When Courtney Simmons McKee relocated to New York this past October, getting involved with HSMAI was a natural next step. Having seen the impact of a strong hospitality network during her time in New Orleans, she knew how valuable an engaged industry community could be.

Now serving as Complex Director of Catering for The Benjamin Royal Sonesta, Courtney is closely watching how the industry continues to evolve post-COVID. One of the most significant shifts she is seeing is the rise of short-term bookings, making speed to market more critical than ever. Faster response times, clearer communication, and the ability to pivot quickly can be the difference between winning or losing business.

Courtney’s journey into hospitality began unexpectedly during her final semester of college, when she joined the opening team of Saint Leo, a James Beard nominated restaurant in Oxford, Mississippi. Although she was on track for a career in psychology, the operational side of hospitality and the impact it has on people quickly won her over. Since then, she has built a career across restaurants and hotels, driven by her belief that the most meaningful moments in life are often shared over a meal.

Her advice to those entering the industry is simple: relationships are everything. Invest in your clients, your teams, and your industry peers this business thrives on collaboration and genuine connection. So, say yes to the coffee meeting, go to the networking happy hour, and do not underestimate the power of a genuine connection.

Just for fun, if Courtney could trade jobs with anyone in hospitality for a day, it would be a chef. With a love of cooking and a bit of back-of-house experience, she is drawn to the creativity and energy of a bustling kitchen though she admits one day on the line would be more than enough. Outside of work, Courtney enjoys discovering new restaurants, savoring a great glass of champagne, and spending time at home with her cats.