Neil Curiel

Smart Meetings is the most dynamic meetings industry publisher in the world for event professionals. We support the hospitality community with innovative ideas, elevated experiences and authentic connections. Smart Meetings publishes cutting-edge meetings content in print and digital magazines 12 times per year, hosts luxury networking events, produces CEU-accredited webinars, transformational podcasts and offers a myriad of digital resources to help you reach your personal and professional goals.

Lead the acquisition of meeting and convention business for Durham by directing the process to identify, recruit and nurture qualified leads. Oversee selling activities for the team, meeting sales goals determined by the Executive Team. Research and develop new and creative sales strategies on expanding and emerging market segments, including prospecting and researching platforms and opportunities for new qualified business leads. Ensure representation of Discover Durham to appropriate industry groups, associations, and trade shows for the purpose of generating interest in Durham as a destination for group business. Lead the sales marketing strategy through promotional campaigns and opportunities. Oversee the delivery of services and destination experiences to enhance meetings and events. Strategically direct engagement initiatives between Discover Durham and Durham lodging and group business-oriented partners, with the goal of activating partners to be more responsive and intentional regarding their role to enhance the Durham visitor and meeting planner experience.

Working to play a vital role in selling Durham as a destination for meetings, conventions, festivals, and events. Instrumental activities include, but are not limited to, networking with meeting planners, customer relationship management, hosting site visits, and itinerary planning.

Responsible for developing, soliciting, planning, and executing all corporate and group events at a Five Star, Five Diamond hotel meeting and convention space. Group sizes range from 10 - 100 guests in the corporate and some social functions. Identify local and regional businesses looking to host board meetings, client appreciation receptions, and other events. My daily duties include replying to inquires, meeting with clients, site tours, scheduling, contracting, detailing, creating event orders, upselling menu items, and invoicing. Other important responsibilities include maintaining relationships with high end clients, stay up to date with food trends, maximizing profits in all event functions.

Ideally located at the crossroads entrance to Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel/Captiva Islands, our Fort Myers hotel offers the perfect place to relax with family and discover a coastal paradise. My responsibilities is to the satisfaction of the guests first and foremost. This may include responding to all guest requests, problems, complaints, and/or accidents presented at the Front Desk or through Reservations in an attentive, courteous, and efficient manner. I am here to motivate, coach, counsel, and discipline all Guest Services personnel according to Aimbridge Hospitality S.O.P.s. I aim to maximize room revenue and occupancy by reviewing status daily. Analyze rate efficiency, monitor credit report, and maintain close observation of daily house count. Tasks include lead generation, organizing group schedules, reporting, maintaining meeting rooms, and all other day to day sales activities. Maintain strong visibility in local community and industry organizations. Train all members of the hotel staff on how to recognize and capitalize on all sales opportunities to increase hotel occupancy and revenue. Proactively conduct outside sales calls conduct sales tours and entertain clients. I also assist the General Manager with some of the weekly operations such as forecasting, scheduling, and purchasing. I was always one to also stay in touch with Front Desk shifts to maintain a better understanding of the guests staying in the hotel.

(Layoff due to Covid-19) Starting in December 2019, added responsibilities to update and strengthen the group sales program at Florida Repertory Theatre by increasing sales through partnerships and community involvement. Project manager for all print and digital projects (brochures, digital ad campaigns, etc.). Creates season project list. Works on all media contracts. Manages the marketing budget. Works on all ads. Runs all photoshoots (PR and Production). Website edits. Playbill creation. Subscription Form creation. Work with other departments to assess their marketing needs (development, education, group sales, etc.). Create regular social media posts. Send out a weekly email blast on Mailchimp. Create end of year marketing report. Manages a staff of two.

Provide support to VCB Sales Managers in promotion efforts to increase lodging room nights in Meetings, Motorcoach, and SMERF markets. Maintain client information in CRM (Simpleview) database. Assist with coordinating site inspections, familiarization tours, special event organization, and follow-up, assist with new business development, and lead generation. Assist with coordination of arrival/welcome bag materials. Update marketing materials for the sales team, as well as content curation of sales videos and other marketing initiatives to increase lodging nights in the county. (Example of a video I created below)

Maintained presence and good standing with local & state associations such as Florida Attractions Association, SWFL Concierge Association, and others. Represented and attended trade shows. Established connections with local hoteliers and other attractions. Created packaging for groups and individuals. Coordinated high-end group tours, arranged and gave familiarization tours. Represented ABA, NTA, and SYTA. Organized annual Antique Car Show, assisted with weddings & events department. Created flyers, brochures, and other marketing materials. Maintained social media and website updates. Created new marketing campaign.

Guest Services including Gift Shop, Ticket Sales, Specialized Events, and Art Shoppes.

On my 6th summer as staff at VBYC, worked as the Volunteer Coordinator, which hired, trained, managed, and evaluated volunteer counselors and staff in trainees who are put in leadership positions to supervise children and children development.

Summer Job which put me in charge of different program areas of teaching including, Arts & Crats, Low Ropes/Initiatives, and Archery. Also weekly responsible for a cabin of 8 kids and 1 councelor. Extra duties include managing Camp Store, Staff In Training, and scheduling special activities.

Centro de Estudios para Extranjeros