I emailed a hotel (very large, successful chain hotel) and suggested they add a custom cake to one of their grad packages - it was worth a shot! 
The catering manager declined that but told me to bring some business cards and brochures and she would put me on her preferred vendor list for weddings! I called her immediately and we chatted about business.
I'm meeting with her next week. She said she's running out of business cards for wedding bakers and her brides need someone to call. I don't know if she even looked at my website! This seems way too easy. Any stories or advice on dealing with hotels?
Get to know their in-house wedding coordinator. Find out ahead of time if they need a copy of your HD license in their file; if they need a certificate of liability (your agent can provide this); what door you should use for delivery; delivery times (i.e. "I like to deliver my cakes one hour (or your preferred time frame) prior to the event ... does that work well with you?").
If you have equipment that needs returned, will the hotel hold it for you to pick up the next Monday or will you have to make the bride responsible for it? Every hotel I worked with was happy to hold my equipment for me .... I provided a box or sometimes a white trash bag with my name and phone number written in black magic marker on it for them to put the stuff in. I even told them not to worry about washing anything. They loved this arrangement. (the only thing they liked better was "nothing needs returned .... just trash everything." boy, they will REALLY love you if you can do this on all of your cakes!) 
Hi Debi - good idea about taking the license, insurance, etc. I want them to know they are working with a professional.
I like the white trash bag idea! Right now everything can be thrown out except the cake stands. That's one reason I hesitate to buy Cake Stackers - too many small parts to lose!
Anyways, great advice as usual - thank you!!!
As someone who appreciated the W Hotel handling a special birthday cake for my daughter (made by a HBB while visit the ATL) I can tell you this was a true blessing for me. Last year the W Hotel in Atlanta (which does not offer celebration cakes), asked their resident baker on call to design a special birthday cake for me. The cake was amazing and she even provided a little business card with her contact info and website. Excellent advice from the seasoned bakers above, and if this is organized properly could be a great opportunity. I am in a major city and this baker, who I did call and use again, said she averages 10-12 cakes a month just from the hotel. Good luck to you. Oh yeah, this baker has a monthly newsletter that showcases her signature cake flavors...just thought that was a nice touch.
Hi Debi - good idea about taking the license, insurance, etc.
Please be aware that taking a copy of your insurance policy is not the same as a Certificate of Insurance. A C of I is issued by your agent and actually lists the hotel as an add'l insured (and ask them how they need this made out and get the email/fax number they need this sent to). Then your agent does all the work. Just be sure to tell them you can provide that for their file if they need it.
Hi Debi - good idea about taking the license, insurance, etc.
Please be aware that taking a copy of your insurance policy is not the same as a Certificate of Insurance. A C of I is issued by your agent and actually lists the hotel as an add'l insured (and ask them how they need this made out and get the email/fax number they need this sent to). Then your agent does all the work. Just be sure to tell them you can provide that for their file if they need it.
I work in a business where we deal with COIs on a daily basis. 80% of the places can and will take a generic form just showing that you are insured. The other 20% are the biggest pains ever that require you to go back and forth with the insurer to add different things.
I work in a business where we deal with COIs on a daily basis. 80% of the places can and will take a generic form just showing that you are insured. The other 20% are the biggest pains ever that require you to go back and forth with the insurer to add different things.
good info! I must have been dealing with only those 20%!!!!! 
I work in a business where we deal with COIs on a daily basis. 80% of the places can and will take a generic form just showing that you are insured. The other 20% are the biggest pains ever that require you to go back and forth with the insurer to add different things.
good info! I must have been dealing with only those 20%!!!!!
ITs because those 20% are such pain you don't remember the easy ones lol.
We need about 5-10 a day and only need 1 or 2 filled out with all the businesses info. The fun ones are the ones that say they accept the generic ones until you get there and then have to scramble to get the correct one
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