Event Specialist

Appellation Lodi - Wine & Roses Resort and Spa is a premier hotel located in the heart of Northern California's wine country, specifically in Lodi, California. This resort is part of the innovative Appellation hotel collection, which is inspired by the local culture, community, and craftsmanship of its destinations. Appellation is not just another hotel company; it is a brand born from the elegant merger of culinary and hospitality worlds. The brand was developed by visionary co-founders Charlie Palmer, one of America's most renowned and award-winning chefs, recognized for pioneering the American hotel-restaurant model, and Christopher Hunsberger, a seasoned hospitality professional with over 30 years of experience, including his tenure as the former president of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, North America.

Appellation Lodi offers a unique blend of luxurious accommodations, top-tier culinary experiences, and exceptional guest services. The resort provides a perfect setting for romantic getaways, special occasions, business events, and more. Known as San Joaquin's leader in hospitality and culinary excellence, Appellation Lodi fosters a strong team environment and offers career growth opportunities across various fields, including hotel operations, culinary arts, event planning, spa and wellness, administration, and management.

Lodi itself is an appealing location recognized for its award-winning wineries, charming downtown, comfortable small-town atmosphere, beautiful weather, abundant outdoor recreational activities, and a relaxed pace of life. It boasts a significantly more affordable cost of living compared to major metropolitan areas such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Napa. Convenient access to nearby regions like Sacramento, the Bay Area, and Lake Tahoe makes Lodi an ideal destination for professionals and families seeking career advancement balanced with a high quality of life.

The Event Specialist role at Appellation Lodi is a full-time position dedicated to the coordination of weddings, meetings, banquets, and special events hosted at the resort. This role serves as the primary liaison between clients and the resort's operational teams, ensuring seamless event planning and execution aligned with the Appellation standards and ethos. The ideal candidate is passionate about hospitality, highly organized, sales-driven, and committed to building long-term client relationships while driving top-line revenue. The position requires flexible availability, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to accommodate the demands of event schedules.

The Event Specialist will engage closely with clients, vendors, and all company departments to guarantee outstanding event experiences. Responsibilities include planning and coordinating aspects of events, conducting property tours, developing lasting client relationships to encourage repeat business and referrals, strategic upselling of menus and services to meet revenue goals, and creating detailed event orders. On event days, this specialist will coordinate logistics, act as the main contact for both clients and vendors, and facilitate special moments such as wedding rehearsals and ceremonies.

Collaboration is a key part of this role, working alongside Banquet Operations, Culinary, Sales teams, and other departments to ensure flawless service delivery. The specialist also anticipates guest needs, maintains payment schedules, manages timelines and guest counts, and handles guest concerns professionally. Remaining current with hospitality trends, participating in sales initiatives, trade shows, and contributing creative ideas to foster departmental growth and innovation are integral to this position.

This role offers a competitive annual salary of $70,304 along with a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, employee assistance programs (EAP), vacation, paid holidays, 401(k) matching, supplemental Aflac insurance, and team member discounts. The Event Specialist position at Appellation Lodi represents an exciting opportunity to grow a career within a dynamic and respected hotel brand dedicated to excellence, local culture, and unparalleled guest experiences.