A MONTHLY GATHERING OF ENCOURAGEMENT,

CONNECTION AND PURPOSE

FROM THE FOUNDER

Make Room to Listen


Last month, we talked about making room at the table. Making room for new relationships, different perspectives, unexpected opportunities and people who simply need a place to belong.


But lately, I’ve been thinking about another kind of room we may need to make.

Room to listen. Our hospitality industry moves fast. We are planners, problem-solvers and people who are used to anticipating what comes next. We take care of others, manage deadlines, navigate change and keep moving forward.


Sometimes we can become so focused on what’s next that we miss what is happening right now. I’ve learned this in my own life. Some of the greatest shifts in my journey didn’t begin with a perfectly laid-out plan. They began with a nudge. A conversation I couldn’t stop thinking about. A door that unexpectedly closed. Something that kept tugging at my heart. Or simply the feeling that it was time to pay closer attention.


I believe God speaks to us in many ways, but we have to make room to listen. And listening doesn’t always mean receiving an immediate answer. Sometimes it simply means noticing.


What keeps coming up?

What is giving you energy? What is draining it?

What door seems to be opening? What might be closing?

Who keeps being placed in your path?

What thought, idea or calling keeps returning, even when you try to move past it?


We don’t always need to know what it means right away. Sometimes our job is simply to listen.


THIS MONTH’S INVITATION


Once a week this month, give yourself a few quiet minutes and ask:


What am I noticing?


Write down whatever comes to mind. A person. A conversation. An opportunity. A disappointment. A recurring thought. Something you’re excited about. Something you may need to release. Don’t solve it. Don’t force an answer. Just listen.


At the end of September, look back at what you wrote. You may discover a thread you couldn’t see while you were busy living it. And perhaps that thread is pointing you toward something you’re not quite ready to see yet.


With gratitude,

Jacki Arena

Founder, Faith in Hospitality


MAKE ROOM ON YOUR CALENDAR


THIRD ANNUAL FAITH IN HOSPITALITY BREAKFAST

Monday, November 9 | 7:30–9:00 AM

Javits Center | New York City


We’re coming back to New York, and this year’s breakfast is going to be a special one!


Finding Your Purpose in this Season

You don’t have to wait for a different season to live a life of purpose!


Faith in Hospitality Founder Jacki Arena will lead an interactive morning exploring how we can find purpose right where we are - even in seasons of waiting, searching, uncertainty, change, challenge or loss.


This will be more than a message. She’ll share practical tools you can take with you, make room for meaningful conversation and connection, and come together for encouragement and community.


And we’ll be celebrating something BIG for the future of our Faith in Hospitality family!


Save the date! Registration and more details coming soon!


CAREER CONNECTIONS

Connecting Talent with Opportunity


Career Connections helps hospitality professionals and employers find one another through shared opportunities and introductions. You do not have to be a member of Faith in Hospitality to participate. Connections are being made, talent being discovered and opportunities being filled!


NOW HIRING

Multiple Opportunities | Mormax Company

Mormax Company is seeking candidates for multiple roles across sales, customer service, project management and coordination. Opportunities vary by position, with details available directly from the company.

Location: Remote / New York headquarters

Employment: Full-time, part-time and contract

Experience: Entry-level, mid-level and senior

Contact: Adam Mischel

Email: adam@mormax.com


Interior Designer | TVS Design

TVS Design is seeking an experienced interior designer with at least five years of experience to join its Tampa office. The position requires the ability to work independently throughout the design process, including presentations, schematic design, design development, construction documents, model building, rendering and construction administration.

Location: Tampa, Florida

Employment: Full-time, mid-level

Focus: Hospitality and public assembly

Contact: Kenneth Cowart

Email: kcowart@tvsdesign.com


Independent Sales Representatives | G&A Seating

G&A Seating is expanding its representative network and seeking experienced independent manufacturers’ representatives with established relationships in the hospitality and contract furniture markets.

Location: Various territories

Employment: Independent contract representation

Contact: Nicole Tosi

Email: ntosi@gaseating.com


TALENT SEEKING OPPORTUNITIES

Jodi Sandler | Hospitality Design Manager

Jodi is a licensed interior designer with 16 years of experience across hospitality, luxury residential and multifamily projects, including nine years focused specifically on hospitality. Her experience includes creative design direction, owner-side project management, construction coordination, procurement, bidding, value engineering and operations.

She is pursuing a Design Manager or Design Director position.

Location: New York, New York

Employment: Full-time, contract, freelance or consulting

Email: jodi@studioareia.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jodi-sandler-asid-7a006b30


Zipporah Holmes | Senior Hospitality Designer and Design Strategist

Zipporah is a senior interior designer and strategist with 15 years of experience across boutique hospitality, mixed-use commercial, exhibition, brand and market environments. Her strengths include end-to-end project management, brand implementation, team leadership, procurement, budget optimization, space planning and programming.

She is pursuing opportunities as a Design Manager, Senior Design Strategist or Senior Interior Designer.

Location: Florida; open to hybrid work and relocation

Employment: Full-time, contract or freelance

Email: zpholmes@gmail.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zipporahholmes


Yadhyra M. Schlegel | Interior Design Leader

Yadhyra is an NCIDQ-certified, Florida-licensed interior designer with more than 20 years of hospitality and commercial design experience. She brings experience in design leadership, project management, documentation, construction administration, purchasing and business development.

She is pursuing a Senior Designer, Director of Design or Senior Design Manager position.

Location: Orlando, Florida; open to remote, hybrid or on-site work and relocation

Employment: Full-time

Email: yadhyra@yinteriorsstudio.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ymschlegel-ncidq


Jeffrey Bulinski | Senior Executive Leader

Jeff is a senior executive with more than 35 years of leadership experience across global logistics, commercial relocation and operations-intensive service industries. He brings full P&L accountability and experience driving revenue growth, improving EBITDA, developing national accounts and leading high-performing teams.

He is pursuing a full-time President, COO, CEO, EVP or SVP position within logistics, hospitality, facilities management or a related industry.

Location: Phoenix, Arizona; open to remote or hybrid work

Employment: Full-time

Email: jbulinski@msn.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeffreybulinski


Sales, Project Management and Remote Operations Professional

A hospitality and commercial sales professional with more than 30 years of experience is seeking an opportunity in dedicated sales representation, remote project management, client relations or customer service support.

She has independently managed the complete sales and project lifecycle and built a multi-state territory generating between $1 million and $2 million in annual revenue.

Location: High Point, North Carolina; seeking remote work

Employment: Full-time, contract or freelance

Contact: DM Jacki Arena for a confidential introduction.


Hospitality Sales Executive

A senior hospitality sales and marketing executive with 24 years of industry experience is exploring leadership opportunities including Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Sales Director, National Account Manager or Project Director.

Her strengths include sales strategy, sales-process improvement, team motivation and relationship development within the hospitality industry.

Location: Atlanta, Georgia; hybrid preferred

Employment: Full-time or consulting

Contact: This candidate is available through private introductions only. DM Jacki Arena for more information.


Morgan Reed | Emerging Hospitality and Themed Entertainment Designer

Morgan is a recent interior design graduate from Seminole State College seeking an opportunity to grow her career in hospitality or themed entertainment design. She is passionate about creating memorable guest experiences and is an active member of IIDA and NEWH.

Morgan is pursuing an Intern, Design Assistant or Junior Designer position. Her skills include space planning, visual communication, AutoCAD, Revit and Enscape.

Location: Orlando, Florida, or nearby; hybrid or on-site

Employment: Full-time, part-time or internship

Email: morganreed0607@gmail.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/morgan-reed-299795206


SHARE TALENT OR AN OPPORTUNITY

Are you hiring, seeking your next position or aware of someone whose experience should be shared?


To submit a job opportunity or be featured in Career Connections, please click EMAIL JACKI at bottom of this newsletter to request a Career Connections Submission Form to fill out.


Faith in Hospitality Career Connections is offered as a community resource. Inclusion does not constitute an endorsement, employment referral, verification or guarantee.



COMING UP THIS MONTH

September Virtual Meetups


First Friday Virtual Meetup

Friday, September 4

11:00 AM EST

Microsoft Teams Link:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/258811295940655?p=ytPrEtpkeiiVSnsEIK

Add to your calendar now!


Third Friday Virtual Meetup

Friday, September 18

1:00 PM EST

Microsoft Teams Link:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/271927795901309?p=5yNJ84LecinZlsLi8K

Add to your calendar now!


What Can You Expect from Our Virtual Meetups?

Each month, we gather virtually on the First and Third Fridays for meaningful conversations around topics such as purpose, leadership, resilience, service, faith, career transitions, relationships, and personal growth. Our meetups are conversational and welcoming. There is no pressure to speak, and everyone is encouraged to participate at whatever level feels comfortable.



A typical meetup includes:

• A brief welcome and community updates

• Introductions and connection with fellow hospitality professionals

• Discussion around a featured topic

• Opportunities to share insights, experiences, and encouragement

• Prayer requests and support for those who wish to participate


All are welcome!

 

BUILDING THE COMMUNITY

Faith in Hospitality is built around the stories, experiences and wisdom within our community. In a future issue, we would love to begin highlighting personal reflections from our members.


Your story may be connected to hospitality, leadership, faith, purpose, resilience or career transition—and may be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

Interested in sharing? Email Jacki for more information.


Also coming soon:

• Faith in Hospitality website

• More Career Connections

• Regional member groups and connections

• Volunteer opportunities


We are looking for members who would enjoy helping with:

• Event planning

• Regional ambassadors


As our community continues to grow across the country, we'd also love to begin identifying members by region to help encourage future local coffee meetups and networking gatherings.


Share with someone that comes to mind. Everyone is welcome!

What would you like to see from this community? Email comments below!