Maria Roussel

Experience

• 

  Royal Sonesta Hotel

  Jan 1987 - May 1994

  Director of Travel Industry Sales

  Began my hospitality career as a sales coordinator to the Director of Sales in Jan 1987. In March 1988 was promoted to New Market sales for development of new business. Exceeded goals by 28% first year. Handled group and transient sales via travel agents and wholesale receptive. Designed and coordinated direct mail for the leisure markets. Consistently achieved annual goals of $2.5 - $3.0 Million group sales.

• 

  CHATEAU SONESTA HOTEL

  May 1994 - May 2000

  Director Travel Industry Sales/Senior Sales Manager

  Opening leader for Travel Industry Sales (group and transient). Developed leisure packaging and international wholesale markets. Group market sales through third parties including key geographic markets of East Coast/West Coast and Midwest territories. Exceeded group goals of $3 Million annually.

• 

  WHITNEY WYNDHAM

  May 2000 - Jul 2006

  Director of Sales/Marketing

  Revenue has seen a positive change in the market place of 2.8% when then the competition has seen a decrease of 12.9%; Opening Director of Sales. Established Whitney Wyndham in the Downtown New Orleans area as a corporate boutique business hotel. Was responsible for maintaining marketing, brand standards, outside sales calls, multiple market segmentation, and revenue management. Directed a team of two. Was successful in meeting budget expectations every month from opening to Show less

• 

  HILTON NEW ORLEANS

  Jul 2006 - Nov 2009

  Director of Sales/Marketing

  Instrumental in establishing the Hilton St. Charles in the market place by utilizing national key account client base and local contacts. Achieving top performance rating on STAR for year-over- year % change. Directed a team of five, and managed daily operation of group/transient sales. Daily involvement of Revenue Management; with Hilton RMS and FMS systems to better achieve overall penetration. Maintained company private website and update Hilton Brand website. Developed creative marketing strategies and mailings, e-newsletters for time frames needing impact such as football games, festivals and area events. Great working relationships with key industry leaders. Manager on Duty and weekly lobby ambassador. Coordinated with the Besh Restaurant Group in design and marketing collateral of Catering & Event Menus. Show less

• 

  Chateau Bourbon Wyndham

  Nov 2009 - Jun 2010

  Sales Manager

  Core responsibilities consists of direct sales, prospecting and cold calling of new accounts and existing accounts predominately from the Northeast and DC areas. Coordinate specials and group value periods for solicitation of the group meetings. I am responsible for achieving a monthly revenue goal of 700 room nights, $80594.00 accumulative quarter (2100 room nights; $241,782.00). Exceeding booking revenue goal end of February 2010 with revenue generated $294,057 with average rate of $154.98. Through many years of hospitality sales I have been instrumental in building relationships in many key geographic territories and vertical markets. Show less

• 

  CROWNE PLAZA LAFAYETTE AIRPORT

  Aug 2010 - Apr 2011

  Director of Sales & Marketing

  Leadership of a sales/catering staff of six to develop strategic plan to reintroduce distressed property into the market place. Key focus concentrated on LNR/KNR, association and SMERF group. Develop media plan and active in the local community to introduce renovations and changes with the hotel. Used brand tools of Crowne Plaza to utilize as selling points to gain loyalty. Utilize the partnership with IHG Global Sales to penetrate key accounts, such as Transocean, Halliburton, Schlumberger and Baker Hughes. Instituted a lobby program with sales team morning and evening to capture in-house guest and convert to repeat customers. Implemented a sales Bounce Back program at front desk to convert Opaque users to loyal PCR members to gain higher ADR. Show less

• 

  Hilton San Destin Beach Resort

  Apr 2011 - Apr 2018

  Regional Sales

  Regional Sales Manager for the Louisiana and Mississippi area. Secondary market of Arkansas, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Relationship champion to many long standing group meeting planners who have held their annual conventions at the Hilton Sandestin for 30+ years. Excitement champion that generates prospect leads for new group business development.

• 

  THE LODGE AT GULF STATE PARK - A HILTON HOTEL

  May 2018 - now

  Regional Sales Manager

  Representing the Louisiana/Mississippi and Texas areas with 30 years of meeting professional experience to assist groups of all sizes in creating successful and memorable events. The Lodge is a one of kind hospitality experience. 350 guest rooms including 20 suites40,000 sq. ft. of flexible indoor and outdoor event spaceThe largest beach view ballroom on the Gulf Coast accommodating groups up to 1,000 guests and featuring a 7,100 sq. ft. outdoor terrace area2 Gulf front restaurantsSeveral outdoor gathering, dining, reception, and flexible hospitality areasGulf front poolPool bar and pool grille with terrace seatingState-of-the-art fitness centerGulf front restaurant and bar with outdoor terrace seating and private dining room featuring house prepared & locally sourced regional specialtiesCoffee and wine bar & porch Show less