Daniel Thomas Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, Us

Illinois’ tourism chief leading the Illinois Office of Tourism, driving the marketing, growth, and communications strategy for the state's $83 billion tourism industry welcoming 112 million domestic and international visitors who spent $47 billion. Leading the Illinois tourism surge to create an all-time high in hotel tax revenue figures in FY24, totaling $322 million —a 4.5% increase over the previous record set in FY23.

Chicago, Illinois, Us

Chicago, Illinois, Us

TimeZoneOne is an advertising and design agency focusing on Creative, Strategy and Digital. We have teams in Chicago, USA and Christchurch, New Zealand.

Chicago, Il, Us

Providing tailored integrated solutions to tourism industry professionals and businesses through creative, strategic and most importantly, innovative thinking. Our global team of operational strategists will offer a fresh thinking approach with the aim of adding value to your team or business.

Daniel has played a leadership role for the WFGT since 2007, where he was elected to their Executive Committee while running Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand. As their current Executive Director, Daniel oversees the leadership of a global board and main focus is on the strategic direction of the WFGT, in addition to maintaining a current membership of 39 of the worlds best towers around the globe. Collectively, the WFGT represents 40 million tourists annually and is designed to promote best practice in operations, marketing, public relations and financial performance of towers.Since relocating to Chicago from New Zealand, Daniel has also been elected to the Board of Directors of the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association, is active on their finance committee and Co-chairs their Marketing division. In addition, he recently Co-chaired the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism.

Us

Responsible for the direction of the strategy, marketing, sales and operations of the Observatory, one of the Chicago’s most visited tourist attractions and one of the highest 360-degree views in the Midwest. Full responsibility for financial, overall customer service experience including retail and food and beverage operations.Accomplishments• Creation of a new award-winning brand, website and online booking engine within 18 months.• Successful implementation of operations re-structures to drive greater business performance and increase productivity and profitability• Responsible for a multi-million dollar refurbishment of Observation experience, including the launch of the worlds’ highest Espression by Lavazza concept café.• Winner of three tourism awards for Marketing Excellence, Best Marketing Campaign and Best of Show at the Illinois Governors’ Conference on Tourism.• Board Director of Greater North Michigan Avenue Association (The Magnificent Mile) and Vice Chairman of the Illinois Tourism Alliance.

Auckland, Auckland, Nz

Responsible for the overall management of an international visitor attraction including – Retail, Tower Operations, Education and two Food & Beverage outlets. Full accountability for the P&L, which includes approximately 100 staff and generates revenue of $15M per annum.Accomplishments• Introduction and development of a ticket-less entry system to enhance customer service and delivery.• Successful implementation of a restructuring within Tower Operations to drive business efficiency and increase productivity.• Responsible for a business turnaround of $400k during the FY07 financial year.• Achievement of highest Tourism Qualmark rating to date (96%) and winner of “Best Visitor Attraction of the Year 2007”

Auckland, Nz

Short-haul Purser & Trainer - Auckland, NZ• Representing Air New Zealand and its Star Alliance partners on board Boeing 737 / 767 & Airbus A320 aircraft servicing New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific.• Responsible for coaching & developing the Cabin Crew onboard. Administration Manager/Duty Operations Manager - Sydney, Australia• Manage all administrative aspects of the Air New Zealand operation (30 staff, 73 flights per week) at Sydney International Airport. Deputy to the Station Manager, Monthly Reporting, HR & Staff Development, Management of the First/Business Class Lounge; Sales and Service Desk, & development of external supplier relationships.HR Services Consultant - Auckland•Recruited quality candidates for line managers for the Customer/In-flight Services, Travelcentre, Contact Centre and Agency Sales portfolios.Shorthaul Trainer / Flight Attendant / Facilitator• Representing Air New Zealand and its Star Alliance partners on board Boeing 737 / 767 aircraft servicing New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific. • Facilitating the company Induction Program “Playing to Win”, this was the corporate induction program for new employees within Air New Zealand/Ansett Australia and facilitated teaching the financial side of the airline to staff and Senior Management.Domestic Flight Attendant, Mount Cook Airline.• Operating on ATR72 – 200/500 aircraft within New Zealand as the Air New Zealand Link brand.Corporate/Leisure Travel Consultant,Travelcentres.• Initiate and Develop relationships with new and existing corporate clients & facilitating travel needs while maximizing revenue.

Diploma In Tourism Management, Tourism And Travel Services Management

School Certificate, New Zealand