Chris Hardy

About Chris Hardy

Hospitality executive with a track record of driving profitability, market share growth, and enhancing asset value across diverse hotel portfolios through integrated sales, marketing, and revenue management strategies.Known for building trust and fostering collaboration, I thrive leading cross-functional teams to create high-performance cultures where people feel empowered to do their best work and inspired to achieve more. I am deeply committed to professional development and cultivating environments that encourage innovation, adaptability, and collaboration as guest expectations and technologies continue to evolve.Beyond my day-to-day leadership responsibilities, I am proud to chair the HSMAI Sales Advisory Board, where I contribute to advancing and evolving the sales discipline within the hospitality industry. I am passionate about giving back through thought leadership, speaking engagements, and meaningful connections with students and industry peers—sharing insights, learning from others, and helping shape the future of hospitality.

Experience

1. Vice President of Commercial Strategy

   Parks Hospitality Group

   Jan 2020 — Present · Raleigh, NC, US

   I lead a high-performing commercial team overseeing sales, revenue management, and digital marketing for a diverse portfolio of full-service, select-service, and extended-stay hotels, including strategy for hotels under development.My focus is on unlocking growth through team member development, expanding market share, optimizing profitability, and creating long-term asset value through collaboration, innovation, and people-focused leadership.

Education

• Keuka College

  Bachelor's Degree, Hospitality Administration/Management

  1994 — 1998

• Cornell University

  Certificate in Strategic Hospitality Leadership

Skills

• Hospitality Management
• Resorts
• Front Office
• Budgeting
• Management
• Event Planning
• Yield Management
• Hospitality Industry
• Hotel Booking
• Pre-Opening
• Lodging
• Customer Satisfaction
• Forecasting
• Corporate Events
• Onq
• Food & Beverage
• Customer Service
• Property Management Systems
• Opening Hotels
• Hotel Management
• Sales
• Catering
• Account Management
• Revenue Analysis
• Contract Negotiation
• Sales Management
• Tourism
• Trade Shows
• Hotels
• Rooms Division
• Convention Services
• Hospitality
• Marketing
• Budgets
• Event Management
• Meeting Planning