Name: Katie C.
Position: Senior Sales Executive
Hotel: Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center
Dream destination: A skiing trip in Northern Japan or an African Safari!
Taking risks and committing to changes are scary things, but sometimes you can just feel in your bones that the reward will be worth it. That’s the case for Katie, who left her Senior Sales Executive job at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center after eight years to join the pre-opening team of Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center. This meant uprooting her life in Nashville to plant new seeds in the San Diego area. It was a big move, for sure, but one Katie says was the best choice she could have made; she can hardly wait for the resort’s opening in spring 2025.
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“Being here from the beginning, and now being able to go on construction tours and watch the sunset from the 22nd floor in full hard hat gear, makes me feel so proud,” she says. “I cannot believe we open a year from now; we have the absolute best team.”
What makes Gaylord Pacific—a sprawling, 1,600-room resort on the San Diego coastline that caters to events and vacation-goers alike—such a special place to work is the focus on connection and togetherness.
“My entire job is about making and maintaining meaningful connections,” she says. “It’s about teamwork and connecting with people inside the hotel to provide great service to the people coming from outside the hotel.”
The perks are pretty solid, too; Katie’s traveled the world, enjoyed incredible meals, and seen Cher and Dolly Parton, to boot. Below, get more intel about her favorite parts of working for Gaylord Pacific, both the job itself and the life-boosting benefits she’s also able to enjoy.
How would you describe Gaylord Hotels culture?
As an industry leader in meetings and events, Gaylord Hotels are built on the concept of togetherness, and that strongly permeates our culture. As a brand, we focus on delivering service with passion and offering unique experiences to elevate our groups each and every day. I love the collaborative teamwork feel that Gaylord Hotels offers not only with my own hotel but with the other five properties, as well. I am always learning from my fellow Stars (how the brand refers to team members) and enjoy getting to do and try new things in my hotel and around the U.S.
What are some ways you are empowered to achieve the extraordinary in your role?
I feel empowered to make decisions in my role. And because I’ve learned from the most intelligent and experienced people in the hospitality business, I feel supported and confident in the decisions I make. Gaylord Hotels trusts its Stars to make the right choices, and I know I can lean on anyone on the team for help or support.
When coming up with creative sales approaches for something like a new client event, I am never told “no.” We find a way to make the dream a reality!
What are some ways Gaylord Hotels has supported you in learning, development and growing your own career?
I have had some incredible mentors who have supported me in developing my career. I’ve always felt encouraged to attend trade shows, client events, seminars, and to pursue knowledge not only regarding hospitality but also to better myself as a human being.
Tell us about some of the extraordinary moments you’ve been able to be a part of at Gaylord Hotels.
Where do I even begin? I think I peaked at 25 years old when I won an award for being among the top 1% of Marriott sellers and Gaylord flew me to Vienna, Austria for the week to attend the celebration with the other winners. Not only was it amazing to be able to go to Europe and meet Marriott’s former CEO (the legendary Arne Sorenson), but I also loved connecting with the other winners, many of whom I still see at client events.
Gaylord Hotels also gifted me a guitar, as it does for all its top bookers each year. Everyone who works for sales in the brand is always after that guitar!
How are you encouraged to be innovative and creative in your role?
We are constantly coming up with creative new ways to entertain our clients. Because we are competing with some of the best hotels in the world, we need to make sure we stand out. Whether it is taking clients out on a sailboat, playing chef for the day, creating our own karaoke experience, or even something as small as sending clients a surprise in the mail, no day is the same!
What will be some of the unexpected benefits of working at Gaylord Pacific?
The travel perks are unmatched! I joke that my friends and family would be so upset if I left because they use Explore Friends Rates much or more than I use my Explore Rate.
In addition to personal travel, I have been able to enjoy amazing experiences as part of my work. I have been to the Country Music Awards, seen Cher and Dolly Parton, been on great ski trips and boat excursions, and sampled some of the best restaurants all over the United States. I feel so lucky to work for a company that has allowed me all these astounding experiences, but the best benefit is truly the phenomenal people I get to work with every day.
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
The proudest moment of my career was getting my current pre-opening role. I loved living in Nashville, working for Gaylord Opryland, but I’m proud to have taken a giant leap and moved across the country to open Gaylord Pacific. I am surrounded by the best of the best in the industry. Gaylord Hotels just has something special, and I cannot imagine myself ever leaving the brand.
