Keeneland Hospitality is the catering and event operation of the Keeneland Association, founded with the vision of being a central gathering place for the community. Established in 2015, Keeneland Hospitality delivers extraordinary experiences year-round with a focus on refined cuisine, exceptional service, and unique venue offerings. Keeneland itself is widely recognized as a premier horse racing and sales facility known for its tradition, thoroughbred sales, and racing meets that attract visitors from around the world. Keeneland Hospitality brings this reputation to life by producing top-tier catering and event services that complement the storied nature of Keeneland Association.
This role is designed to oversee the planning, catering, and execution of special events booked at Keeneland, ensuring each event delivers an outstanding and memorable experience. The Event Coordinator works closely with various supporting departments within Keeneland to manage event details and guarantee the highest level of customer service. Acting as the Keeneland representative, the position requires attendance at events and meetings, which often involves nights and weekend work due to the nature of the racing calendar and special events.
The role encompasses responsibilities during Keeneland's race meets, with a specific focus on group sales and event coordination within spaces assigned by the Director of Events. The Event Coordinator will manage catering orders daily, serve as a communication conduit between clients and the hospitality team, and work on initiatives to educate guests about horse racing to cultivate new fans. Collaboration with other Keeneland divisions such as the Keeneland Shop, tours, and betting experts enhances the race day experience for groups.
Beyond race meets, the Event Coordinator supports the Keeneland Special Event Program by assisting clients with detailed event planning after facilities are secured. This includes menu planning, event layout diagrams, timelines, and offering recommendations to elevate guest experiences. The role involves comprehensive communication with catering and other Keeneland departments, hands-on use of event software for layout creation, and coordination of setup and breakdown logistics. On-site supervision during events in partnership with the Catering Manager ensures smooth execution.
Post-event duties include coordinating reports with internal teams, managing ancillary services like AV, decor, and IT, and supporting client requests related to handicapping seminars and tours. The coordinator is also responsible for inputting events into the Keeneland calendar system and assisting with internal events and administrative tasks tied to the special event program. Preferred candidates will have 2-3 years of relevant event planning experience and a customer service-oriented approach, contributing to Keeneland Hospitality's reputation for excellence in event management.
associate degree or equivalent experience preferred
minimum 2 years event planning experience
experience in catering or hospitality industry preferred
excellent organizational and multitasking skills
strong interpersonal and communication skills
ability to work flexible hours including nights and weekends
proficiency in event management software
commitment to high quality customer service
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