Member Showcase- February 2022

Wendy Basco Senior Sales Executive  The Rtiz-Carlton, Amelia Island Ted Basco Sales Manager and Film Liaison Visit Roswell

For this edition of ReConnect, our member spotlight is on Wendy and Ted Basco, the focus of our MPI Georgia's "Couple in the Business."

Wendy and Ted Basco were separately introduced to the hospitality industry at very young ages. Ted followed in the footsteps of his parents who spent many years working in large convention hotels and historic landmark restaurants in San Francisco, CA and Wendy grew up influenced by the Atlanta hotel scene with her father involved in the founding of the Peach Bowl and an older brother who traveled the globe as a hotel chef.

The two met while they were both working in group sales for Hyatt Hotels representing two very different hotels and destinations with Wendy in Jersey City, NJ, and Ted in La Jolla, Ca. The hospitality industry brought the couple together while attending an annual spring tradeshow in downtown San Francisco, CA.  Following a successful business trip, the two returned to their respective hotels and cities to recap their travels and follow up with all new business connections. Ted contributes one of his most successful business moments to the email he sent following this sales trip to his Hyatt colleague in NJ which led to an interest in getting to know one another better scheduling a cross-country first date and eventually a long-distance relationship and marriage. 

With over 20+ years each in the hospitality industry the couple has represented several hotels and destinations around the country from Seattle, WA, Jersey City, NJ, San Francisco, CA, La Jolla, CA, and Los Angeles, CA before finally residing in Atlanta, GA in 2009. Throughout their longevity in the industry both have been members of various MPI chapters and recognize the importance of getting involved and becoming active members. Upon moving to Atlanta the couple became active participants within the Atlanta meetings industry with Wendy representing The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, and Ted holding various sales leader and director roles with Marriott Autograph Collection, Westin Hotels, IHG, and Hyatt Hotels. 

Today the couple remains active within the meetings and hospitality industry and are both members of MPI Georgia with Wendy now representing The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, and Ted transitioning from hotel sales to his new passion of destination sales with Visit Roswell, the Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau. Ted also serves as an advisory board member with the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Now more than ever, they both recognize the continued need to learn, network, and connect with clients and other industry professionals to be successful and revitalize the meetings industry. You will often see the couple attending MPI education programs, special events, and networking opportunities. 

Their love of the hospitality industry is being passed down to their two children Mabel and Bruce, who share of love of travel, special events, and unique venues. During the height of the pandemic, their daughter even started her own Instagram account (#kidtourismambassador) with a focus on tourism, promoting local businesses, backyard hidden gems to explore, and various destinations while on family travels. 

The Basco Family - An Abundance of Love!