Happy 5th Anniversary to ME!!!!

Many of you have been asking what I do. What all comes into play by being a Director of Catering and Conference Services? As I began to think about that, I thought "Wow! Today marks my 5th Year in the Hotel Industry!" What a great opportunity to share in detail what I do, and how I've gotten here.

Compared to a lot of my colleagues, 5 years is nothing. Many of them have over 20 years experience (I'll get there one day). However, at my age (26) and what I have accomplished so far, it's something definitely worth celebrating!  Just to give you an idea, here's a little timeline of how my career has developed so far:

WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?
So what's next? I've always been a person who likes to work hard and push myself to succeed. I'm thrilled to see where I will be in the next 5-10 years, and based on the the last five years, the possibilities are endless. I just plan to continue to work hard and advance my career as much as I can. My goal is to progress and move up to lead larger properties/resorts, and eventually end up in a Regional or Vice-President position for a Hotel Company where I can share my skills and experiences with multiple properties. Leading and Teaching is my passion. I crave it and become a better person each and every day from it.

As I continue to make that journey towards my highest goals, I continue to focus on the current position and involve myself more and more within the industry.

MARRIOTT UNIVERSITY PARK HOTEL
This property is the perfect start for my major leadership track. The Marriott University Park Hotel has 219 guest rooms, and about 12,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space. Manageable for a new Director, and plenty of opportunity for me to step up and make major improvements based on my experience with other properties.

I directly oversee an awesome Catering Team that consists of myself (the Director), a Catering Manager, and an Executive Meeting Coordinator. Together we sell and/or service all events that take place within our hotel. Specifically, I am responsible for maintaining our Catering Food and Beverage Budget by developing appropriate pricing strategy, special promotions and marketing, and action plans for my team to meet our expectations. I also deal with forecasting our anticipated revenues on a weekly basis, menu development, creating standard operating procedures as they relate to our events and functions, and lend my expertise within our Sales database system as the System Administrator.

CERTIFIED WEDDING PLANNER
Through Marriott's extensive wedding training program, I became a Certified Wedding Planner. This certification places me as an expert in the art of weddings, and will help me stand out amongst my competitors as I continue to succeed in my career.

MEETING PROFESSIONALS INTERNATIONAL
I recently joined MPI's Utah Chapter where I look forward to educating myself and surrounding myself around years of knowledge and experience within the colleagues I associate with. I am serving on the Events Committee where I will help plan the chapter's many annual and monthly events that they host.  


NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CATERING EXECUTIVES
Utah currently does not have a Chapter for NACE. So, recently, I have teamed up with the National NACE office and they are assisting me in preparing and leading a steering committee in order to get a Utah Chapter in place. I'm stoked for this experience. It's going to be hard and it's going to be a long process, but I know it will give me an opportunity to step up as a major leader in my community and prepare me for bigger and better things in my career.

These are just a few things I get my hands in. Those that know me, know that I will always keep myself busy and find ways to get involved with everything I can. "CHEERS" to another 5 great years in the Hotel World!

TJ

Wade in the Water!

Harriet Tubman sang this spiritual as a warning to runaway slaves. To escaping slaves, the song told them to abandon the path and move into the water. By travelling along the water’s edge or across a body of water, the slaves would throw chasing dogs and their keepers off the scent.

Last night I had the pleasure of being a part of an awesome workshop for the new musical, "Harriet!" It was written by Colette Call and her brother, J. Michael Call. We performed the workshop at the Rose Wagner Theater in downtown SLC in the Black Box, with an audience of about 100 people. It was my first workshop, and what a fantastic process to be a part of! I played the role of John Tubman, a free slave who didn't really share Harriet's dream of running North. She knew she could potentially be sold and her marriage would be split apart. John didn't want her to run, and essentially gave her the ultimatum of "If you run, I'll turn you in!" So what does she do? She runs. Harriet comes back two years later, and finds John has re-married, not sure she would ever be returning. The material was deep, and throughout this process I learned so much about H-Tub, that I'd never learned before. 

For the workshop, we had a cast of about 50 talented performers. It was a pleasure to be able to share the stage with some of my most favorite people such as Josephine Scere and Carleton Bluford. We put the workshop together in only 4 rehearsals. Our original performance date of November 23rd was rescheduled to last night due to a "blizzard" that Utah received that day, canceling most activities in the area. 

The production was received well by the audience, and during Q & A we got some great feedback as to the material, the length and the quality of music. We only performed Act 1 of the musical last night, and the next step for Colette and Michael is to finish Act 2, completing the whole show. 

I look forward to hopefully being a part of this finished product and sharing this amazing story of Harriet Tubman with the world! 

My Professional Catering Word of the Day!

Insipid [in·sip·id] adj. Lacking flavor or zest; not tasty. Lacking
qualities that excite, stimulate, or interest; dull.

Ways in which I have used this word in a sentance so far today: "In my opinion, the asparagus was insipid and needs something more!"

(Fancy Director of Catering talk!)

Your Turn!

Drawing the Line on Semi Formal

So tomorrow night is our Annual Company Party. The dress is Semi Formal. UGH! What the heck does that mean? How does one who dresses in a suit and tie each day for work, change it up enough; staying fashionable, but keeping the semi formal dress code? 

Well, whenever I need an answer, I turn to Google. Here's my favorite search result...is it really Semi Formal enough?

http://lookbook.nu/look/45573-Smart-casual-for-semi-formal-events

2010: Your One and Only Post about the Year

Ok, ok...so I realize I have not blogged since May of 2009. So sue me. But this boy has been busier than busy and most of you who know me can certainly understand. 

So, I thought I would take a moment to give you the scoop on all my crazy happenings of 2010 and a preview of what lies ahead for 2011. Brace yourselves, 2010 was a happening year for me.

CHAPTER 1

The Sheraton & Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2010....The day that will life in infamy. After only five months of employment, the Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel decided to eliminate my position (Senior Catering Manager) and lay me off. Really? On MLK Jr. Day? Ok, whatever. It was bitter sweet. I know that I was ultimately not happy there, but knew in this economy I couldn't just quit and be left with nothing. That day ended up being a blessing in disguise for many reasons (you'll know more later in the blog). I considered it a paid vacation (thanks unemployment benefits)!  While actively seeking employment I was enjoying the fact that I could sleep in until noon every day, work out for 2 hours a day, and start Lost from Season 1 and get through all 5 seasons on DVD in only a couple of weeks. Best. Vacay. Ever! 

So what took place while I was unemployed for three months? I did a lot of Theatre...duh! Continue Reading. 

1) January 2010 

I had a starring role (Paul) in a production of Six Degrees of Separation presented by the Wasatch Theater Company at the Rose Wagner Theater. This was by far the most challenging role I've had the pleasure of ever playing. It really tested my acting abilities and pushed me to skill levels I didn't realize I had. I credit an amazing director, Jim Martin, and talented cast whom I learned so much from and created lasting friendships with. What a great way to pass the time while being recently unemployed.

2) January-February 2010

I musically directed a fun production of Kiss Me, Kate at Rodgers Memorial Theater in Centerville. A Clever musical with fun music and a great cast!

Additionally, I also musically directed an amazing production of Reefer Madness: The Musical produced by Dark Horse Company Theatre at the Egyptian Theater in Salt Lake. One of the best casts I've ever had the pleasure of directing and I thoroughly enjoyed working with Christopher Glad in his debut Musical Directorial experience. It was a brilliant show and received rave reviews and made me so happy to be a part of such success. 

3) February-April 2010

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill starring Dee Dee Darby Duffin, and produced by the Pygmalion Theater Company at Rose Wagner Theater, was probably my favorite production to be involved in to-date. This was a two-person show in which I Musically Directed and also performed the role of Jimmy Powers (the accompanist to Billie Holiday). Dee Dee's portrayal of Lady Day was phenomenal and she made it easy for me to bring out the necessary vocals to portray the character with such detail. It also was a huge challenge and learning experience for myself. Having studied piano classically, I never dove into the genre of Jazz and Blues. Playing this show taught me so much (on my own) and made me that much more of a better musician. Dee Dee and I were led by an amazing director (Teresa Sanderson) who knew Billie and that time period, in and out! She made the show what it was and brought out the best in us! What a fantastic experience. Additionally, we completed the run with pretty much sold out houses and leaving people begging for more. We hope that PYG will Encore the show in one of their upcoming seasons. 

CHAPTER 2

WAHOO! I Found a Job!

After only 3 short months of unemployment (January 19 - April 20...which is pretty great considering the state of the economy and employment market), I was pleased to receive an offer of employment from the Salt Lake City Marriott University Park Hotel in Research Park. I believe everything happens for a reason, and the second I walked into that place I knew I was at home. The Marriott is what I call "the Undiscovered Secret" up on the Foothills of Salt Lake City. It's a great hotel with an amazing clientele and management team. The best part about this new opportunity is that I was promoted to the Director of Catering and Conference Services after another 3 short months. Can we say blessing!? Here I am laid off in January and promoted to a Director level by the end of July. That's something to be thanking God for. It proved that the risks I was taking and everything else I was doing the last 4 years in the hotel industry was paying off.  I work with an amazing catering team and know that my career is headed in the right direction. 

Other highlights of my 2010 Craziness...

May 2010

I played keyboard 2 for a production of Bingo: The Musical at the Grand Theatre. Many might not have known this since they forgot to list the orchestra in the program...bummer. 

June-August 2010

I Musically Directed and Conducted a production of Guys and Dolls at the Sandy Amphitheater. I'm thrilled that I get to conduct at least one show a year in a pit with a baton! 

September-November 2010

I reprised my role (for the 4th time) as Blacula in the Live Entertainment Division for Lagoon's Frightmares. I promised my best friend Ashley, that if she did the show, I would. And together we made it through! Hopefully if you made it to Frigtmares this year, you were able to stop by and catch one of the 7 shows we did in an evening!

November - December 2010

Not a darn thing! I took this time to soak in all that took place in 2010. I used this time to really focus on my new job and position, my family and friends, and continue to succeed and move forward with life. 

What an incredible year! Really. I would not change one aspect of this fast paced roller coaster I was on. I sure hope 2011 can keep up!

Speaking of 2011....what's ahead? On top of continuing to run a successful Catering Team at the Marriott, I look forward to many Theatrical Opportunities. I wouldn't be Trevor Jerome without them:

March 2011

Look for me as Keyboard 2 in the production of Marvelous Wonderettes at the Grand Theatre. 

June 2011

I will be musically directing a production of The Civil War at the NEW Rodgers Memorial Theater (Now called Centerpoint Legacy Theater). Looking forward to working with a great directing team of Ron Jewett and Marilyn May Montgomery. 

July- August 2011

I look forward to working with the Sandy Arts Guild on their annual Summer Production as Musical Director and Conductor of their 30+ Member Cast and 20 Piece Orchestra. 

Ok. If you made it this far, thanks for reading. I hope to update more frequently as to not create these novel blog updates. Much love to you all, and wishing you much success in all of your 2011 endeavors. 

TJ