Julia Thompson

My journey into hospitality wasn't planned at all. I originally went to school for criminal justice because I wanted to work undercover in human trafficking, but I got pregnant before finishing my four-year degree and completed my associate's degree in 2013 as a single mom. I had always bartended and served to pay the bills throughout school, so when my daughter was old enough for babysitters, I got a job serving and bartending at the Hilton - that's all I intended it to be. But I quickly moved up, working full-time and becoming a supervisor, then a manager in food and beverage. I actually really loved hospitality and learned so much about the business. When a coordinator position opened up in the sales department, I took it so I could have a more normal 9-to-5 schedule, off holidays and weekends. From there, I just moved up. Now as a catering sales manager, I handle all segments - everything from birthdays to small meetings to thousand-person parties. I do all the contracting, negotiating, and I'm responsible for the event side too, so I handle everything from start to finish and see the event through. Building relationships is a big part of my job. I'm most proud of becoming a sales manager in 2024 because it was a long road to get there - I worked my way up through every position from the bottom, which gives me a bigger appreciation for where I am now.