Linda Guy Email & Phone Number

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

• Develop new department, in charge with redefining the department’s roles, work processes, operating practices, and management structure. • Provide leadership for a staff consisting of 11 event and conference services managers.• Assignment of roles and responsibilities to Events and Conference Services team, management of interns, setting performance goals for the department and team.• Responsible to create and manage an efficient and effective Special Events organization in support of the needs of the various divisions – Sales, Tourism, Partnerships and Marketing, and the San Francisco Travel Foundation.• Planning, budgeting and project reviews with key internal clients (Sales, Tourism, Partnerships, Marketing, Foundation leadership).• Creation of a project management process and standardized invitation procedures. Salesforce profiles for each event with concepts, budgets, participants and other pertinent customer and project management information.• Finding financial efficiencies through contract and supplier consolidation and leverage.• Trade show booth development and branding. development and delivery of collateral materials and video content, contracting and build out/break down of space on show floor to brand standards, operation of booth during the show. operation and management of events or receptions within the booth during the show.• Responsible in organizing and sourcing client gifts for the entire organization ensuring brand fit, uniqueness and creating a range of gifts for the various departmental needs. • Work in concert with the San Francisco Travel Marketing Communications staff on brand alignment, creative development and production management.• Work extensively with a variety of vendors to complete production needs while maintaining budgets and ensuring appropriate service delivery and that all requirements are met according to budget and vision.

San Francisco Bay Area

• Direct comprehensive sales and event production effort while maintaining responsibility for a $54M budget, managed to a level of accuracy within 3% of actual revenue to forecast, and conference and event revenue generation.• Provide leadership for a staff consisting of 24 event and catering managers and ancillary departments.• Lead complex negotiations with both new and existing clients, obtaining agreements that protect the company from increased risk due to turbulent economic conditions.• Work extensively with a variety of vendors to complete production needs while maintaining budgets and ensuring appropriate service delivery and that all requirements are met according to budget and vision.• Maintain open lines of communication with the executive committee and hotel ownership in terms of budget management and issues and weekly forecasting.• Continually develop and maintain strong, profitable business relationships with additional service professionals for the client’s benefit including DMC groups, transportation, entertainment and safety and security providers. • Play a key role as a valued advisor for sales associated, analyzing and recommending cost effective, value-add services and business opportunities to present to key accounts and future business partners. • Spearheaded the successful development and implementation of corporate directives including event management software, the Hilton programs and several sustainable event options• Coordinate the successful execution of major domestic special events including Presidential nominee fundraising galas and high-profile state proposition events with upward of 4,000 attendees. • Work to identify opportunities to decrease operational inter-departmental deficiencies and to execute change to improve processes and procedures.

San Francisco, Ca

• Direct comprehensive sales and event production effort while maintaining responsibility for a $28M budget, managed to a level of accuracy within 3% of actual revenue to forecast, and conference and event revenue generation.• Provide leadership for a staff consisting of 17 account managers and associates and ancillary departments including Culinary, Local 2 Union Banquet Services, Stewarding and Audio/Visio. • Lead complex negotiations with both new and existing clients, obtaining agreements that protect the company from increased risk due to turbulent economic conditions.• Maintain open lines of communication with the executive committee and hotel ownership in terms of budget management and issues and weekly forecasting. • Spearheaded the successful development and implementation of corporate directives including event management software, the Starwood Green Initiative program and several sustainable event options. • Complete due diligence to select key vendors and partners, negotiating rates to ensure the maximum return on investment (ROI) possible. • Continually develop and maintain strong, profitable business relationships with additional service professionals for the client’s benefit including DMC groups, transportation, entertainment and safety and security providers. • Play a key role as a valued advisor for sales associated, analyzing and recommending cost effective, value-add services and business opportunities to present to key accounts and future business partners. • Coordinate the successful execution of major domestic special events including Presidential nominee fundraising galas and high-profile state proposition events with upward of 4,000 attendees. • Work to identify opportunities to decrease operational inter-departmental deficiencies and to execute change to improve processes and procedures.

San Francisco Bay Area

• Led a team comprised of 6 catering sales managers, 4 meeting and events managers and 3 administrative assistants, providing guidance to drive achievement of target sales goals and objectives. • Maintained responsibility for $17M in both corporate and affiliate revenues for 4 downtown properties including the St. Regis San Francisco, W San Francisco, The Palace Hotel and The Westin St. Francis hotels.• Directed the successful execution of 3,400 annual events ranging in size from 10 to over 2,500 guests. • Provided guidance on best practices regarding prospecting, facilitating and closing catering business opportunities and event management for definite group business. • Maintain open lines of communication with internal and external stakeholders providing direction, support, feedback and recognition of performance and with the team on hotel, regional and corporate initiatives. • Spearhead all performance management efforts, supporting and coaching team members to drive increases in the levels of performance, job satisfaction and personal growth. • Work in collaboration with hotels to ensure that the team worked in compliance with strict brand standards.• Continually analyzed and evaluated sales production and MPSI numbers, implementing action plans in a timely manner to drive improvement to both as needed. • Built and maintained cohesive, strong relationships with hotel team and operational departments to further the agenda of the organization. • Partnered with sales managers and chef(s) to create unique catering presentations and experience for clients.• Delivered sales results of 111% of the target sales goals during 2013.• Acknowledged as a Starwood Hotels & Resorts Sales Incentive Qualifier 3 Years consecutively.

San Francisco Bay Area

• Maintained comprehensive responsibility for a $6M annual catering revenue budget and operational cost effectiveness while working with the General Manager and Director of Sales & Marketing for overall direction while on property.• Led a team comprised of 4 catering sales/service managers and 2 administrative assistants, providing coaching in terms of creative menu planning and communication that maximized the sales/revenue results.• Partnered with clients and vendors regarding the custom design of events including décor, food and beverage and entertainment.• Delivered detailed team training on contract negotiations, upselling techniques and communication best practices to increase overall performance and maintain levels of satisfaction. • Worked in collaboration with team and operational departments to drive increases in Meeting Planner Satisfaction Index (MPSI).• Developed and implemented a creative branded approach used during site inspections. • Directed a number of tasks including owner relations, performance management, territory redeployment, staff training and development and budgeting and forecasting.

San Francisco Bay Area

• Led organizational efforts to drive increases in catering food and beverage in addition to financial responsibilities including forecasting revenue. • Prepared banquet event orders, communicating specific needs to the appropriate hotel teams to develop customized solutions. • Worked in collaboration with the Sales department to establish new accounts, generate upsell and incremental revenues, monitor booking pace and maintain a high Meeting Planner Satisfaction Index (MPSI). • Placed outside calls both locally and within feeder markets to solicit new business for a 56,000-sq. ft. venue space. • Continually reviewed contracts and facilitated communication before, during and post-event.• Coordinated onsite events through Banquet Event Orders, group resumes and pre-convention meeting and review sales contacts, monitoring room block enforce program deadline dates. • Facilitated communication with hotel staff before, during and after post event to ensure outstanding issues are resolved and to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction. • Identified client requirements in terms of space and equipment, upselling service when appropriate, helping with menu planning and determining billing arrangements.• Maintained up-to-date knowledge of market trends and comp set through community and social events and continual review of industry reports. • Recognized as a 2006 “Catering Top Producer” with over 750 rooms.