Jana L. Yackel
BC
Summary
Experienced Director of Sales and Marketing with a strong background in identifying opportunities, guiding teams to success and creating strategic plans that achieve company objectives. Known for collaborative approach with sales teams, mentoring and aligning company goals with sales team initiatives bringing a commitment to excellence. Results-oriented achiever with proven ability to exceed targets and drive success in fast-paced sales environments. Bring years of sales and marketing, presentation and travel experience in Canadian, US and International Markets. Client acquisition and strong relationship building skills. Combines strategic thinking with hands-on experience to deliver impactful solutions with marketing and direct sales initiatives to enhance organizational performance. Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Director - Sales and Business Development
Six Technologies Inc.
09.2004 - Current
- Responsible for business development further into Canadian and US market.
- Overseeing all strategies and client relations for Six Technologies.
- Increased client reach, created sales and marketing plan and franchise plan.
- Increased client base and market share.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organization.
- Secured key partnerships that contributed to the company''s overall growth strategy and market reach.
Regional Director of Sales & Marketing
Hyatt - Spirit Ridge Resort, Unbound Collection
01.2019 - 09.2023
- Responsible for overseeing rooms, events auxiliary revenue and marketing for both Spirit Ridge Resort and Opened Hyatt Place Kelowna (opened July 2020 – contract ended 2022).
- Personally managed large producing markets: Association, Corporate, Film and Consortia and Tour and Travel Market at Spirit Ridge.
- Oversaw all social media and marketing plans and execution. Represented in travel tradeshows, community efforts in Vancouver and Okanagan.
- Prospected and held feeder city markets in Vancouver the rest of Canada, US and International areas.
- Liaise with Osoyoos Indian Band on all aspects of hotel relations.
- Created successful marketing, sales and action plans to increase ADR and market share.
- Team accomplished record ADR in all years.
- Streamlined operations for improved efficiency by evaluating existing processes and introducing innovative solutions.
- Motivated employees through effective communication, recognition programs, and tailored incentive structures that aligned with corporate objectives.
- Served as a mentor to emerging leaders, sharing knowledge and expertise while fostering an environment of continuous learning and growth.
- Led a team of managers to achieve consistent revenue growth through effective leadership and strategic planning.
- With exception of Covid the resort exceeded budgeted revenue in all years
- Number one in market in Occupancy and ADR and top Hyatt Producing Hotel.
- Spearheaded expansion into new territories, conducting thorough market research to identify opportunities and devise entry strategies.
- Increased regional sales by implementing targeted marketing strategies and fostering strong relationships with key clients.
- Boosted regional sales figures, executing targeted marketing campaigns tailored to diverse market segments.
Director of Sales & Marketing
Rosewood Hotel Georgia
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Responsible for overseeing Sales, Catering, and Marketing for Hotel Georgia, a Forbes Five Star Hotel and voted best City Hotel in Canada.
- Oversee all social media and marketing plan creation, various projects and community involvement.
- Actively prospected, traveled and sold to the Group market for the Hotel.
- Created sales plans and budgets, create roadmaps and conduct presentations and sales calls.
- Led and sold alongside with team of ten with success, positivity and professionalism.
- Creation of new Standard Sales Operating standards to ensure consistent delivery and measurables.
- Oversaw Revenue strategies and sales strategic plans
- Worked closely with Rosewood Head Office
- Oversaw digital marketing team strategies
- Conducted multiple fam and client appreciation functions
- Re-vamped “Meetings at Rosewood” Program.
Regional Director of Sales & Marketing
Executive Hotels & Resorts – Luxury Division
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Responsible for overseeing Canada region sales teams and opening two new hotels in the new luxury division of the brand.
- Oversee the revenue streams for Hotel Le Soleil, the pre-opening and now successful opening of the new Exchange Hotel Vancouver and the new Seaside Hotel.
- Recruited and hired, trained successful sales team ensuring the success of the property and goal achievement.
- Sales and Marketing plan creation, various pre-opening projects and heavy community involvement.
- Actively prospect, travel and sell to the Tour, Corporate, Film and Group markets in Canada, Los Angeles, New York, Florida.
- Create sales plans and budgets, create roadmaps and conduct presentations and sales calls.
- Ensured hotels opened with corporate accounts, leisure interest and groups on the books.
- Lead brand on sales initiatives and lead generation.
- Have created standard operating procedures for sales company wide.
- Represented company at various national and global events.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop new products and services, meeting customer demands while driving revenue growth.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
Director of Sales & Marketing - Contract Position
Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Responsible for overseeing 400 room resort and conference space revenue for the Hilton Whistler.
- Manage off site sales managers and on-site team
- Worked closely with Tourism Whistler and the Whistler marketing team.
- Worked closely with Vail Resorts, Tour Operators and various segments leading team to meet revenue and operational objectives.
- Enjoyed this position immensely, was asked to stay after my one-year contract.
- Strategic in changing the hotel mix to increase revenue and profit.
- Analyzed the business and put a plan in place for the team to begin to outperform the market.
- Ensured quantity and quality of leads; sought new customers through strategic outbound sales efforts in new markets.
- Increased summer leisure and tour revenue, increased group revenue.
- Increased sales revenue by implementing innovative marketing strategies and fostering strong relationships with clients.
- Exceeded sales quotas and increased profitability through effective sales strategy and business planning.
- Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
- Managed accounts to retain existing relationships and grow share of business.
Regional Director of Sales & Marketing
River Rock Resort & Conference Centre
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Created hotel and casino sales plans and budgets, created roadmaps and conducted presentations and sales calls.
- Oversaw Rooms, Catering Department, Reservations, Marketing and Theatre Departments.
- Responsible for managing and directing 20 team members.
- 400 Rooms, two Hotels and 28,000 sq of meeting and event space.
- Responsible for multi-million revenue rooms and catering budget.
- Sales team increased rooms revenue by 9 million in 3rd year.
- Leadership of accountable team in a positive creative environment.
- With new strategies in place and the right direction we increased room revenue by 63%.
- Placed number one in market in ADR and second in occupancy.
- Drove Corporate, Association, Business Travel, Tour, Social and Casino sales clientele to River Rock.
- Travel, entertain, network, prospect and design targeted action plans for myself and team.
- Created a Tour and Travel Casino VIP Package and traveled and sold to US, Canada and Asia presenting and attending tradeshows.
- Oversaw Hard Rock Theatre –and all sales aspects of the Hard Rock.
- Managed relations with all large accounts and assist with business increases, i.e. Vancouver Canucks, large corporations, associations and top 20 Tour and Travel.
- Responsible for leisure market. Increase year over year of 1.6 million.
- Oversaw Marketing for River Rock Hospitality and later and Casino divisions.
- Manage the Marketing Team assist with writing the plans and am directly involved in all programs and promotions.
- Active member of Preferred Hotel Group – attend conferences, sales trips work and was a member of Preferred Hotels North West Action Committee.
Director of Sales & Marketing - Opening Team
Delta Hotel and Conference Centre
01.2007 - 01.2011
- Pre- Opening team – developed Sales and Marketing plan, conducted all sales calls, became active member of the Board of Trade, networked, conducted hard hat tours, got our name out there, worked hard to make sure that when we opened, we had a healthy mix of group, corporate and leisure secured.
- Was accountable to GM and Regional VP, presented plans and sales reports.
- As only sales person for a year built from scratch a substantial list of clients in all markets.
- Sighted and signed on 1.5-million-dollar contract for 2010 Olympics securing the Delta Burnaby as the official Czech House.
- Signed on Canadian Women's Olympic Hockey team.
- As an Executive Member of the opening team, was involved in all aspects leading up to opening and once opened.
- Assisted in setting up policies and procedures.
- Hired, trained and mentored Sales, Catering and Revenue Management team.
- Oversaw large team of catering and sales.
- Opened Hotel and drove business over the next 4 years.
- Increased sales year over year and was involved with all aspects of the Hotel
- Was solely responsible for all marketing and PR initiatives with the Delta Brand.
- All pre-opening Marketing and all community event creation.
Director of Sales & Marketing
Hilton Vancouver Airport and Conference Centre
01.2002 - 01.2007
- Increased room and catering sales year over year by encouraging team and going after new markets.
- Responsible for overseeing all rooms' revenue, catering and reservations.
- Worked with National Sales Director on sales initiatives for Western Canada.
- Directly took on business travel market and increased by 40% in revenue.
- Directly handled airline and leisure market increased room nights and ADR.
- Worked closely with Larco properties, cross sold and managed all Hilton Brand requirements
- Received the Hilton Marketing Award for “Best Hotel Eco Packages” in 2005.
Regional Director of Sales - Kimpton Group
Pacific Palisades Hotel & Summit Lodge
01.1997 - 01.2002
- Dual Property Role with distinct markets.
- Opening Team - Director of Sales and Marketing – held Association Group market.
- Worked closely with Association and Corporate Market.
- Entertainment Sales Manager for Corporate BT and for Film Market.
- Presented to various Film Studios, Ad Agencies in New York, Los Angles and Toronto.
- Designed 14 Production Offices and was on call 24/7 with the film industry attending to their needs.
- Prospected, promoted and became a well-known Hotel representative for those in the industry.
- Was on the opening team, was promoted after 2 years to Director.
- Attended Chairs Capital Campaign and sold to Associations in Washington, DC with Tourism Vancouver.
Front Office and Operations
Westin Bayshore
01.1993 - 01.1999
- Additional Experience: Director of Group Sales, Sales Manager, Front Office Supervisor, Reservations Agent, Catering Manager – Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, BC
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of British Columbia
VancouverSkills
- Hotel Openings, Branding
- Lead teams with accountability and by example
- Asia, Canada/US Travel
- New market segment and account acquisition
- Strategic plans to exceed budget
- Leadership of successful teams
- Hyatt Leadership Council Member – Corporate Office – 2022 and 2023
- Community engagement and relations
- Able to assess business flow and define areas to increase RevPAR
- Passion lies in sales team motivation and client relations
- Proven Marketing Strategies
Tradeshows
- IMEX America - Vegas yearly
- Rendezvous Canada
- GBTA
- Destination Vancouver and Tourism Richmond Sales Missions - China and US
- CME Expo - Toronto
- CVENT Tradeshow
- CSTA Shows – Canadian Sports Alliance – Edmonton, Ottawa
- Conference Director Tradeshow
- Altour Tradeshows - LA, Nashville
- Travel Leaders
- Tete a Tete – Ottawa CSAE yearly
- Cruise World, FT Lauderdale
- NHL Tradeshows
- NHL Tradeshow in Chicago – Silver Show.
- House of Kooser Tradeshows in NY and LA, Toronto
Organizations
- Destination Osoyoos Marketing Committee - 2020-2023
- Vancouver Theatre Sports Board of Director – 2020-2022
- CSAE Board Member Vancouver Chapter – 2006 - 2009
- Tourism Burnaby Board Member – 2007 - 2011
- Tourism Richmond Marketing Committee – 2012-2016
- MPI and VBOT active member
- Richmond Hospital Foundation Events Committee – 2014-2016
- Richmond Family Place volunteer
- Hockey, Lacrosse and Football Manager
- Habitat for Humanity volunteer
- PAC President
Personal Information
Title: Leadership Excellence – STEM Consulting, Strategic Sales Training - STEM Consulting, Insights Training, Highly Effective Leadership Training – Dynamic Achievement
References
- David Chemago, Vice President, Six Technologies Inc, 778-903-2895, David@six-tech.com
- Daniel Bibby, Executive Director, Spirit Ridge Resort, Unbound Collection by Hyatt, 250-863-2085, daniel.bibby@hyatt.com
- R. Gord Johnson, Senior Vice President, Silver Birch Hotels, 604-626-2447, Gordon.johnson@silverbirch.com
- Roland Monteiro, Executive Director, River Rock/Executive Hotels, 778-995-1677, rolandmonteiro_590@msn.com
- Don Lougheed, VP Hotel Franchise Operations, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, don.lougheed@hyatt.com
Timeline
Director of Sales & Marketing
Rosewood Hotel Georgia
01.2019 - 01.2020
Regional Director of Sales & Marketing
Hyatt - Spirit Ridge Resort, Unbound Collection
01.2019 - 09.2023
Regional Director of Sales & Marketing
Executive Hotels & Resorts – Luxury Division
01.2017 - 01.2019
Director of Sales & Marketing - Contract Position
Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa
01.2016 - 01.2017
Regional Director of Sales & Marketing
River Rock Resort & Conference Centre
01.2011 - 01.2016
Director of Sales & Marketing - Opening Team
Delta Hotel and Conference Centre
01.2007 - 01.2011
Director - Sales and Business Development
Six Technologies Inc.
09.2004 - Current
Director of Sales & Marketing
Hilton Vancouver Airport and Conference Centre
01.2002 - 01.2007
Regional Director of Sales - Kimpton Group
Pacific Palisades Hotel & Summit Lodge
01.1997 - 01.2002
Front Office and Operations
Westin Bayshore
01.1993 - 01.1999
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of British Columbia
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