425-610-3007

Case Study:
Landmark Event Company

Landmark Event Company, a respected event and catering company based in Seattle, Washington, was preparing for an important phase of growth. As the company looked to expand its off-site catering division, leadership recognized the need for a senior sales professional who could do more than manage incoming opportunities. They needed someone capable of building strategy, developing corporate relationships, leading a team, and helping turn a growth initiative into long-term revenue.

The Reserve Talent Group was brought in to lead a focused executive search for a Senior Director of Off-Site Catering Sales, a role that required a rare mix of hospitality experience, business development strength, leadership maturity, and cultural alignment.

The Challenge

Client: Landmark Event Company
Location: Seattle, WA
Position: Senior Director of Off-Site Catering Sales

Landmark Event Company had a clear vision for growth, but finding the right person to lead that vision had proven difficult. The company had spent several months searching independently without identifying a candidate who brought the right combination of senior-level sales experience, leadership ability, relationship-building skills, and fit within the organization’s culture.

The Seattle hospitality market added another layer of complexity. Competition for experienced catering and event sales leaders is high, particularly for candidates who understand both the pace of hospitality and the strategic nature of corporate business development. Landmark needed a proven leader who could step into a critical role, create and execute sales plans, cultivate new client relationships, support team performance, and help accelerate growth within the off-site catering division.

This was not a position that could be filled by experience alone. The right candidate needed to understand the business, connect with the leadership team, and share the company’s standards for service, work ethic, and long-term growth.

01.

Landmark Event Company sought to expand its business by growing its off-site catering division and needed an experienced sales leader to drive the initiative.

02.

The Seattle market presented a highly competitive environment for senior hospitality sales talent.

03.

The company had spent several months searching independently without identifying the right combination of leadership ability, business development expertise, and cultural fit.

04.

The position required a proven leader capable of developing strategic sales plans, cultivating corporate relationships, leading a team, and accelerating revenue growth the off-site catering.

Solution

The Reserve Talent Group approached the search with a targeted, consultative process built around understanding both the position and the people behind it. Before presenting candidates, time was invested in learning Landmark’s culture, leadership expectations, growth goals, and the specific qualities needed for someone to succeed in this role.

The search focused on high-performing hospitality and catering sales leaders with a proven ability to drive revenue, build relationships, and lead with credibility. Candidates were evaluated not only for their technical experience, but also for their motivation, communication style, leadership approach, and alignment with Landmark’s values.

Throughout the process, The Reserve Talent Group worked closely with multiple stakeholders, helping navigate evolving organizational needs while keeping the search focused on the long-term outcome. The goal was not simply to fill an open position. It was to identify a leader who could help shape the future of Landmark’s off-site catering business.

N

Conducted a targeted executive search focused on high-performing hospitality and catering sales leaders.

N

Invested time understanding Landmark's culture, leadership standards, and long-term growth objectives.

N

Evaluated candidates beyond technical experience, emphasizing motivation, leadership style, and cultural alignment.

N

Maintained a highly consultative process while navigating multiple stakeholders and evolving organizational needs.

showcase your winery - signature series
catering recruiting - people dining

Result

The search resulted in the successful recruitment and placement of Gwen Anderson as Senior Director of Off-Site Catering Sales for Landmark Event Company.

Gwen brought the strategic vision, relationship-building ability, and leadership experience needed to support the company’s expansion goals. Her background aligned closely with the demands of the role, while her leadership style and professional values fit the culture Landmark was working to strengthen.

By securing the right leader, Landmark was able to move forward with a critical growth initiative and establish a senior sales role designed to support revenue development, team leadership, and greater market presence in the Seattle event and catering space.

01. Leadership Placement

Successfully recruited and placed a Senior Director to lead the expansion of Landmark’s off-site catering sales business.

02. Growth-Focused Sales Leadership

Delivered a leader with the strategic vision and relationship-building skills necessary to support growth initiatives.

03. Revenue & Market Expansion

Helped establish a critical leadership role designed to accelerate revenue and strengthen Landmark’s market presence.

04. Relationship-Driven Executive Search

Reinforced the value of a relationship-driven executive search process.

Impact

The placement helped Landmark Event Company fill a difficult leadership search in one of the country’s most competitive hospitality markets. With a proven sales leader in place, the company gained the strategic support needed to grow its off-site catering division and strengthen its long-term business development efforts.

For Landmark, the impact extended beyond a single hire. The right placement added leadership capacity, reinforced the company’s growth strategy, and brought in talent aligned with the organization’s culture, standards, and future vision.

For The Reserve Talent Group, the search reinforced the value of a relationship-driven executive recruiting process. When the role is senior, strategic, and deeply tied to growth, the right fit requires more than a résumé match. It requires understanding the company, the candidate, and the long-term potential of the partnership.

Client’s Perspective

Dru Agarwal, CEO Landmark Event Headshot

Dru Agarwal

CEO, Landmark Event Company

“Rick took the time to truly understand not just the technical skills required for our roles, but the motivation behind each candidate and the cultural values that drive our organization. His thoughtful, relationship-based approach consistently delivered talent that aligned with our leadership standards, work ethic, and long-term vision. Rick doesn’t simply fill positions, he builds teams.”
Gwen Anderson, Senior Director Catering Landmark Event Headshot

Gwen Anderson

NEW HIRE: Senior Director of Off-Site Catering Sales, Landmark Event Company

“Rick skillfully navigated multiple stakeholders on my behalf, consistently kept my best interests front and center, and demonstrated exceptional patience, tenacity, and follow-through. Thanks to Rick’s persistence, credibility, and strategic approach, a role was ultimately created specifically for me. He is far more than a recruiter. Rick is a trusted advisor and a true partner in the process.”