Shelley Tjelum
Corporate Traveller
EDMONTON,AB
3
years of post-secondary education
25
years of professional experience
Experienced Travel Planner and Manager with many years of success working with business executives to establish cost-effective and expedited travel arrangements. Strategic in driving planning and scheduling of challenging booking functions using internal and external systems. Practiced in cultivating productive relationships with external travel agencies, accelerating booking requests.
Clear verbal and written skills paired with attentive listening to accurately capture client preferences and budget details.
Highly skilled Corporate Travel Manager with broad experience in coordinating corporate travel needs, maintaining relationships with various service providers, and ensuring compliance with company travel policies. Demonstrated strength in negotiating contracts, managing budgets, and implementing cost-saving initiatives. Previously implemented successful strategies for streamlining travel processes and optimizing resources. Possess strong problem-solving skills coupled with a proactive approach to achieve optimal customer satisfaction while balancing organizational objectives.
Successful in building lasting client relationships and repeat business. Sales-driven personality committed to working with successful team. Personable and known for excellent communication skills.
Work History
Corporate Travel Manager
15 Years 7 Months- Managed detailed travel programs for Corporate Traveller clients across global itineraries.
- Advocating for clients to secure the best rates, perks, or waivers from hotels, airlines, and cruise lines while providing a stress-free planning experience.
- Resolved itinerary changes, disruptions, and urgent traveler requests with speed.
- Partnered with finance teams on billing, reporting, and supplier reconciliation.
- Negotiated preferred rates with airlines, hotels, and travel vendors.
- Continually engaged in on-going training to enhance service standards, policy guidance, and optimal workflows.
- Ensured compliance with government regulations regarding passport and visa requirements prior to departure of travelers.
- Responded quickly to inquiries about flight schedules and other related topics from travelers.
- Provided support in organizing meetings and conferences at various locations around the world.
- Liaised with all levels of management and teams to ensure adherence to business agendas ranging in complexity.
- Collaborated with IT team to develop and improve web-based booking systems implemented for client's specifications.
- Offered exemplary customer service to new and existing clients, which helped build lasting relationships and secure new clients.
- Cultivated strong value-added relationships with customers daily by delivering accurate travel itinerary and knowledge to drive business development.
- Established a base of loyal clientele due to excellent listening and research skills and keen understanding of travel budgets.
- Mitigated financial discrepancies, accurately collecting customer fees, managing refunds, and providing accurate travel documentation.
- Advised travelers on policy compliance, booking choices, and approved suppliers.
- Coordinated flights, hotels, car rentals, and ground transport through the Sabre GDS platform.
Corporate/Leisure Travel Manager
6 Years 6 Months- Managed corporate travel program for Vision 2000 across domestic and international trips.
- Coordinated airline, hotel, and ground transport bookings for Vision 2000 travelers.
- Virtuoso Representative for Viking River Cruises and assisted with Virgin Galactic.
- Negotiated travel vendor agreements supporting Vision 2000 cost controls and service needs.
- Resolved itinerary changes, cancellations, and emergency travel issues for Vision 2000.
- Conducted regular reviews of existing vendor agreements and negotiated new ones when required.
- Performed administrative tasks such as physical ticket issuance, detailed BPS reporting, filing documents, manually processing refunds and reimbursements.
- Provided guidance and training on safety measures while traveling abroad or domestically.
- Prepared invoices for reimbursement of approved expenses incurred by travelers during their trip.
- Reviewed current industry practices and identified opportunities for improving processes and procedures.
- Asked open-ended questions to best understand client needs and determine best travel offerings.
Airport Ticket Agent Representative
3 Years 1 Month- Processed passenger check-in and boarding using airline reservation systems at Air Transat.
- Verified travel documents, visas, and passport details for departing Air Transat passengers.
- Issued boarding passes, seat assignments, and baggage tags for Air Transat flights.
- Resolved flight delays, cancellations, and missed connections with calm customer service.
- Calculated baggage fees and handled excess luggage according to Air Transat policies.
- Coordinated with gate, ramp, and operations teams for smooth passenger boarding.
- Performed cashier duties such as handling payments by credit cards, checks or cash.
- Resolved customer complaints in a professional manner.
- Assisted travelers with special needs or requests during check-in process.
- Gave public address announcements regarding flight changes, and aircraft arrivals and departures.
- Promoted and sold travel insurance products and services.
- Analyzed customer feedback to identify areas of improvement in customer service processes.
- Monitored airport security regulations and ensured that all passengers were compliant with safety procedures.
- Assisted gate agents during peak travel times.
Education
Travel Consultant Program - Tourism And Travel Management
Business Administration - Business Administration
Skills
Sabre GDS / Apollo / Amadeus
Travel policy compliance
Visa coordination
Travel program management
Expense reconciliation
Client relationship management
Problem solving
Attention to detail
Effective communication
Conflict resolution
Technology proficiency
Contract negotiations
Travel management expertise
Industry trend awareness
Procurement operations
Cross-cultural awareness
Cultural sensitivity
Data entry
Adaptability
Emergency response
Computer competency
Client retention
Organizational skills
Interpersonal communication
Problem-solving aptitude
Employee training
Itinerary management
Work Preference
Work Type
Full Time
Minimum Desired Compensation
$50000/yr
Timeline
Corporate Travel Manager
Corporate Traveller
12.2009 - 07.2025Read More
Corporate/Leisure Travel Manager
Vision 2000 Travel Group
05.2003 - 11.2009Read More
Airport Ticket Agent Representative
Air Transat
04.2000 - 05.2003Read More
Grant MacEwan College
Travel Consultant Program from Tourism And Travel Management
09.1999 - 06.2001Read More
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Business Administration from Business Administration
09.1997 - 06.1999Read More