LondonHouse Chicago

As Director of Sales and Marketing, I instill a culture of high performance by providing consistent opportunities for growth, acknowledgement, and a vision for success the team can trust and follow. Responsible for leading all property level sales and marketing initiatives. Achieved our goal of being the most followed hotel in Chicago on Instagram, streamlined sales strategies and processes resulting in a 76% growth in year over year awarded RFP value, and ranked #1 in conversion within a comp set of eleven similar hotels.

Director of Sales and Marketing

Influencer Advisory Council – IAC

Advisor and Board Member

HSMAI Chicago Chapter

Our mission is to be the leading source for sales and marketing information, knowledge, business development, and networking for professionals in tourism, travel, and hospitality. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry while operating as a leading voice for both hospitality and sales and marketing management disciplines, as well as connecting its members with customers.

VP of Sponsorships

The Dow Hotel Company

Responsible for marked increases in business travel, convention, corporate group and airline segments. Developed sales strategies to increase revenue and cultivate new business sources through analysis of reports, client interface, leverage of electronic media, and developmental meetings with Sales staff.

Complex Assistant Director of Sales - Embassy Suites & Doubletree Chicago O'Hare

Liberty Machinery Co.

In my Marketing and Business Development role, I helped clients with the liquidation of surplus machinery and industrial equipment. I also assisted clients in the procurement of used machinery through sales from inventory or brokerage.

Marketing and Business Development

Argyle Cut Stone

As Co-Owner, I was involved in every facet of operation in this 3rd generation owned business. My responsibilities included all accounting duties, all human resources duties, purchasing, marketing, sales, contract negotiations, field measurements and machine operations.

Co-Owner

Clear Creek Stone Company, Inc.

As Vice President of Finance and Operations, I was involved in every facet of running this limestone fabrication business. Responsibilities included accounting, human resources, purchasing, sales, union contract negotiations, and land and asset deals.

Vice President Of Finance And Operations

Renaissance Hotels

As Director of Business Travel, I was responsible for all transient preferred accounts, as well as attaining new group business from Fortune 500 companies. Surpassed 2005's inaugural year transient budget by 8%. In 2006, increased average daily rate of Preferred Accounts by 11% over the previous year. Created a highly successful contest and blog with over 500 qualified followers.

Director of Business Travel, Chicago O'Hare

Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center

Responsible for all transient preferred accounts as well as attaining new group business in the automotive, chemical, insurance and energy markets. Increased negotiated account revenue by over 30% two years in a row. Established a Loyalty Rate for small companies that other hotels would not sign on, servicing an underserved market niche that increased sales and boosted average daily rate.

Global Account Manager

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

Responsible for building partnerships with potential preferred accounts while developing relationships with existing clientele. Integral role in supplying additional leads to the group sales team. Successfully procured accounts with Ameritech and Boeing worth over $700,000 annually.

Business Travel Sales Manager, Hotel Allegro

After 8 years of being out of the hospitality industry, I walked into a travel agency to the exclamation, "Hey! You're the Bingo Guy!" An email marketing campaign to drive sales from 8 years prior confirmed three things: 

•	The Power of Storytelling
•	The Power of Personal Branding
•	I Needed a Cooler Nickname

If you're looking to:

•	Develop creative paths to success
•	Find opportunities hiding in plain sight
•	Communicate strategic alternatives

Then let's chat!

In a world spinning with possibilities, I believe it's the genuine relationships we forge that make it go round.  And when you apply a bespoke touch to business – tailoring your sales, marketing, and personal brand to resonate with each individual – that's where the magic happens. 

Things I love talking shop about:

•	Customer service that's relationship-focused
•	Critical thinking & problem solving that gets to the root of the problem
•	Storytelling - Ask me about that bingo contest
•	Digital marketing & social media - CHDM certified!
•	Creative ideas & content development

Away from work I love spending time with my family, creating art, playing golf, and rooting for the Cubs and Bears. Additionally, I support the Michael J. Fox Foundation and Muscular Dystrophy Association. Please message me if you’d like to share your story or need help in reaching your goals.

Every year, the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association Stars of the Industry event is a wonderful showcase of some of the best in hospitality. Not to mention the opportunity to catch up with friends.

I personally nominated Lydia Czyszczon. Her passion for helping planners with their events, attention to detail, and incredible work ethic inspire me. I'm truly grateful to have her as a colleague and friend.

It's always a pleasure seeing Michael Jacobson. Michael, you'll have to tell me what became of your bicycle situation!

IRL meet-ups for the win! Joyce (Barabicho) Mateo and I met a few years back on LinkedIn but never in person... until now. So great to finally meet, Joyce!

Another friendship I cherish is with Yessica Bran. We worked together briefly but have stayed in touch and it brings me such joy to see her progress in her career. 

Finally, what a pleasant surprise to see 🍍Christine Trippi. The way she lights up when she sees you makes you feel like a million bucks. Her hospitality IQ is off the charts.

Congrats to all of the nominees and winners!
#IHLA2025

Don Barnett

Creative Solutions for Hospitality Success | Director of Sales & Marketing at LondonHouse Chicago | Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer

🎆 1 post. 1.2 million views.  And suddenly our NYE ticket sales aren't just strong, they're 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨. 💥
 
Our social media manager posted this organically. 
No paid ads. 
No gimmicks. 
Just a killer view, a well-dressed crowd, and a moment people 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 to be part of.
 
We're on the cusp of 2026 and there are still hotels not on social media.

At this point, it’s like they're refusing electricity because candlelight seems to suffice.
 
People can’t book what they can’t see.

Dragging out the Christmas lights, ready to channel my inner Clark Griswold, and my daughter hits me with: “Dad, you’re 50. Maybe ladders aren’t your thing anymore?”
 
Fast forward to me, 20 feet up, gripping the gutter like it owes me money, thinking: “𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.”
 
This got me thinking that there’s wisdom in doing a pre-check before diving into 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. Ladders, projects, meetings, you name it.
 
Here’s my new rule-of-thumb:  

✅ Am I physically or mentally up to this?
✅ Is it fear or excitement I’m feeling?
✅ Should I ask for help?
✅ Is it still worth doing? (If it brings joy, hell yes.)
 
Whether you’re decking the halls or tackling a sales action plan, take inventory. Are you ready to do this?

Hotel Salespeople when that 7pm reception wants to set-up at noon and kill the ballroom for the whole day...

Sales is asking someone out on a date.
Marketing is why they say yes.

Social media is why they say yes.
Utilizing influencers is why they say yes.
Investing in your personal brand is why they say yes.

Reach out if you want to hear about some receipts.
Speaking of which, how you doin'?

𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹: 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.  

A guest, a coworker, your barista... or your dog.

You know, the one who deserves an Oscar for pretending you leaving for 6 minutes was emotional trauma.
 
Small gestures. Big impact. Tail wags galore.

Have you ever seen something so bad, it's good?
Probably not the best strategy for your hotel's marketing.
But wig caps? I'm hair for it.

Even though Halloween was over weeks ago, I saved this.

1. Because it makes me laugh. The model for this looks like she lost a bet.
2. To illustrate the importance of hiring the right people to market your business.

The hotel version of this I see most often are the "agencies" that will handle your social media at prices much lower than others. There's a reason for that:

• The content consists of pictures of the hotel pulled from the website, stock photos, and pictures of things to do in your city.
• ZERO video
• ZERO onsite content creation
• Little to no analytics

This is a strategy that just checks a box versus actually creating a community, staying top of mind, and driving bookings.

One size does not fit all. That only works with wig caps.

You're on LinkedIn? It's Thanksgiving. Go eat. Go.

Hotel Sales PSA: Where the ______ are you? 
Here's a simple fix to make you more discoverable with potential clients... 
 
Way too often, I stumble upon a LinkedIn profile headline that reads, "Sales Manager, ___________ Hospitality Management". 
 
Great, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳?
Is your management company even in the same city as you?  
 
📍 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲.  
 
Update your headline, and while you're in there update your contact info with your work email instead of your personal email. 
 
"Efficiency is doing things right;  
Effectiveness is doing the right things." 
- Peter Drucker

How do you know your reputation proceeds you?
Without searching, guessing or meeting, people say...
"Let's call ___________."

Not because you post motivational quotes in bold font.
It's because you have a reputation of:

💡 Solving Problems / Getting $%&@ Done 💡

That's the power of a strong personal brand. People trust you, they remember you, and they instinctively reach for their phone when a need arises.

Who is the first person you think of when you need a problem solved?

When you can directly attribute revenue and opportunities to your personal brand, this lyric resonates even more.

When 5 to 10 people pitch to you daily, how does Don Hoteleone know which one to work with?

The answer is simple - none.

I only work with or take advice from people I know and trust.

People like:
Cory Falter 
Susan Tucker 
John Carpenter
Christine Malfair 
Frank Rekas, CPFA 

And the amazing thing they all have in common? I met them all on LinkedIn.

Content leads to comments.
Comments lead to messages.
Messages lead to calls.

Relationships and friendships formed.
Business conducted.
Referrals made.

LinkedIn isn't a networking underworld. It's right here waiting for you to join in.

Unless your hotel is haunted, your TV probably isn't reaching out to guests for a conversation.

But when it comes to actual two-way conversations with your audience?  You’ve got 𝘸𝘢𝘺 better options:
 
💬 Social Media  💬 Email Marketing 
💬 Events / Workshops / Webinars
 
These channels let you listen, learn, and 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 respond (no Ouija board required).
 
Marketing doesn’t need to be spooky.  Just smart, social, and not as paranormal. 👻📺

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