SPRINGFIELD, Mo. & SAN MARCOS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) today announced its 283-suite Embassy Suites San Marcos – Hotel, Spa & Conference Center in Texas has achieved Sales Team of the Year as a part of the 2014 Embassy Suites Brand Awards. The hotel was selected for the honor from among more than 215 upscale, all-suite Embassy Suites hotels across the Americas for superior performance working as a sales team to exceed defined revenue goals. Springfield, Mo.-based JQH is the largest private, independent owner and manager of hotels in the United States.
“We congratulate our stellar team in San Marcos for their exceptional sales performance, which is particularly impressive in a market with a steady supply of new rooms,” said Phill Burgess, JQH vice president of sales and revenue optimization. “JQH promotes relationship-building as a foundational business practice, and the company’s San Marcos property is a prime example of this strategic approach effectively at work in sales and marketing efforts.”
Training at Core of Business Success
The Embassy Suites San Marcos sales team is led by hospitality veteran and Director of Sales Ruth Buck, who has been with the property since its pre-opening phase in 2007. Buck collaborates closely with Larry Cooper, hotel general manager, and Ronda Smith, JQH regional director of sales, including on overseeing regular training initiatives with the hotel’s sales team. Buck credits JQH’s emphasis on training as a key element of the hotel’s formula for success.
“JQH cultivates a training-oriented environment that trains in group sessions and cross-departmental teams and provides diverse tools necessary for keeping up with an ever-changing marketplace. Open dialogue, frequent practice and ongoing collaboration are encouraged,” Buck said. “We have found this coaching approach to be highly successful, resulting in JQH’s San Marcos property having some of the highest group nights in the country.”
Flexible Meeting Space for Repeat Business
With 78,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including the 28,800-square-foot Veramendi Ballroom, the Embassy Suites San Marcos – Hotel, Spa & Conference Center is ideal for a range of meetings and conventions, including car shows, large equipment trade shows, comic book conferences, cooking demonstration events, university-related events, business expos, galas and more.
The venue’s ability to consistently deliver on guests and group planners’ expectations is recognized by long-term clients that regularly rebook, including Texas Farm Bureau. The Waco, Texas-based organization, which represents more than 500,000 member-families on local, state and national levels, has been hosting one to two meetings annually at the Embassy Suites San Marcos since the hotel’s opening in 2008.
“The Embassy Suites San Marcos’ facilities and staff are outstanding and they make our events run effortlessly!” said Betsy Simon, director of travel services, Texas Farm Bureau. “Our attendees always enjoy the Embassy Suites’ hospitality from the moment they check in until they check out.”
Located at 1001 E. McCarty Lane in San Marcos, the Embassy Suites San Marcos can be reached at (512) 392-6450. For more information, visit www.sanmarcos.embassysuites.com and www.facebook.com/EmbassySuitesSanMarcos.
Recognized Top Performers
In addition to the Embassy Suites San Marcos receiving the Sales Team of the Year award, six other JQH properties were recognized with 2014 Embassy Suites Brand Awards, resulting in JQH’s securing the most honors of any hotel management company. As a part of JQH’s securing one fifth of the 35 accolades, the company’s 263-suite Embassy Suites – Loveland Hotel, Spa & Conference Center in Colorado has again received the coveted Connie Award for being one of the top three ranked hotels among the 2014 Embassy Suites brand set. Two additional JQH properties in Nebraska and Tennessee were celebrated as being among the top 10 percent performing Embassy Suites, with three of the company’s hotels recognized for RevPAR, sustainability and community service. For more information about JQH’s Embassy Suites properties, please call 1-800-EMBASSY or visit www.jqhhotels.com.
About Embassy Suites Hotels
Embassy Suites Hotels, one of Hilton Worldwide’s 12 market-leading brands, is dedicated to delivering what matters most to travelers. The full-service, upscale brand offers every guest a two-room suite, free cooked-to-order breakfast and a nightly two-hour reception with complimentary drinks* and snacks. Both leisure and business travelers looking for a relaxed, yet sophisticated, experience will feel right at home with brand-standard amenities like inviting atriums and complimentary 24-hour business and fitness centers. Embassy Suites Hotels has 219 hotels with 40 in the pipeline. For more information, visit www.embassysuites.com, and connect with Embassy Suites at news.embassysuites.com, www.facebook.com/embassysuiteshotels and www.twitter.com/EmbassySuites.
*Service of alcohol subject to state and local laws. Must be of legal drinking age.
About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 95 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of twelve world-class global brands is comprised of more than 4,300 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 715,000 rooms in 94 countries and territories, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.
About John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts
Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) is the largest private, independent owner and manager of hotels in the United States, representing brands such as: Marriott, Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Sheraton, IHG, Chateau on the Lake Resort / Spa & Convention Center, and Plaza Hotels Collection. With a portfolio of more than 75 hotels representing nearly 19,000 guest rooms/suites in 24 states, JQH’s properties are dominant in their markets. Founded on the extraordinary vision of John Q. Hammons and built on his continued legacy of excellence spanning more than 50 years, JQH has become one of the most recognized and award-winning companies in the hospitality industry. Built to be the best, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts continues to set the standard in hospitality management and hotel development. For more information about JQH, visit the company’s website at www.jqhhotels.com or www.facebook.com/jqhhotelsresorts.
