In 2021, Jim O'Donnell founded Second to Won, a consultancy with the mission of bringing his experience, network, and insights to help clients better understand their business and drive deliberate decisions that will enable them to win more deals.

Part-time, adjunct professor in the Louisiana State University Shreveport School of Business teaching courses in hospitality and management in the Online M.B.A. program.

North America sales leader for Strategic Meetings & Events Solutions at American Express Meetings & Events.

As Vice President of Sales, I led the strategy and sales teams focused on business development, strategic accounts, and partnerships for a firm with (pandemic-adjusted) topline targets of $100M+. My team collaborated closely with enterprise and high growth firms and strategic channel partners to provide solutions that enables clients to engage, collaborate, and move their organizational objectives forward via our platform of products including flexible, full-service workplace solutions as well as world-class in-person, digital, and hybrid meeting and events products.

As Vice President of National Sales at ConferenceDirect, I consulted with clients to provide customized, full service strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, housing management, registration, and conference management solutions. Produced $1.8M+ in net new revenue in 12 months.

- Effectively managed strategic accounts in the Eastern US region for a portfolio of 90+ properties,- Collaborated with customers, internal and external, to identify quality solutions to specific needs,- Developed markets and promoted the Two Roads collection of brands and hotels,- Served as product expert in life sciences with specialty in pharma and medical meetings,- Lead coordination and participation in major industry trade shows and events, - Managed the Global Sales Office, including operating budget and event/travel schedules,- Served as advisor to the Two Roads Hospitality PharMCare Affinity Group,- Analyzed and synthesized primary and secondary sources of market data, and- Promoted the revenue strategies of Two Roads Hospitality and our hotels

- Managed a high-volume sales territory for eight Las Vegas and four Atlantic City hotels- Used Delphi to manage accounts and 12 hotels, 25,000 rooms and over 1MM sq ft of space- Employed a consultative approach to providing solutions for clients' meeting and event needs - Maximized the acquisition and growth of corporate and association convention accounts- Engineered an Excel profitability evaluation tool for my team which was adopted company-wide

- Actively prospected and solicited new corporate accounts for group and convention business- Generated corporate and association account production in specific vertical segments- Employed a consultative approach to providing solutions for clients' meeting and event needs- Assisted in the preparation of the annual hotel budget and the marketing plan

- Supervised sales and support team to include Business Travel Sales Manager and Coordinators - Award Winner for “Highest Revenue Over Goal” amongst all Omni Hotels properties- Managed rooms segments producing 80,000 rooms and $32 million in revenue in 400 room hotel- STR and Hotelligence expertise; assisted in the preparation of the budget and the marketing plan

- Provided total account management for a portfolio of transient & group accounts- Planned and implemented rate strategies, marketing plans, and forecast reports- Managed corporate, rack, wholesale/travel agency and online travel agency distribution channels- Continuously prospected for potential corporate transient, group and meeting business- Booked corporate catering and banquet events and provided conference services

- Managed all functional areas of the hotel, including Front Desk and F&B during peak periods- Served on the Hotel’s Steering Committee as a Direct Report to the Hotel General Manager- Oversaw hotel front office operations including cashiering and reservations- Promoted to Corporate Sales position in May 2005