners, ensuring alignment with strategic financial objectives.
- Partnered with and influenced support program development, business rules, and process changes.
Guest Experience Manager/Catering/Conventions
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Lake Buena Vista, FL
06.2015 - 12.2020
- Led Catering & Convention operations across resorts, parks, and off-site venues, supporting world-class guest experiences.
- Coordinated complex event execution with sales, convention services, culinary, and group contacts to deliver seamless experiences.
- Ensured adherence to Disney safety standards while achieving high levels of guest satisfaction.
- Managed event billing, financial reconciliation, and consumption reporting.
- Oversaw inventory management, beverage control, lab management, safety compliance, and operational readiness to optimize resource utilization.
- Developed and coached Cast Members through performance management, recognition, and career development.
Assistant General Manager / Food and Beverage Manager
Red Tail Golf Club
Sorrento, FL
12.2020 - 08.2021
- Achieved 94% guest satisfaction through proactive service recovery and relationship building.
- Improved guest satisfaction related to food quality and service by 42%.
- Directed daily club operations, enhancing guest satisfaction and optimizing operational efficiency.
- Increased team productivity by 25% through operational improvements and enhanced leadership practices.
- Led hiring, onboarding, coaching, scheduling, and performance management for front and back-of-house teams.
- Oversaw budgeting, inventory management, and purchasing to maintain cost control and maximize profitability.
- Planned and executed wedding tournaments, corporate outings, and private events to ensure seamless experiences.
Business Analyst
ORACLE
Itasca, IL
03.2015 - 06.2015
- Enhanced forecasting accuracy through detailed operational reporting and comprehensive business analysis.
- Facilitated strategic business reporting for National Account and Alliance organizations to drive informed decision-making.
- Implemented process improvements that elevated sales productivity across teams.
- Managed regional sales forecasting, supporting 80+ Sales Managers and Regional Directors.
Global Alliance Manager / Business Analyst
ACCENTURE
Itasca, Illinois
01.2009 - 08.2014
- Managed strategic alliances with Fortune 500 technology partners, aligning efforts across sales, marketing, finance, legal, and executive leadership to drive collaborative initiatives.
- Oversaw relationships and sales operations for Alliance Global teams, collaborating with finance, legal, sales, and marketing on financials, project management, contracts, events, and cost center charges.
- Led cross-functional projects involving budgeting, contracts, sponsorship, spend management, and project planning.
- Managed global marketing development and strategic partnership initiatives to maximize venue opportunities.
- Directed large-scale client events for 50 to 5,000 attendees, ensuring seamless execution and engagement.
Education
BACHELOR'S DEGREE -
University of Illinois
ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE -
Saint Leo University
Skills
- Guest Experience Leadership
- F&B Operations management
- Catering Logistics & Operations
- Event Logistics
- Budget & Forecast Management
- Process Improvement
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Team development
Timeline
Assistant General Manager / Food and Beverage Manager
Red Tail Golf Club
12.2020 - 08.2021
Guest Experience Manager/Catering/Conventions
WALT DISNEY WORLD
06.2015 - Current
Guest Experience Manager/Catering/Conventions
WALT DISNEY WORLD
06.2015 - 12.2020
Business Analyst
ORACLE
03.2015 - 06.2015
Global Alliance Manager / Business Analyst
ACCENTURE
01.2009 - 08.2014
Guest Experience Manager/Food & Beverage
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Sales Support Manager
WALT DISNEY WORLD
BACHELOR'S DEGREE -
University of Illinois
ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE -
Saint Leo University