To say 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us in the hospitality/meetings industry is an understatement. My biggest question has been, “What am I going to do with all this time on my hands while waiting for the industry to rebound?”. Here’s what I am doing to fight off boredom, anxiety, overeating and binge-watching streaming services… I’m taking my passion of baking and turning it into a new "Pandemic" business adventure. Welcome to Curt’s Potato Chip Cookies! Visit us at curtscookies.com

Independent Meeting Planner and Travel Director. Provided meeting planning services and onsite operations for Fortune 500 Companies, several meeting management companies and incentive houses. Managed C Level executives with a Fortune 500 Corporation: coordinated daily meeting schedules, special request needs, ground & air transportation, room reservations, planning and overseeing private meal events as well as assisting with family member’s needs.

Responsible for the larger, more complex meetings and resort buyouts. Programs ranged from 250 – 800 guests. Responsible for coordinating details with Meeting Planners and communicating instruction to each department within the resort. Created and implemented departmental SOPs. Trained/mentored entry level conference services managers. Developed internal team building events and team recognition programs. Worked with other departments to streamline and improve guest’s experience. Worked with the culinary team to develop creative menus focusing on sustainable, local products with creative tastes and presentations. Generated increased communication and appreciation between department by developing creative resort-wide “Pay It Forward” and “Senior Moment” appreciation programs Achieved over 90% successful Meeting Planning Satisfaction Scores

Successfully executed 10+ events/month as the sole conference services manager. Conducted site visits, presenting hotel facilities, décor options, menu recommendations, and themed event ideas, always working to maximize client experience and spend Coached sales team on meeting space capabilities, appropriate room set-ups, theme event ideas, and how to promote the resort, increasing sales.  Designed and executed a “Big Splash Event” for a national meeting planner’s association, highlighting resort capabilities, resulting in 10% increase in new leads and securing a major insurance company for a 300-person event

Account Manager and Senior Meeting Planner for the firm’s largest client. Managed this Fortune 500 company’s Senior Leadership Meetings, Top 200 Managers, Incentive Trips, Team Building and Divisional Meetings. Programs ranged from 25 to 550 attendees. Designed & managed conference website, online registration, and reporting. Managed programs consisting of 10,000+ room nights with budgets exceeding $5 million.

Independent Meeting Planner with clients consisting of high tech, insurance, medical, telecommunications, automotive as well as contracting with larger meeting planning companies. Specialized in C-Level programs. Programs ranged from 25 to 900 attendees and consisted of CEO Meetings, Board Directors Meetings, Regional Conferences, Annual Meetings, Trade Shows, Incentive Programs, and International Meetings.

Successful sales manager consistently achieving 125-150% of sales goals.

Citywide Convention Sales Manager for groups at convention center.