Gary Rodgers Email & Phone Number

London, United Kingdom

Showing the most interesting places and historical pubs & features in the London Docklands area. Stops for history, stories, beers & genuine ‘pub grub’.

London, United Kingdom

Uk/Worldwide

Researching and leading holidaymakers on worldwide adventuresLiaison with all suppliers to ensure efficient use of services contracted by Titan. This includes hotels, airlines, local guides, restaurant staff, coach companies/drivers and moreUtilising online software for invoicing and other tour related administrationEnsuring the advertised itinerary is followed Making logistical decisions before and during the tour eg. what time to depart hotels for the next leg of the tour and choosing menus appropriate for the group-to include any special dietary needsProviding interesting commentary and advice such as great places to try local food Problem resolution include any health issues by passengers and upsets along the way such as delays and flight cancellationsBeing a good host and listening and resolving any complaints and responding to suggestions from guests and suppliers

Worldwide

* Leading groups of seasoned travellers on holidays to destinations worldwide-from coach tours to cruises* Providing local information and customer care* Pre tour logistics planning including destination research, co ordinating airport transfers, reconfirming hotel rooms and building rapport with ground suppliers-from local guides to hotel and cruise ship staff* Ensuring the holiday itinerary is fulfilled by way of maintaining contact with all suppliers and SAGA office staff* Adding extra value to customer experiences by way of sales of optional activities (I increased revenue by over £5000 in 2014) I also have 'gone the extra mile'​ by offering additional optional excursions including city orientation walks and running quizzes and competitions* Maintaining accurate paperwork including financial reconciliation and report writing* Troubleshooting 'unexpected issues'​. I have successfully dealt with everything from lost luggage and passports to hospitalisation, transport strikes and much more * Managing expectations using local knowledge, a sense of humour and tact to ensure best guest communication-this can be by way of describing hotel features, to cultural differences in the places visited* Individual attention to clients with special needs e.g. wheelchair assistance and special dietary requests* Providing entertaining commentaries and personal 'Top Tips' on the places visited when appropriate

London/Uk/Usa/Australia

Key Expertise• Passion and drive for flawless delivery- a keen eye for detail means no aspects ofservice are ever overlooked or forgotten• Event, hotel and restaurant staff training and supervision• Provable ability to organise others and work efficiently under pressure• Adept at communicating effectively- utilising integrity, tact and clarity-across all cultures• A passionate ‘foodie’ with an in-depth knowledge of food and drinks• Over 10 yrs experience designing logistics and supervising events at many London and other UK venuesRelevant career history, skills gained and achievements 2002-2012Clients have included: The Admirable Crichton, Sodexho Prestige, Moving Venue andDelaware North Companies (at Wembley and Emirates Stadiums), Chelsea Football ClubMy roleWorking alongside Party Designers, contractors, venue managers, staffing supliers &clients to guarantee the successful delivery of events, FOH management & effective staff supervision (both 'in house' & agency) at many prestigious locations across the UK-from temporarystructures, to stately homes, to museums, royal palaces and galleries.Some of my achievements have included:* Designing and introducing more efficient and cost effective systems of operations * Upgrading of colleagues & staff skills via training- resulting in better customer service and a happy and productive work environment• Troubleshooting and providing motivational staff briefings * Designing hospitality and tour management training modules* Implementation of new ideas for raising revenue

London, United Kingdom

At this award winning &quirky restaurant that excels at providing unique exotic foods from alpaca to zebra my achievments and duties included:* Opening and closing duties* Up selling of food and beverage* New staff training* Sales and marketing (I designed several campaigns including discount flyers and mail shots to those on our database)Troubleshooting and customer entertainment and care* Financial reconciliation

Worldwide

Researching and management of both UK and European tours by railUtilising my sense of humour, organisational abilities and creative ability to 'think on my feet' to add value to the holidays of my guestsDestination research including finding fun and different things to do during free timeEnsuring the itinerary is followed and make decisions on any ad hoc deviations needed Maintaining supplier relationships-including hotels, train operators and other stakeholdersCustomer care and welfare assistanceManaging the movement of up to 33 guests and their luggage on and off trains throughout Europe

Uk/Europe

• Management of one to six day holidays within the UK and Europe for an awardwinning travel company with a diverse customer base, including international students,single travellers, agents and families• Research and design of interesting and fun commentaries (both on board coaches andduring walking tours) regarding historical, social and cultural information• Responsibility for the training of more than 12 new Tour Managers• Designed and implemented new ‘Tour Manager Guides’-tour specific informationguides for new staff and to ‘capture’ known information within the business• Increased company revenue by over £5000 p/a by way of suggesting, designing, promotion and sales of optional free time excursions (e.g. The Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris and walking tours in several European cities-including Paris, Bruges & Brussels)

Somerset House

Maintaining and upgrading customer and supplier relationsSourcing of more cost effective suppliersAdding value to on site events using my creativity and intuitionOverseeing cost control and quoting procedures

Worldwide

Research and leading of tours world wide for an award winning leader in railbased holidays. Their client base consists of mostly well travelled British &international guests• Coordinating all aspects of the tour in accordance with the specified itinerary• Development of information and advice for free time options and providing entertaining coach commentaries• Always ensuring customer care & health and safety is at the forefront• Liaison with local suppliers to ensure contracted services and the advertised itineraryare delivered• Feedback and ideas to the operations and customer relations teams-often resulting innew initiatives (e.g. itinerary changes)• Completion of tour paperwork (including financial aspects and reports) accurately and on time• Dealing with many unforeseeable operational issues (train strikes, illness, passportloss, missed rail connections etc)• Adding value to tours by providing information regarding saving money, time etc.• Researching and guiding excursions and facilitating special requests

London & Uk Wide

The Admirable Crichton is a prestigious, London-based event catering & party design company specialising in Royal, high society, corporate & private events throughout the UK and Europe.My role involved working alongside Party Designers, contractors, venue managers and clients to guarantee the successful delivery of events and effective staff supervision (both 'in house' & agency) at many prestigious locations across the UK-from temporary structures, to stately homes, to museums, royal palaces and galleries.My achievements and responsibilities included:* Upgrading staff skills via training and supportive direction- resulting in exceptional customer service and an increase in colleagues job pride and confidence* Event logistics, overseeing set ups, providing motivational staff briefings and providing exceptional customer care* Ensuring any 'Event Summary Sheet' instructions and timings were fulfilled Customers & venues included; Tiffany, Porsche, The Natural History Museum, Two Temple Place, Old Billingsgate Market, Buckingham Palace, London Science Museum,The V&A & many more.

London (Wembley & Emirates Stadiums)

Management, logistics planning and troubleshooting within member restaurants and corporate boxes on match days and at private events. Staff briefings, training and motivation. Organising room set ups, stock controls, liaison with chefs and clients. Customer care & problem solving. Overseeing bar and banqueting operations in a very busy environment for up to 500 guests.

London

-Ensuring the Event Summary sheet timings and all details were followed -On the spot staff training-Customer care -Problem solving and event logistics-Liaison with chefs & outside suppliers to ensure an excellent & practical service-Following relevant health & safety and food hygiene guidelines

Sydney, Australia

* Design & management of corporate & private events across several venues within an iconic landmark venue* Responsibility for overseeing all location film shoots* Participant in a company re-branding project* Technical & creative input to stage productions & events* Help designing & stage management for the 2000 Millennium celebrations

Sydney, Australia

* Design of bespoke themed corporate events, parties and weddings* Ensuring event brief was delivered on time and on budget* Research & locating unusual suppliers including performers, staffing companies, unique venues Lighting design, fireworks, sound and unique entertainment* Event Management-from concept to conclusion* Projects included events from 10-2100 guests* Supplier liaison and contracting * Stage Management

Manly, Australia

Assisting the GM in overseeing all operational requirementsStaff training, motivation and supportEnsuring all health and safety and food hygiene requirements were met Introduction of sales growth incentives, new initiatives and special promotions e.g. St Patricks Day eventLiaison with chefs and other suppliers to ensure menu profitability and excellent restaurant reputation

Ft Lauderdale, Usa

* Assisting the GM is running a very busy branded restaurant within a major shopping mall* Training of all new floor staff* Back and front of house liaison* Customer Care, up-selling and meeting health and hygiene standards

Higher School Certificate

Activities and Societies: BandMember of school band Involved in class debates

Higher School Certificate, Various, Hsc (Equivalent To Uk A Levels)

Activities and Societies: School Orchestra, debating team