Cynthia Ferguson
Raleigh,NC
Summary
Highly experienced sales training specialist with over 20 years of expertise in hospitality sales, marketing, operations, and new hotel openings. Skilled in systems training, strategic planning, team building, and new hire onboarding. Demonstrated ability to build strategic working relationships, train and mentor teams, and drive revenue growth. Strong presentation skills and excellent analytical, organizational, and creative problem-solving abilities. Proficient in key account management and strategic planning.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Sales and Marketing
Hyatt House Raleigh Seaboard Station
03.2024 - Current
- Lead sales and marketing efforts, driving revenue growth and brand awareness.
- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships to secure group and extended stay bookings.
- Implement targeted sales initiatives to attract corporate, legal, and academic clients.
- Oversee event and meeting space bookings, optimizing revenue and guest experience.
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure seamless execution of sales and marketing strategies.
Vice President of Sales
Inn-Flow Hotel Software
01.2020 - Current
- Drive client base growth, revenue, and brand recognition
- Utilize targeted questioning to advance prospects through the sales process
- Conduct virtual product demonstrations and sales presentations
- Represent Inn-Flow at industry events and trade shows
- Build partnerships with franchise companies, vendors, and major hotel brands
- Recruit, train, and coach the sales team
Regional Vice President of Sales
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Trained newly hired sales associates on all systems
- Mentored sales associates across the Mid-Atlantic Region in strategic account planning
- Developed relationships with franchise partners and hotel owners
- Engaged with management companies for new hotel pre-opening and strategic planning
- Collaborated with Operations, Revenue Management, and Development teams
- Planned and facilitated corporate events, including leadership forums and sales summits
- Created and led Sales Onboarding classes for new Directors of Sales
- Managed 61 Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels in the Mid-Atlantic and Canada
Director of Sales and Marketing
Hyatt House Raleigh Durham Airport
01.2009 - 01.2017
- Served as a Hyatt Regional Training/Onboarding Consultant
- Led inside/outside sales, corporate networking, and marketing efforts
- Managed daily yield strategies for rates and hotel inventory
- Developed annual revenue goals and sales and marketing business plans
- Handled RFPs and responded to leads for guest rooms and corporate events
- Supervised and mentored sales staff to achieve monthly goals
Senior Area Director of Sales
CMC Hotel Corporation
01.2004 - 01.2009
- Oversaw sales, marketing, lead generation, and account maintenance for seven hotels
- Recruited, trained, and mentored the entire sales team
Director of Sales/Area Sales Coach
Candlewood Suites Hotel
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Managed yield strategies, marketing, corporate networking, and staff training
- Trained and mentored Directors of Sales in the Mid-Atlantic region
General Manager
Candlewood Suites Hotel
01.1999 - 01.2001
- Recruited, hired, and managed all property staff
- Supervised all physical plant and maintenance issues
Education
Bachelor of Arts -
University of Illinois - Champaign-Urbana
Skills
- Hospitality training and onboarding specialist
- Multi-unit management experience in both sales and operations
- Hotel opening experience
- Strong presentation and communication skills
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Strategic relationship building and key account management
Certification
- Hyatt Connect Consultative Sales Training
- Prospecting Training, Stacia Skinner (Creative Training Solutions)
- Hyatt Leadership Nominee (2015, 2016)
- Aimbridge DOS of the Year Nominee (2015)
- Aimbridge Sales Team of the Year Nominee (2016)
Timeline
Director of Sales and Marketing
Hyatt House Raleigh Seaboard Station
03.2024 - Current
Vice President of Sales
Inn-Flow Hotel Software
01.2020 - Current
Regional Vice President of Sales
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
01.2017 - 01.2020
Director of Sales and Marketing
Hyatt House Raleigh Durham Airport
01.2009 - 01.2017
Senior Area Director of Sales
CMC Hotel Corporation
01.2004 - 01.2009
Director of Sales/Area Sales Coach
Candlewood Suites Hotel
01.2001 - 01.2004
General Manager
Candlewood Suites Hotel
01.1999 - 01.2001
Bachelor of Arts -
University of Illinois - Champaign-Urbana
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