Frank J. Filippi, CTC
Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii USA , (630) 215-9330 , FJFilippi@att.net
Highly-skilled Travel/Hospitality Industry Sales Management and Marketing professional with extensive background in all Group Markets (Association/Incentive/Meeting/Leisure/Sports), and Wholesale, Retail, Golf, Corporate direct markets. Desires a challenging position with an organization offering financial incentives and opportunities in return for outstanding results.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Aqua Kauai Beach Resort of Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii
Director of Sales & Marketing
2015 – 2017
• Management of entire Sales and Marketing revenue base for the Resort. Sales Team emcompassed six direct reports, including Direct Reservations Sales, Catering and Event Sales, and Group Sales. Also consisted of Tour Group, Wholesale, OTA, and Package Sales Marketing, and Contracting.
• Responsible for all Marketing and Advertising for the Resort including Print, On-line, Social and Broadcast Media. Utilized services of Aqua-Aston Hospitality Corporate Office, for programs from conception to production and implementation.
• Personally responsible for all Tour Group, and Large Meeting/Incentive/Association Group Sales and Contracting. Also developed utilzation of management and sourcing programs such as Delphi and Cvent, for Sales Department.organization.
Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa of Galena, Illinois
National Sales Manager
2014 – 2015
• Account management and sales to Leisure, Golf, Association, and Collegiate markets, utilizing resort activity based events for group and individual programs and packages. Clients includeTravel Industry, Tourism Authority, Hospitality Representation, and Meeting Planning relationships.
• Resort activities include Golf, Tennis, Spa, Equestrian, Skiing/Skating, Biking/Hiking, Ballooning and Watersports to maximize revenue stream from each client and achieve consistent profit growth.
• Contibuting a wide range of sales and marketing activities including sales seminars, promotions and events, with participation in organizations such as PGA, ASAE, ASTA, Vituoso and Skal International.
Turtle Bay Resort/Benchmark Hospitality of Kahuku, Oahu, Hawaii
National Sales Manager, Sports and Specialty Markets
2007 – 2009
• Focus on group sales in the Hawaii accommodations and golf market for Turtle Bay Resort as a sports and specialty destination resort, per a contract agreement.
• Participated in the development and strategy of wholesale sales efforts and personally handled various aspects of process from sales presentations and site inspections to contracting and implementation; reviewed specifications on group sales leads and handled client negotiations.
• Utilized interpersonal skills and contacts to seek, develop, and build partnerships in a relatively new golf/sports market for the resort; with corporate and travel industry accounts nationwide. Also exclusively utilized Delphi as the sales and marketing database system.
The Kapalua Resort, Maui of Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii
National Director of Sales
1996 – 2006
• Successfully focused on $17M of annual sales in the upscale accommodations market for The Kapalua Villas and Luxury Homes, that serves as the accommodation management division of the Kapalua Land Company.
• Participated in the development and strategy of wholesale sales efforts and personally handled various aspects of process such as site inspections and visiting with clientele on site; reviewed specifications on group sales leads and handled client negotiations.
• Represented Kapalua Resort products that encompassed golf, tennis, and water sports programs and The Kapalua Villas golf, tennis and eco-tourism packages.
• Organized and implemented a wide range of sales and marketing activities nationwide including sales seminars, promotional and incentive golf tournaments, familiarization trips, trade shows, travel industry congresses and conventions.
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts Corporate Office of Chicago, Illinois
National Account Manager, Travel Industry
1990 – 1995
• Provided complete management and servicing of travel industry accounts for a twelve state, $19M Midwest region, for Hyatt Resorts Hawaii products; in addition to directing sales efforts of nineteen hotel travel industry sales managers property based.
• Representation and implementation included all Hyatt products from corporate business travel to the “Golf Hyatt” and “Hyatt Vacations Hawaii” leisure programs.
• Collaborated with group sales function to support clientele base with group needs.
• Instrumental in developing Hyatt’s relationships within the travel community by organizing and executing promotional activities committed by Hyatt Corporate Office, including travel industry congresses, conventions, advisory boards, and trade shows.
• Earned Hyatt’s “Outstanding Production Achievement” award for 1993, 1994, and 1995; also adding later the Hyatt Domestic & Caribbean Resorts to responsiblities.
Cartan Tours, Inc. of Oak Brook, Illinois
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
1987 – 1990
• Managed marketing and sales nationwide for the company, offering tour products to Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, USA and the Rose Bowl.
• Provided management oversight for all advertising and promotion, brochure distribution, communications with travel press and media, budgeting, planning of familiarization trips nationwide, direction of sales personnel, and input into product development and brochure design.
• Negotiated PR firms for development of media placements and developed marketing relations with airlines, hotels, and all suppliers of tour components for joint marketing efforts.
EDUCATION:
Northern Illinois University of DeKalb,Illinois
Bachelor of Arts Degree
Major in Graphic Design and Minors in Photography and Business Administration NCAA Varsity Wrestling Team; Theta Chi Fraternity
The Travel Institute of Wellesley, Massachusetts
Achieved “Certified Travel Counselor” (CTC) status achieved in April, 2004. Destination Specialist Certification for Hawaii and Golf markets.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Skal International
Member in good standing since 1985, of the Association Internationale des Skal Clubs, the International Association of Tourism Professionals. Served on the Board of Directors since 1989, and President in 1994.
NCAA / Illinois & Hawaii High School / Elementary School Associations Illinois Hall of Fame and Certified Wrestling & Football Official for NCAA, NFHS, IHSA & IESA.
Member of Advisory Board of Directors. Have officiated NCAA Regional Tournaments; the IHSA, HHSAA, and IESA State Finals; and USA Wrestling Olympic Developmental Tournaments.
College of DuPage/Hospitality, Tourism and Event Planning Advisory Committee
Member since 2004, of the Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Planning Advisory Committee, consulted for curriculum planning of the professional program at College of DuPage in Illinois.
Northern Illinois University/Alumni Association GAC
Member since 2010, of the Greek Alumni Council (GAC), consulted for the concept and planning of travel, events, and activities for the NIU Alumni Association.
Lead committee for the planning and operation of the Inaugural/Annual NIU Alumni Association Golf Outing in 2011 and Golf Travel Events.
