Jeff Dougherty, 36, works in Sacramento, California, as director of California State Association Sales at Visit Sacramento. As a 2018 40 Under 40 honoree, Dougherty discusses his passion for the events industry.
What I do: I am your destination superhero for all things Sacramento. Whether you’re looking for a hotel, convention space, restaurant, unique venue or other services, I am familiar with a vast range of offerings throughout the city—not just what you may see on paper.How I got here: It all started with an internship at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sacramento. As an intern, I was exposed to each department within the hotel, learning the ins and outs for success. I became an executive meeting manager, where I was responsible for booking and detailing my own events. I soon moved into a sales manager position and never looked back. I then went to work as a sales manager at the Holiday Inn Downtown – Arena for three years before moving to Visit Sacramento in 2011.
Greatest career accomplishment: I was awarded what I like to call the “Triple Crown of Sacramento Sales.” The Triple Crown is the honor of being awarded supplier/industry partner of the year for the big three hospitality associations in town: California Society of Association Executives in 2015, MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada Chapter in 2016 and the SGMP Sacramento Chapter in 2008.
Impressive stats: Even with my annual goal increasing by 60 percent since 2012, I have managed to exceed it by an average of 10 percent every year.
What I’m working on: I recently partnered with a meeting planner, hotelier and caterer to research and create an easy-to-use food-recovery plan for venues and planners to implement during events. Our country has a hunger problem, and we see so much food waste happening at conferences. Our belief is that by creating an easy how-to plan, we can help to be the solution instead of the problem.
What I do outside of work: I am a past president and current board member for MPISSN. In July 2018, I joined the CalSAE Board of Directors. At home, you’ll always find me doing some sort of project, or splashing around in the pool with my daughters (sometimes regardless of season!). Up next? Bocce ball and corn hole.
