Tej Desai
Toronto,Canada
Summary
Dynamic hospitality and sales professional with 6+ years driving exceptional guest experiences and revenue growth across luxury dining, corporate events, and B2B account management. Proven expertise orchestrating 70+ annual events from intimate gatherings to 150-guest galas while thriving in high-pressure service environments at Toronto's upscale CIBO Wine Bar. Advanced Diploma in Business Administration (Finance & Marketing) combined with hands-on digital marketing experience managing client portfolios and executing integrated campaigns. Known for intuitive guest service, reading rooms with exceptional situational awareness, and transforming challenging moments into relationship-building opportunities through genuine empathy and strategic problem-solving.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Server / Event Server
CIBO wine bar
Yorkville
08.2020 - Current
- Delivered memorable dining experiences for over 60 guests nightly across 8 to 14 table sections, building lasting relationships with regular clientele while welcoming international visitors to Toronto's upscale Yorkville district.
- Orchestrated 70+ events per year, from intimate to grand scale, successfully executing corporate pharmaceutical meetings, TIFF events, rehearsal dinners, and festive holiday celebrations for groups of 8 to 150 guests, while meticulously following BEOs to ensure flawless delivery.
- Ensured guest safety and satisfaction through personalized service, expertly navigating dietary restrictions and allergies, while providing tailored wine pairings and menu recommendations, creating inclusive dining experiences that built trust and naturally increased check averages.
- Thrived in a fast-paced luxury environment for over 5 years, recognized as the go-to team member for VIP guests and special events.
Account Manager and Sales Representative
Orcafy
Toronto
03.2025 - 06.2025
- Closed new business through 20+ weekly client consultations, converting prospects into paying customers by genuinely understanding their pain points, and crafting tailored solutions across Meta Ads, Google Ads, SEO, and content creation services.
- Generated a qualified pipeline through proactive prospecting, including bold cold walk-ins and strategic web scraping, while nurturing existing accounts to identify upsell opportunities and secure renewals that drove consistent revenue growth.
- Owned the full client lifecycle with a personal touch, from initial discovery calls through contract negotiations, serving as the face of the company, and building relationships that turned one-time buyers into long-term partners.
- Delivered consistent results through a consultative approach, partnering with clients face-to-face to understand their vision, attending on-site shoots, developing customized scripts with the team, and ensuring every campaign reflected their unique brand story.
- Accelerated deal closure by bridging client needs with team capabilities, translating business objectives into actionable strategies, while maintaining CRM records and systematic follow-ups that shortened the sales cycle.
Event Management Intern
St. Kabir school
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
04.2018 - 01.2019
- Coordinated 20+ school-wide events, including cultural fairs, quiz competitions, and student celebrations, managing logistics for 200+ attendees while developing foundational event management and hospitality skills.
- Led event production teams during live programs, overseeing stage management, vendor coordination, and timeline execution, ensuring smooth operations from setup through breakdown.
- Supported community engagement initiatives through event planning and on-site coordination, gaining hands-on experience in guest services and event operations.
Education
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - Finance & Marketing | Dean's Honours List 2024
Humber College
Toronto, Ontario04.2024
Skills
Hospitality Excellence: Event Planning & BEO Execution Fine Dining Service Wine Pairings POS Systems Guest Relations Dietary Accommodations
Sales & Account Management: Consultative Selling Lead Generation Client Retention Pipeline Management CRM Systems B2B Relationship Building
Digital Marketing: Google Ads Meta Ads SEO Campaign Management Marketing Analytics
Business Operations: Financial Analysis Project Management Team Leadership Multilingual Communication
Certification
- Smart Serve
- AODA
- Workplace Health And Safety
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Account Manager and Sales Representative
Orcafy
03.2025 - 06.2025
Server / Event Server
CIBO wine bar
08.2020 - Current
Event Management Intern
St. Kabir school
04.2018 - 01.2019
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - Finance & Marketing | Dean's Honours List 2024
Humber College