Experienced Marketing, Sales & Business Development Professional

MELISSA WHITE

**** ***** ****, ***. #****, San Antonio, Texas 78528 ● 832-***-**** ●

************.***************@*****.*** ● www.linkedin.com/in/melissawhite1/

SALES & MARKETING LEADERSHIP

Proven record of cultivating systems of growth, profitability and guest experience. Develops effective, business partnerships

through genuine personal professionalism, and by operating with a high standard of honest, open -communication and a

strong work ethic. An experienced leader that develops team members, and is dedicated to providing the support to

executive management and other departments, with a focus on the company’s success in mind.

Areas of expertise include:

Strategic Marketing & Advertising Developing Efficient Workflow

Relationship Building & Partnerships

Planning Systems

Leadership, Mentoring & Training

Development & Management of Customer Service/Experience

Social Media Engagement

Products, Programs, & Events Management

Budgets: Creation & Management

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Lead Generation

Financial Analytics & Auditing

Sales Performance & Leadership Business Storytelling

Web Content Development

Public Communications Data Management

Market Analysis

EXPERIENCE

TOUR & TRAVEL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, May 2013-Present

Identified growth opportunities to further develop Galveston’s leisure, tour and travel market segments with a special focus

on shoulder season traffic, international travelers and the cruise market. Served as a liaison between the CVB and

Galveston’s business community.

• Increased tour and travel group hotel bookings by 46% the first year. (56% new business and 43% need times)

• Created, launched and expanded “Island Time Deals” program for hotel and partner reach to identifiable

corporate travelers during need times. The monthly email-based program grew from 200 subscribers to over 2000

and resulted in over 1,000 hotel room bookings the first 9 months.

• Maintained an 80% lead conversion-to-booked business with most being new accounts.

• Distributed a monthly newsletter to tour and travel professionals. Increased subscriptions from 400 to nearly

3,000 within a few months due to relevant, fresh content which helped drive their business.

• Traveled to reverse-trade shows, speaker at conferences, taught webinars, organized FAMs and site visits.

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING

Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark, 2005 -2013

Chief focus and responsibilities included creating, implementing, promoting and analyzing programs that drive

attendance and generate revenue. Worked in collaboration with the corporate office and other revenue generating

departments (both advance and in-park sales) to improve customer engagement and experience..

• Trained and managed a sales team of (9). Developed incentive plan, created goals, and led the team in exceeding

goals year-over year.

• Developed brand content and managed brand promotions.

• On-site Communications Director. Maintained a close relationship with the local media, community organizations,

government officials, wrote editorial articles and developed strategic partnerships.

• Created the hurricane action plan, crisis communication protocols, press releases and media talking points.

• Managed multi-million dollar operating budgets and sales goals efficiently; often under budget. Built financial

accountability reporting systems for group sales and consistently enforces their use.

• Created the first birthday party program within the entire company.

MELISSA WHITE

1202 Evans Road, Apt. #1211, San Antonio, Texas 78528 ● 832-***-**** ●

************.***************@*****.*** ● www.linkedin.com/in/melissawhite1/

• Managed social media content distribution, optimized user experience, and developed website content for the

Galveston location.

• Worked with the design team as an onsite director from conception through construction of the park.

• Developed and maintained a guest survey program and lead guest relations/customer service management.

• Acted as field producer for all major filming projects, including the “Travel Channel”, “Wife Swap” and directing all

commercial shoots.

DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE & MARKETING CONSULTANT

H.S.A. Development Group, New Braunfels, Texas

September 2004- March 2005

Assisted on the creative, technical, and business development of international and domestic waterpark design projects.

• Worked on projects for Atlantis Dubai, Atlantis Bahamas, Beach Park (Brazil), Pigeon Forge, and Schlitterbahn

Galveston Island Waterparks.

• Conducted economic market analysis and business plans.

• Created all visual, executive presentations and marketing initiatives.

• Managed consumer product development.

• Assisted in project management through construction.

• Assisted in the development and maintenance of budgets for each project.

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING

Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark, South Padre Island, Texas

August 2003-September 2004

Successfully managed marketing campaigns, business development, communications, group sales, and special events.

• Developed the first profitable spring break concert contract model. Managed c oncert and special events

negotiations and management.

• Created cabana rental program.

• Assisted in the design, construction and management of the Padre Island Visitors Center.

• Provided marketing support for the Schlitterbahn condos.

• Marketed Shrimp Haus Restaurant and the Celebration Surf Show.

REVENUE & ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark, South Padre Island, Texas

June 2003-August 2003

Directed the organization and maintenance of efficient admission and accounting operations.

Managed the preparation and balancing of tills as well as tracking overages and shortages.

Prepared and analyzing daily reports, reconciling daily accounts and performed all audits.

Managed millions in revenue and cash control operations, ensuring accuracy of reports and deposits

Hired, trained, and managed all admissions staff, including greeters, cashiers, and customer service

representatives.

MELISSA WHITE

1202 Evans Road, Apt. #1211, San Antonio, Texas 78528 ● 832-***-**** ●

************.***************@*****.*** ● www.linkedin.com/in/melissawhite1/

EDUCATION

University of Dallas, Dallas, Texas – Bachelors of Economics, 2002

TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Microsoft Office Suite Galaxy Gateway Systems iDSS CRM (administrator)

Adobe Illustrator Aloha Systems Social Media Administration

Adobe Photoshop Quickbooks Google Analytics

Adobe Professional ADP Payroll Systems Word Press

Sugar CRM (administrator) Micros POS Blogger

Salesforce CRM (administrator) Website CMS Systems Radian 6

ORGANIZATIONS

American Marketing Association (Active in the Houston AMA Chapter)

Galveston Chamber of Commerce (Park Board TDAC Appointed Representative)

Galveston Island Park Board – Tourism Development Advisory Committee (Appointed Pos ition; Committee Vice

Chair)

World Waterpark Association (Marketing & Education Committees; Speaker)

International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (Member)

Texas Travel Industry Association (Education Committee; Speaker)

Houston Concierge Association (Member; Speaker)

Galveston Hotel & Lodging Association (Member)

Houston Attractions Committee (Member)

Galveston C-Crewe Young Professionals (Member)

Galveston Historical Foundation (Member; Marketing Committee)

Galveston Nature Tourism Partnership (Marketing Consultant/Speaker)

American Bus Association (Member)

National Tour Association (Member)

Faith Travel Association (Member)

American Cruise Lines International Association (Member)

Group Travel/Select Travel (Member)

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