John Clendennen, Sales Executive, The Westin Dublin

Degree subject International Hotel Management and Business
Job title Sales Executive
Employer The Westin, Dublin

I have been involved in the hospitality industry since a very early age. My parents have a family pub, restaurant, and guesthouse in Co. Offaly so I have helped out at home since as far back as I can remember. While at college, I worked in hotels in the Swiss Alps and in Dublin.

I started my fourth-year placement on the Starwood Graduate Management Programme and I was based at The Westin Dublin. The programme gave me a great insight into all the departments in the hotel, both operational and administrative. I found sales very exciting, with new challenges every second day.

After completing the Graduate Management Programme I joined the sales department where I am currently the Sales Co-ordinator. I am responsible for a number of different markets which include leisure operators in UK, Ireland and the USA; local conference and banqueting; and group business accounts. Some of my other tasks include showing potential clients around the hotel and discussing their requirements; hosting lunches and dinners with key clients; going on sales calls to key clients at their offices; and attending trade fairs to promote the hotel.

There is a constant buzz to working in sales and there is a real sense of fulfilment when you actually confirm a group and the contract is signed.