Today we’d like to introduce you to Melinda Filstrup.
Hi Melinda, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Born and raised in a small town in Del Rio, TX. Went to college in Las Vegas at UNLV and got my Law Degree. I worked for The Venetian Resort in their Law Dept. and Ceasers Entertainment on Intellectual Property contracts for the famous World Series Of Poker (WSOP). Shortly after realized it wasn’t for me, I wanted to get into Marketing. So, I requested an internal transfer to a casino within the company (Harrahs Casino) and my boss thought I was nuts for demoting myself. I told him I was still young, and I knew I would move up in the corporate ladder and it was a risk I needed to take. So, I got the job in special events, it was a way for me to get my foot in the door and that was when my career took off. I coordinated slot and poker tournaments and promotions for high-end gamblers. Eventually, my team ended up winning the Chairman’s award against the whole nation for the Best Special Event for NYE for the biggest high rollers. A year later I applied at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and although I was applying for an entry level marketing position. The CMO, Phil Shalala to who I am grateful every day for giving me a chance and taught me everything, ended up hiring me as his Casino Marketing Manager since I already had gaming experience. I was in that position for two years and was promoted to Sr. Marketing Manager for the whole property. I was there when Rehab, the famous pool party, started, the concert venue The Joint reopened, Body English Nightclub, Vanity Nightclub, and many restaurants, bars, a spa and retail shops. I met so many celebrities and musicians it was the dream job and the peak of the famous Hard Rock era.
I was with HR for a couple of years and then was recruited for another local casino and ended up consulting for Landry’s Restaurants and opened a restaurant/nightclub concept for Eva Longoria. I was recognized in Vegas Magazine for my role. After the concept, I had the opportunity to move to Miami Beach to open a nightclub with Cy Waits (the nightclub mogul who opened XS and Tryst at Steve Wynn’s casinos). So, I took the offer and moved to Miami Beach within two weeks. After a year of the club, I was offered a role by sbe to open a restaurant called CLEO. They recognized my hard work and offered me the Regional Marketing Manager for all restaurants in the Miami region, which included Bazaar by Jose Andres, Katsuya, and even opened a concept for Real Estate Developer Jorge Pérez just to name a few. After a couple of years with sbe I moved on to Hilton, The Diplomat Beach Resort, where I was in charge of opening and rebranding ten restaurant concepts which included 2 restaurants for the famous Geoffrey Zakarian from Food Network’s Chopped and Top Chef. Also, Monkitail Japanese restaurant which was voted #1 Best Hotel Restaurant in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards. It was a challenging experience, after the venues were successfully opened, but I was nominated “Women’s of Influence – Movers and Shakers of South Florida” and made “The List” by Ocean Drive Magazine. Once the venues were successfully launched sbe reached out to me to come back and offered me a role as the Director of Marketing of SLS Brickell Hotel, where I oversaw the hotel, and two restaurants, and a bar lounge which included another Jose Andres restaurant.
Months after, I was promoted to oversee and open the new SLS Lux Hotel. At one point I was in charge of both hotels as the Complex Marketing Director for both properties. After a company merger, I went to a new concept where I was in charge of opening a new boutique hotel on South Beach, but once we opened, Covid hit and we had to shut down. Covid was hard for many, but I felt that it was the best year for my career as opportunities popped up for me. I linked up with old friends and colleges and been fortunate to be a part of other companies spearheading their marketing and becoming a partner. So, I started consulting and I took on a client with the beautiful waterfront restaurant, The Deck at Island Gardens. Plus, I am in charge of Marketing Strategy and Implementation for a glamping company called Global Glamping, a Strategic Advisor with Silicon Valley based Confidence Systems, and currently working on my own beauty product line of natural body scrubs and oils that I have been working on for a while and close to launching. I live in Miami Beach and love to paddleboard, ride my bike, practice my guitar, and just got a Sax as a gift that I need to take some lessons on and enjoy dining at new restaurants in town. I am currently in a foodie series for the New York Post called “Would You Eat It?” My biggest passion is Traveling.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest struggle in my career were the opening deadlines and the hours you put in. Hospitality is a very competitive and fast-paced industry. I was opening venues on a short lead time. Working daytime hours and networking or attending events in the evening. Most people think it’s a fun job, but in reality, it’s still considered work. I recall opening ten venues back-to-back within eight months with only one amazing coordinator. Another time I worked 4 months straight with no days off. Also, opening venues with so much competition, I had to learn that the Las Vegas Market is very different than the one in Miami. The best advice I’ve learned over the years is to never burn bridges. You never know when you will cross paths again and you should always be kind to everyone. Lastly, networking is very important.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a creative and innovative hospitality professional with more than 18 years of experience in marketing. I’ve successfully launched and managed marketing efforts for 32 restaurants, 9 hotels, and 11 nightclubs/bars by implementing marketing strategies and the creation and execution of marketing campaigns. I also manage and plan events as well as driving brand recognition, I call it a brand guardian. And a new soon-to-be entrepreneur.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Story: In 2018 I made my dream come true. I traveled solo to Bagan, an ancient city in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar. It was my #1 bucket list to ride a hot air balloon over the historical site of Bagan scattered with over 5000 ancient temples and pagodas.
Fun Fact: Many moons ago I was a professional Flamenco dancer for tourists in San Antonio, TX as a hobby during the weekends. My favorite band of all time is The Cure and I am a huge Nicolas Cage fan.
Contact Info:
- Email: melindafilstrup@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meli_g28/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melindag.filstrup
- The Deck at Island Gardens: mfilstrup@islandgardens.com
- Global Glamping: melinda@glamping.global
