Rebecca Jackson, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Holiday Inn Express East New Haven has been enamored with hotels since she was little. She said, “I wanted to get a management position job because hotels always fascinated me. It looked glamorous; high society; worldly and so I always thought it was fascinating.”
After high school Rebecca attended Ivy Tech Community College and received a degree in business management with a specialty in marketing. At the age of twenty three she applied for her first hotel job. Seeking more knowledge of hotel management she applied for a front desk job. However, the manager that interviewed her felt she was more qualified for a sales coordinator position. Rebecca said, “From there my career just went crazy. Within six months I was promoted to a sales manager. In the next six months I was promoted to director of sales at the airport property and then the downtown location took me as director of sales when they closed. Then from there I went out to Sumner Suites which is now Hyatt Place. I have opened two hotels as a general manager, Residence Inn and Candlewood Suites. I have overseen 15+ hotels on ramp up and sales capacity. By the time I was twenty eight I had accomplished every one of the goals that I had set for myself.”
Now Rebecca finds herself as the Director of Sales and Marketing here in New Haven, a new position for the Holiday Inn Express East New Haven. Her role is to find opportunities within the community in which the hotel can be used, particularly in the area of the needs of businesses. The hotel itself has an intimate boardroom which can accommodate twelve people classroom style and twenty five people theater style. It also has a wet bar including a sink for light refreshments and coffee breaks. But Rebecca’s services are not just limited to that boardroom. If a client has need for a room with greater capacity, she coordinates with other facilities to acquire a larger space; such as the New Haven Community Center.
Not only do businesses and organizations have the coordinating services of Rebecca, they also are pampered in an atmosphere of a fully renovated hotel. The New Haven Holiday Inn Express was built in 2000. Rebecca stated that it is common for this brand of hotel to have a renovation every eight to ten years. The renovation taking place now is a “complete renovation” which means the rooms are gutted and everything is replaced. The walls are refinished and carpeting is replaced along with the furniture including mattresses and couches, the artwork, and even the linens. In fact, due to feedback from clients and guests the new headboards are made especially to help deaden sound to give a more peaceful sleep. Each room also has a microwave, refrigerator and Keurig coffee machine for in-room convenience. There are a mix of electric outlets and USB ports next to the bed and at the desk to stay connected. Also guest room windows have blackout roller shades that provide complete darkness to ensure a good night’s sleep.
“We are investing in this location and we are wanting to build relationships with our guests, our clients, and the community.” Rebecca continued, “Our clients and guests have different needs, so we try to really understand what those needs are so that we can deliver them.”
Also, if you would like to be rewarded just for staying in this pampering atmosphere you can join the IHG Club. Getting rewarded is easy. You earn points toward rewards when you stay with us, when you travel, shop and dine with our partners, and when you take advantage of our exclusive offers. Enjoying all we have to offer adds up to an even more rewarding experience for you.
The Holiday Inn Express East New Haven has been an active member of the New Haven Chamber of Commerce since it was built. When asked what the biggest benefit she has received from membership was Rebecca said, “Networking. Charlie (the Chamber President/CEO) has given me some contact names in that aspect. I know this in itself will be good for us.”
You can be assured with amenities such as the boardroom, free high-speed internet, and the services that Rebecca supplies, good and efficient business can be conducted. Yet with the added amenities of newly renovated rooms, free hot Express Start breakfast bar every morning, a 24/7 Market with snack and sundries available for purchase a health/fitness center, and an indoor pool also recreation, rest and relaxation are a top priority.
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