Specialty Search International, Inc (SSI) has successfully assisted clients in recruiting industry professionals to make a direct impact on revenue and market share growth.  SSI’s Chairman, Ron Folkman, has noticed a significant trend developing within the industry’s hiring strategies.  “We are seeing a dramatic ‘flight to quality’ as companies seek candidates who have the experience and relationships to build market-share during these challenging economic times.  While clients have certainly noticed a sizable increase in the number of unemployed candidates seeking opportunities, they are aware that the professionals they wish to attract are often not active job seekers.”

In the past several months, some of these placements include Regional Director of Revenue Management – Capella Hotels and Resorts; Regional Sales Manager – Capella Hotels and Resorts; Director of Sales – InterContinental Chicago; VP of Sales – Tradewinds Resorts; Director of Corp. Sales – Peninsula New York City.

Kit Pappas, VP of Sales for the West Paces Hotel Group, the parent company for Capella Hotels and Resorts, stated, “I have worked with Greg Birkmeier at SSI for nearly 10 years. For Capella Hotels and Resorts, he has been successful in understanding our organizational needs and consistently finding high performing professionals.”

Dan Preston, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Intercontinental Chicago summarized his recent experience, “SSI recently completed a search for the Director of Sales here at the Intercontinental Chicago.  This was my first experience with SSI.  Several of our sister properties have successfully used SSI in their past recruiting efforts, and now I see why.  They produced a number of high-profile, talented sales leaders from the target market we identified and as a result, we secured our candidate.  Their process is more thorough and all encompassing than any that I have experienced with other recruiting firms.  The next time I have outside recruiting needs, SSI will be my first call.”

Keith Overton, Chief Operating Officer for Tradewinds Island Resorts, stated, “We recently completed a search for a Vice President of Sales here at Tradewinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach, Florida. In addition to our own recruitment efforts, we engaged multiple hospitality search firms to identify and introduce us to great candidates for this critical position.  Kevin Kelley with Specialty Search International identified a number of highly qualified candidates, and they introduced us to the hospitality sales leadership professionals that ultimately became our 3 finalists for the position.  We were all extremely impressed with the quality of candidates that SSI provided to us and we were also very impressed in the professional manner in which they managed the entire process. I highly recommend SSI for any organization that is in search of top hospitality talent.”

Specialty Search International has focused on world-wide hospitality industry recruiting for the past 19 years.  The firm offers both contingency and retained search options, and specializes in the upscale, luxury and boutique segments of the industry.  Contact the firm at 813/818-7800 or info@ssirecruiting.com.  More information on the firm is available on its website:  www.ssirecruiting.com.