Herstory: Brigette Bienvenu on Bold Career Moves, Mentorship and Putting Tampa on the Luxury Map

For Brigette Bienvenu, a career in hospitality was not the original plan. But one move led to another, and over time, those decisions built a path across some of the industry’s most recognizable brands.

Now Director of Sales and Marketing at The Tampa EDITION, Bienvenu’s career has taken her from New Orleans to Miami, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale and now Tampa. Along the way, she built experience across Hilton, W Hotels and Ritz-Carlton, rising steadily through the sales and marketing ranks while learning from leaders who challenged her, trusted her and helped shape her approach.

Her move to Tampa marked both a professional and personal new chapter. While she always had her eye on the EDITION brand, her move to Tampa was two-fold when she simultaneously got engaged to her now husband who resides in Tampa.

Bienvenu spoke with hertelier about leaving home after Hurricane Katrina, the mentor who made a lasting impression, what it takes to build a luxury market in a city still introducing itself to many travelers, and why she would tell her younger self to be bold.

You grew up in New Orleans and studied Communications at Loyola University, but hospitality ended up becoming your career. How did that happen, and when did you leave New Orleans for work?

I studied Communications at Loyola University, with a goal of working in broadcast journalism. All the while, I was working in hospitality throughout college, and I like to think the industry really chose me at that point. It is such a fascinating industry, and I have had the privilege of working with so many beautiful brands over the years.

I left New Orleans and moved to Miami after Hurricane Katrina. At the time, I was working at The Wyndham Canal Place (now a Westin) as a catering sales manager. The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina was unimaginable, and the city was forced to shut down. Tourism, the city’s number one industry, had been crippled, and I knew there would not be much of a future there for a while. I always had my eye on Florida, especially Miami, and that moment became the catalyst that pushed me to make the move.

I stayed briefly with a friend in Tampa before finding a role with Hilton Hotels in Miami, and that became the start of a 10-year career with Hilton in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale area. I worked at multiple hotels and eventually grew into a Director of Sales and Marketing role within the company.

And from there, your career really took off. What came next?

After Hilton, I joined Starwood and moved across the country to Los Angeles to become Director of Sales and Marketing at the W Hollywood. I stayed for two years, but I missed Florida. It already felt like home to me, so I found a transfer and moved back to the W Fort Lauderdale, where I spent five years.

After that, I transitioned into the Ritz-Carlton brand, a career-long aspiration of mine. I was appointed as Market Director of Sales and Marketing, overseeing The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour and The Ritz-Carlton South Beach hotels in Miami. After two incredible years with Ritz-Carlton, both my personal and professional worlds came together, and I made the move to Tampa and transitioned to the EDITION brand.

EDITION has a unique blend of lifestyle and luxury service — it’s the epitome of sophisticated, modern luxury and is such a fulfilling culmination of my background and where I want to go next.

lobby staircase at the Tampa EDITION

Who helped shape you as a leader along the way?

There have been many different leaders and general managers who made an impact on me, and each one contributed something different to my growth. Some were very firm. Others gave me room to be creative and lead in my own way.

Going back to my Hilton days, our regional vice president of sales really mentored me and helped me grow into a leadership role. She believed in me, and I firmly believe her support led to my promotion to director of sales and marketing, from sales manager, in just two years.. She made a big mark on me, and from then on, I focused on building my career and growing into the luxury space.

At W Fort Lauderdale, the General Manager, Anna MacDiarmid, also has had a lasting impression on my career. She built her path across many hotels within the brand, and her drive and passion for  work were truly contagious. What influenced me most, though, was the way she led. She always spoke about being firm but fair as a leader  — a balance I continue to practice in my own leadership. We remain friends to this day, and her support through many phases of my life has been instrumental in shaping the leader I’ve become.

What has it been like helping position Tampa as a luxury destination?

Helping position Tampa as a luxury destination through EDITION has been both exciting and deeply rewarding. Tampa has always had destination-worth appeal across the city’s waterfront beauty and strong sense of place, but there’s been a real opportunity to elevate the narrative and introduce a more refined, globally-minded hospitality experience.

At EDITION, we’ve been able to bring a level of design, service, and programming that feels both sophisticated and connected to the market. Our goal is to create experiences that resonate with both locals and international travelers alike. 

It’s been really exciting to see the city evolving. There’s a growing appetite for luxury, and being part of that momentum has been incredibly fulfilling.

Punch Room at the Tampa EDITION

Has that changed the way you talk about the hotel and the city to travel advisors and partners?

Definitely. A lot of the conversation starts with education. People are often surprised to learn there is an EDITION in Tampa, so there is still a real opportunity to introduce both the hotel and the city to new audiences. EDITION is also an emerging brand, so while there is instant brand recognition for  other hotels in the Marriott portfolio, there are just over 20 EDITION locations worldwide, so there is an opportunity for education on our brand and experience as well. 

I will say, having worked in Miami extensively, I always like to mention to people that Tampa has a lot of the facets people travel to Miami for. We have world-class, Michelin-starred dining experiences, rich culture, and waterfront beauty. 

What advice would you give your younger self?

I have always put a lot of pressure on myself, both personally and professionally. But if you trust yourself and work hard, the outcome will  be good. 

Mentorship clearly mattered in your own career. What does it mean to mentor others now?

That is one of the most fulfilling parts of being a leader. When you see someone who started out as a coordinator or sales manager grow into a national accounts role or a director position, and you know you played a role in helping them get there, that is incredibly rewarding.

There is great fulfillment when you have a direct impact on someone’s career path.

What do you aspire to next?

Right now, I am really happy where I am. Earlier in my career, I probably would have said I wanted to become a vice president of sales or take on a regional role. But at this stage, I love being on property.

I love the connectivity of being on the ground at the hotel - there is such excitement and energy that surrounds us. I feel a lot of pride in representing the hotel and the city where I live, and in what we are building there.

What are you seeing from guests right now? Are there any clear shifts in what they want?

Wellness has become a major focal point. We already have a strong fitness offering, a Forbes Four-Star spa, massage and therapeutic offerings, and fitness classes throughout the week, but we are looking at expanding that further with more offerings.

That is definitely one area where guest expectations are evolving.

Experiential programming is another area of guest experience that we are prioritizing. We’ve recently launched our Breakfast Club series, which I think is the perfect combination of both of these categories. Breakfast Club is essentially a daytime, wellness-focused DJ dance party — first, there’s a workout and then guest transition into fresh juices, coffee, and cocktails to fuel the dance party. 

Quickfire with Brigette

Morning routine? Coffee, getting ready, and making the drive to work while listening to music and getting focused for the day. Prep meals for proper nourishment for evening workouts. 

How do you fit in wellness yourself? Usually in the evening. I will do Peloton or a sculpt and flow class at YogaSix after work.

What is one habit that helps you switch off? A great workout, a healthy dinner, and a hot chamomile tea before bedtime is my lullaby.