Page 32 - Expert Issue 2015 (2)

Paula’s Keys to Success

in Hotel Sales

By Maile Rudebusch
Photos courtesy of Paula Ruthenberg

policies and other factors in the event that
a client needs to make changes to their
room purchases.
Her two hotel properties that she sells)
both keep customers coming back to stay
with their luxurious décor and top-notch
customer service. The Keating, the Ital-
ian style hotel located in the heart of the
historic Gaslamp District, offers chic and
modern stanzas and suites.
“The Keating offers an unforgettable
escape into Italian design; Soho style
and California sex appeal combined with
signature sophistication and personalized
32 service.”
Her second property the El Cordova Hotel,
which is a Spanish escape, had a fascinat-
ing start when it was originally built as a
retirement mansion for wealthy industrialist
Elisha Babcock in 1902. El Cordova has
since expanded and has been renovated
to become the serene Spanish Village
hotel that it is today.
“I am ambitious and I strive for excellence.
I know I can always improve myself and I
strive for continuous learning by attending
seminars, sales trainings and learning new
trends in the industry.”

Paula Ruthenberg worked her way up the corporate ladder in hotels,
originally starting in sales for events at Marriott International, to become the
Director of Sales for R.A.Rauch & Associates, Inc. The company, whose
headquarters are in San Diego, offers a full range of hospitality manage-
ment services across the nation.
Paula’s passion for what she does is directly reflected in how she tackles
her career head-on. She moved to San Diego from Brazil in 1997, and went
on to graduate from San Diego State University with a degree in Hospitality
and Tourism Management. After graduation she worked with Marriott Inter-
national for six years in the sales and events department; while there she
was given spectacular training on how to provide quality customer service.
After her time at Marriott Paula worked with Jim Burba as his Conference
Manager (Burba is one of the top Hotel Investment Consultants in the
world).
A woman of many talents, Paula has learned from each of her previous
careers and continues to focus on her “keys to success” as she works for
R.A. Rauch & Associates, Inc.
“I provide an outstanding customer service before the group arrives, during For more information Contact
the group’s stay, and make sure they leave the hotel happy. People nowa- Paula Ruthenberg
days want an experience when staying in a hotel. You can have a great Director of Sales
product, but if you are not giving them excellent customer service, they will 432 f street | san diego | ca | 92101| www.thekeating.com
not come back.” p) 619.814.5712 | f) 619.814.5750
Another very important factor to Paula is honesty. She is always very mail to:cperez@thekeating.com
upfront when it comes to educating clients on contract clauses, cancellation