In Her Own Words:
Women In Hospitality Profile
with Marsha Cummings,
TD Banknorth Garden

Q. Marsha, how did you get started in the hospitality industry?

A. All through college I worked summers on Cape Cod at hotels- front desk, hostessing, waitressing, etc.  After getting my degree in English, I was hired in the sales department of a large popular Cape Cod Resort. Once I was ready, I moved to Boston and have worked for Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Hilton, Marriott, Interstate Hotels - all the big ones!

Q. What types of positions have you held?

A. Always in the hotel world until recently. Sales Manager, Catering Sales Manager, Dir. of Sales and Marketing, Dir. of Catering and Conference Services, Northeast Regional Sales Manager - lots of titles in 22 years of hospitality industry work!! Always advancing my career.

Q. What is a typical day like for you as the VIP Sales Manager for TD Banknorth Garden?

A. I price special packages for events at Boston Garden and then sell VIP seating to an elite clientele. Perhaps Celine Dion is coming to Boston Garden, I package dinner with tickets or a special reception with tickets, etc. Maybe it is a Bruins game with "meet the players and watch a game" packages. I manage the staff that then services these special clients. I represent the Garden at networking events to promote all these VIP packages.

Q. What do you see the biggest challenges and rewards for women working in the hospitality industry?

A. I would say it is a challenge for young women to be taken seriously. Women need to project a great deal more confidence than their equal male counterpart to be noticed as an authority. Once her head is held high and her eye contact is direct, there is no stopping a woman in our great hospitality industry because we are naturally care takers and warm humans. Hospitality is about relationships and women naturals in this area!

Q. Do you have any advice for women who want a leadership role in the industry?

A. Experience is the key answer for success in this area. Work every department, intern at hotels, network at hotel/hospitality events - get involved in our hospitality culture and the world will be your oyster!

Marsha Cummings is the VIP Sales Manager for TD Banknorth Garden. Her 22 years of hospitality industry experience have included sales positions in some of the top hotels in New England.