Red Grape Social understands Travel Agents & small business owners. We've been there! You don't have the support of a big corporation, but you need to get yourself noticed online...without spending hours on it! Red Grape Social offers a 'pick n mix' selection of services, so you can choose exactly what you need for your business, plus your budget! So if you need training, a new platform setup, an audit of your current socials, or you'd just like us to take care of it all for you - get in touch!

Leaving the corporate 9-5 and travelling full-time, (most of the year on a luxury cruise ship), I now manage a globally award-winning cruise advisory and travel blog website. This is designed to help with questions such as what does a first time cruiser need to know about cruising, what should they pack and what isn't allowed, what's the difference between cruise lines and where is good for a local meal in Tallinn?

‭ DreamLab is a multi-award winning* app that uses the processing power of your idle phone to help solve cancer while you sleep.With so many Australians affected by cancer, finding answers through medical research is incredibly important. The Garvan Institute of Medical Research needs more computing power to speed up cancer research. Donate the power of your smartphone to help by simply downloading the app and charging your smartphone while you sleep.Already, users are helping crunch data in half the time as Garvan’s supercomputer - forging a path towards personalised treatments for cancer.For Vodafone Australia customers, the mobile data needed to use DreamLab is free. If you’re contributing over WiFi, you’ll be charged as per your WiFi plan. Roaming incurs international rates.If you’re not with Vodafone Australia, you’ll use data from your mobile or WiFi plan. Don’t let that stop you though. DreamLab only uses small amounts of data and you can set a monthly limit.Given that one in two Australians will be affected by cancer in their lifetimes, we hope you will take up your new nightshift and become a DreamLab cancer researcher.Download the app today from the App Store or Google Play to start your DreamJob fighting cancer.

Responsible for a portfolio of accounts worth <$1m per partner and identified as an extensive business opportunity. As the primary relationship and commercial contact for the account nationally, ensure that guest and revenue targets are met and exceeded where commercially viable. Aligning with short and long-term business focus areas, create and develop product strategy for distribution within the partner network. Ensure usage of BI and Insights to support development of activity. Prepare and host client educational trips, ie Seminars at Sea, Ship Launches, Ship Visits etc.Quarterly reviews held with key stakeholders, ensuring opportunities identified and proactive plans put in place.Prepare sales and portfolio reports to update business on performance against plan.Develop annual training program for execution across the organisation throughout the year.

Virgin Australia has transitioned from being a Low Cost Carrier to a full service airline in a short period of time, transitioning to the GDS and becoming a true challenger brand commanding a respectable share of the corporate market. Joining the company at this time of rapid growth presented high targets for building accounts and seeking new business opportunities through all avenues. I am responsible for retaining/building a portfolio of a minimum of $50m and work with corporates at CEO/CFO level on a daily basis as well as conducting Travel Booker Forums and road shows for the key travel coordinators. Responsibilities:• Developing new business leads through sales calls, presentations and networking opportunities• Creating compelling and client-need focussed proposals and negotiating contracts • Account-managing existing clients and working with TMCs to grow market share• Hosting site inspections of aircraft/airport facilities and familiarisations • Producing regular reports on business opportunities/developments and competitor intelligence• Creating and developing sales plans, budgets and forecasts; completing audits and compliance returnsKey Projects/Achievements:• Won two large-market/full-switch accounts ($3m+) within first 3 months in position• Grown existing accounts by average of 30% market share• Project managed new Implementation & Contracting procedures for use across national Sales Team• Worked as key contact/resolution agent for all NSW corporates throughout GDS cutover weekend

A ‘Leading Hotel of the World’ (now ‘One & Only’), Hayman consistently receives awards as one of the best international luxury resorts. Joining the company during the Global Financial Crisis, I worked on strengthening relationships with the major PCOs and DMCs in Australia and New Zealand to encourage repeat clients and keep an international presence. I was responsible for generating new business across trade markets and corporates as well as account managing existing clients. I developed tactical eDMs and worked on contra deals to obtain advertorial space and generate new leads on reduced budgets.Responsibilities:• Managing a team focused on Meetings & Events and Weddings• Developing new business leads through sales calls, presentations, trade shows and working with US/EU reps.• Account-managing existing clients• Attending major trade shows and networking functions (ATE, AIME, AIBTM, PAICE)• Hosting site inspections and familiarisation visits• Developing and implementing business (SMART) plans for PCO/Corporate/Wedding sectors• Managing marketing plans within budget to gain maximum exposure• Producing weekly and monthly revenue reports and presenting on trends and issues • Instigating new sales collateral and tools• Telemarketing to new industries to grow databaseKey Projects/Achievements:• Quickly built client base within Australia and New Zealand, developed strong international contacts• Increased lead-generation and conversion rates (from 13% to 21%)• Implemented new sales systems and proposal formats• Lead a team through a challenging 6-month closure of the property following cyclone damage

Working across 3 brands (Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises, I was responsible for several millions of pounds worth of business a year for sales and operations. I project-managed ship inaugurals (1 week each), looking after 20-50 events per day for VIPs, shareholders, event/travel agents and Media. Events ranged from celebrity groups (Scouting for Girls, Daniel O’Donnell), corporate conferences, 5* incentive groups etc.Responsibilities:• Increasing sales generation and conversions, developing sales plans• Creating programmes for groups onboard including shore excursions, strategic marketing events, networking receptions• Contract management; budgeting and invoicing; supplier management• Marketing: trade magazine interviews; creating brochures/mailshots; attended Event Forums to promote the cruises. Arranged onboard familiarisations and hospitality events for potential clients• Client relationship management on board• Managed Groups staff who would rotate into C&I department to assist as requiredKey Projects/Achievements:• Project team (Events Manager) for ship inaugurals, with approximately 215 separate events• Worked with key clients such as Ladbrokes, AIG Life, Virgin Vie, Halifax, Lloyds TSB, Citroen, Avon• Managed operations for full ship charter for law firm, for 1100 pax, on a 4 day conference cruise• Implemented new systems for quoting, booking forms and invoices

Emap Conferences is the most profitable department of this multinational corporation, running approximately 360 events per year. My role was to manage the logistics for the more complex and flagship conferences, ranging between 80-800 delegates, and work on up to 6 events per month (including CEO Lunches, Gala Dinners, Cocktail Receptions). I interviewed, trained and mentored new starters, and regulary undertook the role of acting Manager leading a team of 12 organisers.

This role involved overseeing 5 regional satellite offices in the South East, approving event proposals, writing risk assessments, sponsorship proposals and managing the events on the day. This was a very hands-on position due to its charity status and tight budgets. Responsibilities included forecasting and controlling annual budgets for all satellite offices, creating marketing plans and obtaining corporate sponsorship, maintaining databases, booking celebrities for brand endorsement and managing a regional team of 10 staff and approx 50 volunteers.

Reponsible for producing one week of programming per month with a community/charity focus. Researched, scripted, filmed and assisted with editing for programs. Booked celebrities for piece-to-camera call to actions. Gained sponsorship and advertising from corporates and government bodies to assist with this lottery funded channel, part of the Media Trust.