Courtney Hitzel, CMP

Experience

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  Giovanni's Italian Restaurant

  Jul 2009 - Jan 2011

  Hostess & Host Trainer

  Was responsible for seating customers while communicating with the rest of the team, controlling overall flow of take out and deliveries after taking phone ordersTrained new hires in all aspects of the restaurant and customer service

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  Universal Orlando Resort

  Sept 2011 - Oct 2011

  Entertainment: Scare-actor

  Played the role of "Nightingale" during the 21st year of Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights"Scare-actor of the Week" for the fourth week of operation

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  HOA Restaurant Group, LLC

  Apr 2012 - May 2013

  Shift Leader

  Served customers while working as shift leader in a high volume, fast paced restaurant ensuring everything was running smoothly and orderly from open to closeCompleted “Renegade Service That Sells” workshop and “Responsible Alcohol Service” trainingReceived “Best Attitude” and “Outstanding Teamwork” for 2012 Front of House Quarterly awards

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  Universal Orlando Resort

  Jan 2013 - Jun 2014

  Responsible for main transportation operations during the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley & Cabana Bay Beach Resort Preview Week which accumulated up to 1,000 guests per event Aided in the process of sending out Preview Week invites to media, VIP, talent and invited guests, helped maintain and update RSVP database through Access and room blocks for all onsite Universal Loews hotel properties, answered and responded to attendee calls through the Events RSVP phone system, communicated invite lists with each department, received and updated attendees’ flight information, shared updates to transportation manifest, built media welcome gifts, and oversaw all Preview Week merchandise as a member of the Guest Logistics Team Show less Supported event managers in the planning and execution of on-site events, meetings and familiarization trips for Marketing/Sales, Community and Government RelationsResponsible for setting up key stakeholder meetings, completing and distributing event itineraries, handling post event evaluations/recaps, facilitating event logistics and tracking event budgetsAssisted with 51 internal and external events ranging from 20 to 10,000 attendees Gained responsibility of 10 corporate events and managed planning and execution Show less

  • Associate Representative of Event Management (Special Assignment)

    Apr 2014 - Jun 2014

  • Attractions Attendant & Control Booth Operator

    Feb 2011 - Apr 2014

  • Event Management Intern

    Jan 2013 - Jun 2013
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  Chick-fil-A Corporate Support Center

  Aug 2013 - Apr 2014

  Marketing, Sales & Events Coordinator

  Filtered all marketing efforts through the 3 pillars of the Chick-fil-A "Raving Fans Strategy"Assisted Marketing Director in creating and executing monthly marketing planCoordinated offsite and in-store events, catering direct sales, promotions, emotional connections marketing, off-site cow appearances, public relations, sponsorships (donations & fundraisers), advertising, cross-promotions, and digital media marketing throughout normal operationEffectively planned and produced a community event which attracted 2,300 attendees Show less

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  Lodge & Spa at Cordillera

  Jun 2014 - Nov 2015

  Responsible for securing group business in Leisure, Wedding, Corporate and Government markets, scheduling and conducting site inspections, generating proposals, negotiating contracts, representing the hotel in trade shows, reporting sales performance and meeting quarterly goals set by Pyramid Hotel Group Managed planning and execution of special events and meetings, communicating closely with other departments to ensure that the guest specifications were met and their satisfaction was achieved. Show less Assisted Catering Sales Manager in all aspects of events on the 56 room, AAA 4 Diamond property, from qualifying leads through the sales process and planning, to handling operations day of, including: contacting vendors, setting up ceremony, reception and/or meeting locations, creating hotel signage for attendees, leading food and beverage staff, coordinating flow of attendees, problem solving, and all other elements of events on propertyCreated new communication process for all departments to stay in the know with events on site, and aided with updating marketing collateral and Delphi accounts Show less

  • Catering Sales & Conference Services Manager

    Nov 2014 - Nov 2015

  • Catering Sales Assistant

    Jun 2014 - Nov 2014
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  The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.

  Apr 2016 - May 2016

  Task Force - Meetings and Special Events Manager

  Deployed to The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis to assist property when in need during peak group season in planning and execution of corporate, social and incentive groups.

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  The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.

  Apr 2017 - Dec 2020

  Managed the planning, upselling and execution of meetings and special events for corporate retreats, incentive trips, product launches, associations, social events and weddings for The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, which range from 25 to 500 attendees. Responsible for all program planning details and onsite execution including and not limited to building and maintaining relationships, conducting site inspections, booking room reservations, coordinating venue availability and scheduling turns, assisting with reserving event rentals and decor through onsite florist and third party vendors, managing budgets and profitability, interdepartmental communications, overseeing operations, and ensuring client satisfaction and quality standards. Selected as "CI/TY Business Process Leader" during conversion from January 2020 to March 2020. Key responsibilities included ensuring completion of the CI/TY Conversion Readiness Checklist, working with department leaders to document hotel business processes and associate responsibilities, coordinating key activities for Go Live Weekend, ensuring the hotel associates & HQ Implementation Manager have what they need for conversion, and communicating business processes, system resources and critical conversion information to associates.Produced an average of 96.8% Forecast Accuracy to a goal of 92.5%, 96.9% Individual Meeting Planner Engagement Score to a goal of 90% and 101.4% of total team Banquet Budget.Selected as "Marriott Bonvoy Connector" for department.Marriott "STAR" Interview Certified. Nominated for 2nd Quarter 2018, 3rd Quarter 2018, and 4th Quarter 2018 "5 Star" Leader of the Quarter Award. Awarded 4th Quarter 2018 "5 Star" Leader of the Quarter and 2018 "5 Star" Leader of the Year Award.Awarded 2019 Stevan Porter Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year presented by Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association (GHLA).Promoted from Meetings and Special Events Manager in March of 2019. Show less Managed the planning and execution of meetings and special events for corporate events, incentive trips, fundraising Galas, social events and weddings for The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch which ranged from 15 to 450 attendees. Consistently met and exceeded sales and business objectives held by the organization. Produced an average of 144.8% of Individual Upsell Goals, 94.6% Forecast Accuracy to a goal of 92.5%, 91.75% Individual Meeting Planner Engagement Score to a goal of 85% and 115.2% of total team Banquet Budget. Recognized for President's Circle achievement for 2016 business results, placed within the top 7% of The Ritz-Carlton, Marriott and Starwood Legacy locations worldwide. Business results based upon performance in banquet budget, upsell goals, overall meeting planner satisfaction and forecasting accuracy, Completed "Sales and Service Foundations" course held through The Ritz-Carlton in August of 2016.Implemented new best practices to the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Meetings and Special Events department for reporting, Delphi standards and communication to improve efficiencies. Nominated for Summer 2016 and Winter 2016-2017 "5 Star" Manager of the Season Award. Show less

  • Senior Meetings and Special Events Manager

    Aug 2017 - Dec 2020

  • Meetings and Special Events Manager

    Nov 2015 - Aug 2017

  • Task Force - Senior Meetings and Special Events Manager

    Apr 2017 - May 2017
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  RSUI Group, Inc.

  Mar 2021 - now

  Plans, organizes, and executes first class external customer recognition events, company events and activities for internal employees. These include customer engagement activities, broker seminars, incentive trips, congress meetings, holiday parties, employee festivals and outings, various department meetings, and trainings.Supervises and directs the work of the Events & Travel Team, including performance management, timekeeping oversight, and workflow coordination while proactively organizing and maintaining the event calendar. Backs up travel function, to include facilitating employee travel requests and confirming booking information.Conducts research and locates other necessary resources based on event requirements. Negotiates vendor contracts, including hotels, venues, catering, décor, entertainment, activities, and transportation. Proposes new ideas and creative solutions to improve the quality of company events and the efficiency of the overall event planning and implementation process. Distributes promotional materials for events, prepares nametags, materials, gifts, registration lists, and seating charts as necessary. Provides periodic progress reports to appropriate departmental contacts. Manages event finances through budgeting and proper reporting, while overseeing coordination of event-related vendors. Show less

  • Assistant Vice President, Corporate Events Manager

    Mar 2024 - now

  • Corporate Events Manager

    Mar 2021 - May 2024