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Jaclyn Vazquez ’07 (Brooklyn, N.Y.) isn’t a bride-to-be, but she is playing one during a summer internship at the Radnor Hotel in St. David’s, Pa.
A double major in psychology and religious studies, Vazquez is working with the hotel’s sales and marketing department to develop a competitive analysis. A stipend from the Class of 2006 is helping defray the costs of Vazquez’s internship.
The Radnor is the only full-service hotel in Philadelphia’s Main Line suburbs, consisting of 171 guest rooms and luxury suites. The hotel also has event and wedding facilities.
“The sales department focuses on bringing in groups for room nights, weddings, and corporate and social functions,” says Vazquez. “The first part [of my internship] is a competitive analysis of local wedding venues in the area.”
Vazquez is posing as a bride-to-be to obtain the most accurate information on other hotels in the area.
“This process consists of me posing as someone who is newly engaged and visiting different hotels and wedding venues to gather more information on their prices and accommodations,” she explains. “This process is important because it helps the Radnor gauge where it stands in comparison to competing venues.”
Vazquez also will be reconstructing the hotel’s guest service directory.
“This is a long project, which will be ongoing throughout the summer,” she says. “I will be calling restaurants and other vendors who have purchased ads in the directory previously and asking them if they would like to renew. I will also be going out into the local area to try to recruit new businesses for the directory.”
Lou Prevost ’71, vice-president and general manager of the Radnor, arranged the experience for Vazquez and says her work is integral to the hotel’s success.
“Initially her duties include developing a comparative analysis of our six major competitors regarding 2007 August weddings and rehearsal dinners,” he says. “This is very important to help us remain in touch with our marketplace.”
Prevost sees great potential in Vazquez’s abilities.
“Jackie’s hospitality skills and professional demeanor have been evident at all times,” he says. “Her ability to express her observations and opinions professionally in written electronic communication has been a real plus to her performance.”
Vazquez believes the experience she is gaining at the Radnor will help her when she pursues a career in the field after graduating from Lafayette.
“Many hotels look for experience before hiring you and I am getting a lot of it here,” she says. “It will also be beneficial because I am experiencing work in a number of different areas.”