Christa Watson Email & Phone Number

Tampa, Florida, United States

Tampa/Wesley Chapel

*Exceeded sales goals and improved profitability by aligning sales strategies and business plans with market trends. *Managed Top Producing Sales Team of 46 units.*New Center Opening required acquiring top sales talent; training, development, creating and coaching a diverse team. *Maintained professional network of potential clients and business opportunities. Served as face of the organization within the community, including all media.*Conduct site visits across all markets; SMERF, Corporate(All group sizes to include full facility buyouts), weddings and all other family events.*Worked in partnership with area Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Corp., Sports and Tourism groups, as well as local hotels/convention services to generate revenue.*Created RFPs and finalized contracts to complete deals between company, vendors and customers.*Boosted revenue and facilitated sales activity while developing consistent employee measurements for exceeding goals for sales and event/banquet ops team.*Researched and capitalized on emerging opportunities to build business and expand customer base in a new, single unit market.*Generated sales by executing complete sales cycle process tracking profitability through contract negotiations and close.*Partnered with marketing team to align sales strategy with brand messaging across communication channels.*Oversaw management and implementation of new revenue strategies, sales initiatives and customer engagement tactics to increase market share *Generated reports/unit sales forecast for business development planning; roll up to Senior Management.*Generated nearly $1M in Event revenue FY21(July 20-June 21)*Achieved 149% of target for FY21(during COVID year)*Implemented CRM strategy to automate leads management.

Tampa, Florida

*Director responsible for Hotel and Catering operations including contract/booking of events, room blocks, calculate rack/group/ early booking rates according to market, hiring/development/supervision of sales staff, creation/costing/pricing all banquet menus/wedding menus/packages, as well as all departmental administration.*Forecast sales/budgets developing strategies and departmental business plans for the Hotel and Private Events departments to achieve sales plan goals. including implementation of marketing plan, all menus and collateral, as well as seasonal event/tournament packages. Responsible for SMERF, Corporate, Golf, Wedding, and all other social events.*Communicating timely and accurate reporting of all revenue, expenses, and receivables to other department heads and General Manager as well as accounting.*Procuring new business, recalling past business, assessing ongoing needs of prospects in all market segments.*Guiding clients through menu planning, coordinating F/B, set up, diagrams, décor, and detailing BEOs for all services as requested by the client.*Coordinating with F/B Director, Executive Chef and Banquet Manager to ensure seamless execution of catered events.*Served as Field Associate for the region mentoring and supporting 16 other Private Event Directors and Coordinators. Assisting Regional PE Director; facilitating training and development, marketing tools, trends, planning and executing all trade show booking and set up to ensure brand consistency. Led CRM rollout to East and South regions.*Created room blocks for event clientele, detailing rooming lists, ensuring an elevated guest experience.*Maintained current knowledge of pricing, products and services to leverage competitive edge and retain market share.

Tampa/Atlanta/Asheville

*Managed sales staff of 14 Sales Associates/Key Account Managers located throughout the country for a leader in the durable medical equipment field.*Acquired talent; trained and developed sales staff.*Successfully created the company training manual, strategically implemented sales processes and systems within the company that have quadrupled patient pre-authorizations, and in turn,nearly doubled Dean Health Solutions' 2017 profits over prior year.*Coaching sales staff in sales processes and procedures, on boarding new doctors/practices, facilitation of internal flow from account rep to authorization/billing company and back to doctors/practices for quality control.*Driving revenue through procuring large accounts for transition to Key Account Managers to service that are a new revenue stream for the company.*Plan and attend trade shows, conventions, professional organizations' events representing Dean Health Solutions as to procure new business.*Manage daily, weekly, and monthly reports to and from sales staff for support, to and from management, and to and from billing.*Conduct weekly sales meetings,training, and one on ones with sales staff and key account managers.

*Department head responsible for Business Development/Sales for an exclusive, member's only Private Business/Social Club as well as driving private party sales.*Consultative Sales of Memberships and Event Facilities to executive level and VIP clientele with a focus on relationship management, member retention, board development, marketing and branding of Club.*Conduct frequent public speaking engagements, plan and facilitate networking events, and prospecting through community engagement, lead generation tools/CRM, professional membership organizations within the public and private sector in Tampa's downtown market.*Increased membership sales by 20% within first 18 months on the job by implementing and executing a marketing campaign*Increased membership by 11% the following 24 months through consistency, building and farming a strong pipeline as well as creating a referral program*Increased sales yet another 9% in 2015 as well as realizing the lowest member attrition rates in club history.

Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

My role with Sparks Charities is to develop, plan, and execute successful fundraising events for Jordin Sparks, 2008 American Music Award winner, 2009 Peoples Choice Award winner, and 2009 Grammy Nominee and her charity! I have the pleasure of assisting Ms. Sparks' philanthropic efforts.visit www.sparkscharities.org and get on board as a Sponsor!! Together we can change the world!

Tallahassee, Florida, United States

*Responsible for Business Development for the Tampa Bay Market, encompassing seven counties*Direct procurement and consultative sales of Government secured SBA 504 and 7(a) loan products for the purchase/expansion of Commercial Property and Business Enterprise to small business owners*Conduct frequent public speaking to various audiences; primarily within the Economic Development Community including trade shows, Business seminars, and networking events*Developed growth plans by identifying key clients, key targets and priority service lines.*Cultivated and maintained industry relationships and customer partnerships to capitalize on opportunities and maximize business success.*Liaised with high-value accounts, fostering personal relationship and top-of-mind awareness to capture emerging business opportunities early

Tampa, Florida, United States

*Responsible for management of the Corporate and Investor Relations Program within the Economic Development arm of The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce*Duties include direct procurement (sales of Economic Development related Corporate sponsorship) and nurturing of key relationships with more than two-hundred companies; specifically the executive level representatives that support economic development in the Tampa/Hillsborough County area*Responsible for the strategic direction and development of promotional/ marketing campaign, branding, and public relations efforts; including all communications to current and potential investors;*Surpassed annual fundraising goals through corporate sponsorship, events, and membership drives.*Planned, managed and prepared public relations department budget.*Owned marketing campaigns from initial scope through execution and refinement.*Oversaw strategic event planning, executive presentation materials and visual presentations.*Collaborated cross-functionally to develop story angles, thought leadership and programs to achieve maximum media exposure.