Austin Watkins Email & Phone Number

Kohala Coast, Hawaii, Us

Member of the pre-opening executive team tasked to re-open this iconic resort that resides in a locale that has been inhabited for over 1,000 years. Responsible for all aspects of the division and supporting our initiative to foster the Hawaiian culture and our ohana experience. It is the THE greatest opportunity of my professional career.

Winter Park, Florida, Us

Recruited to re-create a scalable, institutional sales and marketing program for Timbers portfolio of luxury resorts and residence clubs as a member of the corporate Steering Committee. Supplemental responsibility for deal acquisition, due diligence and pro forma modeling. Scope of responsibility includes sales, marketing, revenue management, public relations, social media disciplines. • Recruited, trained and support the leadership team within my scope, all of whom remain with us today.• Audited all software systems and developed a unique technology stack with key integrations and distribution points creating significant advantage for our portfolio.• Lead due diligence on the revenue component for the successful acquisition of a $130MM resort. Immediately executed significant changes to the resort business plan and operating model to capitalize on opportunity.• Created the in-house reservations department for the portfolio that improved revenue over $1MM in first year and then added an additional team for the new resort with the goal to improve the new operation by $2MM in year one.• Increased portfolio revenue by 90% in 2019 and paced at 95% increase for year two prior to CoVID-19. 2022 currently pacing 125% over 2021.• Evaluated several hotel/hospitality assets annually as a part of our acquisition due diligence process.

Winter Park, Florida, Us

My primary responsibility is to lead the hospitality sales and marketing segment for our properties. In 2019 I executed a complete overhaul of the hospitality segment to build a foundation for our future while simultaneously supporting our real estate marketing due to a maternity leave.

Regional marketing responsibility (Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island) and corporate marketing support for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.Direct marketing leadership of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai including: direct sales, revenue management, reservations, media / public relations and catering / conference services. Collaborate with agency partners on e-commerce and advertising plans to integrate all marketing disciplines.

Hotel planning committee member with direct ownership relationship.Responsibilities include managing teams who lead direct sales, revenue management, reservations, media / public relations / social media and catering / conference services. Additionally, work closely with agency partners on e-commerce and advertising plans with responsibility for annual marketing plan and execution of direct marketing, pricing, website, photography, promotions, collateral, development and distribution channels.

Toronto, Ontario, Ca

Hotel planning committee member with direct ownership relationship.Responsibilities include managing teams who lead direct sales, revenue management, reservations, media / public relations / social media and catering / conference services. Additionally, work closely with agency partners on e-commerce and advertising plans with responsibility for annual marketing plan and execution of direct marketing, pricing, website, photography, promotions, collateral, development and distribution channels.

Hotel planning committee member with ownership and asset manager relationship.Responsibilities include managing teams who lead direct sales, revenue management, reservations, media / public relations / social media and catering / conference services. Additionally, work closely with agency partners on e-commerce and advertising plans with responsibility for annual marketing plan and execution of direct marketing, pricing, website, photography, promotions, collateral, development and distribution channels.

Toronto, Ontario, Ca

Hotel planning committee member with ownership and asset manager relationship.Responsibilities include managing teams who lead direct sales, revenue management, reservations, media / public relations / social media and catering / conference services. Additionally, work closely with agency partners on e-commerce and advertising plans with responsibility for annual marketing plan and execution of direct marketing, pricing, website, photography, promotions, collateral, development and distribution channels. Number one RevPAR hotel in San Francisco and strongest segment performance in hotel history during my tenure. Annual revenues of $59M and expense budget of $3M.

Manage all aspects of the sales department, specifically focusing on direct sales, training, recruitment and retention. President’s Club award and Manager of the Quarter nominee. Group sales team achieved 104% of 2005 budget and exceeded those results by 24% in 2006. RevPAR 114% of comp set for running 12 months, up 18% over previous year. Collaborated with Director of Marketing on Marketing, Catering/Conference Services, Public Relations, Reservations and owners meetings.

Manage all areas within the sales department. Sales team achieved 112% of goal in 2004 and personally achieved 125% of goal. President’s Club award and Manager of the 2nd Quarter of 2004. RevPAR grew to 123% by Feb 2005 (12 month) from 94% in February 2003. Collaborated with Director of Marketing on Marketing, Catering/Conference Services, Public Relations, Reservations and owners meetings.

Responsibilities include: staff development, training and selection in addition to group evaluation, revenue maximization and yield management, forecasting, budgeting, contract review, and marketing plan creation. Top revenue, room night and ADR producer in 2002. Created company benchmarked tracking/trending system for all leads. Leader of the Quarter nominee three consecutive quarters.

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Bachelor'S, Business Administration