Meet The Margaritaville Team
We’re Here for You
Michael Cook brings more than 20 years of hospitality sales and marketing experience to his role as Director of Sales at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions with premier hospitality brands including Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, and Westin, with a strong track record in group sales, revenue growth, and team leadership. His background spans national accounts, group and catering sales, and property marketing, giving him a well-rounded perspective on driving performance and building long-term client relationships. At Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, Michael plays a key role in leading sales strategy and supporting the resort’s continued growth.
As Senior Sales Manager at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, Samantha Mims brings 10+ years of hospitality experience with a strong focus on corporate travel and business partnerships. Specializing in the Southeast, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions, Sammy takes a strategic, client-first approach to deliver tailored accommodation and meeting solutions that meet each company’s needs, budgets, and timelines. She partners with businesses across diverse industries, offering customized corporate rate programs, seamless booking processes, and exceptional service. Whether it’s executive travel or large conferences, Sammy ensures every detail is handled with professionalism, responsiveness, and efficiency. With a deep understanding of market trends and expertise in contract negotiation, Sammy builds long-term, value-driven client relationships while driving occupancy and revenue growth for the resort. Her collaborative style and proactive communication make corporate travel planning easy and effective. If your company needs a trusted hospitality partner for frequent business stays, off-site meetings, or executive retreats, Sammy is your go-to contact for consistent, strategic support. Fun facts about Sammy: Born and raised in South Florida, Sammy is a Penn State Hospitality graduate and former college cheerleader who enjoys family time, boating, fishing, and staying active.
With over a decade of experience driving revenue for the Margaritaville brand, I specialize in the art of group sales. I thrive on cultivating high-value client partnerships and transforming complex group inquiries into lucrative, fully realized resort experiences. My focus goes beyond simply filling rooms; it is about curating tailored solutions for corporate, incentive, and luxury groups that maximize property profitability while delivering unforgettable events. I bring a strategic approach to account management, group servicing, and aggressive sales growth. By mastering the nuances of group blocks, catering, and event execution, I consistently uncover opportunities for upselling and revenue optimization. From managing budgets and accurate forecasting to driving proactive customer retention initiatives, I know how to navigate a competitive market to secure repeat group business. Backed by a Master’s Degree in Hospitality Business Management from FIU, I pair strategic industry insights with boots-on-the-ground sales hustle. Whether pitching a massive corporate retreat or an exclusive VIP social block, my passion lies in collaborating seamlessly with property teams to close the deal and drive exceptional business growth.
A Miami native with a passion for hospitality, she started her career in event sales in 2016 as an administrative professional and quickly discovered her love for bringing events to life. From there, she grew into an Executive Meeting Manager role—handling everything from booking to execution—and eventually advanced to Sales Manager, specializing in conferences.
After spending the last four and a half years at a larger scale hotel, she excited to bring her experience and energy to Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. With a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality & Tourism, she’s dedicated to helping clients create seamless, memorable events from start to finish.
Kennet Mendez brings a well-rounded hospitality background to his role as Sales Manager at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. Originally from Mexico City, Kennet has built his career through hands-on experience in front office operations, guest experience, event management, and now hotel sales. Before stepping into sales, he served as Executive Meeting Manager and Hotel Guest Experience Planner at the resort, giving him a strong foundation in both client service and event execution. His diverse background, international hospitality experience, and relationship-driven approach help him create seamless experiences for clients while supporting long-term business growth.
With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, I’ve spent the past 11 years proudly growing my career with Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort—a brand that truly embodies fun, authenticity, and a great place to work. Originally from California, I’ve always had a strong appreciation for the outdoors, which naturally aligns with the relaxed, beachside lifestyle Margaritaville represents. My passion for creating memorable guest experiences, combined with my industry knowledge, continues to drive my commitment to delivering exceptional events and service.
As Senior Catering Sales Manager at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, Michelle Cannici brings decades of hospitality experience in catering, weddings, and event sales. Her career spans several respected South Florida properties, where she built a strong reputation for managing social events, corporate functions, and wedding business with a thoughtful, service-driven approach. With deep experience in both sales and event execution, Michelle is known for helping clients bring their vision to life while creating seamless, memorable experiences from start to finish.
Christi brings more than 25 years of hospitality experience to the resort, with a strong background in catering, banquet operations, and event leadership. Before joining the team, she spent seven years at Pier Sixty-Six Hotel and Marina, where she advanced from Catering Sales Manager to Director of Banquets, overseeing banquet operations for the landmark property. Her career also includes several leadership roles at Signature Grand in Davie, along with earlier food and beverage positions that helped shape her well-rounded industry background. Christi holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Florida International University and an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Miami-Dade College.
With more than 15 years of hospitality experience, Shannon Steffen plays an important role in creating seamless meeting and event experiences at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. Over the years, she has advanced through multiple positions at the resort, building extensive knowledge across conference services, catering coordination, and room operations.
Maria De la Vega brings a strong background in conference services, event coordination, and guest relations to her role at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Hospitality Management, Maria’s experience includes roles with Hilton Boston Park Plaza, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, and Spirit Airlines. Her well-rounded hospitality background, combined with a strong focus on organization and client service, helps create seamless experiences for meeting and event clients.
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