Sheila Hession
Executive Director of Sales
MGM National Harbor
As the Executive Director of Sales at the $1.4B MGM National Harbor, Sheila is responsible for guiding the overall sales strategy to ensure effective and productive sales within the meetings, conventions and catering aspect of the resort. In addition, her team also oversees the private dining effort for all of the celebrity & signature outlets in the resort as well as cross-selling the 3,000 seat Theater for meetings & special events.
Prior to joining MGM National Harbor, Sheila was the Director of Sales & Marketing at the iconic Willard Intercontinental where she led the Sales, Catering and Public Relations effort. She has also held the role of Regional Director of Sales with Davidson Hotels & Resorts where she was responsible for building and directing the overall sales, marketing, strategic planning and asset management communication for 12 full service hotels representing multiple brands in the DC area and Tennessee. Other on property Director of Sales & Marketing roles were held at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, Washington Court Hotel on Capitol Hill, as well as spending 7 years at the historic Omni Shoreham Hotel and 10 years with Hyatt Hotels Corporation.
Starting as a Front Desk Agent during high school, Sheila has been in the hospitality industry for over thirty years. She’s held roles such as Night Manager, Front Desk Manager and Director of Front Office Operations and Assistant General Manager before making the leap to hotel Sales in 1993.
Sheila obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Hospitality Management at the University of Maryland University College. She is a life-long resident of Prince George’s County and is married to her junior high sweetheart. They have 2 sons and 3 dogs which help keep their home lively!