March 2022 - Constanza Thornton

Constanza Thornton Vice President of Sales Teneo Hospitality Group Member since July 2021

Help welcome Constanza Thornton to the Georgia chapter of MPI who joined in July 2021. She is currently serving as Vice President of Sales at Teneo Hospitality Group wherein she provides meeting planners all over the world with valuable expertise, industry knowledge, and helps unlock the world of independent and smaller brand properties for their meetings and events. Constanza is currently working to finalize a FAM trip for one of Teneo’s newest members in the Cancun area, Garza Blanca Cancun. “I can’t wait to experience this wonderful destination and resort with my clients.”

A native of Lima, Peru, Constanza brings her award-winning success and extensive knowledge to all her clients and industry relationships. Her first job in the meeting industry was with the Hilton Corporation 30 years ago. “I truly fell in love with working in the hospitality industry and knew this is the industry I wanted my career to be in.” Now, with over 30 years of experience in the hotel and hospitality industry, she has worked a majority of her time in hotel sales with Marriott, Ritz Carlton, and Hilton. During her career, she has held the position of Director of Sales & Marketing, Senior Sales Manager with single/multiple properties, and Director of International Sales.

Constanza was introduced to MPI through Carla Carroll with Salamander Resort & Spa. For her, MPI is a great community of like-minded, passionate people dedicated to event marketing and business events who together develop professionally and personally and grow as an industry.

Constanza is often inspired by people who overcame extreme adversity. This includes women like Oprah who overcame abuse, poverty, and discrimination to rise to the top of an industry dominated by white males and became the first Black woman billionaire in history. Or people who pursued innovative ideas that others condemned and often suffered imprisonment or worse fates because of their beliefs. “I have my personal battles and personal demons I try to conquer every day. People who overcame much harder obstacles are my inspiration, and they motivate me to continue trying to overcome my small daily battles.”

Through her experiences, Constanza has found several ways to highlight the best of herself and her work. She finds that staying connected with clients and forming great relationships with colleagues is a customary best practice. Additionally, she finds it important to stay active in the community which is why she volunteers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Lastly, if she were a brand, her motto would be, "Exceeding your Expectations." Constanza enacts this motto with her coworkers and hopes that “they think of me as someone they can rely on and are able to lean on me for guidance and support. I like to bring a good attitude to all scenarios and make sure that even though our days are long and busy that we make sure to laugh daily as well!”