Susan Hudson Email and Phone Number

As Regional Area Director, I support a portfolio of 82 hotels with a dedicated concentration on prominent clients. I excel at driving performance through revenue generation, increased guest satisfaction, and operational excellence. Proactive engagement with owners, management companies as well as property level management teams to generate incremental top line revenue while managing overall hotel profitability. Assist in training evolutions and mentoring Area Directors and Area Manager in the Midwest region, ensuring consistent high-level performance. Collaborate with internal Choice stakeholders in multiple departments. Deliver individualized consultative services to all properties and owners.

Responsible for effectively engaging hotel owners, managers, and management companies in successful hotel operations, leading to increased profitability. Provide priority focused onsite and virtual consultations. Drive top line revenues at portfolio hotels through interactive pricing and demand management consultations. Monitor hotel revenue and yield performance indices, guest satisfaction scores/social media, brand ranking, Performance Zone compliance, QAR scores and other metrics to identify greatest opportunities. Conducted regional training for portfolio of hotels on revenue generation, sales, guest satisfaction, and brand strategies.

As a Regional Director, I was responsible for 47 hotels across 7 states, providing tailored consultations for each hotel, primarily working with owners. Visits consisted of revenue and marketing strategies, operational standards, guest relations, training, and/or quality assurance reviews, based on the needs of the hotel. Conducted pre-opening checklists including construction, design audits, and as well as creating property improvement plans.

As Director of Operations, I conducted site tours, organized FAM’s and submitted proposals to potential clients. Oversaw the day to day operations with a team of 30 people including event coordinators, facility setup and housekeeping, engineers, and event management. Ensured proper coordination between contracted vendors, including audiovisual vendors, event security, food service division, and local government entities. Reviewed and recommended departmental expenditures of budgeted funds. Developed budgets for operations and ensured goals were achieved. Maintained and managed bookings, allocated space for events up to 1200 attendees, assigned accounts to event teams, and approved all license agreements. Provided training for all team members regarding emergency procedures, OSHA required training and client relations.

Managed 12 hotels in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia. Brands consisted of Comfort Inn and Comfort Suites, Fairfield Inn, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and Super 8 motel ( opened 3 as Area Director). Directed hotel programs in revenue management, sales and marketing, guest relations, employee incentive plans, and accounting procedures. Supervised 14 General Managers and 160 hourly associates. Recruited and provided continuous training for General Managers, conducted quality assurance inspections, ensuring compliance to brand standards. Created business plans including annual budgets.

As GM I opened and managed the Homewood Suites Hotel in Hilliard, Ohio. Responsible for coordination of pre-opening sales, establishing corporate accounts, new vendors, and interviewed, hired, and trained all property level associates. Earned the franchise top inspection score. Managed multiple properties while opening Homewood, in addition to turning around distressed hotels. Prior to the Homewood, I was GM of the company’s first Courtyard by Marriott. Surpassed annual revenue goals by 106%, covered both Springfield and Peoria Courtyards for 2 quarters. Appointed to the Board of Directors for United Cerebral Palsy and active Rotary member.

Increased YTD occupancy from 82.9% to 84.7%. Provided continuous training for all hourly associates. Prepared $1.3 million operating budget for revenue and operating costs. Assisted in Fidelio computer training for Cincinnati and Dayton markets. Achieved 30% reduction in staff turnover.