40 under 40: Veronica Arriaga, Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel
Tahoe Chamber | September 4, 2018 | 40 Under 40
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After studying abroad in Sydney, Australia, Veronica Arriaga knew she wanted to live somewhere with beautiful scenery and nature.
Of course, she found Lake Tahoe, where she has now called home for more than six years.
Veronica serves as the Senior Sales Manager at Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel. She’s participated in multiple programs to get to know her community better, such as Leadership Lake Tahoe, is a Tahoe Chamber Ambassador, and volunteer to many other organizations.
Congratulations to this week’s 40 under 40 honoree, Veronica Arriaga.
Can you tell us a little about your responsibilities and accomplishments in your current position?
As a Senior Sales Manager for Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel, I work to fill the 400-room hotel with 10,000 square feet of meeting space with group business, focusing on midweek and lower demand periods. I work with corporations, associations, bus tours, reunions, social groups, and third-party meeting planners on contracting hotel room blocks and meeting space from all over the country and world. When speaking with groups, not only do I talk about the hotel property, but I also have the opportunity to make recommendations on team building activities, off-site activities, and corporate social responsibility programs. I do my best to stay on top of finding out about activities and places to go in Tahoe.
What has been your favorite professional moment in the last year?
I’ve enjoyed the privilege of being able to travel and represent my company in the Bay Area and Southern California, and to share my love and passion for Tahoe with others in the meeting and events industry.
Do you have a professional/life mantra that you live by?
Never stop learning and growing.
What was your first job?
I sought out work opportunities at a very young age and started babysitting around the age of 12. However, my first job with a w-2 was a seasonal gig at a haunted house. I worked with a bunch of my high school friends. Throughout the evening I blended in with the crowd and was picked up by an actor with a chainsaw and thrown in a fake meat grinder to reenact the Texas Chainsaw massacre scene. I can still remember the music playlist from listening to it over and over. My favorite early job was working at a movie theatre.
Why choose Tahoe to make your home and career?
After I saw my sister study abroad in Italy, I was intrigued to do so as well. After getting my bachelor’s in psychology in Southern Calif., I decided I wanted to continue studying abroad and joined a Master’s program in Hospitality and Tourism in Sydney, Australia. After living in such a beautiful area surrounded by nature, I decided that I needed to live somewhere else serene after college. I moved to Mammoth Lakes for five years after I finished school and then made it up to Tahoe. Tahoe has the combination of city and small-town comforts in a beautiful area that makes me feel like I can settle in here a very long time.
Are you active in any volunteer roles or community groups?
Over the years I have participated in the South Lake Tahoe Citizen’s Academy & Leadership Lake Tahoe to learn more about the community. In the past, I’ve been a member of and volunteered with Soroptimist, the South Lake Tahoe Wedding & Honeymoon Association & National Association of Catering & Events Reno/Tahoe Chapter. Currently, I am a Tahoe Chamber Ambassador, Tahoe Regional Young Professionals member and I will volunteer again this winter with SOS. Professionally, I volunteer with the Northern California Professional Convention Management Association and am a member of Meeting Professionals International.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Hiking, road biking, mountain biking, jogging with my husky dog King, kayaking, snowboarding, trying to ski again too, yoga, traveling, attending community events and concerts, listening to podcasts and audio books, and hanging out with friends and family.
Where are your favorite South Shore stomping grounds?
Aleworx, South Lake Tahoe Brewing Company, Outpost Brewery, Sprouts, Lakeview Commons, Kiva Beach & Roundhill Pines Beach.
Get in touch with Veronica today:
Email Veronica
Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel