Chris Block

Director of Sales

About

I’m a hospitality executive, community development leader, and U.S. Air Force combat veteran with nearly 20 years of experience across sales, marketing, operations, and strategic partnerships. My career has been built on connecting people, growing organizations, and creating meaningful impact through service-driven leadership. Professionally, I lead revenue strategy, business development, and external partnerships in the hospitality space, with experience spanning independent hotels, full-service properties, luxury resort environments, and complex operations. I’m passionate about building strong teams, strengthening brands, and creating partnerships that drive both performance and long-term community value. Beyond my professional work, I am deeply committed to community development, veteran support, and adaptive sports. I am the Founder of Seattle Warriors Hockey and serve with the Pacific Northwest Veterans Hockey Foundation, where I help create opportunities for disabled veterans to find connection, healing, and purpose through hockey. I also strongly support the growth of adaptive sports and inclusive community access through organizations and partnerships that expand opportunity for athletes of all abilities. Whether I’m leading a hotel team, representing a brand in the community, or helping build pathways through adaptive athletics, I believe the most meaningful work happens when leadership, service, and connection come together.

Country

United States

City

Seattle

Industry

Hospitality

Skill

Business Administration, Fitness for Service, Team Organization, Special Events Coordination, Food Service Operations, Leadership, Strategic Planning, Team Building, Event Management, Meeting Planning, Customer Service, Contract Negotiation, Marketing Strategy, Management, Microsoft Excel, Coaching, Negotiation, Social Media, Process Improvement, Business Planning

Experience

Director of Sales

Arctic Club Hotel

2023-9 - Present · 3 yrs 1 mo

Seattle, WA

Lead revenue generation, business development, and external partnerships for one of Seattle’s most historic independent hotel properties. Helped support the repositioning of the Arctic Club Hotel from Hilton-flagged to independent while representing the property with key community and industry stakeholders including Visit Seattle, the Downtown Seattle Association, and other civic and business partners. Lead strategy across corporate travel, group, events, and transient business while building a community-centered brand presence in downtown Seattle.

Director of Sales and Marketing

Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown- Pioneer Square

2022-10 - 2023-9 · 1 yr

· Led all revenue for room and events sales for a unique one-of-a-kind Embassy Suites · Connected with community partners to raise awareness of area and property’s upscale amenities · Accounts included MLB, NHL, Starbucks and Indigo Slate

Director of Sales

Alyeska Resort, The Hotel Alyeska and Alyeska Nordic Spa- Girdwood, AK

2019-5 - 2022-9 · 3 yrs 5 mos

· Accountable for all revenue generation for a complex luxury Resort · Managed a full-time year-round sales staff to include revenue management, on site marketing and Alyeska Nordic Spa · Collaborated with management group, VP of Sales, Hotel General Manager and Mountain General Manager to build yearly business plan for all Resort assets (Hotel, Mountain, Tram, Nordic Spa, and Special Events) · Community focused point of contact for Pomeroy Lodging- Collaborated with community and non-profits for promotions and events

Director of Sales Marketing

Hilton Anchorage- Anchorage, AK

2017 - 2019-5 · 2 yrs

· Managed all large accounts for the hotel in Alaska; a 606-room property · Worked directly with community partners to connect organizations and increase awareness of the property and the capabilities of the meetings and events team · Set up first ever relationship with UAA Athletics to trade out room nights for sponsorships of the Athletic programs · Worked with Hilton Worldwide to increase awareness of the Alaskan product and Alaskan Veteran hiring · Managed large operation during a full-scale renovation of the property during peak tourism season

Director of Sales Marketing

BAC Transportation- Anchorage, AK

2015 - 2017 · 2 yrs

· Managed all accounts in a large, multifaceted transportation company · Coordinated with developer to launch new website, social media platform and launch new marketing campaigns · Logistics background was instrumental in launching city first Diverted Aircraft Operation; last minute lodging, food and transportation for passenger aircraft diverts · Established monthly P&L reviews, sales and marketing meetings and strategic planning initiatives

Master Sergeant

United States Air Force

1999 - 2016-2 · 17 yrs

NCOIC of Force Support Flight

Director of Sales Marketing

The Hotel Captain Cook – Anchorage, AK

2006 - 2014 · 8 yrs

· Managed all sales markets and the oversight and management of four members of the sales team · Collaborated with the managing owner and the Vice President of Operations on all advertising and website updates, working directly with the executive team to develop yearly campaigns · Served as an account manager of all large accounts including Princess Cruises, Alaska Airlines, Delta Airlines and UPS · Instrumental in the negotiation of two large movie contracts that provided long term room blocks as well as recognition in the films

Non-Commissioned Officer

United States Air Force – Elmendorf AFB, AK- Kwang Ju, Korea- Shabaz AB, Pakistan- Bagram AB, Afghan

1999 - 2006 · 7 yrs

· Worked with many Distinguished Visitors on travel arrangements and events at Elmendorf AFB to include President George W. Bush, and Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff General Richard Meyers · Worked with Alaskan Command and Red Flag Alaska to coordinate logistics and lodging for five major exercises a year totaling 50,000 personnel annually