GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.
Kristen Burnett has been appointed director of catering for the Amway Grand Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich.
Burnett joined AHC+Hospitality in March to help increase sales for executive events, in addition to managing the catering sales department and providing a high level of guest service to groups in the regional area.
“We are excited to have Kristen on board as the new director of catering,” said Mike Donnelly, general manager of the Amway Grand Plaza. “Her strong networking skills and familiarity with the local area creates more opportunities for the hotel to book events for regional groups, including small corporate dinners, meetings, galas and weddings.”
In her new role, Burnett will work with the team to visit clients, set up calls with prospective groups and build relationships with businesses and social groups in the area. Given her familiarity with the market, she plans on working with locally-based corporations and international groups who have local offices in West Michigan.
“It’s a pleasure to join the catering sales department at the Amway Grand Plaza,” says Burnett. “With vast experience in meetings, events and large-scale galas, I’m hoping to reach a goal of $6 million for the year. By creating new menus and working with the culinary team, we’ll be able to provide a quality product for groups in Downtown Grand Rapids.”
Burnett joins the sales and marketing team with diverse background in the hospitality field. Previous experience includes five years at the four-diamond property, Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Mich. selling corporate and wedding markets. She previously served as senior sales and event manager for Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, Mich. and senior catering sales executive of the Detroit Marriott Troy. With 14 years of total experience, Burnett has worked with large-scale events and won the National Association for Catering and Events Award in 2010 for the “Best Catered Event” category.
Originally opened in 1913 as The Pantlind, the hotel is honored to now be recognized as a Historical Hotel of America. Its distinguished history paved the way for the new Amway Grand Plaza, which reopened in 1981 with 623 guest rooms. The hotel, which offers 47,000 square feet of meeting space, including four ballrooms and 42 meeting rooms, is connected to the DeVos Place Convention Center and located across the street from the Downtown Courtyard by Marriott in Grand Rapids and the JW Marriott Grand Rapids, allowing even more space for large citywide meetings and events.
