Her Story
About Danielle
Danielle Emich, CHG, is an accomplished hospitality professional serving as Director of Sales and Marketing at Crestline Hotels & Resorts, where she focuses on driving sales performance, achieving revenue and budget objectives, and developing business across group bookings, business travel, and other key market segments. With more than 11 years of experience in the hotel industry, Danielle began her career in hospitality as a pastry chef, including three years in the culinary field and experience working as a pastry chef for the Baltimore Orioles. She later transitioned into hotel sales, building expertise across sales coordination, group sales, catering, and hotel leadership. She holds an A.A. in Culinary Arts and Related Services from Anne Arundel Community College and a B.S. in Hospitality Administration/Management from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, graduating summa cum laude. Since moving into hotel sales, Danielle has steadily advanced through positions including Sales Coordinator, Sales Manager, Catering Sales Manager, Director of Sales, and Director of Sales and Marketing, reaching a director-level position in 2019. Her career has also included extensive task-force assignments that have taken her across the country, giving her valuable insight into diverse hospitality markets and traveler needs. She has supported properties and teams in markets including Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Boston, Nashville, Minneapolis, San Francisco, San Diego, and Princeton. Her professional strengths include hotel sales, revenue generation, group and business travel, strategic planning, customer service, event management, relationship development, and leadership. She has been a Certified Government Meeting Professional and has earned recognition for her contributions to hotel sales and performance. Beyond her professional achievements, Danielle is committed to strengthening the hospitality and tourism communities through leadership, networking, and service. She has held board and leadership roles with the National Association for Catering and Events and the Baltimore Tourism Association, while also volunteering with Living Classrooms through initiatives such as backpack stuffing, Thanksgiving events, and seedling planting. Danielle attributes her success to the strong work ethic she learned from her father and believes that dedication, consistency, and genuine care for others are essential to building a successful career. For her, the most rewarding part of hospitality is creating meaningful guest experiences by listening carefully, understanding individual needs, anticipating challenges, and ensuring that every guest feels supported throughout their journey.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Danielle
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strong work ethic I learned from my father, who consistently demonstrated the value of dedication, reliability, and perseverance by working hard every day. His example taught me to approach my career with commitment and determination. I also find great fulfillment in creating positive experiences for guests by understanding their needs, anticipating challenges, and taking pressure off them whenever possible. Knowing that my efforts can make someone’s experience more seamless, enjoyable, and memorable is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received came from Tonya Noonan, who was first my instructor and also became a Vice President of Sales and Marketing and an important mentor in my career. She helped jump-start my professional journey and taught me the importance of strong leadership, genuine relationships, and bringing passion to everything I do. I also learned early in my career that attention to detail, a willingness to connect with people, and a strong work ethic can open doors and create opportunities for growth. A banquet manager once recognized my attention to detail and told me I would go far because I cared, advice that has stayed with me throughout my career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering the industry to show up every day with a strong work ethic and give their best effort to the responsibilities they have committed to. Stay dependable, take pride in your work, and never underestimate the impact of consistently delivering high-quality results. Your dedication and performance will be noticed, even when you may not realize that others are paying attention, and that commitment can lead to valuable opportunities for growth and advancement.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in the hospitality industry right now is adapting to the significant changes in traveler behavior since COVID-19. Guest expectations, travel patterns, and service preferences have evolved, requiring hospitality professionals to continually rethink traditional approaches and relearn how to operate effectively. I see this as an opportunity to innovate, remain adaptable, and develop new strategies that better meet the changing needs of today’s travelers while continuing to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
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