Brandon McBain, 34, works in West Hollywood, California, as director of corporate and entertainment travel at Andaz West Hollywood. As a 2019 40 Under 40 honoree, McBain discusses his passion for the events industry.
What I do: I monitor and adjust to evolving market conditions to ensure we are strategically positioned to capture our ideal mix of business. My efforts are supported by cultivating long-lasting relationships built on mutual trust and transparency, and by providing high-touch service and value to our guests and clients.
How I got here: I began my career in hospitality as a restaurant server, was promoted to F&B manager and worked at various properties in an operations capacity before assuming an event sales role that quickly segued to event planning. From there, I was tapped for group sales with verticals in the pharma and entertainment markets, before assuming a combined transient/group entertainment role that prepared me to become the director of corporate and entertainment travel at Andaz West Hollywood.
Greatest career accomplishment: I am part of a team that, against all odds, set a record for the strongest performing year at a hotel that has been open for more than 50 years.
Impressive stats: We’ve increased production by more than a half million dollars YOY resulting in double-digit growth within assigned segments.
Specific improvement I’ve made: I helped develop a very simple email distribution system that made it easier for global clients to have direct access to the right people and departments outside of normal business hours, while not disrupting their work flows and eliminating the need to continuously update key contact information.
What I am working on now: I’m working on work-life integration, as opposed to work-life balance. I’m coming to terms with the idea that it is equally as acceptable to attend to pressing personal matters during business hours as it is to attend to pressing business matters outside of them.
What I do outside of work: I really enjoy camping, hiking and aviation and, on occasion, volunteering for an organization that connects newly diagnosed patients with HIV to a community and treatment/prevention services.
