Meeting and Events Manager - Lodgeworks

Here, your front door opens to one of America's most enchanting streets — a picturesque blend of past and present, where every storied block of Old Town Alexandria beckons with 200+ eateries, shops and history. It's also where you'll find the newest addition to the Archer Hotel collection (formerly Lorien Hotel & Spa) — a boutique hotel with a charming brick courtyard, a delightful spa, AKB and hosts who truly love to host.

Meetings and Events Manager | JOB DESCRIPTION

LodgeWorks is actively hiring for a Meetings and Events Manager

Who we are

LodgeWorks is a privately held hotel development and management company. While our name isn't on the hotels themselves, our extraordinary culture is at the heart of our 18 hotels — including our award-winning Archer Hotel boutique collection and our portfolio of other great brands with familiar names, such as Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Aloft, Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn.

We're thrilled to be considered industry innovators with a rich 35+ year history. Yet, what we are most proud of is the strong family culture we have developed and maintained while growing to 950+ employees nationwide. At LodgeWorks, hospitality is more than just the industry in which we work; it defines everything we do. Maybe it's because we're grounded in Midwestern hospitality (our home office is in Wichita, Kansas, while our hotels are scattered across the U.S.). Or maybe it's because we actively work to make hospitality (with each other, our guests, our clients and partners) the foundation upon which everything is built.

Job overview

The Meetings and Events Manager is responsible for coordinating all event space and function needs, as well as sales activities as they relate to corporate, weekend and leisure markets. This position is responsible for sales support whenever necessary and for maintaining professional relationships with client contacts, as well as customer service, correspondence and communication. Knowledge and implementation of excellent service philosophy and programs are required in dealings with clients, guests and co-workers.

Your day-to-day

• Become accountable for developing, monitoring and achieving the revenue budget.
• Provide clear direction and feedback on a regular basis to all Sales staff and Food and Beverage employees.
• Participate in weekly scheduled sales meetings.
• Hold weekly BEO meetings.
• Participate in all food and beverage meetings.
• Make sales appointments and cold calls to consistently prospect accounts for all direct sales segments.
• Determine availability and space requirements; qualify the needs and close the sale with contract.
• Respond to all event space and hotel inquiries in a 24-hour time frame.
• Develop a good understanding of operations of the hotel, including food and beverage, front desk, reservations, revenue management, housekeeping, maintenance and guest services.
• Conduct site tours for potential clients and guests.
• Effectively recommend the appropriate event space, menu needs, audiovisual needs and other food and beverage options depending on needs evaluation.
• Work closely with client to create Banquet Event Orders.
• Work closely with the client or guest contact to ensure that needs are being met for event space.
• Maintain a good working relationship with the existing and potential client base; explore ways to increase revenue from this base.
• Actively work in-house guests for sales leads and referrals.
• Assist in implementing special promotions relating to direct sales segments (e.g., event space special promotions, parties).
• Develop a trace system to regularly contact and maintain relationships with primary clients.
• Produce meeting invoices in a timely manner.
• Regularly follow up with clients during and after departure to ensure satisfaction and secure future bookings.
• Work a schedule of at least 40 hours per week, which may occasionally include weekends.
• Assist in any other task or duties as requested by management.

Who you are

• A team player with a heart for hospitality.
• Entrepreneurial at heart and innovative in mind.
• A long-term thinker.
• Customer-focused, with guests, clients and employees at the forefront of your thinking.
• Nimble and able to adapt to change quickly.
• Committed to sharing and togetherness and value the family mindset of our organization.
• Aware that a good reputation is a huge asset to a hotel and committed to being a representative of that great reputation.
• An excellent communicator.
• Naturally curious and value listening to solve problems.
• Comfortable following directions, guidelines and work objectives.
• Capable of exerting up to 60 pounds of force occasionally.
• Capable of standing for an entire shift or for an extended amount of time.
• Capable of reaching overhead, utilizing both hands, leaning over, stooping and kneeling.
• A plus: Practiced, with six months' related experience in hospitality or a service industry.
• A must: Eager to be part of a great work culture and team.

Benefits

We are proud to offer competitive wages and the following benefits for full-time employees:

• PTO
• Hotel and restaurant discounts available at select LodgeWorks properties
• Health, vision and dental benefits
• 401(k) plans with matching contributions
• Paid holidays
• Short-term and long-term disability (company sponsored)
• Referral bonuses
• Flexible spending accounts

LodgeWorks is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status.

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