Lorie Leung
Toronto,ON
Summary
Highly-motivated and client-focused hospitality professional with 11 years of experience in restaurants, sales and customer engagement. Proven ability to drive strategic business growth, increasing brand awareness and achieving volume targets through market analysis and tailored solutions. A strong communicator and negotiator with expertise in fostering long-term partnerships and identifying new business opportunities. Adept at managing multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring seamless execution strategic sales plans and delivering seamless execution. Recognized for creative problem-solving, adaptability under pressure, and a results-driven approach to sales and customer success.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Private Events Manager
JOEY Restaurants
Toronto, ON
01.2023 - Current
- Supervised operations of two high-volume downtown venues (Eaton Centre and King Street). Providing training and mentorship to each individual event teams
- Launched flagship King Street location and achieved over $170,000 in event sales within the initial three months of opening location
- Created comprehensive event operational guidelines and training methodology for new and existing event managers across the company
Brand Experience Representative
DASH1
Toronto, ON
11.2017 - Current
- Worked exclusively with DIAGEO products (Johnnie Walker, Don Julio, Tanqueray, Ketel One, Ciroc, Aviation Gin) in engaging customer activations and integrated marketing promotions to achieve brand success and awareness
- Notable activations include Restaurants Canada show, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and Toronto Cocktail Conference
Events Director
Richmond Station
Toronto, ON
12.2022 - 01.2024
- Developed event concepts and strategies, while executing a diverse portfolio of offsite and on-site event programming, including full-service catering, weddings, brand collaboration, corporate events, large party bookings and full-venue buyouts
- Successfully generated over $400,000 through event sales
- Created and managed event budgets, including cost estimation, negotiation with vendors and tracking expenses for multiple events/clients
- Coordinated logistics including venue site visits, floor plan design, transportation, accommodation, and technical requirements
- Oversaw setup, teardown, and the overall service flow of the event
Fine Dining Server
Harbour60 Steakhouse
Toronto, ON
08.2022 - 01.2023
- Provide consistently high standards of food and beverage service to guests to ensure a full and positive experience
Business Sales Representative
Notch
Toronto, ON
06.2022 - 08.2022
- Facilitated in-person and virtual meetings and product demonstrations between key stakeholders such as director of operations, IT, culinary and finance to discuss business operations, goals and needs
- Built and maintained robust pipeline of qualified prospective clients by cold calling, networking and referrals followed by cultivation of productive relationships with clients
- Soley responsible for creating and expanding the Vancouver market and client database; deals include Freehouse Collective (Donnelly Group), Tap&Barrel, Cactus Club Cafe/King Taps
Assistant General Manager
Coffee Oyster Champagne / à toi
Toronto, ON
08.2021 - 05.2022
- Oversaw the full day to day operations, staffing and service of a $2 million boutique luxury dining and event space, increasing sales and brand visbility
- Developed and executed entertainment programming with corporate sponsors, attracting new clientele and boosting revenue.
- Created and implemented a comprehensive FOH staff training and onboarding program.
- Work directly with ownership and management team to execute company growth and expansion
Manager
Cactus Club Cafe / King Taps
Toronto, ON
01.2019 - 08.2021
- Responsible for the evening operations of the $10.2 million business, averaging $200K in sales weekly, and consistently managing labor, scheduling, hiring, and people development accordingly
- Optimized labor costs, achieving a 10-12% labor efficiency while maintaining exceptional service standards.
- Implemented strategic customer engagement initiatives, improving guest retention and satisfaction
- Leveraged leadership skills to identify deficiencies and opportunities to improve policies, procedures and controls
- Handled all customer experience tickets and had a 100% success rate in winning back guests
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Professional Communications
Ryerson University
Toronto, ON04.2018
Skills
- Project management
- Sales operations (in-bound and outbound)
- Team management, training and development
- Event planning, budget creation and execution
- Creative direction, vendor relationships
- Customer experience and retention, building
- Technical skills include proficiency in Salesforce, Salesloft, TripleSeat, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Slack, HelloSign, SIlverware POS, Micros POS, Touchbistro POS, SevenRooms, OpenTable and DineTime
Certification
- Award "T" Certification (Consejo Regulador del Tequila, A.C)
- WSET Level 1, Restaurant/Food Services Management
Timeline
Senior Private Events Manager
JOEY Restaurants
01.2023 - Current
Events Director
Richmond Station
12.2022 - 01.2024
Fine Dining Server
Harbour60 Steakhouse
08.2022 - 01.2023
Business Sales Representative
Notch
06.2022 - 08.2022
Assistant General Manager
Coffee Oyster Champagne / à toi
08.2021 - 05.2022
Manager
Cactus Club Cafe / King Taps
01.2019 - 08.2021
Brand Experience Representative
DASH1
11.2017 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - Professional Communications
Ryerson University