Chris Wilcox Email & Phone Number

Washington, DC, US

Washington d.c. Metro Area

• Manage team of 3 people to plan, implement, and manage high-profile meetings, conferences, seminars, business events, and elite, private parties for 236-room hotel (180 total employees) and meeting center (5500 sq ft.
• Partner with decision makers and executive team on annual hotel business plan; strategize with key internal personnel to design events meeting Events Standards relating to Sales, Planning, Profitability, and Marketing.
• Collaborate with Food & Beverage executives to determine appropriate offerings and pricing.
• Lead direct sales solicitation, telephone, and written communication for catering department with intended goal of establishing pullthrough, promoting repeat business, and raising hotel visibility.
• Organize/lead site inspections trips with clients; personally develop, review, and submit client proposals; generate client contracts in strict adherence to corporate policies.
• Continuously develop and train/re-train/up-train the Catering Sales Team regarding new booking guidelines, cross-selling opportunities, effective selling strategies, space allocations, F&B spend, and contract details.

Washington d.c. Metro Area

• Direct 4 managers and 10 team members to deliver events in 2 ballrooms and 5 conference rooms. Develop plans, identify key success factors, and set priorities; promote highest customer service levels to maintain.
• Collaborate with Hotel Sales group regarding site inspections, walkthroughs, and detailing surrounding needs of rooms-only and corporate groups.
• Meet with clients directly and advise them regarding group arrangements including on and off property dining, rooms & suites, special guest needs, VIP needs, security, and group movement transportation requests.
• Personally organize and prepare documents for review by group organizer; distribute pertinent information outlining group needs to all hotel departments; act as Point of Contact (POC) when on the property.
• Maintain ongoing employee development programs; assess and improve to meet new market dynamics.► KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS- NEW FACILITY OPENING: Orchestrated opening efforts for largest east coast property, Hotel Palomar.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Supported / led innovative efforts to market conference services at new hotel; hired and trained employees to develop highly successful customer-focused team. Spearheaded planning activities from concept to execution.
• Developed policies and procedures for new catering/conference services department; scheduled and facilitated interdepartmental meetings for the operational aspects of conference coordination.
• Personally organized and prepared documents for review by group organizer; distributed pertinent information outlining group needs to all hotel departments; acted as Point of Contact (POC).
• Oversaw vendors and directed event logistics including preparation of detailed conference profiles, specific client & VIP profiles, menus, meeting setups, reservations pick-up statistics, and other relevant information.
• Managed lodging in coordination with group meeting planner; maintained conference rooming lists, monitored cut-off dates, and finalized rooming lists.► KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS- NEW FACILITY OPENING: Orchestrated efforts of.