Jennifer Middleton, CHSP
NAME:
Jennifer Middleton
PROFESSIONAL TITLE:
Director of Sales, CHSP®
COMPANY & BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
Sonesta is the fastest growing hospitality company in the U.S. with a diverse and distinctive portfolio spanning 8 countries and covering a full range of services, from independence, to extended stays, to full-service indulgence. Royal Sonesta, Sonesta Hotels & Resorts, Sonesta Select, Sonesta ES Suites, Sonesta Simply Suites, Sonesta Posadas del Inca, and the Sonesta Cruise Collection brands are all as unique as our guests. They are government contractors, business people, couples, families, construction crews, athletes, performers, and adventurers. No matter your travel style or needs, Sonesta can match them with one of these dynamic brands.
ARE YOU ON A COMMITTEE OR SERVING IN A LEADERSHIP POSITION WITH SGMP:
I’m proud to serve as the Second Vice-President of the local Rocket City Alabama Chapter and Membership Chair.
YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY: 25
YEARS WITH SGMP: 9
ARE YOU A CERTIFIED GOVERNMENT MEETING PROFESSIONAL (CGMP):
No, but I am a CHSP (Certified Hospitality Sales Professional) and am planning on sitting for my CGMP in September!
SHARE A FUN FACT ABOUT YOU:
My husband and I just celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary. The first time I met him in college, we couldn’t stand each other. Several years later we reconnected, and within two weeks were telling our other friends and family we were going to marry each other (we hadn’t discussed it with each other, yet, LOL). We got engaged after dating for three months and married on the 3rd of July…so I would always have the day off after my anniversary.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU:
I have a sign in my office that says, “Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor in the morning the devil says. “Oh crap, she’s up!” I love to help people, and I love to laugh…even if it’s all by myself. I love my job. I get to help people find a home away from home or home in between homes and that is an important thing. It’s stressful when you have to leave your home temporarily or forever. I want to make that as pain free as possible. My Motto: Work hard, Play hard, Laugh hard. If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. I’m also passionate about sharing hospitality careers with young people and mentoring them to success.
ACCOMPLISHMENT/ACHIEVEMENT YOU MOST PROUD OF:
I was honored by the Huntsville/Madison County Hospitality Association with the 2019 Red Ribbon Award for the Lodging/Conference Center Category. It is the highest honor in my community for professionals in my industry and it was a huge surprise. Also, I can’t leave out being asked to be a Guest Speaker for the State of Alabama Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, specifically as it relates to hiring people with special abilities in the workforce. Hundreds of people were on the call when I said, “We love to hire people with special abilities in our industry, because what others look at as a disability, we use it as a strength.”
Jennifer Middleton
PROFESSIONAL TITLE:
Director of Sales, CHSP®
COMPANY & BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
Sonesta is the fastest growing hospitality company in the U.S. with a diverse and distinctive portfolio spanning 8 countries and covering a full range of services, from independence, to extended stays, to full-service indulgence. Royal Sonesta, Sonesta Hotels & Resorts, Sonesta Select, Sonesta ES Suites, Sonesta Simply Suites, Sonesta Posadas del Inca, and the Sonesta Cruise Collection brands are all as unique as our guests. They are government contractors, business people, couples, families, construction crews, athletes, performers, and adventurers. No matter your travel style or needs, Sonesta can match them with one of these dynamic brands.
ARE YOU ON A COMMITTEE OR SERVING IN A LEADERSHIP POSITION WITH SGMP:
I’m proud to serve as the Second Vice-President of the local Rocket City Alabama Chapter and Membership Chair.
YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY: 25
YEARS WITH SGMP: 9
ARE YOU A CERTIFIED GOVERNMENT MEETING PROFESSIONAL (CGMP):
No, but I am a CHSP (Certified Hospitality Sales Professional) and am planning on sitting for my CGMP in September!
SHARE A FUN FACT ABOUT YOU:
My husband and I just celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary. The first time I met him in college, we couldn’t stand each other. Several years later we reconnected, and within two weeks were telling our other friends and family we were going to marry each other (we hadn’t discussed it with each other, yet, LOL). We got engaged after dating for three months and married on the 3rd of July…so I would always have the day off after my anniversary.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU:
I have a sign in my office that says, “Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor in the morning the devil says. “Oh crap, she’s up!” I love to help people, and I love to laugh…even if it’s all by myself. I love my job. I get to help people find a home away from home or home in between homes and that is an important thing. It’s stressful when you have to leave your home temporarily or forever. I want to make that as pain free as possible. My Motto: Work hard, Play hard, Laugh hard. If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. I’m also passionate about sharing hospitality careers with young people and mentoring them to success.
ACCOMPLISHMENT/ACHIEVEMENT YOU MOST PROUD OF:
I was honored by the Huntsville/Madison County Hospitality Association with the 2019 Red Ribbon Award for the Lodging/Conference Center Category. It is the highest honor in my community for professionals in my industry and it was a huge surprise. Also, I can’t leave out being asked to be a Guest Speaker for the State of Alabama Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, specifically as it relates to hiring people with special abilities in the workforce. Hundreds of people were on the call when I said, “We love to hire people with special abilities in our industry, because what others look at as a disability, we use it as a strength.”