Grant Kehler
Collegeville
Summary
Experienced, award-winning professional with solid history of success in global hospitality and events environments. Strong ability to develop and implement integrated strategies that enhance brand awareness and improve revenues. Extensive background in building and overseeing teams that meet and exceed designated goals and expectations. Demonstrated skills in real estate, hotel and resort operations.
Results-driven Complex Director known for productivity and efficiency in task completion. Specialize in operational management, strategic planning, and team leadership, ensuring streamlined processes and strong team performance. Excel in communication, problem-solving, and adaptability, leveraging these soft skills to meet organizational goals and foster positive workplace environments.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Complex Director of Sales & Marketing
Crowne Plaza by IHG & Fairfield by Marriott
King of Prussia
10.2023 - Current
- Coordinate all group, transient, and catering sales solicitations and bookings to maximize overall revenue for both hotels.
- Develop, recommend, implement and manage the division's annual budget and the advertising, public relations marketing and sales plans and programs for the hotel to maximize rate, occupancy and food & beverage opportunities thus ensuring the hotel meets/exceeds management and owner revenue/profit goals and expectations.
- Proactively conduct outside sales calls, conduct sales tours and entertain clients.
- Understand the content reflected in contracts and how to negotiate terms therein.
- Develop and maintain market awareness to ensure ability to predict revenue opportunities and set proactive strategies.
- Effectively attain assigned sales and revenue goals, as well as solicitation call goals.
- Train all members of the hotel staff on how to recognize and capitalize on all sales opportunities to increase hotel occupancy and revenue.
- Supervise Catering & Event Management Team to ensure that the Catering, Food & Beverage, and Meeting Room rental budgets are met or exceeded.
- Monitor and evaluate trends within your market segment.
- Able to produce a weekly sales call schedule which addresses timely follow-up of all tentative business, maintenance of existing accounts, and development of new business, and priorities; along with duties assigned by the General Manager, and/or company personnel.
- Present ideas, expectations, and information in a concise, well-organized fashion.
- Make appropriate sales calls that meet or exceed company standards and that ensure appropriate business levels are maintained.
- Negotiate contracts, ensuring the best interests of the property while maintaining customer goodwill.
- Coordinates with the appropriate departments in the hotel, resolves issues, complaints and problems to ensure quality product delivery and customer satisfaction.
- Collects proper payment for events/contracts in accordance with hotel standards.
- Maintains high visibility for hotel by active involvement in local CVB, and other business and professional organizations.
- Attend daily/weekly/monthly meetings and any other functions required by management.
- Oversaw departmental budgets and resource allocation for efficiency and effectiveness.
Principal
GK Realty
Collegeville
01.2009 - Current
- Managed Investment properties in NJ, PA, and SC.
- Manager/GM of Selected service hotel in summers from 1991-1996.
- Appraise property values.
- Advise clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, legal requirements, and related matters.
- Promote sales of properties through advertisements, open houses, and participation in multiple listing services.
- Accompany buyers during visits to and inspections of property and advise them on the suitability and value of the property they are visiting.
- Prepare documents such as representation contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements, deeds, and leases.
- Confer with escrow companies, lenders, home inspectors, and pest control operators to ensure that terms and conditions of the purchase agreement are met before closing dates.
- Coordinate property closings, overseeing the signing of documents and disbursement of funds.
- Arrange for title searches to determine whether clients have clear property titles.
- Investigate clients' financial and credit status to determine eligibility for financing.
- Develop a network of attorneys, mortgage lenders, and contractors to whom clients may be referred.
- Inspect condition of premises and arrange for necessary maintenance or notify owners of maintenance needs.
- Appraise properties to determine loan values.
- Evaluate mortgage options to help clients obtain financing at the best prevailing rates and terms.
- Rent or lease properties on behalf of clients.
- Investor in Rental Properties & Real Estate (Flips)
- Oversaw budget management and financial forecasting activities.
National Sales Manager
Hard Rock
Atlantic City
08.2021 - 10.2023
- Worked to develop sales in Association, Corporate markets, Educational, Medical, Government segment.
- Developed strategy to penetrate these markets for the property.
- Targets group/catering accounts, markets, or segments with heavy emphasis on proactive solicitation and account saturation.
- Accountable for all aspects of client lead discovery, development and detailed contract negotiations.
- Conduct sales trips and attend conferences throughout the year to strengthen relationships with existing clients and establish new relationships.
- Employed a consultative approach to providing solutions for clients' meeting and event needs.
- Accept a leadership role in the development and implementation of sales strategies, objectives, and special sales projects, such as sales missions, blitzes, and telemarketing.
- Exceed all Revenue goals.
- Managed relationships with key clients to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Analyzed market trends to identify new opportunities for business growth.
National Sales Manager
Caesars Entertainment
Collegeville
01.2013 - 01.2020
- Sold portfolio of nine hotels in Las Vegas and three in Atlantic City to corporate, associations, and non-profit organizations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
- Secured contracted blocks of sleeping and meeting rooms for business functions, conventions, and other special events.
- Developed and oversaw strategic accounts.
- Formed, maintained, and increased account business relationships.
- Collaborated with clients to engage spending through matching corporate assets with customer long- and short term goals.
- Created and executed marketing strategies.
- Attended tradeshows, FAM events, and site inspections.
- Sourced group/convention customers through prospecting and penetration of new and existing accounts.
Account Executive
Marriott International
Philadelphia
01.2010 - 01.2013
- My role focused on a comprehensive account management and support of a portfolio of high-volume government and corporate accounts with direct responsibility for sales for a portfolio of hotels within the Northeastern Region and promotion of the Marriott global hotel portfolio network of 3700 hotels and resorts.
- Responsibilities included strategic Account Management to leverage their overall global hotel buying power, development and execution of account strategy.
- Business Travel analysis and Bid/RFP management, Group, Incentive and Relocation coordination through collaboration of Organization's planning and intermediary contacts.
- Long and Short-term planning to meet the Account's current and crossover goals.
- Led planning and execution of conferences and special events.
- Met with client representatives in-person to guarantee consistent account satisfaction.
- Built and strengthened partnerships with existing and new customers, industry organizations, and brand network to secure future bookings.
Director of Sales
O'Neill Properties
King of Prussia
01.2010 - 12.2010
- Led and directed sales development strategies for all revenue opportunities.
- Spearheaded pre-opening sales activities and marketing plans for The Londonbury.
- Attended trade shows, blitzes, and open houses and made outside calls and appointments.
- Established operational procedures for corporate furnished units.
- Facilitated corporate suites design, furnishings, décor, and amenities with designer.
- Executed PMS system with GDS, POS, PBX, and accounting system.
- Hired and trained six leasing staff.
- Prepare accurate and complete sales reports documenting marketing budgets, current market share, direct sales, and outline marketing plans.
- Create and implement short and long-term marketing strategies to meet sales team goals and annual sales targets.
- Oversaw proactive team of outside sales managers and communications between all sales channels for two properties.
Regional Director Business Development
Liberty Travel / FCM
Philadelphia
01.2009 - 12.2009
- Led and directed sales development strategies for Business Development managers.
- Prospected, negotiated, and secured new corporate and incentive business for retail store and corporate travel desk in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington, DC.
- Oversaw long-term relationships with new and existing customers while noting potential revenue opportunities.
- Developed strategic proposals, negotiated business terms, and completed sales transactions.
- Identified target companies and key decision makers and presented value of proposition of product, solution, and service offerings.
- Built pricing opportunities to encourage repeat sales.
- Trained 50 travel consultants how to handle business travel and to negotiate contracts with vendors.
- Manage sales territory, which includes identifying prospective customers, communicating, coordinating customer visits, and closing projects with customers.
- As the strategic leader of the territory achieved sales objectives, forecast customer needs and completed the annual budget process.
- Cultivate new business opportunities within a territory and lead the pursuit and management of business development activities, which may include teaming/partnering.
Director of Sales
Korman Residential Properties
Trevose
01.2007 - 12.2009
- Determined policies and structure for corporate housing sales for 16 properties with 4,745 apartment units.
- Taught leasing staff about telemarketing, prospecting, and outside sales skills.
- Executed marketing strategies to raise furnished unit occupancy.
- Served as primary client contact.
- Supervised 20 staff working on development and performance with individual clients.
- Assessed competitive amenity features and benefits and price points.
- Proposed changes to existing pricing and amenities to raise profits.
- Project-managed construction and capital initiatives.
- Established operation budgets.
- Design plans and materials for promotions and public relations.
- Meet or exceed predetermined booking goals for guest room revenue; meet or exceed budgeted costs and revenue on a monthly average with the liberty to negotiate as needed on individual functions within established guidelines yet maintaining the overall revenue goals.
Director of Sales and Marketing
Hilton Branded Hotels
Wilmington
01.2000 - 01.2007
- Led repositioning, renovations, and re-branding of hotel with 217 guestrooms and 20,000 square feet of meeting space.
- Collaborated with Hilton national sales to win key national accounts.
- Restructured sales office and introduced new hotel employee standards and processes.
- Designed and instituted overall sales and marketing effort of hotels including securing new accounts, sustaining existing clients, overseeing activities of 10 sales personnel, and executing sales and marketing plans to optimize profitability of hotel while preserving customer satisfaction.
- Redesigned and presented new banquets menus.
- Implemented Brand Conversion from Hilton to DoubleTree.
- Formed and maintained relationships with key clients to produce group and/or convention business.
- Worked with other teams to schedule conventions and activities to facilitate services agreed upon by sales office and prospective clients.
- Interview, select, train, schedule, coach and support associates, ensuring they perform in accordance with established brand or hotel standards.
- Work with Revenue Management to develop, communicate and implement sales strategies, mix of business, channel management, and pricing strategies.
- Strong focus on top accounts in the pharmaceutical/healthcare, financial and technology markets for the Northeast Region.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Management
Widener University
Chester, PASkills
- Strategic Account Management
- Budget Development and Oversight
- Leadership
- Advertising
- Hotel opening
- Marketing
- Business Development
- Management
- Contract Negotiations
- Hotel Opening
- Rebranding
- Revenue management
- Strategic planning
- Operations management
Websites
Professional Associations
- Professional Convention Management Association, Philadelphia, PA, New York, NY, Washington, DC
- Meeting Planners International, Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA
- GBTA, Philadelphia, PA
- SGMP, Washington, DC
Timeline
Complex Director of Sales & Marketing
Crowne Plaza by IHG & Fairfield by Marriott
10.2023 - Current
National Sales Manager
Hard Rock
08.2021 - 10.2023
National Sales Manager
Caesars Entertainment
01.2013 - 01.2020
Account Executive
Marriott International
01.2010 - 01.2013
Director of Sales
O'Neill Properties
01.2010 - 12.2010
Principal
GK Realty
01.2009 - Current
Regional Director Business Development
Liberty Travel / FCM
01.2009 - 12.2009
Director of Sales
Korman Residential Properties
01.2007 - 12.2009
Director of Sales and Marketing
Hilton Branded Hotels
01.2000 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Management
Widener University