What did you want to be when you grew up: A ballerina dancing in Paris.
Your first job: A mechanist (set builder) at The Sydney Opera House, most contradictory to my ambitions as a little girl.
Your first pay packet: It is so funny thinking about the small amount of money I earned for a weekend of work. I remember feeling so liberated knowing I could buy what I wanted, when I wanted.
Your first break: Being accepted into BA of Technical Theatre Production at Charles Sturt University.
Describe your current role: clv smart stays is a new product in the marketplace, in fact we are six months old. I have been fortunate enough to work with some talented people conceptualising and streamlining the product, developing the brand identity, and rolling out the product to eight properties throughout Australia and New Zealand. My company, campus living villages owns properties in the USA; the plan is to set up clv smart stays in the US in the near future.
The best part of your job: The excitement of leads finding us and the high of getting them over the line. Opening the box of the marketing collateral when they have arrived straight from the printers, and seeing how fabulous they look. It’s the creative side of me! Oh and proudly reviewing how many hits we had on our site, that’s the IT geek in me!
The worst: Not enough time in the day.
Who has inspired you: Dine by Design creative entertaining director, Ruth Hurst. My first job in the events industry was with Ruth as a volunteer on a charity event.
Your best quality: Apparently, my infectious attitude towards my product.
 Harley Moraitis has been appointed general manager of Crown’s third hotel, the latest development at the Crown Entertainment Complex currently under construction. Mr Moraitis joined Crown Towers in December 2000 as villa division manager and was responsible for overseeing all villas and Crystal Club operations. He then advanced his career to rooms division manager and since May 2007, has held the position of general manager – hotel operations, Crown Towers. Prior to joining Crown, he had more than 10 years’ operational management experience at the Grand Hyatt and at the Park Hyatt Hotel where he was part of the team responsible for the hotel’s pre-opening.
DIRECTOR OF EVENTS
OFF-SITE CONNECTIONS MACAU
Skye Sherwood has been appointed director of events of Off-Site Connections Macau. Ms Sherwood relocated from Dubai where she was the regional account director for an international marketing communications agency. She brings to OSC a wealth of experience in producing international event programs in the media, film, corporate and hospitality industries. Commencing her career in Australia, she has a background in marketing and promotions, advertising and corporate events and most recently has been living in the Middle East delivering events in UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK). Ms Sherwood produced more than 60 events last year across the region and looks forward to developing and growing the market in the new and exciting emerging MICE destination of Macau.
 Cramer Ball has been promoted to the role of regional general manager Asia Pacific South and Australasia. The new appointment comes after the airline recorded very strong growth for its first year of Australian services, which saw more than 100,000 passengers fly with the airline and the number of flights to and from Australia more than triple within its first 12 months of Australian operations. Mr Ball has been appointed to one of two new RGM positions, to help lead the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s growing presence in the Asia Pacific region. Etihad’s current country manager for Pakistan and acting country manager for China, will become the new RGM for Indian sub-continent, Central and North Asia.
SALES EXECUTIVE – CONFERENCES & INCENTIVES
TJAPUKAI
Sharon Kennedy has been appointed sales executive – conferences and incentives at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Graduating with a Bachelor of International Business and Commerce as well as a Masters of Marketing Management, from Griffith University, and having worked in numerous tourism and hospitality organisations across Australia and New Zealand, Ms Kennedy has gained extensive experience in a variety of sales, marketing and communication positions. She has worked as a marketing executive for the InterContinental Hotel, Wellington, New Zealand and most recently was the communications executive at the Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns.
EXHIBITION SALES
ADELAIDE EXPO HIRE
Nikki Record has been appointed to the exhibition sales team at Adelaide Expo Hire along with Bea Maley and Paula Sanchez. Director of marketing and sales, Sue Pearce, said the new team members were a vibrant and entrepreneurial addition to the team and, together with skills in several languages, were a huge asset in an industry which was increasingly becoming more internationally focused.
EXECUTIVE CHEF RESTAURANTS
DOCKSIDE GROUP
Ex-Wildfire restaurant chef, Michael James, has joined the Dockside Group in the newly created position of executive chef restaurants to run the business interests of the group’s two restaurants, Ice Cube Seafood Grill & Bar on Cockle Bay Wharf at Darling Harbour and the recently acquired Italian Village Restaurant at the Rocks. Originally from Wales, Mr James’ training years were spent in Europe fine-tuning his skills working in some of the finest restaurants and hotels in Switzerland and Germany. He then worked for several years in some of the best fine dining establishments throughout Australia and New Zealand, making him no stranger to producing superb cuisine for discerning diners and directing a successful kitchen team.
 Rens Bruer has been appointed executive assistant manager of Sofitel Melbourne. Mr Bruer has spent his 20 year career working with various international luxury hotels, and was most recently director of food and beverage for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. He replaces Marcus Hanna in the role of executive assistant manager, with Mr Hanna promoted to general manager of the new luxury Pullman Hotel in Sydney. Mr Bruer brings to the Sofitel Melbourne a strong background in luxury hotel operations, food and beverage, brand awareness, financial management and team building.
 Nicola Francis has been appointed “dream finder” (aka – business development manager) of Verve Creative. Ms Francis is responsible for generating business and cultivating market awareness for Verve Creative. She has been working in the events industry for more than 10 years with past roles including business events for Virgin Blue, events manager for CYCA during the Sydney Olympics, and director of sales for Unique Venues, a division of Destination Marketing Services. She was once upon a time a professional jazz singer, and studied jazz voice at the Conservatorium of Music.
EUROPEAN SALES REP
CAIRNS COLONIAL CLUB RESORT
Madeleine Elliot has been appointed to undertake European sales representation for the Cairns Colonial Club Resort and Palm Royale Cairns. Ms Elliot is the director of Complete Sales Representation, and is well respected and well connected within the sector in the United Kingdom and Europe.
BDM – AUSTRALIA, NZ, UK AND EUROPE
PALAZZO VERSACE GOLD COAST
Nicholas Copping has been appointed business development manager – Australia, NZ, UK and Europe leisure markets. Mr Copping brings with him a wealth of experience in both the hospitality and travel industry, and has extensive knowledge and operational experience. Prior to joining Palazzo Versace he completed his tertiary studies in 2000 and pursued a career in the tourism industry, gaining employment with industry leader Flight Centre Ltd. In 2005 he was appointed international sales manager for Daydream Island Resort & Spa.
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