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"When people enjoyed themselves, it made me feel great," hospitality and tourism grad saysCustomer service has great rewardsOutgoing and energetic, Lorie Keith landed her first job at 13, working part time through high school at a fast-food restaurant and later as a waitress. |
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 [ 2007-07-04 ] |
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Marriott International hotel chain
The hospitality jobs -- part of the world's largest industry -- taught her the meaning of great customer service and its rewards.
"When people enjoyed themselves, it made me feel great," she says of the experience.
The work left an impression on Keith, so much so that she decided to study Hospitality and Tourism Administration at Centennial College.
Rather than focusing on culinary skills in the kitchen, the program covers hospitality business practices, such as human resources and marketing.
At the time, Keith couldn't appreciate why she had to take courses in accounting and meeting management. Now she understands: "Boy, those skills are so applicable. I use them each and every day."
Because the program is fast-paced, Keith learned to multi-task and move quickly in and out of projects -- an invaluable skill for a sales professional managing various accounts.
"The program is set up so you can hit the ground running," she says, referring to the student work placement arranged by the college.
Honoured as Graduate of the Year in 1991, Keith left Centennial with a three-year diploma and a specialty in hotel and convention sales.
YOUNGEST ACCOUNT DIRECTOR
Her acquired skills and knowledge helped her move quickly through the sales ranks at the Marriott International hotel chain. Today, at the age of 38, she is the youngest of Marriott's 12 alliance account directors.
Before landing the account director job, she was a regional director for Canada, helping spread the word about Marriott's lodging services to multinational corporations. In a single year, Keith increased the number of Canadian room-night bookings from corporate clients by 21.5%.
Today, she manages the lodging needs of corporate giants Ford, DaimlerChrysler and Nortel.
Keith and her team of sales professionals make sure Marriott can accommodate every request from her three clients, which combined spend nearly $50 million per year on global business travel.
Her ability to build strong relationships with people has also helped her to raise funds for the Sky's the Limit youth organization, which supplies children in Toronto's Regent Park neighbourhood with refurbished computers and teaches them online skills.
Keith credits her gregarious nature and attention to detail -- along with her Centennial years -- for the success she's enjoyed in her career and in the community.
"College gave me the ability to be where I am today. It opened doors for me."
For program details, visit www.centennialcollege.ca/future/hospitality_tourism.jsp.
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