Convention Services Manager

The Astor Crowne Plaza New Orleans stands as a premier luxury hotel located at the vibrant intersection where Canal Street meets Bourbon Street, right in the heart of the historic French Quarter. This location offers guests a unique blend of rich cultural experiences and elegant comfort. With free Wi-Fi, flat screen HD televisions, a sparkling outdoor seasonal swimming pool, an acclaimed on-site restaurant, and a state-of-the-art fitness facility, the hotel caters to both leisure and business travelers looking for an exceptional stay in New Orleans. The French Quarter's unparalleled array of festivals, theater, music, cultural exhibits, and culinary delights are just steps away, ensuring that every guest experiences the city's legendary charm during their visit. At Astor Crowne Plaza, employees are considered family, and the hotel offers complimentary uniforms, meals, and 24/7 discounted downtown parking as part of their supportive workplace culture. The management strongly encourages applicants to apply even if their backgrounds don’t perfectly align with every qualification, promoting a diverse and inclusive environment that values all talents and experiences, including those from military veterans. This reflects the hotel’s commitment to fostering an engaging and welcoming work environment where all team members can thrive.

The role offered is centered around conference and event planning, specifically focused on creating outstanding client experiences through active communication, meticulous planning, and strong team leadership. The candidate will be responsible for understanding and applying monthly forecasting and the annual budget process, playing a critical role in optimizing revenue through room rentals and client satisfaction. A key part of the position involves raising meeting planner evaluation scores by implementing effective strategies for exceeding their expectations. The successful candidate will be involved in maintaining long-term client relationships to foster repeat business and will actively participate in reputable industry organizations such as NACE and MPI to stay connected with current trends and networking opportunities.

This role demands excellent sales skills, including strong closing and negotiation capabilities, as well as the confidence to conduct hotel site inspections and client presentations. Creativity is highly valued, especially in designing innovative group setups, menus, and event functions, working closely with the culinary team to create special menus while managing pricing strategies. On the operations side, the candidate will collaborate closely with the banquet department to execute events seamlessly and will be responsible for detailed execution of banquet event orders. Familiarity with audio/visual equipment and managing it as a profit center is also essential, as is proficiency with relevant computer software like Delphi, Word, and Excel.

The position includes monitoring group room blocks and pickup rates, preparing detailed resumes for operating departments, and coordinating with outside vendors to ensure client satisfaction at all events and meetings. Candidates must comply with attendance requirements and be consistently available to work, performing any other job-related tasks as assigned by management. This comprehensive role offers a salary range between $62,000 and $65,000 annually, with no tip or service charge eligibility and no discretionary performance bonus. HEI Hotels and Resorts, the parent company, provides extensive benefits focusing on physical, mental, and financial wellness, including medical, dental, vision, and pet insurance, generous vacation and sick leave policies, multiple life and disability insurances, a 401(k) savings plan with matching contributions, and various employee discounts. The company prides itself on equal opportunity employment, evaluating candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristics. This job offers an excellent opportunity for professionals in hospitality looking to advance their career in a supportive, dynamic environment that values growth, inclusivity, and employee well-being.