Phyllis Washington Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Greater Chicago Area

• Effectively sold catering events and guestrooms, including but not limited to (weddings, social events, corporate meetings, associations and city-wide affiliates) at a level to meet or exceed the budgeted requirements..
• Exceeded catering sales revenue goal – 120% in 2019.
• Maintained long-term relationships with wedding consultants, city-wide convention contacts, special event groups, civic organizations, and meeting planners to promote meetings and special events.
• Responsible for the development, planning and performance of all sales duties in all markets.
• Successfully negotiated and closed sales that maximize event space and achieve sales goals.
• Listen to client’s needs, analyze information and created custom proposals that exceed client’s expectations.

Greater Chicago Area

• I Led business development for new and existing customers. Serviced groups with both guestrooms and function space; group room blocks of up to 200 rooms and events up to 1000. Developed monthly sales strategy/SMART.
• Every quarter worked collaboratively with the Global Sales Office team on a one-week “Sales Blitz” which resulted in quadrupling the number of scheduled appointments in one week vs. an average week and generating an.
• Provided exemplary customer service that drove satisfaction and loyalty by handling all conference planning; including guestrooms, group transportation, diagrams, audiovisual equipment, agenda, function diagrams, food.
• Conducted client pre and post-event meetings to communicate information to hotel operations departments resulting in flawless events and a 60% repeat business rate.Accomplishments
• Maximized revenues through top-line sales and up-selling food and beverage achieving banquet/catering budget.
• Managed client budgets to maximize revenue and meet client needs by establishing customized rate structures enabled clients to stay within set budget parameters.

300 E. Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60611

• Catering Sales Manager – Oct 1993-Nov 1997Responded to sales inquiries from potential clients seeking event space, food & beverage and guestrooms. Initiated new sales, prospects, qualifies leads and solicits potential.
• Developed/pursued leads, generated new business and serviced accounts.
• Assisted Director of Catering in developing “hot rates/hot dates” website promoting special social and meeting incentives to short-term groups, resulting in increased revenues over need dates.
• Contracted and closed local social, corporate and association groups.
• Consistently achieved catering revenue goals by active solicitation, up selling business opportunities to maximize revenue.
• Supervised administrative assistant; functionally supervised up to 50 wait staff.

300 E. Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60611

• Event Manager – Nov 1991-Oct 1993Provided outstanding coordination and servicing of group business and catering events for up to 1000 guests from the time of assignment through meeting dates. Ensured that all.
• Provide initial written communication with client once file is received. I provided verbal follow-up/introduction and communicated to the client with regards to the management of their account and maintained contact on.
• Planned, up sold and detailed each assigned program with clients; verified and modified function space, times, audio visual equipment, menus, themes/decorations. I prepared the appropriate resume and BEO’s to ensure.
• Scheduled and coordinate pre- and post-convention meetings for all assigned groups.
• Supervised a banquet team of six housemen and setup crews.
• Worked closely with culinary, foodservice staff, audio/visual, and decorating specialists to execute a flawless event.

Completed Courses In Hospitality Management Business Studies Program, Hospitality Administration/Management

Associate'S Degree, Business Administration And Management, General