Influential Woman · Hospitality

Jenna Nelson

Cluster Director of Sales - Home2 Suites Nokomis and Hampton Inn & Suites North Port, Lodgco Hospitality

Sarasota, FL

2Awards received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's Degree in Communications Degree University of Wisconsin La Crosse Degree Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality Management Degree Florida Atlantic University Cert Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality Management

Her Story

About Jenna

I've spent 21 years in hospitality, beginning my journey at just 14 years old working in a restaurant, and I've been focused specifically on hotels for the past 8 years. My main responsibility is keeping both of my hotels full, which means no two days look the same. I might be out in the community at networking events, making cold calls, or connecting directly with our guests. My primary focus is building up the hotel's corporate and group accounts while keeping occupancy high and staff happy. I earned my bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, and during the COVID pandemic when I was furloughed, I took advantage of a free certificate program offered by Florida Atlantic University in tourism and hospitality management. I've been nominated for SRQ's Under 40 and as Young Professional of the Year. I'm based on the Gulf Coast of Florida in Sarasota, where I continue to thrive by working with new businesses and residents coming into our growing area.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Jenna

01What do you attribute your success to?

I think being able to lean on different leaders within the companies that I've worked for and really being able to gain advice from them and learn from them. Sometimes it's learning what not to do in order to learn what to do. And I don't know how to say this without sounding boastful, but it's really just a lot of tenacity and a lot of that pulling yourself up from your own bootstraps kind of mentality, because at the end of the day, you only have you to lean on, and you can only count on yourself to keep getting better, and that's what it comes down to.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Never say no. Never say no to anyone or anything, because you never know where it's going to lead.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I think you're gonna hear a lot of no's before you hear one yes. Know that the yes is out there, and to not give up. I know that that seems kind of lame when I say it out loud, but it's just true, especially in sales. You get a lot of doors shut in your face, and a lot of phone calls that end with no, we're not right now, but one day, you're gonna get that big yes, and it's all worth it.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

The biggest challenge is definitely just supply increasing. Every day, more hotels are being built or proposed, and so that's certainly a struggle. But the opportunities are really where we are, especially on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It continues to be built, whether that be residentially or commercially, and so we are really looking to gain from that opportunity of working with new businesses and new residents that are coming into the area, so we continue to thrive on that.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Being accountable, and being honest, and just really tying it all together, just doing what you say you're going to do. Because if clients or friends or family or whoever can't rely on you to do that, then you're not really any good.

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