Lauren Taylor
Nolensville
Summary
Senior hospitality and events leader with 10+ years of experience leading large-scale conventions, banquet, and event operations for four-diamond luxury hotels. Proven track record managing $30M+ in annual revenue, building high-performing leadership teams, and delivering top-ranked event satisfaction for Omni and Marriott brands.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Convention Services
Omni Nashville
03.2023 - Current
- Lead convention services strategy for an 800-room, four-diamond hotel with 80,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and $34M in annual banquet and catering revenue.
- Direct end-to-end planning and execution of large-scale contracted meetings, ensuring revenue optimization, operational excellence, and elevated client experience.
- Partner with Executive Committee to develop annual budgets, business plans, and banquet forecasts; active member of the GM Committee.
- Build, coach, and develop a high-performing management team; establish clear success metrics, training standards, and planning best practices.
- Manage key vendor partnerships including Pinnacle Live, Access DMC, and UPS to drive service quality and cost efficiency.
- Serve as senior escalation point for complex or high-profile events, resolving challenges while protecting brand standards and client relationships.
Director of Event Management
JW Marriott Austin
02.2020 - 03.2023
- Directed planning and execution for live and virtual events within a 1,012-room, four-diamond hotel featuring 150,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
- Oversaw $38M in annual banquet and catering revenue while ensuring seamless collaboration between sales, events, and operations.
- Served on the hotel’s Executive Committee, contributing to strategic planning, budgeting, and operational decision-making.
- Established departmental goals, success metrics, and training programs across events and banquet teams.
- Led contract review and approval processes to maximize revenue and mitigate operational risk.
Director of Event Planning
JW Marriott Austin
09.2018 - 02.2020
- Led event planning and group housing departments comprising 20 associates, driving engagement and operational consistency.
- Championed brand standards, policies, and procedures across event planning operations.
- Achieved #1 Overall Event Satisfaction for the JW Marriott brand in 2019 and top 10 ranking across the Marriott Convention Resort Network.
- Oversaw banquet and catering forecasting, critique, and event satisfaction performance.
- Managed highly complex and high-profile groups with significant financial and brand impact.
Assistant Director of Event Management
Louisville Marriott Downtown
09.2017 - 09.2018
- Supported executive leadership overseeing banquet and event operations for a 616-room hotel with $11M in annual catering revenue.
- Led execution of large-scale events up to 2,000 guests, ensuring seamless turnover from sales to operations.
- Developed and mentored management teams through training, goal setting, and delegation.
Director of Event Operations
Louisville Marriott Downtown
10.2015 - 09.2017
- Planned and executed key events while supervising catering and event services staff.
- Held full P&L accountability including labor management, forecasting, and inventory control.
- Recognized as 2016 White Lodging Food & Beverage Manager of the Year.
- Led hiring, training, scheduling, and performance management for banquet teams.
Senior Banquet Manager
Louisville Marriott Downtown
01.2015 - 10.2015
- Supported Director of Event Operations in overseeing banquet service staff and operations.
- Managed staffing schedules, forecasts, inventory, and event satisfaction performance.
- Executed events ranging from intimate functions to 2,000-guest conventions.
- Ranked #6 in Overall Event Satisfaction across the Marriott brand.
Banquet Manager
Louisville Marriott Downtown
06.2013 - 01.2015
- Oversaw all catering and banquet functions while training and developing service teams.
- Achieved #11 Overall Event Satisfaction ranking within the Marriott brand.
Education
BS - Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management, Recreational Sports Management
Indiana University
Bloomington, INSkills
- Leadership and team development
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Profit and loss management
- Contract negotiation
- Event strategy and planning
- Guest experience enhancement
- Vendor and stakeholder relations
- Executive collaboration
- Salesforce proficiency
- Microsoft Office expertise
- Social Tables utilization
- Kronos software knowledge
- Marriott CI/TY expertise
Timeline
Director of Convention Services
Omni Nashville
03.2023 - Current
Director of Event Management
JW Marriott Austin
02.2020 - 03.2023
Director of Event Planning
JW Marriott Austin
09.2018 - 02.2020
Assistant Director of Event Management
Louisville Marriott Downtown
09.2017 - 09.2018
Director of Event Operations
Louisville Marriott Downtown
10.2015 - 09.2017
Senior Banquet Manager
Louisville Marriott Downtown
01.2015 - 10.2015
Banquet Manager
Louisville Marriott Downtown
06.2013 - 01.2015
BS - Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management, Recreational Sports Management
Indiana University