City Winery announced the appointment of Heather Otto as general manager and Colleen Hendricks as director of sales of City Winery Washington D.C., the company’s upcoming multi-purpose entertainment and dining venue set to open in early 2018. The seasoned hospitality veterans share a wealth of industry and market knowledge between them, each bringing unique experiences and personalities to the unique winery. Otto and Hendricks join the team at City Winery Washington D.C. to lend their expertise to the world-class concert venue, award-winning urban winery, restaurant, and private event space, sure to give its Ivy City neighbors and greater Washington residents alike a new destination to enjoy.
“We are so pleased to welcome Heather and Colleen to the leadership team at City Winery Washington D.C.,” says Michael Dorf, City Winery’s founder and CEO. “Presenting a great experience to guests at City Winery, whether they are dining in the restaurant, enjoying our wines, or attending a show, is our top priority, and I’m confident the team we’re building has the experience and energetic attitude to deliver this every day.”
Otto’s 16 years of experience in hospitality, during which she previously served in several management positions of popular Hard Rock Cafe locations up and down the East Coast, give her the acumen to juggle the extensive personnel needs, business development, and quality guest relations for the expansive 40,000-square foot City Winery Washington D.C. Otto served the past two years as general manager of the Hard Rock Cafe in Washington, D.C. and is eager for the unique responsibility of managing a new venue as multifaceted as City Winery Washington D.C., which not only boasts a 175-seat restaurant but also a 320-seat performance space. Otto majored in Business Management at East Carolina University, and has in-depth guest relations experience from working several years for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
Hendricks brings a keen expertise in marketing and sales as the director of sales for the forthcoming City Winery Washington D.C., a venue she sees as presenting unbridled potential for events with capacity to accommodate groups of up to 1,000 guests. Having spent 10 years leading marketing and sales initiatives at high-volume New York and Washington-area entertainment and dining venues, Hendricks has produced events ranging from intimate business receptions to elaborate social galas and show-stopping concerts. Hendricks joins City Winery after most recently acting as director of sales for Carmine’s in D.C.’s Penn Quarter neighborhood, preceded by a position as director of sales for the Howard Theatre.
Hendricks avidly supports the arts outside of her career, having spoken at live music industry panels at SXSW as well as young music industry professional panels at both New York University and Syracuse University. She earned her degree in Music from Syracuse University’s Setnor School of Music.
