Hospitality Day
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Key Note Speaker
MITCHELL GROSSINGER ETESS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER- MOHEGAN SUN
Mitch Etess' experience in the gaming industry is both broad and deep. He worked in high-level marketing positions at Players Island Resort Casino & Spa in Nevada and Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City before joining Mohegan Sun in 1996 as Senior Vice President of Marketing and as a member of the casino's pre-opening team. He was promoted to Executive Vice President of Marketing shortly thereafter, and in 2004 became President and Chief Executive Officer, overseeing the management and operation of Mohegan Sun, the Northeast's premier entertainment destination.
In 2006, Mitch was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (MTGA), the Mohegan Tribe instrumentality that owns and operates Mohegan Sun, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, the WNBA's Connecticut Sun and Mohegan Gaming Advisors.
Mitch is a graduate of Columbia University. He and his wife Karen reside in Southern Connecticut and have two grown children.
Lodging Management Speaker
SIDDARTH MOBAR
Entrepreneur & Hotelier
Professor Mobar is a entrepreneur and hotelier with over fifteen years of global experience in hotel operations, finance, acquisitions, development, franchise & re-positioning. He brings a vast array of working knowledge & business practices of leading hotel brands in all segments. He is currently an Adjunct Professor of Lodging Management at Lasell. Additionally, Mr. Mobar is also an avid hospitality educator with experience teaching in prestigious colleges & universities. An MBA from Johnson & Wales University, he has also attained hospitality education from both Cornell University & Les Roches Hotel School in Switzerland.
CARRIE CAMPBELL
Vice President, Sales & Service, Fenway Enterprises, Boston Red Sox
Carrie Campbell was named Vice President of Sales & Service for Fenway Enterprises in February, 2013, after serving as Director of Sales & Service from 2010-2012. Her role includes the year- round marketing, booking, and planning of private and public events at Fenway Park. Campbell’s more than 20 years of sales, catering, and event management experience has helped grow the business by 90 percent in just four years making Fenway Park a first class private event destination in New England and among Major league Baseball parks.
Prior to joining the club, Campbell worked at the Boston Harbor Hotel, a five-star luxury hotel on Boston’s waterfront where she was a key member of the executive team for six years and held the titles of Director of Catering, and Director of Sales & Marketing. In that role, Campbell focused on creating and sustaining a service culture, customer satisfaction, and driving both guest room and catering revenue. She was responsible for the sales, service, and marketing efforts as well as training, developing, and motivating a team of 14 managers.
Earlier in her career, she served as the Director of Catering at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel for six years where she handled high-end political, corporate, and non-profit events. Campbell also has significant experience in liaising with top donors and spearheading the planning and coordination of annual golf tournaments, fundraisers, and charity walks. From her first industry job at The Hampshire House, to the Landmark Boston Harbor Hotel, to our beloved Fenway Park, Campbell has demonstrated her passion for “distinctly Boston” properties with a sense of place and history.
Sporting Event Management Speaker
CAROL BLISS
Carol started working in restaurants at a very young age in Dartmouth and New Bedford, MA serving in both front and back of the house roles. While loving the fast paced environment of a restaurant, Carol wanted to try the “hospitable” side of the industry and made the transition into hotels in the Summer of 1990.
Carol attended Johnson & Wales University in Providence RI, where she earned an Associate’s Degree in Hotel Restaurant Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management. While at Johnson & Wales University, Carol was a member of the Teaching Assistant and a Fellow Programs; where she trained the culinary and hospitality students in the various aspects of Restaurant Management and Hotel Management.
Upon graduation Carol began her career in Boston at the Marriott at Copley Place, at the Front Desk. After 18 months, Carol made the transition into clubs where the fast paced restaurant and “true hospitality” came together for her at Woodland Golf Club, where she stayed for 11 years.
Carol left the club industry for a short time to gain additional experience in Marketing, Philanthropy, Accounting, and larger events by pursuing a career with Alder Foods, Inc.; which serves as a Food Distributor to the US Military.
In June of 2010, Carol rejoined the club industry with Brae Burn Country Club as the Director of Functions, and was named Assistant Manager in 2011.
Carol joined the Harvard Club in August of 2013 as a Catering Sales Manager, where she planned detailed and coordinated meetings, events, and momentous occasions for members and their guests. In August 2014, Carol was promoted to the Food & Beverage Director position where she oversees the day to day operations of the club.
In November 2013, after fulfilling specific requirements in club management experience, education and association activity, Carol qualified to take her CCM (Certified Club Manager) exam. After passing all ten competencies, Carol is now one of more than 1500 CCM’s worldwide.
Club Management Speaker
ANDREA DELUCIA
My name is Andrea DeLucia. I have owned and operated Elegance & Grace weddings, a full service wedding and special event planning and design business for 9 years! Elegance & Grace started off very small, the concentration was with smaller scale weddings and events. For example, I planned birthdays, anniversaries, bar and bat mitzvahs, etc. Elegance & Grace soon grew and within the first 2 years I was planning and managing full size, high-end weddings! I have serviced many locations, including Boston, Maine, Newport, RI and even working in five-star resorts for destination weddings. I soon became a sought after wedding planning, providing a five-star service. My main business was through word of mouth and referral. I have maintained many awards acknowledging Elegance & Grace, not to mention I have a keen eye for cohesive looks including floral and color. I worked very hard to build up a reputation with clients and vendors that would help me take those next steps. Running my own business has come with great success and obstacles, for instance, I am a mother of 4 beautiful children Ella, Drew, Grace and Aliya. I pride myself on being an honest person, who loves to work with people giving them excellent customer service!
I love the opportunity to teach and guide students through this billion-dollar industry. There are many opportunities and many people who have the talent, but I see most never taking the risk because they are scared of the outcome. I want to inspire others to take the risk and do something they love! There are right and wrong ways of doing business and there is a lot to the back end on planning special events that never make it on TV. Trust me I know. I would love the opportunity to use my real life experience and wealth of knowledge to help students start their venture in wedding and event planning.
I have networked and became a spokesperson for Vesper Country Club. I produced my very own Bridal show - Brides and Bouquets. I have been quoted and featured in magazines such as Inspire Smart Success, Boston Brides, Brides, and Southern New England Weddings. I have worked with the finest designers, photographers and other vendors in Boston and beyond. Two years ago, I took an amazing trip to California and participated in an inspiring event alongside of Preston Bailey, the hottest wedding planner and designer in NY and California. He has produced events for Joan Rivers and Oprah, just to name a few. I am a member of ISES, (International Special Event Society) this program is designed to help vendors learn the business and be able to network with other industry members. I have done fundraisers and worked with Military weddings. My ventures have included stylized shooting to market my designs. I have been featured in many blogs and publications. I have designed photo shoots incorporating national brands such as UGG Australia and Nordstrom. Both photo shoots were published in magazines and blogs.
In addition to all I have done in the business, what I am most proud of is my mentoring program. I am a tutor at QC Career School, I took on interns to teach them the business and find their way in the industry. My interns have started with me, having no experience of event planning, special events or working for fully planning high-end weddings. I have established many partners and programs that I am evolving in and starting my new branding venture. This will include a partnership with a Westport winery, Lands End totes and Groovy Candies. I would love to pass on my little black book to my students that could pave their way as they build their own business!