Carlos Sanchez is the General Manager of Shepard’s Orlando branch. He’s been with the company since 2007.
How he got his start: Carlos kicked off his career in the hotel industry in 1993, holding roles in both convention services and F&B at various properties in Puerto Rico. He quickly discovered that working in the convention services industry was his passion—and when he moved to Orlando and was offered a role at Shepard, he jumped at the chance.
“I started in Orlando, then had the chance to move to Las Vegas and help open the Vegas office,” he says. “After a few years, I returned to Orlando, and now I am the General Manager of this branch.
What he loves about the event industry: “Pretty much everything!” Carlos says with a smile. “It’s the challenges, the networking, the people, and being part of creating something and seeing it come to life. Every event is unique, and being involved in the decisions that make it happen is exciting.”
He also loves how his day-to-day role is always different. “There are a lot of early days and late nights because I like to be on show sites and always seeing what’s going on,” he explains. “Then once everybody’s gone, I come into the office and start doing the paperwork!”
Why he loves Shepard: Carlos describes the Shepard environment as “joyful.” “We have great clients and great people,” he says. “But more than anything, it’s the teamwork. A lot of the team in Orlando has been here forever, so it really feels like a family.”
Beyond longevity, Carlos shares the secret to the Orlando branch’s success: “We take pride in what we do,” he says. “We share information, we help each other, we care for each other, and we step in when needed to make sure that everything is going smoothly.”
His go-to motto: “I always tell my team, ‘Expect what you’d accept,’” Carlos notes. “We always look at every situation as if we were the client. Pretend this is for you—would you accept this?”
The advice he’d give his younger self: “Don’t shy away from taking risks,” Carlos advises. “Embrace challenges, look for mentors, and venture beyond comfort zones because that’s where real personal growth occurs.
