Molly Smestad

Experience

1. Catering Sales Manager at Hotel Van Zandt

   Sage Hospitality Group

   Feb 2025 — Present · Austin, TX, US

   Manage catering events for 1–150 attendees, overseeing the full lifecycle from inquiry to execution- Negotiate F&B minimums, rental fees, and contracts to maximize profitability across corporate meetings, holiday parties, receptions, and buyouts- Contracted $214,993 in catering, room rental, and guestroom revenue within the first seven months at Hotel Van Zandt- Successfully contracted and executed 30+ group events, ranging from executive meetings to large-scale corporate receptions- Secured and executed events for high-profile groups including Mainsail Partners, Liberty Fund, MLS CMO, Syft, TSSA Board of Directors, and AB Private Credit Investors- Built strong client relationships that generated incremental revenue during live events, boosting overall program profitability- Partnered with culinary, AV/Encore, banquets, and front desk to ensure seamless event delivery- Prepared detailed BEOs and Resumes, ensuring flawless communication and handoff to operations- Created a custom revenue-tracking spreadsheet system to monitor contracts, deposits, and pace in real time- Prospected and secured new accounts to drive catering revenue growth and expand Hotel Van Zandt’s client base.

Education

• Georgia State University

  Bachelor's degree

  2012 — 2015