Rich Shoener

Group Sales Manager Director of Catering @GF Hotels & Resorts

Charlotte, NC, US

GROUP SALES MANAGER•Responsible for the development and performance of all sales activities in assigned SMERFE market with a concentration in Sports, Entertainment and Fraternal Organizations•Listen to customer needs, analyze information and create tailored proposals•Negotiate and close sales while meeting and exceeding sales goals.•Conducts solicitation calls to create activity on new and existing accounts•Responsible to increase growth with top accounts and agencies. Focus on accounts with no production to increase activity and results.•Able to create action plans to assist with the success of the growth of accounts. •Plan and execution of sales trips and trade shows•Continually prospected for new business, particularly in the Sports, Entertainment and Fraternal MarketsCATERING DIRECTOR•Direct the day-to-day activities of 6 catering sales managers and 2 convention service managers•Assist clients with menu planning, food and beverage coordination, table arrangements, decorations options and room set up•Prepare annual budget for the catering and banquet departments•Responsible for a multi million dollar annual catering budget •Ensured the proper coordination and servicing of banquets, meetings and receptions•Participated with the General Manager and the Director of Sales in preparing annual budget•Ensured completion and distribution of all required sales reports on a timely basis, which included the Catering Backlog Report, Group Resumes, BEO Packet, and applicable Sales Minutes•Continually prospected for new business, particularly in the Wedding and Social Markets.