Today we’d like to introduce you to Joi Alexander.
Hi Joi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Creating amazing experiences for my clients has always been my number 1 goal! I started in the sales and hospitality industry many moons ago…spanning over 25 years. I am a seasoned on premise and off-premise catering sales professional with over 25 years of experience in account management, client relations, business development, CPG management, large-scale event planning and stadium event operations.
While my career started in Washington, DC, Atlanta has been home for the last 12 years. In 2017, I was named Director of Catering Sales at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is currently ranked as the #1 Food and Beverage provider for the NFL and the Sports & Entertainment Industry. I received the Top Sales Performer Award in 2019 for exceeding group sales revenue by $7M and I spearheaded the expansion of the private event and catering sector at the #1 NFL Stadium in the world which generated over $5M in revenue year over year.
I have worked with corporate clients such as Coca-Cola, Redfin, Ernst Young, SunTrust Bank and Delta Airlines just to name a few in planning and executing their large events at MBS. In addition, I played a vital role in the managing all food and beverage for Super Bowl LIII, 2018 College Football Championship and the 2018 MLS Cup Championship.
After three years run at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Joi was named Head of Regional Off-Premise Sales for CAVA & Zoes Kitchen in February 2020. After having the ability to scale their national catering program at the CAVA at 40th & Madison in New York, she was awarded the opportunity to join Slutty Vegan ATL in November 2021. Before my transition to the amazing Slutty Vegan ATL, I started The G.A.M.E. Consulting Agency! TGCA is a full-service agency focused on serving the comprehensive needs of restauranteurs and providing the tools to increase and maintain revenue off-premise catering.
In my role as National Director of Sales and Catering for Slutty Vegan ATL, I am responsible for building new national sales partnerships with Slutty Vegan ATL and manage the national “Gettin Slutty Tour.”
While Atlanta is now home for this Washington, D.C. native, she has held senior-level positions in other major markets which include Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD. A graduate of Howard University and The George Washington University, she resides in historic Southwest Atlanta with her son Cameron, 14 and twin daughters Aniya & Arie, 9.
“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey has been full of ups and downs. Throughout my career, I have faced many obstacles which have molded me into the professional I am today. From not landing the job I’ve wanted to making magic happen during a global pandemic, I’ve had my fair share of challenges. I am a firm believer that “everything happens for a reason” and I live by his mantra every day. I pride myself on being able to bounce back from adversity and pivot when I have to prevent the same results. Having a steadfast approach to making decisions has helped me bounce back from obstacles and I tell all young women and men to always adjust to your environment and pivot when you have to. I’ve learned that it’s ok to be comfortable even in an uncomfortable situation.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The G.A.M.E. Consulting Agency?
The G.A.M.E. Consulting Agency is a full-service agency focused on serving the comprehensive needs of black-owned restaurant and their private event business and off-premise catering model in the full range cycle. From blueprint to conception, our talented team will be able to offer a more balanced quality service than many of its competitors. Our goal is to strategically turn your restaurant real estate into a private event goldmine or implement a tactical and easy-to-execute off-premise catering model which will generate additional revenue on top of in-store sales. Private events and catering (whether off-premise or on-premise) represent nearly half of the food and beverage revenue in most restaurants, hotels, and event spaces. From outlining a project timeframe to seeing through conception, TGCA will offer exceptional business strategies to restaurants and venues alike seeking to increase food and beverage sales by means of on-premise and off-premise catering.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Don’t be shy! Closed mouths don’t get fed! I used to be very shy and had a hard time “asking for what I wanted or deserved”. That all changed once I truly understood that I had a gift to share with the world! You don’t see many black women in executive positions within the sales and hospitality industry so I wanted to change that narrative. I started the Hospitality Hottie coalition which serves as the professional development arm of The G.A.M.E. Consulting Agency.
The “Hospitality Hottie” Coalition is the professional development arm of The G.A.M.E. Consulting Agency. “Hospitality Hottie” is a unique coalition for black and brown millennials in the hospitality industry to collaborate, share best practices, advocate for their BEST selves while providing professional development for recent college grads.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thegameca.com/
- Instagram: @Thegameconsultingagency
Image Credits
Joi Alexander
