
Exploring a career in Sales and Events Management in hospitality
Sales and events management in hospitality is a career path that involves balancing creativity, strategic thinking, and customer-centric service.
To better understand this role, we spoke with Jacques Lombard, Sales and Events Manager at Mercure Lille Marcq-en-Baroeul in France. Jacques shared his experiences, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to thrive in this field.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got into hospitality?
"I began my professional career as a communication manager in the catering industry after completing my Master’s degree.
After four years, I wanted to explore a new field that combined accommodation, catering, and events – and that’s when I discovered hospitality.
I was immediately drawn to the sector’s dynamism and the evolution from catering to include different but complementary services, all driven by one common goal: customer satisfaction."
What does your role as a Sales and Events Manager involve on a day-to-day basis?
"As a Sales and Events Manager, I’m part of the hotel’s internal sales team. My primary mission is to market our hotel and its identity to new clients while organizing a wide range of events.
These include business events like seminars, trade fairs, and meetings, as well as sports events and family celebrations such as weddings and birthdays.
I’m at the heart of the action, coordinating our teams to ensure everything runs smoothly and that our clients leave satisfied. It’s a role that requires versatility, attention to detail, operational skills, and strong customer relations."
What excites you most about working in hospitality?
"I’m most excited by the environment. Working at Accor means being part of a cohesive and supportive team, constantly energized by the rhythm of events that characterize hotel life.
No two days are the same, and I get to meet and build relationships with a huge variety of clients. This diversity enriches us both personally and professionally."
Can you share a particularly memorable moment in your career so far?
"One of my proudest moments was organizing a wedding in one of our reception rooms in July 2023.
Weddings involve a lot of detailed planning, and our clients arrived a bit stressed, as it was one of the most important days of their lives. But thanks to the careful coordination and dedication of all our Heartists®, the event was a great success.
The positive feedback and even a bottle of champagne from the happy couple were our rewards! Moments like that really highlight why I love this job."
What does being a Heartist® mean to you?
"Being a Heartist® is about teamwork and shared values like respect, solidarity, and inclusion. It’s about creating authentic experiences for our guests.
But it’s more than just a concept – it’s embedded in our culture and how we operate daily. Every Heartist® brings their unique know-how and culture to the table, and they do it with genuine care and passion."
What advice would you give to someone new to the hospitality industry?
"My advice is to always work with your heart and passion. That’s the key to thriving in this industry.
And here’s a bonus tip: versatility and interpersonal skills will be your best allies. Being adaptable and building strong relationships will take you far."
A rewarding path with heart in sales and events
Jacques’ story highlights how a career in sales and events management within hospitality is much more than just managing logistics – it’s about creating meaningful experiences, building connections, and working in a team driven by shared values.
For those with a passion for customer satisfaction and a desire to work in a dynamic environment, this career offers an enriching and rewarding journey.
Explore our Sales and Events jobs today.
Discover our latest news!
Latest thinking

Teaser
Sales and Marketing jobsContent Type
Heartists®’ insightsPublish date
06/09/2025
Summary
Not every career begins with certainty, but sometimes, the smallest nudge can spark something extraordinary. For Laura Wahl, that spark came from her mother, who saw her natural people skills and b

Teaser
Housekeeping jobsContent Type
Heartists®’ insightsPublish date
06/09/2025
Summary
What does it take to thrive in hospitality? For Halima Chelkha, the answer is passion. Now an Assistant Housekeeping Manager at Mercure Rif Nador in Morocco, Halima’s journey shows how a role in h

Teaser
Culinary jobsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
06/09/2025
Summary
Working in an Accor kitchen means stepping into a world where every moment counts and every skill matters. It’s fast, it’s challenging, it’s full of energy, and it’s where you transform raw ingred
+(2).jpeg)
Teaser
Food and Beverage jobsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
06/09/2025
Summary
Not every career begins at a desk. Some start behind a bar, where creativity flows as freely as conversation, and every shift is a chance to make someone’s day. At Accor, bar jobs are more than ju
.jpeg)
Content Type
BlogsPublish date
05/27/2025
Summary
At Accor, every Heartist® plays a part in creating exceptional experiences for our guests — and the Maintenance Technician is no exception. As the backbone of hotel operations, Maintenance Technic
.jpeg)
Teaser
HR jobsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
05/27/2025
Summary
At Accor, our Heartists® are at the heart of everything we do, and our Human Resources (HR) teams play an important role in shaping that success. Behind every thriving team and engaged Heartist® i
.jpeg)
Content Type
BlogsPublish date
05/27/2025
Summary
Step into any Accor hotel, and you’ll notice the polished floors, the perfect lighting, and the quiet hum of everything working just as it should. What you won’t always see is the team making that
.jpeg)
Teaser
Food and Beverage jobsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
05/27/2025
Summary
There’s something special about the way a great meal can bring people together. At Accor, food and drink go far beyond the plate, they’re an experience, a connection, and a chance to make someone’s

Teaser
GeneralContent Type
BlogsPublish date
03/27/2025
Summary
At Accor, we believe that a fulfilling career goes hand in hand with making a positive impact on the world. Sustainability in hospitality is at the heart of our values, and we’re proud to be leadin
__original+(1).jpeg)
Teaser
Revenue Management jobsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
03/27/2025
Summary
What is a Hotel Revenue Manager? A hotel revenue manager at Accor is a strategic leader who drives profitability and shapes the future of the hotel’s financial success. This role goes beyond numb
Latest jobs
Salary
Location
Novotel Zurich Airport Messe, Zürich, Switzerland
Experience Level
Associate
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
NOVOTEL
Job type
Graduate Job
Locations
Zürich
Job Category
Rooms
Description
· Check In und Check Out unserer internationalen Gäste· Professionelle und herzliche Betreuung der Gäste während der Nacht· Annahme von Reservationen· Gästekorrespondenz·
Reference
bfa8694a-0b57-45be-9649-b5d963849865
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Grand Mercure Sao Paulo Vila Olimpia, São Paulo, Brazil
Experience Level
Associate
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
GRAND MERCURE
Job type
Permanent
Locations
São Paulo
Job Category
Rooms
Description
Fazer a gestão das atividades do Recepção, garantindo a qualidade da experiência da hospedagem, antes, durante e depois da estada do cliente, de forma personalizada, contribuindo para sua fidelização
Reference
67d9e163-ad97-485e-8f19-9537a5df96d7
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Novotel London Blackfriars, London, United Kingdom
Experience Level
Associate
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
ACCOR
Job type
Permanent
Locations
London
Job Category
Engineering & Maintenance
Description
Maintenance Team Leader You perform highly diversified duties to install, troubleshoot, repair and maintain the property’s facilities and equipment to ensure a safe and functional environment for the
Reference
f2d9f736-abff-4474-ac6a-c77ea0efd845
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Novotel Jeddah Tahlia Street, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Experience Level
Entry Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
NOVOTEL
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Jeddah
Job Category
Rooms
Description
We are seeking a professional and friendly Front Office Agent to join our team in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. As the face of our hotel, you will play a crucial role in ensuring exceptional guest experiences
Reference
a0132135-44a8-49be-b476-8ea5df318440
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Novotel Budapest City & Budapest Congress Center, Budapest, Hungary
Experience Level
Not Applicable
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
NOVOTEL
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Budapest
Job Category
Engineering & Maintenance
Description
Csatlakozz Budapest egyik legnagyobb és legmodernebb rendezvényhelyszínéhez Színpadmesterként, vár Téged a Novotel Budapest City és Budapest Congress Center csapata! Jelentkezz hozzánk, ha rendelkezel
Reference
6fa2f29f-aaf0-4d02-a067-6b0e689f3814
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Novotel RJ Praia de Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Experience Level
Not Applicable
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
NOVOTEL
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Rio de Janeiro
Job Category
Rooms
Description
• Auxiliar o seu superior na coordenação do trabalho da equipe, orientando, priorizando/distribuindo tarefas e solucionando os problemas operacionais pertinentes.• Acompanhar a ocupação do hotel, em c
Reference
4f69803e-a7e8-4274-b42b-07ba7a4f46aa
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, Visakhapatnam, India
Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
ACCOR
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Visakhapatnam
Job Category
Culinary
Description
We are seeking a skilled and efficient Demi Chef de Partie to join our cafeteria team in Novotel Visakhapatnam, Varun Beach, India, India. As a key member of our culinary staff, you will assist in the
Reference
ba5ed649-3d02-4744-a0fc-e9ef1ff06b57
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Le Domaine des Vanneaux Golf & Spa - MGallery, Presles, France
Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
ACCOR
Job type
Permanent
Locations
France
Job Category
Culinary
Description
Le premier chef de partie est un cuisinier qualifié capable d’élaborer des plats, d’organiser son poste, de gérer une équipe. Il maitrise un grand nombre de techniques culinaires & de management. Il e
Reference
09700748-95cc-4794-9d3f-49fd0887ab4c
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Experience Level
Associate
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
ACCOR
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Dubai
Job Category
Culinary
Description
Assist the Head Chef in preparing and serving high-quality dishesOversee and manage a specific section of the kitchen, ensuring smooth operationsPrepare ingredients and dishes according to recipes and
Reference
919b984d-d4a3-44f7-a651-a9157ffc6bd0
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Novotel Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
NOVOTEL
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Lisbon
Job Category
Rooms
Description
We just got the perfect opportunity for you!We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Front Office Manager to join our team at Novotel Lisboa.Reporting to the Rooms Division Manager, as the face of our
Reference
d8468fd1-46e7-4de2-a12b-e3f091cfafaa
Expiry Date
01/01/0001