Gary E. Smith Email and Phone Number

SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS:2018: Named Elite Cruise Counselor of the year, our industry's highest honor.RECEIVED CENTER OF EXCELLENCE AWARD for NW Region by national SBA, for the creation & delivery of the Small Business Management program at LCC.ESTABLISHED & GREW TRAVEL AGENCY reaching 1st year sales of $925K, top 10% in franchise organization & “New Franchise of the Year”. 2nd year achieved top 4% within organization. Achieved Elite Scholar certification (highest possible) through Cruise Line Ind. Assoc; 2012 top 1% of franchises & FRANCHISE OF THE YEAR-highest honor. Circle of Excellence 2012-18; Voted top 25 travel agents in USAREDEVELOPED & GREW SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM at Lane Comm. College by more than 57% in less than 6 months through a complete restructuring of curriculum and new student focus. After 3 years, program had grown by 280%. Gains have been maintained for over 7 yearsWILLAMETTE ANGEL CONFERENCE 2010 $165,000 GRAND PRIZE WINNER with GOOD CLEAN LOVE, INC. Assisted in all aspects of this company in my capacity as COO.LED 7 MEMBER PROJECT TEAM in development/deployment of project management processes to support 900+ systems personnel, including training material creation, implementation & instruction.RESTRUCTURED & LED $17.3MM SALES / OPERATIONAL ACCOUNT TEAM improving all operational metrics by a minimum of 4% and as much as 58% in first 6 months.MANAGED 20,200 PERSON CONVENTION achieving records in attendance (20,297), exhibitor sales ($565K), events (3,000+), media coverage, gross revenue ($1.23MM) and net profit ($276K).DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED CUSTOM SOFTWARE for the integration of all data & processes relating to convention management. Results: First use of real-time event ticketing; a 35% reduction of transaction time; improved system flexibility.NEGOTIATED CONTRACTS WITH THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE and major downtown hotels with an economic impact of over $6.3MM annually and an overall savings to the company of over 20%.