Featured Member Profile
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Q: How did you get started in the Hospitality Industry?
I got started in the Hospitality industry by working at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver as a Bellman, and a valet attendant. From working at the Fairmont, I learnt more about the different positions in a hotel, and what goes into making a great experience for a guest.
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Q:What are you doing now, and what is your favourite part about it?
Currently I’m a student at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) studying Business Management. My favourite part of going to BCIT, is getting hands on experience. My classmates and I have had a few projects where we got to work with companies, and are able to practise what we learn in the classroom with these companies. My classmates and I got to work with a machinery company, and help them improve their customer service. It was a great experience.
Q:Why is being involved in HSMAI important to you and/or what is the benefit to being part of HSMAI?
One of the things I really like about being a member of HSMAI is being able to network and learn from professionals in the industry. Another thing that is great about being a member, is listening to keynote speakers. One of the keynote speakers that I really liked, was Tyler Enslin, at the “Achievement Now” event, who spoke on proper goal setting.
Q:When you aren’t at work, what do you like to do for fun?
In my free time I like going to Whistler and doing some skiing and golfing!
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Previously Featured Members
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Carrie Ell, Sr. Director Business Development for The Hotels Network.
We asked Carrie a few questions and here are her answers!
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Q: How did you get started in the Hospitality Industry?
I started my journey in the exciting world of hospitality twelve years ago with Kiwi Collection, a global company based in Vancouver. As SVP Hotel Programs, I managed several teams including professional hotel reviewers who scoured the globe in search of the best hotels. |
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While there, I played an instrumental role in launching The VISA Luxury Hotel Collection, one of VISA’s core premium card benefits in 145 countries, translated into 10 languages.
Q:What are you doing now, and what is your favorite part about it?
My favourite part? Making a difference.
For the last three years I’ve helped hotels improve their direct booking conversion rates. I’m thrilled to represent The Hotels Network, the company I know to be the best in the optimization space (and I did my research).
Through us, hotels can serve the right message to the right guest at the right time using advanced targeting, and also help guests consult trusted reviews, and compare rates without leaving the brand website. A 15%-30%+ lift in conversion is common. Again, my favourite part.
Q:Why is being involved in HSMAI important to you and/or what is the benefit to being part of HSMAI?
HSMAI helps me understand the struggles my clients are facing, as well as the solutions they’re considering. Keeping my hand on the pulse of what’s current in our industry is extremely important. I’m particularly thrilled that HSMAI gives me the option to attend local meetings, while also benefiting from larger events such as ROC … which I’ve attended twice and have found extremely valuable.
Q:When you aren’t at work, what do you like to do for fun?
I have a very full and busy life with three wonderful children, and of course a whole lot of travel! |
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Clint Banda - Account Manager, Booking.com
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Q: How did you get started in the Hospitality Industry?
A: Fresh out of high school and looking for a new challenge I enrolled in the Hotel & Restaurant Administration program at SIAST in Saskatoon. This sparked my passion for the hospitality industry and led me through various operations and management roles in Saskatchewan and Alberta with independent as well as branded properties. Eventually making the move out to Vancouver in 2006.
Q:What are you doing now, and what is your favorite part about it?
A:For the past 4 years I have been an Account Manager with Booking.com working on Vancouver, Lower Mainland, and Whistler markets. The role has provided me with a great learning environment for both Revenue Management and Sales.
While the transition has been challenging it has been an exciting change. It has given me the opportunity to follow my passion for Revenue Management while working with a broad range of property brands and types of all sizes.
Q:Why is being involved in HSMAI important to you and/or what is the benefit to being part of HSMAI?
A:HSMAI has been an important part in connecting me to the hospitality community in Vancouver and British Columbia while also growing my Revenue Management knowledge through the local education events and the Revenue Optimization Conferences. I've also recently received my CRME designation and am excited to continue my growth through HSMAI.
Q:When you aren’t at work, what do you like to do for fun?
A:I feel spoiled to live in Vancouver!While I love travel, there is no better place to spend the summer than in Vancouver! Whether it is biking the seawall, lounging at English Bay or enjoying one of our many beaches ... the only thing limiting fun here is time!
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Nereida Morales, Regional Revenue Manager, Westmont Hospitality Group
Q: How did you get started in the Hospitality Industry?
A: The first step I took towards beginning my career in hospitality was enrolling in the Hotel and Restaurant Management diploma program at Humber College, Toronto. During the two year program I had the opportunity to fulfill two co-op placements, both of which were at the Sheraton Gateway , executing roles in Front Office, SPG Coordinator, and HR assistant. This experience solidified my enjoyment for the industry.
Q:What are you doing now, and what is your favorite part about it?
A: Presently, I hold the role of Regional Revenue Manager for Westmont Hospitality Group in which I revenue manage multiple assets in Western Canada. Additionally, I am also grateful to be a term instructor at Vancouver Community College whereby I teach revenue management and Revenue Analysis in the Hospitality Bachelor Degree program. Each position comes with its own rewards.
My favourite part about being a revenue manager is measuring the results of strategies implemented. I get to work with great teams that provide insightful discussion, debate, and passion for success “in the numbers.” In turn, being an instructor allows me the opportunity to facilitate learning in a discipline I love. The most rewarding aspect of teaching is contributing to student’s “aha moments” and seeing their interest for revenue management grow.
Q:Why is being involved in HSMAI important to you and/or what is the benefit to being part of HSMAI?
A:My HSMAI membership is critical to keeping my revenue management knowledge fresh and current. Having access to articles, tools, conferences, certifications. and colleague insights is most important. The relationships I have built with members has helped bridge the gap between academia and industry.
Q:When you aren’t at work, what do you like to do for fun?
A: I love to take advantage of the great perks we get in our industry! Travelling and experiencing wonderful establishments - at great rates! I also enjoy swimming at the YMCA and exploring hiking trails.
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Sheri-Lynn Walker, Revenue - Atlific Hotels
Q: How did you get started in the Hospitality Industry?
A: Like any good teenager from a small town, I spend my weekends hanging out at the local Tim Hortons. Finally one day the owner (who was an associate of my parents) said if I was going to be in his store so much with my friends, I might as well get paid for it! So my very first job at age 15 was making large Double Doubles and Chocolate Dips!
I joined the world of hotels when I was in university. Working Night Audit gave me a chance to work at night and take classes during the day. It was there that I found my calling and I have never looked back.
Q: What are you doing now, and what is your favorite part about it?
A: Currently I am working with Coast Hotels as the Director, Revenue Strategy & Central Reservations. I would have to say that my favourite thing has been having the opportunity to develop the Revenue Management culture within our brand. Working at all levels in the organization together to have impact on our success through training and development, and really just by working together with one goal in mind - to be the best we can be and to have fun doing it.
Q: Why is being involved in HSMAI important to you and/or what is the benefit to being part of HSMAI?
A: As we have developed our RM Team over the past few years I have come to rely on the HSMAI resources extensively. Our Cluster Revenue Managers and myself have all received recognized designation in Revenue Management through the CRME certification. We have found there are training opportunities at a number of levels that often aren't typically easy to come by such as the GDS session which hugely benefitted our Distribution Team. We also turn to the website learning resource centre on a regular basis for material that we can use in our ongoing training. The opportunities for development in areas such as Sales, RM, Marketing, Distribution abound and there is always something that I can encourage one of the team to take advantage of.
Q: When you aren’t at work, what do you like to do for fun?
A: I like to consider myself a bit of an explorer and love to go on new adventures with my husband - be it an afternoon spent discovering a new neighbourhood in order to hunt down the best ice cream, coffee or pizza, or vacationing in some far flung place like Estonia - I'm just happy to be learning and discovering something new. Oddly enough I am also quite content to be at home where I love to bake as a stress release - much to the joy of the office who I sometimes believe try to stress me out just so they can get a carrot cake!