Member Spotlight:
Barbara Hayes
Director of Sales
Hotel Theo New Orleans
Barbara Hayes is the Director of Sales at Hotel Theo New Orleans and has built a career rooted in a passion for hospitality and tourism. Interestingly, her journey into the industry began with a very different dream. Barbara originally wanted to become a cruise director and believed that working at the front desk of a hotel in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., would give her a glimpse into the hospitality world. What started as a stepping stone quickly became a lifelong career path. She fell in love with the travel and tourism industry and discovered a passion for creating memorable experiences for guests and visitors.
Over the years, Barbara’s career has included a variety of roles throughout the tourism sector. In addition to hotel sales leadership, she has worked in event planning and with a Convention and Visitors Bureau, giving her a well-rounded perspective on destination marketing and hospitality. She has also dedicated significant time to volunteer opportunities that support and promote tourism, helping strengthen the industry she cares so deeply about.
As Director of Sales at Hotel Theo, Barbara focuses on building strong client relationships, driving revenue growth, and showcasing New Orleans as an exceptional destination for meetings, events, and leisure travel. Her diverse background helps her connect with clients across many segments of the industry.
When she is not working, Barbara’s free time is centered around family. As a proud mother of two sets of twins who are only a year apart in age, she stays busy attending activities, supporting their interests, and keeping up with a very active family calendar. Her children ensure there is never a dull moment and help keep her social life full.
Barbara believes one of the greatest benefits of MSWIT is the opportunity to network with other professionals who are passionate about tourism and hospitality. She values the connections, mentorship, and collaboration that MSWIT provides and believes involvement in the organization helps strengthen both individual careers and the industry as a whole.
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