Expert: Steve Young - 8/15/2009

Question
Hi,
I've been a hotel banquet server for over 20 years for Marriott and Hyatt. I also have a 4 year degree (not in hospitality). I want to break into Catering Sales and am not sure what is the best training program to do it. I'm enrolled (classes start on monday 8/17) in the local technical college sales/catering/event management certificate program which will take one year and over $5,000 to complete. Or would I be able to get a job with a short online training course in Hotel sales such as the one at www.aprinda.com? In addition, it seems like all the positions advertised call for experience. How do I get around that, or get some experience? Thanks.

Answer
I always recommend www.aprinda.com because it is used at colleges such as Chico State and many hotel companies use the same courses to train there existing sales people.  Many Hiltons, Red Lions, Holiday Inn hotels, and others use similair versions of Aprinda's on-line training programs.

I would save the $5,000 and give the less expensive Aprinda program a try first.  They have a money back guarantee on their site, so it would be worthwhile to try that before investing $5,000.

Finally, you have hotel experience (20 Years)....combine that with sales knowledge and you should be able to update your resume and communicate your experience to land the job.

Good luck