Christine Zipparo is the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Hotel Nyack, a funky boutique hotel and meeting/event space near the Hudson River in the historic town of Nyack.
The hotel is minutes from corporate headquarters in White Plains, New Jersey, and Connecticut and a short drive into Manhattan. Zipparo even told us about a business event during which guests arrived by boat and took a luxury bus to the hotel/venue!
We met her during a one-night stay at the awesome hotel and asked her to share a bit about her career perspectives and the hotel business.
How did you first get into the hospitality business?
“I started as a Food Service Director for ARAMARK.”
Best job? Why?
“My best role was as a Banquet and Catering manager. I fell into it after taking a few years off as a mom. Understanding the strategies for social gatherings and corporate meetings and how to secure the business was very exciting. I loved learning the logistics needed to execute a successful event and grow repeat business from that event.”
What was the biggest lesson you learned along the way?
“Listen to your clients’ needs first. Develop a relationship of mutual trust and understanding. Let the client know their needs are important to you. Understand what drives their decision and tailor a proposal that addresses their immediate needs and concerns. Push yourself daily and have a sense of urgency when responding to RFPs (requests for proposals), and you will be successful.”
What trends are you seeing in corporate events?
“More business event planners are looking for ‘out-of-the-box’ ideas. They want innovative food and beverage packages. They are also looking for engaging team-building activities that aren’t the same old concepts. They want attendees to come away with memorable experiences!”
What would you tell someone just looking to get into the business?
“Love what you do and it will resonate with your clients. Learn from your peers in the business and soak up their knowledge. It’s an ever-changing industry!”
