Valerie Horstmann
Waukesha,WI
Summary
Dynamic hospitality professional with over 15 years of experience in front and back of house operations. Proven expertise in Sales, Event Planning, and delivering exceptional customer service, consistently exceeding client expectations. Known for a proactive approach, strong work ethic, and effective communication skills that enhance team performance. Committed to contributing to organizational success through dedication and adaptability.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Planner
The Simply Elegant Group
Milwaukee, WI
09.2023 - Current
- Collaborated with couples to understand their vision, preferences, and budget constraints
- Coordinated and executed all aspects of weddings, including venue selection, vendor management, timeline development, and on-site coordination
- Developed and maintained detailed timelines, overseeing every element of the event to guarantee smooth execution
- Managed budgets effectively, negotiating contracts with vendors to optimize resources and meet clients' financial expectations
- Provided creative ideas for themes, decor, and personalized touches to enhance the overall wedding experience
Catering Sales Director
Black Shoe Hospitality
Milwaukee, WI
02.2024 - 08.2024
- Developed and implemented sales strategies to drive revenue growth for corporate, social, and wedding events
- Prospected and cultivated new business opportunities through networking, outreach, and relationship-building with corporate clients, event planners, and vendors
- Managed budgets effectively, optimizing resources and negotiating with vendors to maximize profitability
- Managed sales for corporate and social events, securing bookings, negotiating contracts, and exceeding revenue targets
- Conducted site tours and presentations to prospective clients, showcasing venue capabilities and customized event packages
- Created and executed detailed Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) to ensure seamless communication between sales, culinary, and operations teams using TripleSeat
- Partnered with the culinary team to develop customized menus tailored to clients' preferences and dietary needs
- Oversaw event logistics from initial inquiry to post-event follow-up, ensuring high client satisfaction and repeat business levels
- Analyzed market trends, competitor offerings, and customer feedback to refine sales strategies and enhance the guest experience
Executive Meeting Manager
Milwaukee Marriott West
Waukesha, WI
02.2023 - 02.2024
- Create and execute strategic sales plans to identify, attract and retain business to the hotel
- Outside Sales solicitation activities to grow revenue for event space and room blocks
- Extensive knowledge of food and beverage operations, upselling opportunities
- Making site visits as necessary and sales/catering related calls/visits to clients on behalf of the hotel
- Generate custom Banquet Event Orders (BEO) and Diagrams tailored to guest needs
- Obtain group rooming lists and input into MGS to ensure that guest rooms are blocked appropriately
- Ensure that all guest checks, payments, master folios, and advanced deposits are submitted to accounting and that any other group information is submitted to appropriate departments
Banquet Manager
F Street Hospitality
Milwaukee, WI
06.2022 - 09.2022
- Supervise shifts at multiple F-Street affiliations including Noble Catering, Brown Bottle, and Pizza Man
- Attend weekly operational catering meetings under the direction of catering management, to continuously evaluate strategies and ideas for enhancement of the guest experience
- Review BEO's to ensure all functions are set and prepare staff by conducting pre shift meetings to ensure client expectations are met or exceeded
- Design and execute creative arrangements at buffet and other food service tables, maintaining stations as needed, and assisting culinary staff as expo
- Inspect table place settings, including table linen, china, glass, silverware and condiments for correct placement and cleanliness
- Remain alert of complaints and or/unsatisfied guests and respond appropriately to ensure guest satisfaction, handling all sensitive issues with employees and/or guests with tact and respect
- Supervise and lead the team in post function cleanup and garbage removal
- Balance bank by paying out or collecting tips as required from servers and bartenders at end of shift
Beertender/Server
Goldfinger Brewing
Downers Grove, IL
08.2021 - 06.2022
- Open brewery by pulling beer through tap lines and preparing inside and outdoor seating area properly
- Provided exceptional customer service by ensuring guests had positive experiences during their visit
- Ran events in back room smoothly managing contract, party, and minimums required for the rental space
- Communicate effectively with customers to ensure proper event planning and exceptional guest experiences
- Managing transactions in fast paced environment ensuring beers comes out in a timely manner in pints, crowlers, and growlers for guests
- Assisted planning the Brewery Anniversary Party and Octoberfest with food trucks and live music
- Various retail duties including inventory, restocking, floor displays, helping customers, and encouraging sales
Catering Associate
McAlister's Deli
Bloomingdale, IL
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Fulfilled catering orders from receipt of order to execution, payment, and delivery focusing on customer service
- Partnered with management to ensure that appropriate product and resources are planned and available to meet demand
- Increased catering sales within the restaurant by building customer relationships through follow-ups, call-backs and special promotional offers
- Entered the data of all catering customers into the centralized catering database
- Assisted in the operations of the restaurant as needed at expo, sandwich/salad line, and register
Event Internship
F Street Hospitality
Milwaukee, WI
04.2021 - 07.2021
- Delivered the highest-level quality service and bartending at rehearsals, weddings, and other private events
- Designed and orchestrated banquet set-ups to achieve the customers' aesthetic
- Shadowed Event Managers throughout the event planning process
- Looked over BEOs and developed a strong competency in Toast and Amadeus
- Expedited orders for kitchen to ensure correct and timely delivery to tables
Line/Prep Cook
Zephyr Cove Resort
South Lake Tahoe, CA
01.2014 - 12.2015
- Communicated with servers to complete tickets properly and in a timely manner
- In charge of inventory, rotating and stocking frozen, refrigerated and fresh ingredients
- Always followed health and safety guidelines when handling, prepping or storing food
- Maintained a clean and safe work area and thoroughly cleaned at end of shift
Intermediate Cook
Heavenly Ski Resort
South Lake Tahoe, CA
10.2013 - 06.2014
- Opened the kitchen in the morning including line set up and prepping ingredients for breakfast and lunch
- Interacted with customers, taking orders and accommodating guests' needs in a timely manner while also creating a welcoming environment
- Closed the kitchen by thoroughly cleaning the line, prep room equipment, floors, refrigerators, restocking and writing a task list for the next shift
Second Cook
Glacier Park Inc.
Glacier Park, MT
04.2012 - 09.2013
- Prepared ingredients and set up of pizza, salad, grill, and sauté stations
- Created specials with emphasis on timeliness, quality, presentation, and desirable and appropriate portions
- Accommodated guests' special requests and dietary restrictions
Education
Bachelors - Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management program
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonee Falls, WI08.2023
Certificate - Event Management
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonee Falls, WI08.2023
Associate of Applied Science degree - Hospitality Management
Waukesha County Technical College
Pewaukee, WI01.2021
Skills
- Catering/Event Management
- Food and Beverage Operations
- Detail-Oriented
- Customer-Focused Sales
- Proficient in Microsoft Office & Event Management Software
- Budgeting
- Team leadership
Certification
ServSafe - Food Protection Manager, 03/01/20, 03/31/25
Timeline
Catering Sales Director
Black Shoe Hospitality
02.2024 - 08.2024
Lead Planner
The Simply Elegant Group
09.2023 - Current
Executive Meeting Manager
Milwaukee Marriott West
02.2023 - 02.2024
Banquet Manager
F Street Hospitality
06.2022 - 09.2022
Catering Associate
McAlister's Deli
09.2021 - 05.2022
Beertender/Server
Goldfinger Brewing
08.2021 - 06.2022
Event Internship
F Street Hospitality
04.2021 - 07.2021
Line/Prep Cook
Zephyr Cove Resort
01.2014 - 12.2015
Intermediate Cook
Heavenly Ski Resort
10.2013 - 06.2014
Second Cook
Glacier Park Inc.
04.2012 - 09.2013
ServSafe - Food Protection Manager, 03/01/20, 03/31/25
Bachelors - Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management program
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Certificate - Event Management
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Associate of Applied Science degree - Hospitality Management
Waukesha County Technical College