
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 Chennai Chamiers Road, Chennai, India
Experience Level
Executive
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
ACCOR
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Chennai
Job Category
Sales
Description
We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Sales Executive to join our team in Novotel Chennai Chamiers Road, India. As a Sales Executive, you will play a crucial role in driving our company's growth
Reference
627f9446-d600-4323-a51d-93f48b14e13f
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Novotel Chennai Chamiers Road, Chennai, India
Experience Level
Associate
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
ACCOR
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Chennai
Job Category
Rooms
Description
We are seeking a dedicated and customer-focused Guest Service Associate - Housekeeping to join our team in Novotel Chennai Chamiers Road, India. In this role, you will be responsible for maintaining t
Reference
7c9af85d-5282-4b39-9175-be2efce40d14
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Mercure Zürich City, Zürich, Switzerland
Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
MERCURE
Job type
Graduate Job
Locations
Zürich
Job Category
Food & Beverage
Description
Nach Vereinbarung suchen wir eine(n) Chef de ServiceDu sorgst dafür, dass Restaurant, Bar sowie Event- und Seminarräume reibungslos laufenAls Gastgeber bist du der erste Ansprechpartner für Gäste und
Reference
f07f90c7-e420-4fca-8456-8c4f99a87789
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
, Melbourne, Australia
Experience Level
Entry Level
Job Schedule
Part-Time
Brands
ACCOR
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Melbourne
Job Category
Culinary
Description
ALL about the role – what you’ll be doing: With the support of the Head Chef and Sous Chef, lead the team supervising and setting a positive example for the team. Have a genuine passion for what you
Reference
79bbce96-e75f-4231-8c3a-ace08d70eab8
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Sofitel Dubai The Palm, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Experience Level
Entry Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
SOFITEL
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Dubai
Job Category
Rooms
Description
Consistently offer a professional, engaging and friendly serviceEnsure the cleanliness of guest rooms, colleague service areas & corridors while adhering to hotel standardsMaking beds, changing sheets
Reference
3ee77d29-1c01-435a-bdff-c6244737c6f9
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Sofitel Dubai The Palm, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Experience Level
Entry Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
SOFITEL
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Dubai
Job Category
Culinary
Description
The ideal candidates will join the team equipped with:Previous experience working in a busy kitchenReliable and hardworking.Team player with the ability to work under pressure.Has excellent communicat
Reference
6f65f503-947e-4a18-a864-61bad2f39745
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Sofitel Dubai The Palm, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Experience Level
Entry Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
SOFITEL
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Dubai
Job Category
Food & Beverage
Description
To be familiar with all food and beverage items on the outlet menu.To prepare the outlet for operation, including mise-en-place, setting and resetting tables, light cleaning and other assigned tasks.T
Reference
360705db-151f-42e4-a24e-adbac72cbfaa
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Novotel Canberra, Canberra, Australia
Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
NOVOTEL
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Canberra
Job Category
Revenue Management & Pricing
Description
We are seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Revenue Manager to join our team at Novotel Canberra. As a Revenue Manager, you will play a crucial role in optimising our organisation's revenue
Reference
f69739cd-6e0b-45f3-9219-ff2bdcc3b5c9
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Fairmont Jaipur, Jaipur, India
Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
FAIRMONT
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Jaipur
Job Category
Culinary
Description
Assign in detail, specific duties to all employees under his/her supervision and instructs them in their workEnsure personal cleanliness and proper deportment of all team membersWork closely with the
Reference
7c5be27e-e850-4554-ac8a-21ddb0c2eb4c
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Grand Mercure Ahmedabad GIFT City, Gandhinagar, India
Experience Level
Associate
Job Schedule
Full-Time
Brands
ACCOR
Job type
Permanent
Locations
Gandhinagar
Job Category
Engineering & Maintenance
Description
We are seeking a skilled and dedicated General Maintenance Technician to join our team in Gandhinagar, India. As a key member of our facilities management team, you will be responsible for ensuring th
Reference
b224f37d-7dfc-4708-8efa-36659ab20612
Expiry Date
01/01/0001