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Bradenton, Florida 34203

Christine Barry Valdes Alfonso

Summary of qualifications

Creative Marketing Specialist. Focus on Tourism & Hospitality. Seasoned Sales & Marketing Executive and Business Owner with broad responsibilities in operations, management, training, purchasing, sales & marketing and distribution strategies with proven results and valuable contribution in each of the following positions and assignments:

September 2004 – Present Managing Director / CEO : International Matrix, Corp : Panama / USA. Global sourcing and supply of branded consumer goods and B2B medical-surgical as well as the luxury Duty Free category. Global Sales responsibility for prestigious leading brands represented by source partners throughout the world. Specialist in liquidations, surplus goods, close outs and secondary market placement complementing the primary distribution channels and key Governments.

May 2010-June 2016: : Co-Director of The Modern Art Music Movement, an International coalition of artists, filmmakers, musicians and professionals using their mediums to bring attention to global issues not normally covered in mainstream media. Co-Host MAMM RADIO on livestream.

May 2010-June 2016: Curator: Victor-Hugo Gallery responsible for marketing plans, sales, exhibitions and business strategies.

2011-2014: Arts & Entertainment Editor: The Happy Herald reaching an audience of a quarter of a million South Florida readers monthly.

Co-developer: Sea Spa Pallazo, Runaway Bay, Jamaiaca. Conceptualized Holistic Luxury Retreat to focus upon the world’s leading modalities and philosophies in a healing, restful yet invigorating environment.

Founding Director: PanamArte, Panama, Central America. Project endorsed by the Office of the President with the mission of developing, maintaining and promoting indigenous artisans in visual arts, textiles, music and dance.

Buyers for PanamAid: Government (NGO) Bulk Food Distribution AID program for Panama with expansion throughout Central America.

Marketing in Collaboration with The Bigger Picture Design: Business Plans, Marketing Plans and Research, Creative Direction, Content, Public Relations, Sales & Distribution Strategies.

January 2004 – September 2004Director Sales & Marketing Cayman Resort Hotels: Beach Club Colony, Spanish Bay Reef Resort, Resort Sports, Ace Rent-a-Car, the Hertz Licensee and Shaw Park; Resident Manager: Spanish Bay Reef Resort Grand Cayman / Jamaica NOTE: This position eliminated due to the destruction of Hurricane Ivan resulting in the sale of the managed property. .

Responsible for all Sales & Marketing efforts for Destination Resource inclusive of two all-inclusive resorts in Grand Cayman, a tour and excursion company with fourteen marine vessels and unique tour products and rental car company. Company provides shore excursions in Cayman, Jamaica and St. Martin. As Resident Manager at Spanish Bay responsible for daily Operations, Food & Beverage and Human Resources and Guest Relations.

1999-2003 President, Merchant’s Resource / Sea Source

Fort Lauderdale, Florida / Panama City, Republic of Panama

Increased sales from $ 500,000 to $ 6,800,000 within the first year. Developed International sourcing and sales organization with offices and warehouse operations in Fort Lauderdale and Miami in Florida, Newark, NJ, Panama, Central America plus liaison offices in South Africa and the Philippines. Managed staff and overall operations with responsibility for Sales to Major Wholesales and Institutional Customers including Hotels and Cruise lines. Concurrent with this position continued as VP Sales for The Peninsula Financial Group, Opa Locka, Florida with the same duties.

2001-2003 Vice President Marketing, Avera International

Panama City, Panama

Consultant to Government Destination Marketing Office of the Republic of Panama and the developers of Caribbean Paradise, a multi-use tourism project encompassing a cruise terminal with provisioning, hotel, shopping center, housing, tour facilities and attractions. Adaptive re-use Sherman Air Base re-tooling as a Tourism School.

1999 Vice President Marketing, The Ad Studio

Miami, Florida

Collaborated on repositioning of award-winning Graphic Design firm with a focus on sales to travel marketing accounts.

1998-1999 President Beverage Marketing Alliance

Tullamore, Ireland

Acquired Marketing and Distribution rights for The Isle Of Arran Distillers’ Premium Scotch brand Lochranza. Assigned as Public Relations Agency for Ballylarkin Irish Whiskey Liqueur. Caribbean Sales for Hampton’s Vodka.

1997-1999 President Covington Marketing / The Metatron Group

Turks & Caicos / Hollywood, Florida

Financial and Marketing Consultant representing clients to European Banking Facilities and Programs. Funding assistance for Hotel refurbishment and development and large-scale, Project Management.

Assisted Club Jamaica Beach Resort, The Government of Ecuador, Municipality of Manabi, The Central African Republic, Winston Hale-Screenwriter, NEBULA Educational Outreach (resulting in a $5,000,000 grant from Broward County), Scott Lane creator of film: Best Man and others, some bound by confidentiality.

1997-1998 President, Rawlinson Lloyd

Hong Kong

International Trade and Financial Consultant based in Paris, France and Aventura, Florida. Liased with buyers and suppliers throughout Europe and Asia with a focus on luxury goods, liquor and tobacco products.

1999 Travel Editor

Signature Bride Magazine

Authored feature articles with photography.

1997-1998 Sales/Editorial Manager: Florida / Caribbean

Advanstar Communications: Premier Hotels & Resorts, NYC

For this comprehensive Luxury Marketing Program, as an independent I held responsibility for the development of participants in Florida and the Caribbean and brought the sales to a level justifying the opening of a Corporate office. Wrote feature story on Swept Away Negril.

Active Corporation: 1993-1997: President

(Independent Contractor to the present)

Tourism Marketing Alliance / Marketing Alliance,Hollywood, Florida

Founded this renowned Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations firm that holds the esteem of Destination Marketing Organizations and leading Hospitality Companies. The eleven-person agency was responsible for the following accounts and assignments:

Created Jamaica Dive Program for the Jamaica Tourist Board in collaboration with the Jamaica Association of Dive Operators (JADO) producing collateral materials, marketing plan, publicity and tradeshow representation. Initial print-run of 5m was increased to 100m in the first month of introduction. Designed and staffed the Boards’ tradeshow booth for DEMA (Dive Equipment Manufacturers’ Association). Publicity included live radio broadcast from convention floor in New Orleans.

Created the JAVA GUIDE (Jamaica Association of Villas & Apartments) independently with all costs underwritten through advertising sales. Responsible for conception, creative direction, sales, printing and media placement into the hands of the nation’s largest travel trade audiences.

Created the INNS OF JAMAICA GUIDE.

Collaborated with VP Marketing on the creative direction and production of tour operator brochure for Air Jamaica Vacations.

Conceptualized Sandals, The Magazine.

Integral member of team that developed and launched the Bahamas Out Islands: Jean Michelle Cousteau Out Island Snorkeling Adventure with responsibility for co-op partner grant writing, public relations, advertising and press trip.

Member of Reopening team for The Beacon Hotel, a refurbished South Beach, Florida hotel with responsibility for the Reservations Center and Advertising with re-branding and complete identity package.

1993-1996: Opening of Club Jamaica Beach Resort, Ocho Rios with Sales & Marketing responsibility. Produced full Photo library and coordinated photo and film shoots. Created all collateral materials and corporate identity package. Crafted Marketing Plans, directed sales efforts to the travel trade and direct consumer marketing including an unprecedented focus on the African-American market and honeymooners and divers. Responsibility for Trade Shows, Advertising Creation and Media Placements and Publicity. Generated millions of dollars in free publicity.

Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations for Eaton Hall, Runaway Bay, Jamaica. Produced photo library.

Design consultation in the architecture, design and naming of SeaSpa, Runaway Bay, Jamaica.

Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations firm for Shaw Park Beach Hotel, Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Marketing. Advertising and Public Relations for Hotel Mockingbird Hill, Port Antonio, Jamaica. Coordinated photo shoot with inter-national placements.

Spearheaded the concepting and created and produced main collateral piece repositioning the destination of Port Antonio, Jamaica. Produced destination photography shoots by Ron Chapple and Lee Gordon resulting in new image source for Jamaica photography bank.

Publicity and collaboration for Valley Hikes, community tourism project with the Dutch government in Port Antonio, Jamaica.

Photo source for Destination Jamaica.

Advertising and PR for Sandcastles Resort, Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Joint venture partner in management firm with responsibility for marketing planning, naming and branding of SkyCastles Resort.

Repositioned Diamante Day Spa, Fort Lauderdale, Florida with new image package. Brochure development and copywriting. Marketing and public relations.

Film Producer: Couples, The Movie with Peter Langone, Director, Marty Mullins, Photographer.

Design concepting Ciboney Spa & Resort, Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Wrote, produced and placed premier Honeymoon Brochure. Coordinated and styled photo shoot.

Consultant and copywriter to The Cotton House, Mustique, W.I.

As Marketing Consultant to ECSEDA (Eastern Caribbean Export Development Agency), conceived and produced Trade Show/Seminar to the Cruise Industry.

Integral part of mayoral campaign highlighting the appointment of my agency to develop tourism for Bahia de La Caraquez and Coastal Ecuador.

Consultant to the Island of Dominica.

Marketing. Advertising and Public Relations for Guana Beach Resort.

Marketing Consulting services to Beiswenger Hoch & Associates, Civil Engineering Firm, Major Projects, Miami, Florida.

Consultant to Gregg Martin, screenwriter of Tsunami and other films.

For Eagle Talon Cigarettes, redesigned packaging oversaw marketing and sales and secured the manufacturing of product by R.J. Reynolds.

U.S. Sales for Hennessey Classic Footwear of Cancun, Mexico.

Marketing and Sales for Hydrale Natural Skin Care of Australia resulting in the award to my company of the rights for the Western Hemisphere.

Advertising and Marketing for 100-year old Marx Toys.

Collaborated on redesign of Refresh and Nature Care for Dominica Coconut Products.

Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations for launch of new attraction, Nautilus Submersibles, Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Coordinated on-island photo shoots for: Lee Gordon, Peter Langone, Ron Chapple and Carol Lee.

Created Marketing Plan for the turnaround of Second Avenue Shops, Hallandale, Florida.

Collaborated with owners on supper club theme for adaptive re-use development and created marketing plan and events for Planet Ole, Delray Beach, Florida.

Marketing, advertising and Public Relations for South Florida Eye Associates. Created trade campaign for sales presentations to HMO’s.

Public Relations for The Yacht Club of Aventura, a luxury residential, marina and tourism project.

1988-1993 Partner / VP Sales & Marketing

Jay Stelzer & Associates, Publishers Representative

Increased representation from 3 titles upon joining the firm to 13 at its’ height, crafting proposals in major categories for Travel and Bridal winning National and Global titles from prestigious organizations such as Conde Nast. Responsible for advertising sales in Florida, the Southeast and the Caribbean for:

Travel Age Magazine -- The Daily Telegraph -- AT&T Information on Call -- Hertz Travel Guides -- Discover North America -- Essentially America -- Discover Florida Travel Guide -- Check-in -- Elegant Bride Magazine -- travel management daily -- Texas Monthly -- Chicago Magazine -- The Florida Marlins’ Yearbook -- Brides, & Your New Home Magazine -- Frequent Flyer -- FAME -- Movies USA and others.

Top accounts included SuperClubs Resorts -- Miami Visitors & Convention Bureau -- Allegro Resorts -- Ciboney -- Jamaica Tourist Board -- Sheratons Latin America -- Sandals -- United States Virgin Islands -- Aero Mexico and others working with agencies such as Tinsley -- Crispin & Porter -- Turkel -- Backus Turner -- Hunter Hammersmith and others.

Created and produced Special Sections such as JAVA, The Inns of Jamaica, Bahamas Out Islands and destination guides for the Bahamas, Jamaica, the US Virgin Islands and conceived the Official Island Program with American Express.

1983-1988 Account Executive / Media Director

Kelley Swofford Marketing & Advertising, Coral Gables, Florida

Member of senior management team directing the advertising and public relations efforts of El Presidente Hotels -- Lan Chile Airlines -- Sea Goddess Cruises -- Magnum Marine, a Travel Agent Training Program for Pan American World Airways -- American Express: Card, Travellers Cheques, Financial Services and Latin Amierca/Caribbean Division -- Costa Cruise Lines and others. Research Analyst for Lan Chile Inter-Line Program. Client communications and media direction and placements.

1979-1983 Account Executive

Crispin Advertising, Coral Gables, Florida

Launched my career in tourism advertising at one of the best in the industry with responsibility for the accounts of: Inter-Continental Hotels Worldwide advertising account where the agency was lauded as a leader with their cross cultural, multi-lingual worldwide campaigns- - American Express Latin America / Caribbean Division: (Card Acquisition program resulted in an unprecedented 4.2% conversion rate on a direct mail campaign into a Latin American region! Bank Programs positioned American Express Travellers Cheques as the most recommended) New World Festival of the Arts - - Sandals Resorts - - San Souci - - Hertz Rent-a-Car Latin American/Caribbean - - Avis Rent-a-Car and others. Launched 5 Million dollar campaign for the introduction of the U.S. Hotels for the Americas Division for Inter-Continental Hotels in Miami, San Diego, New Orleans and Houston.

1977-1979 Vice President

International Matrix, Incorporated, Brickell Avenue, Miami, Florida

(International Matrix, Corp is a current Panamanian Corporation)

Founded consulting firm identifying new technologies at a turning point in the industry with the switch from analog to digital and the explosion of the computer era and the break-up of the telephone company monopoly.

Assisted Entel Peru with the country’s five year plan and a vision of creating a soft industry to boost the countries economy through the training of software programmers for exportation of data entry.

Banco de Maracaibo’s relocation to Caracas central office and the implementation of Banking Automation. (80 branches in Venezuela)

Supervised tele and data communications for Peru’s number one receptive tour operator: Lima Tours new headquarters inclusive of space planning using a time and motion study for maximum work efficiency.

1979-1999 Sales & Marketing Manager

Alexander & Alexander Insurance, Miami, Florida

Concurrent with Matrix, introduced the Medical Malpractice insurance category as a trial program in Florida for this top eight national insurance firm working together with a registered agent. Program’s success resulted in a nationwide rollout.

1976-1979 Communication Manager

OMNI International Hotel, Miami, Florida

Executive Committee Member with total communications department responsibility with a staff of 12 on three switchboards (which I had expanded from 2). Repositioned the department from a traditional loss center to a profit center with the innovative implementation of the first hotel business centers earning revenues from Fax, Telex, Long Distance, Copying and Secretarial Services. Many of the entry-level employees trained by me are still in hotel management today.

1974-1976 Communication Manager, Front Desk Supervisor

Marriott Hotels, Miami, Florida

Was recruited by Marriott and moved quickly into supervisory positions in the Front Office. As an Executive Committee Member, was responsible for nightly Manager on Duty rounds at which time, I was responsible for the then 350 room property. Created customer loyalty through excellent personal service.

1973 Instructor / Model

House of Albert Modeling & European Couture,

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Upon graduation was recruited as instructor in etiquette, grooming, fashion, personal care and modeling. Coordinated and moderated fashion shows including innovative nightclub performances, Runway, Fashion Photography, Salon Trade and Tearoom.

1972-1974 Food Preparation / Server / Barmaid / Hostess

Johnny Garneau’s Golden Spike Restaurant

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

A temporary fill-in at this 300 seat full service restaurant and club as a desert server was extended to salad and appetizer prep to waitress to barmaid to hostess with responsibility for dining room planning and server scheduling. Johnny Garneau’s is credited with introducing the all-you-can-eat salad bar and buffet.

Education

1977-1979 Florida International University

Certificate of Marketing Program

1974-1975 Broward Community College

International Trade / Languages / Fashion Merchandising

1972 Central YMCA High School, Chicago

1969-1972 Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School – College Prep

Fort Dearborn Elementary School, Chicago, Illinois

Currently enrolled in The Clayton School of Naturopathy

Additional professional activities

Advisor to The Caribbean Chamber of Commerce.

Executive Board Advisor to CABNET-The Caribbean Americas Business Network.

Moderator at LATCOM (Latin American Telecommunications Of the Americas).

Professional memberships

Past and present memberships have included: The American Marketing Association, The American Advertising Federation, Hotel Motel Association, Hotel / Motel Sales Managers Association, Caribbean Hotel Association, Caribbean Tourism Organization, Foreign Trade Association, Miami Visitors & Convention Bureau, Fort Lauderdale Visitors & Convention Bureau, Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association, St. Thomas / St. John Hotel Association, Visit Florida, Small Hotels of the Caribbean, Caribbean Chamber of Commerce, Caribbean American Business Network and others.

Languages

Primary language English with fluency in Spanish, working knowledge of French with a facility for languages.

Volunteer experience/ Community Activities

Co-host South Florida Radio program: Trading Places with an audi-ence of 5,000 in Florida and the Bahamas. Contributed to Tourism and International Trade Segments.

Founding Director of Nebula Educational Outreach, community music program. Grant writing, fund-raising, events.

As Marketing Director of the Southeast Soccer Association, coordinated Jamaica Tour of US National Soccer Champions: The Raleigh Wings. Collaborated with the Jamaica Football Federation on the implementation of a girls program in the Jamaica school system and managed clinics island wide including a publicity tour on radio and television.

Consultant to the Seminole Tribe of Florida on the marketing and publicity for their annual festival. Belize Foundation for Youth annual Christmas drive generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in food and gift donations.

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