Robert Smit

About Robert Smit

A strategic, passionate and innovative hospitality industry leader, Robert Smit has held senior leadership positions with Marriott, Hilton and Intercontinental Hotels Group. He is experienced in multi-brand, multi-unit operations and finding creative solutions to real world problems. Robert is responsible for guidance, supervision and growth of property operations, revenue management, event management including convention centers, theaters, arenas, sales and marketing, creative food, and beverage concepts of a portfolio of hotels, restaurants, bars, and golf courses while driving quality, improving guest experience, associate satisfaction, total revenue and profitability.Robert has worked with several global hospitality management companies and complex ownership groups to improve operations and has supervised portfolio of hotels including upscale full service, select service, luxury, branded and independent boutique assets. He worked for Hilton Hotels Corporation in several key management positions including Director of Front Office, Director of Rooms, Operations Analyst, AGM, and GM. Robert has been successful in leveraging technology to improve productivity and guest experience. He has held increasing senior leadership responsibilities including Regional Director, Regional Vice President, Vice President, and President.As General Manager, Robert was recognized with several brand awards including the Marriott International General Manager Global Leadership Excellence Award, Marriott International Financial Excellence Award,#1 in Guest Satisfaction and Overall Quality in the Greater LA area for three consecutive years, a three-time winner of IHG Quality Excellence Awards, Sunstone Hotels two-time Chairman Circle Award and two-time Service Excellence Award. Stella Award for the Best Convention Center in the Far West and winner of the Smart Stars Award \"Best of the Best\" from Smart Meetings Magazine.Robert has been involved in many community, local business and non-profit organizations including Chair, Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau; President, Brentwood Area Chamber of Commerce; Councilmember, Brentwood Community Council; President Elect, Brentwood Rotary. Robert has been a guest speaker at several local universities on the topics of leadership, creating talent-based organizations, and hospitality management. He engages in the mentoring and development of future hospitality leaders. Robert holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and is an AH & LA Certified Hospitality Administrator.

Experience

1. General Manager - Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center

   Legends Global

   Aug 2022 — Present · Long Beach, CA, US

   Convention Center, Terrace Theater (3,050 seat), Beverly O\'Neil Theater (800 seat), Long Beach Arena (13,500 seat), and Music Festival Lot venues with over 600+ event days and 1.2 million attendees annually on 50 acres along the Long Beach downtown urban waterfrontStella Award Gold Winner | Best Convention Center - West (7x)Smart Stars Awards \"Best of the Best\"| Smart Meetings Magazine (3x)

Education

• University of Michigan

  Bachelor of Arts with Honors

• AHLEI - American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute

  CHA, Certified Hospitality Administrator

Skills

• Turn Around Management
• Hotel Management
• Strategic Partnerships
• Social Media Marketing
• Feasibility Studies
• Computer Systems
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
• Onq
• Social Media
• Banquets
• Organizational Leadership
• Website Development
• Email Marketing
• Restaurant Management
• Hospitality
• Hospitality Industry
• Marketing Strategy
• People Management
• Hotels
• Housekeeping and Laundry
• Contract Negotiation
• Creative Problem Solving
• Pre-Opening
• Renovation
• Capital Projects
• Quality Management
• Business Strategy
• Seminar Speaker
• Engineering
• Opening Hotels
• Sales Management
• Hospitality Management
• Financial Management
• Team Building
• Management
• Mobile Internet
• Small Business Development
• Revenue Analysis
• Change Management