Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Curran.
Hi Ryan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Beginning my career in hospitality at the age of 14, washing dishes in a local catering hall on Long Island in New York. It was a humble start that laid the foundation for a 20-year journey through the industry that eventually brought me to South Florida. Throughout high school, I held a variety of roles at different restaurants and a bakery, developing a deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication that defines the hospitality profession.
Following high school, I attended community college for hospitality while working at a major sporting arena for the New York Islanders hockey team. That is where I first began to understand the scale and complexity of event operations and fell in love. As I progressed through school, I began working in hotel operations, progressing from Front Desk Agent to Sales Assistant, then Sales Manager, and and ultimately earning the title of Director of Sales and Events here in the fantastic community of Delray Beach.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey, like most, has had its share of highs and lows. Life has a way of testing your focus, but through it all, my eye has remained fixed on one goal: becoming a Director of Sales and Events. Luckily, since beginning my journey in hotels at the Front Desk, I have been lucky to work for the same company for 14 years now. They have given my necessary guidance and opportunities to be who I am today.
Relocating from New York to Florida at 26 was one of the most pivotal decisions of my life. Having stayed close to home for college, leaving New York felt like uncharted territory but the opportunity to open a brand-new hotel was simply too compelling to pass up. It was the kind of challenge I had worked toward for years, and I wasn’t going to let it pass me by.
Of course, no career story is without its defining trials. Opening the Aloft Delray Beach just five months before the pandemic ranks among the most difficult professional experiences I have faced. Launching a new property and then navigating an extended period with virtually no guests demanded resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to the team and the company.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As Director of Sales & Events at Aloft Delray Beach, no two days look the same and that is exactly the way I like it. On any given day, I might be meeting with a corporate client to design a multi-day conference, walking a bride and groom through their wedding reception setup, or working with my team to close out a record revenue month. The variety is endless and the energy of this market makes it all the more exciting. Delray Beach is a destination that draws people who want to celebrate, connect, and experience something special and it is my job to make sure our hotel delivers exactly that while meeting or exceeding revenue goals.
Being in this role, I am also a large member of our community working with a number of locale organizations. Which include being a board member on the Young Professionals Association of the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce.
The most rewarding aspect of my role is overseeing our social events, particularly weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs. There is something incredibly special about connecting with families who are entrusting us with one of the most significant days of their lives. These are not just bookings; they represent years of anticipation, hard-earned savings, and deeply personal dreams. That responsibility is something I never take lightly.
I genuinely love every part of these events from the early planning conversations, the creative collaboration, the meticulous attention to detail, and ultimately, the moment it all comes to life. Our track record reflects the care and commitment my team and I bring to every event. Time and again, we have the privilege of sending guests home with memories that will last a lifetime, and the gratitude we receive from our event hosts is a reminder of why we do what we do.
How do you think about luck?
I have been fairly fortunate in this industry but I have come to believe that my passion has a way of creating its own luck. When you truly love what you do, people feel it, and the business tends to follow.
I would say, good luck has brought me to this fantastic community of Delray Beach. The members of this community that I have the pleasure of regularly interacting with are unlike any other with their kindness, generosity and willingness to partner with businesses of all kinds.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aloftdelrayevents.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aloftdelraybeach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aloftdelraybeachhotel
