Natalie Sexton
Toronto
Summary
Hospitality and event sales leader with 10+ years’ experience executing over 500+ multi-faceted corporate and social events.
A driver of exponential sales growth, including signing over $1M worth of net new business.
Thrive in high-growth business environments, with the ability to achieve tight deadlines to further brand metrics and scale varying markets.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
REGIONAL SALES & EVENTS MANAGER
Earls Kitchen + Bar
01.2023 - Current
- Drive strategic event initiatives to elevate guest experiences, boost revenue, and enhance brand presence across downtown Toronto locations
- Lead and mentor a team of Event and Guest Experience Managers, aligning strategies with market trends and corporate goals
- Oversee the entire event sales cycle: prospecting, lead generation, client discovery, contract negotiation, and execution
- Exceed regional sales targets, generating $1.4M+ in sales in 2024, with 339 events serving 15,000+ guests
- Cultivate relationships with high-profile clients, including Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders, securing repeat business and expanding market reach
- Manage operational tasks: weekly planning, event marketing updates, contract refinements, budgeting, and vendor coordination
- Lead business development efforts, focusing on targeted marketing campaigns and seasonal program innovations
- Coordinated logistics for events, ensuring smooth execution and guest satisfaction.
- Enhanced client relationships by collaborating closely on event details and preferences.
GENERAL MANAGER
The Nest Café
11.2020 - 10.2022
- Food and beverage strategy development and design including full menu creation and execution
- Maintain operations by implementing policies and standard operating procedures including productivity, quality, and customer service standards
- Hiring, onboarding, and continuous development of 30+ employees
- Management of budgets, inventories and cost controls for food and beverage operation
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
EVENT SALES MANAGER
Fairmont Empress Hotel
04.2018 - 11.2020
- Develop proposals, catering contracts and customized menus to meet the client’s needs as well as financial goals
- Produce monthly reports to track catering pace and revenue to budget
- Consistently achieved quarterly sales targets exceeding a budget of $1.5 million per year
- Closely manage Request for Proposal channels, incoming business leads and respond to clients in a timely manner
- Organize and structure all event details using BEO’s and floorplans
- Communicate event information to internal teams and external vendors
- Completion of all event billing/payment procedures, including the collection of deposits and final payment
- Conduct daily sales calls and arrange site inspection visits for prospective and existing clients
- Cultivated new business opportunities by attending industry conferences, networking events, and conducting targeted outreach initiatives.
EVENT SPECIALIST
The Loden Hotel
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Sourced and solicited new event business through marketing initiatives while managing relationships with existing clients
- Prepared contingency plans in case of unforeseen scenarios or mishaps during an event
- Developed event sales strategies to retain clients and maximize overall hotel revenue
- Worked closely with outside vendors to coordinate delivery and set up for additional equipment requirements
ASSISTANT BANQUET MANAGER
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
02.2016 - 01.2017
- Managed large scale event production from start to finish to guarantee operational efficiencies were exceeded
- Scheduled, lead and supervised the Banquet team in all aspects of the department and ensured hotel service standards were upheld
- Onsite management of internal departments and external vendors throughout the execution of each event
- Worked cohesively with the Conference Services & Catering department to ensure revenue and guest satisfaction levels were maximized
Education
Diploma - Event Marketing
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Burnaby, BC01-2015
Skills
- Event planning
- Vendor negotiation
- Logistics coordination
- Multi-Million-Dollar Budget Management
- Strong Communication Skills
- Contract Negotiation
- Critical Thinking
- KPI Management
- BEO and Floorplan Creation
- Venue Selection and Management Time Management & Organization Setting Team Vision & Objectives
- Microsoft Office
- Paid and Earner Media Platforms
- (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn)
- Opera and Property Manager
- POS Systems (Micros, Square, Clover)
- Asana
- Notion
- Triple Seat
TECHNICAL
Timeline
REGIONAL SALES & EVENTS MANAGER
Earls Kitchen + Bar
01.2023 - Current
GENERAL MANAGER
The Nest Café
11.2020 - 10.2022
EVENT SALES MANAGER
Fairmont Empress Hotel
04.2018 - 11.2020
EVENT SPECIALIST
The Loden Hotel
01.2017 - 01.2018
ASSISTANT BANQUET MANAGER
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
02.2016 - 01.2017
Diploma - Event Marketing
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Similar Profiles
Zaynah KhanZaynah Khan
Lounge Server at Earls Kitchen + Bar Test KitchenLounge Server at Earls Kitchen + Bar Test Kitchen
Ethan WalthamEthan Waltham
Bar Manager at Earls Kitchen + BarBar Manager at Earls Kitchen + Bar
Christopher MartinChristopher Martin
Sous Chef at Earls Kitchen + BarSous Chef at Earls Kitchen + Bar
Gabriella RodriguezGabriella Rodriguez
Bartender at Earls Kitchen + BarBartender at Earls Kitchen + Bar
Anisha BishnoiAnisha Bishnoi
Cashier at Tyndale University CafeteriaCashier at Tyndale University Cafeteria