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 meeting space) with $2.4M annual catering revenue; assist in preparing/updating departmental budget.• 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.• Monitor and define customer service; ensure staff, décor, and food provide event guests with personalized experience; recruit, select, and develop members of Catering and Convention Services team.► KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS- PROFIT TURNAROUND / BANQUET REVENUES: Led dramatic profit turnaround for Catering and Conference services; Eclipsed previous years’ revenue by realizing 6% growth in 2013-2014 delivering record-breaking year for Banquet Revenue (Food, Beverage, and Meeting room rental).- HIGH SATISFACTION SCORES: Achieved high 80’s OSI score in 2013.

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 positive relationships, promote sales, and garner referrals.• 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, that resulted in 1st month conference occupancy of greater than 90%.- INTERNATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: Established reputation for sensitivity in meeting special cultural needs of international groups, such as foreign entertainment entourages, government missions, and embassy guests.- OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS: Instrumental in implementing online, companywide shared drive for forms and reporting purposes.- PROMOTIONS: Promoted 2 levels in 5 years.

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 for events with up to $100K budgets; directed event costing and ensured top quality while consistently coming in under budget. • 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 nearly flawless opening of Mandarin Oriental DC that resulted in more than 70% occupancy in 1st month.- VIP SERVICES: Planned/executed VIP events, including Kennedy Center Honors Brunch, high profile hotel sponsored events with non-profit partners (Special Olympics, SMYLE), Senior VP Meetings, and VIP Meetings/Events for hotel ownership.