WARWICK – Genna Lepore, of Providence, has won the NYLO Providence/Warwick Sales Apprenticeship Contest and earned a paid position with the hotel sales team after what organizers said was a grueling competition involving 20 contestants that began May 30.
Lepore, a 23-year-old Northwestern University graduate, bested nine other finalists and helped raise $3,520 for the R.I. Community Food Bank.
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Johnson & Wales University student Maria Pichardo, from Penfield, N.Y., won a three-month paid internship at the hotel, while the other eight finalists each received a two-night three-day getaway at NYLO Providence/Warwick.
The NYLO Sales Apprenticeship Contest began May 30 with 20 candidates vying for 10 spots as finalists in a competition reminiscent of the television shows that featured businessman Donald Trump working with a team of potential apprentices.
After a series of what organizers said were “grueling” interviews with executives from NYLO hotels, 10 finalists were chosen. They were tested on a series of daily challenges from May 30 through June 4 intended to spotlight their sales and marketing talent, event planning abilities, hospitality and communication skills. The 10 were charged with developing a successful fundraiser for the community food bank, which was held at The Loft at the hotel June 4, when Lepore was announced as the winner.
Among the challenges the contestants faced each day was an assignment to get 20 rooms booked for the evening, to spread the word about NYLO to travel agents and to conduct a “blitzing effort” to get as many people as possible to attend the food bank fundraiser, organizers said. Contestants were judged on a point system.
Lepore, born in Providence but now a Boston resident, said the competition was “very difficult” and “quite Donald Trumpesque.”
“It was a long, tedious week,” she told the Providence Business News. “I met some great friends and some great contacts, and I am looking forward to being part of the NYLO team.” She said the contest went “down to the wire” and there never was a moment when she felt she had clinched the victory.
“We’re excited to bring this new program to Rhode Island,” said John Russell, chief executive officer of the NYLO hotels. “The state’s hospitality and tourism sector is a driving force in economic development and we’re thrilled to give back to an industry that’s been great to us. Through this contest, NYLO is working to do its part to create jobs and help develop the next generation of hospitality leaders.”
Judges included: Michael Cerio, of the R.I. Community Food Bank; Jenna Pelletier, R.I. Monthly; Christine Nevers, general manager of NYLO Providence/Warwick; Maggie Longo, director of food and beverage, NYLO Providence/Warwick; Karen Jedson, Warwick Department of Tourism; Julie Tremaine, Providence Monthly; Sue Gallogy, sales manager, NYLO Providence/Warwick; Dale Venturini, R.I. Hospitality Association; Martha Sheridan, Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau; Mark Brodeur, director of tourism for the state; Kim Zandy of radio station 92 PRO-FM; Shawn Tempesta, host of The Rhode Show; reporter John Guice, WLNE-TV, ABC 6; Caroline Cooper, Johnson & Wales University; Rusell; Toma Brashear, NYLO Hotels.
