Maria Romano Email & Phone Number

Utrecht, Nl

Specialized, luxury consultancy offering niche services for on-property and global hospitality networks. Mobile and seasoned professional with extensive networks in Palm Beach FL, Los Angeles CA & New York NY. Managing Director, Director of Sales and Marketing, Revenue Management, Sales Strategist and Training Specialist. New York, Los Angeles and Palm Beach Exclusively contracted to increase awareness, cultivate relationships and stimulate sales in the high end entertainment and luxury travel space for luxury property in West Hollywood, CA. Provide strategic direction for property sales effort.• Interpret third party and PMS data to precisely identify new potential partners within the comp set and increase share amongst existing clients. • Conduct intensive sales outreach within the New York Tristate and Southern California markets to support targeted GDS marketing and comp set revenue opportunities.• Conduct site inspection and entertainment events with key decision makers in the local market.• Network with extensive client data base across all markets with potential business in the Los Angeles market. • Collaborate with DOSM to prepare and execute sales/presentation training and integrating new Travel Industry Sales Manager. • Create detailed, qualified templates and data worksheets for future sales travel and outreach.• Identify and vet marketing opportunities with Luxury Travel partners to support sales and revenue strategies.

Miami, Florida, Us

6 Luxury Properties; 2 Brands: Baccarat & 1 HotelsGLOBAL DIRECTOR OF SALES, ENTERTAINMENT & AGENCYRecruited to new leadership position to serve as central point of contact with key entertainment and high end luxury travel agency accounts. Provide strategic direction for property sales teams to maximize each hotel’s revenue. • Established strategic development plans to turn untapped revenue potential into lucrative results; managed client relationships to optimize rates ensuring both repeat business and strong margins. • Gained access to new market segment; won entry to 8 new corporate travel programs – 5 of them global – and negotiated advantageous corporate rate agreements. • Brought awareness of the young eco-focused brand to the high-end travel industry by launching a presence for the first time at key trade shows.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa, Us

Upscale extended-stay hotelGENERAL MANAGERBroke revenue records and innovated cost-effective ways to delight VIP and celebrity guests and keep the property vibrant. Headed all operations including sales, front office, engineering, HR, and housekeeping.• Generated $13.5M in annual revenue and controlled all expenses to meet NOI goals. • Hired, trained, and managed the performance of 45 employees in a union environment; sought out talent exhibiting drive, customer focus, and problem-solving skills, and nurtured a culture of collaboration. • Infused revenue strategies with fresh ideas, resulting in incremental growth and new revenue heights.• Shaped a new sales operating model; merged Sales teams into a centralized and energized force.• Led implementation of Delphi Sales System to strengthen account management. • Launched sales incentive program for Sales and Front Office teams.• Negotiated corporate rate agreements for 35 corporate accounts. • Leveraged high standards and an eye for details to help owners and investors prioritize modernization strategies and execute capital improvement projects to sustain the value of a $68M decades-old property.

New York, New York, Us

5-star boutique hotel with 273 guest roomsDIRECTOR OF SALESLed the sales department with a team of 5 sales managers and 2 assistants. Planned sales promotions, set sales goals, and trained staff to manage the sales process. Created monthly sales prospecting schedule. • Developed a new sales reporting platform to analyze KPIs and gain new visibility into sales drivers. • Cultivated a new lead source through relationships at STARS and Virtuoso leisure segments.

Toronto, Ontario, Ca

AAA Five Diamond / Mobil Five Star PropertySENIOR SALES MANAGER, 2013–2016 SALES MANAGER, 2012–2013 CORPORATE TRAVEL INDUSTRY & ENTERTAINMENT SALES MANAGER, 2005–2012CORPORATE SALES MANAGER, 2002–2005Repeatedly won new business through expertise in promoting the hotel and through a hands-on approach to ensure all guest stays and events met expectations. Collaborated with global sales offices and mentored team. • Began Four Seasons career with corporate sales in Western US region; consistent revenue success from prospecting new customers led to expanded global responsibilities and key accounts. • Grew partnerships as the main contact for leisure and corporate travel agencies, gaining preferred status and year-over-year market share increases. Conducted familiarization trips and regular outreach visits. • Cultivated a network of global entertainment and sports event bookers, winning contracts for stays of top-tier performers and gaining new exposure for the hotel through association with high-visibility events.• Brought in new business following travel and tourism downturn in 2008; boosted 25% occupancy rate by initiating a junket program; won buy-in from leadership, trained staff, launched promotions, and before year-end booked 3 events that achieved significant new revenue. • Won sales awards in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, and 2013 as a top revenue producer.

New York City, Ny, Us

AAA Five Diamond Property / Leading Hotel of the WorldCORPORATE SALES MANAGERDeveloped and closed business through lead follow-up and direct sales calls promoting the hotel and services.• Achieved sales production goals in room revenue by negotiating advantageous corporate rate agreements for 200+ corporate accounts.

• Responsible for daily operation of the PBX call center for a 287 unit luxury property. • Develop training and team building activities to familiarize and energize St. Regis standards with staff of 6 Operators. - Monitor and evaluate performance of associates to ensure compliance with hotel standards. - Synchronize hotel telecom activity between the sales and catering departments and in-house telephone technician. - Oversee all aspects of daily office operation including processing payroll, scheduling and ordering supplies. - Full range of operational experience in front office and front of house areas, including guest reception and concierge desk.

Toronto, Ontario, Ca

• Responsible for the shift operation of an extremely high profile reception desk with emphasis on excellent guest service, compliance with brand and industry standards, and attention to detail.• Perform all daily manager on duty functions and employee evaluations. • Communicate and update all VIP, special attention and return guest needs to surrounding departments to ensure superior service and fulfillment of guest care and requirements. • Develop and implement training schedule and program for all new hires.

New York City, Ny, Us

Reservations Manager August 1997 - August 1998Executive Service Manager July 1996 - August 1997Executive Service Coordinator January 1995 - July 1996Group Reservations Coordinator August 1994 - January 1995Reservations Sales Agent October 1993 - January 1995• Develop strategies and long term goals for the Reservations and Executive Service Departments with emphasis on service standards and maximizing revenue opportunities. • Revenue Committee Member assisting in pricing structure, achieving budgeted room nights, revenue and REVPAR. • Managed staff of 25 including 1 Executive Service Manager, 5 Group Coordinators and 3 Assistant Managers. • Responsible for daily operations of a 24 hour global organization with emphasis on sales training and staff development. • Handle all aspects of inventory management and control abandoned call percentage.

B.A., Hospitality Management

Regents, Regents Diploma - High School

Education record