What did you want to be when you grew up: A teacher. Your first job: After school sweeping a floor in a workshop. Your first pay packet: $23.50 per week. Your first break: A local hotelier giving me a part-time job as a wine waiter. Describe your current role: Selling and marketing a great portfolio of venues in Rotorua. The best part of your job: The people you deal with. Who has inspired you: Mustafa Issa – ex general manager Hyatt Kingsgate Rotorua. Your best quality: Working with the client to get the best job done for them. Your worst quality: Everybody knows - it’s my writing and spelling! Your best achievement: Every great event is an achievement in itself. During my career I’m proud of the part I’ve played in seeing Rotorua evolve into one of New Zealand’s permanent conference destinations. Where do you want to be in 10 years’ time: Retired (early). Your likes about the MICE industries: The dedicated and passionate people, they are a credit to the industry. Your dislikes: Is there a dislike? I firmly believe if you don’t enjoy your job then you shouldn’t be doing it.
MARKETING MANAGER –
AUSTRALIA/NORTH AMERICA
DESTINATION QUEENSTOWN
Current Business Development Manager Linda McIntosh has been promoted from business development manager at Destination Queenstown to market manager – Australia / North America. Ms McIntosh will also continue to maintain and develop the excellent relationships she has established in the North American market. This is one of two new roles created within Destination Queenstown.
EXECUTIVE CHEF
HERITAGE AUCKLAND
Gordon Blume has been appointed executive chef at Heritage Auckland. German born and trained, he has most recently been working for the hotel as executive sous chef, and prior to this at Dine restaurant. Mr Blume will be responsible for the Grand Tearoom gala event menu creation, plus Hectors restaurant and the banqueting requirements of the hotel’s 12 conference rooms.
CONFERENCE SALES MANAGER
HERITAGE QUEENSTOWN
Helen Bolton has been appointed to the newly created role of conference sales manager at Heritage Queenstown. Ms Bolton was born in the United Kingdom and gained a BTEC National Diploma in Travel and Tourism. She held a number of conference and banqueting roles in the UK before travelling to the Maldives where she was senior sales manager at the Andara Resort, Bodu Huraa and Naladhu Maldives.
RESTAURANT MANAGER
HERITAGE CHRISTCHURCH
Paulo Cruz has been appointed as the new restaurant manager at Maddisons restaurant at the Heritage Christchurch. He has extensive experience in the restaurant trade and joins the hotel most recently from Indochine in Christchurch. In his new role his responsibilities include management of the restaurant, Font bar, room service and out-catering.
GENERAL MANAGER
SOFITEL GOLD COAST
Mark Wilkinson has left the Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa, where he worked as general manager, to assume the general manager’s role at the Sofitel Gold Coast. Mr Wilkinson was appointed general manager at Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa in January 2005. He led the property through its pre-opening phase, culminating in its official opening on September 1, 2005. Before coming to Queenstown, Mr Wilkinson had 16 years in the tourism and hospitality industry, with extensive experience ranging through hotels and resorts including the Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Hyatt Regency Coolum and Hayman Island.
MARKETING MANAGER UK/EUROPE/ASIA
DESTINATION QUEENSTOWN
Catriona Noonan has been promoted to the role of market manager - UK / Europe / Asia. Originally from Ireland, Ms Noonan has worked with Destination Queenstown for three years during which time she has been a key part of the marketing team, working on the Pure Inspiration branding, the creation of the 2008/09 Southern Lakes Meeting and Incentive Planner and shoulder season campaigns True Colours and Spring Loaded.
GENERAL MANAGER
FCM TRAVEL SOLUTIONS
Jenny Macdonald has been appointed general manager of FCm Travel Solutions. Ms Macdonald has been with Flight Centre New Zealand for 15 months in the role of chief financial officer (CFO), and was previously CFO for Flight Centre Australia (Retail Division). As such, she has extensive industry knowledge and is looking forward to working closely with the company’s valued corporate travel industry partners. Ms Macdonald will be responsible for the corporate travel division of Flight Centre New Zealand, which includes specialist companies FCm, CiEvents, a corporate event and conference planning agency, and Stage and Screen Travel Services, a boutique travel agency dedicated to the creative industries.
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