Q&A with Brian!
1. What has your journey been like after graduating from MSU Denver?
My Journey has been a whirlwind since graduation in December of 2020 (shoutout virtual commencement during COVID!). During school I was working as a Front Desk Agent at the Springhill Suites Denver Downtown right next to the Hospitality Learning Center. I then made my way over to the Embassy Suites Denver Downtown as Front Desk Supervisor, and then made the move into Sales as Executive Meeting Manager at the Marriott Denver Tech Center. This property was amazing to work for and I had some truly great mentors that showed me the ropes of being a good sales and events manager. I then was ready to move into a bigger role, and have now been with the Hyatt Regency Aurora Denver Conference Center as a Group Sales Manager since October of 2023. I truly have a passion for creating unforgettable experiences for clients and building relationships with them. Whether it is large conventions, corporate conferences , holiday parties, or anything else, I have found my niche in selling conventions for hotels.
2. Can you talk about your current role at Hyatt Regency Aurora Denver Conference Center?
I currently am Group Sales Manager and am in charge of selling the Corporate and Sports markets for the hotel. With us being a conference center with 35,000 sq ft of event space, including a 12,000 sq ft ballroom, I sell all sorts of events from 10 person rooms blocks to conventions for up to 1,000 people. Our property also has 249 guest rooms to go along with the conference center, so my main focus is selling groups business that needs 150-200 rooms and that will need event space as well. It is amazing coming to work and not knowing what the day is going to bring your way.
3. What does a typical workday look like for you?
A typical day for me includes a whole lot of fun stuff! I will usually start the day by taking a look at any new leads we get from the night before, analyzing those leads and how we can make it both a great experience for the client’s and profitable for the hotel. I will then build custom proposals for these leads and inquires with our pricing and how we can make what they are looking for in terms of event space work at our property. I will then work on contracting these groups and negotiations, doing Site Tours, client lunches, and networking events to promote our property. Throw all that in with the daily meetings and what goes along with working at a busy hotel and you get a full work week!
4. What are you passionate about in the work that you do?
I am very passionate about when I get a “juicy” lead for a group that wants to come to Denver. My favorite part of the gig is when I can give a Site Tour, especially to a group that is looking at multiple hotels in the area and has a lot of options, and can do my best to make that Site Tour as memorable and special for them as possible. Whether that is having our entire management team greet the clients upon their arrival at the hotel, custom gifts for clients, or treating them to a meal in our restaurant, I love to talk about the property and show them just how much I care that they are taking the time to come to the hotel for a visit. There is nothing like getting that email or phone call saying they are requesting a contract and want to host the event here!
5. In what ways has your MSU Denver experience had an impact on your career and shaped who you are today?
My MSU experience has had a large impact on who I am today. I was actually a Front Desk Agent at the Springhill Suites on campus before enrolling into the Hospitality program at MSU, and was convinced to give it a shot by other mentors I had at the hotel during the time. It was at MSU that I found the passion and want to make a career out of working in hotels. I had amazing classes that related directly to what I was doing for work, and made some life long friends along the way. One of the highlights of my time at MSU was that I got to study abroad in Prague in 2019. This was an unforgettable experience as I went to Prague without knowing anyone else who was going to study abroad. I quickly made so many friends as us hospitality folk have to stick together, and made so many unforgettable memories while seeing a side of the world I had never been to!
6. What career advice would you give to current and prospective MSU Denver students?
My advice would be to stick with it! There are going to be good and bad days with any career that you choose. Trust me, I have had my share of bad days in both operations and sales. I think as long as you can keep a positive attitude and find joy in what you do on a day to day basis, the bad days are worth it. I have met some of my best friends through working in hotels, and it is truly a privilege to be a part of the Denver hotel scene and continue to grow my career. Also, a shameless plug, but Sales is where its at if you want to work in hotels! 😊