Sr. Account Director, Celebration & Leisure Groups Resume Example

Appointed to manage, nurture and further develop business for Celebration and Special Interest groups for Belmond portfolio which consists of 46 products globally including hotels, trains, cruises and luxury safaris.

• Developed aggressive prospecting plan to identify opportunities and establish new relationships with key leisure group planners, wedding and event planners and third party companies that specialize in cultural and family travel.
• Initiated sales trip activity and new account development while increasing awareness, promoting strategic products and creating exposure for new development programs.
• Partnered closely with professional industry organizations to raise brand awareness amongst members and communicate regularly to Belmond associates newest trends and current issues in hospitality sector.
• Drove team and company profits by developing and strengthening relationships with industry partners and potential clients.
• Engaged in product training, demonstrations, consumer awareness, branding and acquisition initiatives to raise awareness and revenues.
• Created and implemented new business opportunities by utilizing strategic networking strategies.
• Set, enforced and optimized internal policies to maintain efficiency and responsiveness to demands.
• Collaborated with upper management to implement continuous improvements and exceed team goals.
• Organized promotional events and interacted with community to increase sales volume.
• Exceeded set target of $6.1M for 2018/2019 confirmed group bookings within first 9 months of employment.

Appointed to oversee and develop luxury consortia segment of "The Waldorf Astoria Collection" after management acquisition of CNL Hotel Properties: Arizona Biltmore, La Quinta Resort and Club and Grand Wailea. Assisted in direction and guidance of travel industry sales managers on how to gain maximum exposure, shift market share and exceed established goals through development of personal relationships and individual business plans. Integrated four original collection hotels, eight LXR hotels and fifteen new-build hotels into a brand of luxury resorts with inspirational environments, exceptional experiences and authentic moments to promote to travel agency community.

American Express Centurion, Fine Hotels and Resorts, The Hotel Collection Program Results:

• Increased room revenues from $9M to $24M or 16% annually to hotels in American Express FH&R program for nine straight years.
• Member of global luxury sales team responsible for contracting, implementing and delivering Centurion program to over 20 Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts for the first time in Hilton's history from 2015-2017. Centurion growth for first year resulted in 20% increase in sales and 27% increase in room nights.
• Spearheaded company-wide project to negotiate and contract over 50 hotels in multiple brands within Hilton organization to join "The Hotel Collection" by American Express, a new program which generated revenue from 70% of Platinum and Centurion cardholders. In 2016 increased YOY sales by 87% with ADR of $387.
• Trained hotel associates in Americas, EMEA, and Asia/Pacific on importance of delivering amenity benefits required by the American Express programs to achieve 100% perfect compliance on their internal scorecards.
• Personally designed and executed a Waldorf Astoria and Conrad "Brand Experience Day" for the top 4% of travel counselors from around the world during their annual Pacesetter Incentive trip.

Virtuoso Luxury Program Results:

• Developed strategy and direction for hotel leisure sales managers who participated in Virtuoso network leading to increased sales from $1.6M to $6.3M or 32% annually for 9 straight years.
• Through my extensive knowledge and highly personalized relationships with over 2500 luxury travel advisors and agency owners, the following Waldorf Astoria Hotels were inducted into the Virtuoso network: Chicago, Orlando, Park City, New Orleans, Panama, Amsterdam, Berlin, Jerusalem, Shanghai and Beverly Hills.
• Coordinated quarterly visits for hotel sales managers and general managers with top producing agencies through a series of multi-city road shows, client events and in-office agency presentations.
• Lead marketing efforts both corporately and property wide to gain maximum exposure in Virtuoso publications 6x/year for specific packages and promotions.

Signature Travel Network Luxury Program Results:

• Increased Luxury Sales from $1.2M to $1.9M or 6.4% annually for nine straight years.
• Executed and organized Signature Travel Network yearly trade show forum for 18 hotels in network, gaining exposure to over 2500 consultants in attendance.