Banquet Houseperson (AM)

We’re People People. Are you?

We’re Sonesta International Hotels—the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S. (and growing fast 🚀).

With a dynamic mix of full-service and focused hotels across major cities, our diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties means we’re everywhere our guests need us to be.

But here’s the thing—we’re not just in the business of hotels, we’re in the business of people. We bring service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and create experiences that genuinely connect—delivering quality, value, and memorable stays across 1,000+ properties in eight countries (and counting).

What this role is all about

The Banquet Houseperson is responsible for the setup, breakdown, cleanliness, and overall readiness of banquet and meeting spaces. This position works closely with the Banquet and Events teams to ensure function rooms are properly arranged according to event specifications and that guests receive a professional, seamless experience.

Key responsibilities include setting up and breaking down tables, chairs, staging, dance floors, linens, and other banquet equipment; maintaining clean and organized meeting spaces and storage areas; refreshing rooms during events; assisting with event transitions and last-minute changes; safely moving and storing equipment; and responding promptly to requests from banquet leadership and guests.

This role requires physical stamina, attention to detail, urgency, teamwork, flexibility, and a strong commitment to guest service and safety. Banquet Housepersons must be able to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business and event needs.

What you’ll be doing

Banquet Houseperson Job Description

• Department: Food & Beverage / Banquets
• Reports To: Banquet Manager / Food & Beverage Director
• Employment Status: Hourly / Non-Exempt

Position Summary

The Banquet Houseperson is responsible for the setup, breakdown, cleanliness, organization, and overall readiness of banquet rooms, meeting spaces, pre-function areas, and event equipment. This position plays a critical role in ensuring every meeting, conference, wedding, banquet, and special event is prepared accurately, safely, and on time according to the Banquet Event Order (BEO) and hotel standards.

The Banquet Houseperson works closely with Banquet Leadership, Banquet Servers, Culinary, Stewarding, Engineering, and other hotel departments to execute events successfully. This role requires a strong sense of urgency, attention to detail, physical stamina, teamwork, and the ability to adjust quickly when event needs or room setups change.

The expectation is simple: every event space should be clean, complete, properly set, and guest-ready before the client or guests enter the room.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Banquet & Meeting Room Setup

Review Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), room diagrams, and instructions from Banquet Leadership to understand daily event requirements.

Set banquet and meeting rooms according to the specifications outlined on the BEO and approved room diagrams.

Properly arrange tables, chairs, linens, staging, dance floors, podiums, risers, easels, registration tables, buffet tables, water stations, and other required equipment.

Set rooms in various configurations, including classroom, theater, conference, boardroom, U-shape, hollow square, rounds, reception, banquet, and other customized arrangements.

Ensure tables and chairs are properly aligned, evenly spaced, clean, and presentable.

Ensure room setups meet hotel standards as well as applicable safety and fire-code requirements.

Confirm all required equipment and supplies are present before the event begins.

Complete assigned setups within established deadlines and communicate immediately if a setup cannot be completed on time.

Assist with last-minute room changes or additional equipment requests with urgency and professionalism.

Event Readiness & Quality Control

Conduct a final review of assigned event spaces before guest arrival.

Ensure meeting rooms, banquet spaces, pre-function areas, hallways, and entrances are clean and free of clutter.

Check tables, chairs, linens, floors, walls, doors, lighting, trash receptacles, and other visible areas for cleanliness and presentation.

Ensure water stations and other designated meeting supplies are properly positioned and maintained.

Immediately report damaged furniture, equipment, fixtures, carpet, walls, lighting, or other maintenance concerns to Banquet Leadership.

Correct setup deficiencies immediately when identified.

Maintain awareness of the daily event schedule and anticipate upcoming room turns and changes.

Room Turns & Event Transitions

Efficiently break down completed events and reset rooms for the next scheduled function.

Prioritize room turns based on event start times and instructions from Banquet Leadership.

Work with the banquet team to execute quick room changes while maintaining accuracy and safety.

Remove used linens, trash, equipment, and supplies promptly after events.

Return tables, chairs, staging, equipment, and other materials to their proper storage locations.

Ensure event spaces are not left unattended in an incomplete or unsafe condition during room transitions.

Cleanliness & Organization

Maintain banquet rooms, meeting rooms, pre-function areas, banquet storage rooms, service corridors, and equipment areas in a clean and organized condition.

Sweep, vacuum, spot clean, mop, or otherwise prepare event spaces as needed.

Remove trash and debris before, during, and after events.

Keep banquet storage areas organized so equipment can be safely and efficiently located.

Properly stack and store tables, chairs, risers, staging, dance floors, and other banquet equipment.

Maintain clear walkways, exits, fire doors, and emergency access points at all times.

Immediately address spills, trip hazards, broken equipment, or other safety concerns.

Assist in maintaining banquet equipment to extend its useful life and reduce unnecessary damage or replacement costs.

Guest & Client Service

Maintain a professional and welcoming presence when working in guest areas.

Acknowledge guests and clients appropriately and provide assistance when requested.

Respond to reasonable guest or meeting-planner requests promptly and communicate requests to Banquet Leadership when additional assistance is required.

Avoid disruptive conversations, excessive noise, or unnecessary activity while meetings or events are in progress.

Protect the guest experience when performing room turns or moving equipment near active functions.

Demonstrate professionalism, discretion, and respect when working around clients, meeting planners, executives, and event attendees.

Equipment Handling & Safety

Safely move, lift, carry, assemble, disassemble, and store banquet furniture and equipment.

Use banquet carts, dollies, and other equipment properly and safely.

Follow proper lifting techniques and request assistance when moving oversized or heavy equipment.

Never block emergency exits, fire extinguishers, electrical panels, hallways, or other required access points.

Follow all hotel safety, sanitation, security, and loss-prevention procedures.

Report accidents, injuries, damaged equipment, and unsafe conditions immediately.

Handle hotel equipment carefully to prevent unnecessary damage and financial loss.

Teamwork & Communication

Maintain consistent communication with Banquet Leadership regarding room status, completed setups, outstanding needs, and potential delays.

Work collaboratively with Banquet Servers, Culinary, Stewarding, Engineering, Housekeeping, Front Office, Sales/Catering, and other departments.

Assist other banquet team members when operational needs require additional support.

Participate in pre-shift meetings and review