Karen Courtright is the new director of sales and marketing at the Omni.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
“I am responsible for all the departments that bring in revenue. I coordinate their efforts, lend support, guide the salesmen and help the reservations department. We decide as a team what room rates to charge and the merchandise for the hotel. The goal is to try to get the highest guest room rate that we can achieve without sacrificing occupancy.”
COMPANY LOYAL
Starting out in New Orleans, Courtright has relocated with Omni to Connecticut, Boston and Jacksonville during her six years with the hotel. Before the Omni, she was the food and beverage assistant at Sonesta Corporation in New Orleans.
HOMETOWN
Lansing, Mich.
EDUCATION
Involved with the Parks Department in high school and college, Courtright veered towards a bachelor’s degree in parks, recreation and tourism from the University of Missouri. “It’s a catch-all degree in the school of natural resources. I was a lifeguard instructor and senior counselor at a resident summer camp. I was always outdoors. My degree mirrored the things I was interested in.”
WHY OPT FOR HOTEL MANAGEMENT?
“In college, I was the sorority rush chair for the campus. It was a big event every fall and went hand-in-hand with meeting planning. I interned at the Omni in the sales, convention and catering department.”
WHAT’S REWARDING ABOUT IT?
“I enjoy helping sales managers achieve their potential and being responsible for the financial stability of the hotel. There’s nothing better than making a hotel more successful than it was. And I get to learn a little about what others do for their business; a good sales manager knows her customers.”
WHAT’S MOST CHALLENGING?
“Recently, what’s most challenging is the economy. It was booming in 2000. When things are up, people’s expectations are that they’ll continue. It was the realization that the heyday was over.”
AFFILIATIONS
A volunteer with the Susan G. Comen Breast Cancer Foundation for over 10 years, Courtright regularly participates in the Race for the Cure. While in Boston, she was on the board of the Professional Convention Management Association, serving as program chair in 2001.
PERSONAL INTERESTS
A seasoned traveler, Courtright delights in dining at Roomba in New Haven, Conn. On the tube, she religiously watches “The West Wing.” Sailing, movies or reading American history are also favorites.
BRUSHES WITH FAME
Being in the leisure industry, Courtright has met several entertainers, including singer Diana Ross, actor Kelsey Grammer and the Back Street Boys. Mobbing them for an autograph is frowned upon though. “When celebrities are in the hotel, it’s not appropriate to approach them.”
—by Monica Chamness