ANNETTE RAND
Doubletree By Hilton Biloxi
Gulfport,MS
31
years of professional experience
Sales Manager building tourism demand for the Mississippi Gulf Coast across wholesale, international, and meetings markets. Identifies high-potential organizations, coordinates familiarization trips, and develops itineraries with attractions and venues that support group business. Sustains client relationships through trade shows, sales missions, and 50+ monthly sales calls that keep the destination visible to new and repeat accounts.
Work History
Director of Sales
9 Years 9 Months- Develop destination sales plans that align hotel offerings with market demand and client needs.
- Build account development strategies to grow repeat business and strengthen long-term customer relationships.
- Negotiate group agreements and pricing terms that support hotel revenue goals and booking commitments.
- Qualify leads, prioritize opportunities, and route high-potential prospects into the sales pipeline.
Sales Manager, Wholesale and International and Mississippi Meetings
13 Years 9 Months- Manage 15 active tourism accounts weekly through consistent follow-up and destination promotion.
- Identify international tour operators and Mississippi associations with travel, meetings, and convention potential.
- Coordinate familiarization trips with local attractions and venues, building itineraries that showcase the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
- Represent the destination at annual trade shows and sales missions to develop packages for target markets.
- Maintain close client relationships through regular phone, email, and face-to-face outreach.
- Use Salesforce CRM to track pipeline activity, support proposal development, and advance contract negotiation.
Director of Sales and Marketing
7 Years- Exceeded ADR, budget goals, and quotas while managing hotel sales performance against monthly and annual targets.
- Developed golf packages with Canadian and national golf companies, local courses, and area tourism partners.
- Maintained sales databases across multiple systems, strengthening record accuracy and customer tracking with Salesforce CRM.
- Represented the property at trade shows, conferences, and sales missions to build visibility and qualified demand.
- Created sales blitzes, collateral, advertising, and promotional materials to support itinerary planning and proposal development.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Skills
Destination sales
Account development
Market identification
Partnership building
Trade show representation
Salesforce CRM
Pipeline forecasting
Contract negotiation
Lead qualification
Proposal development
Tourism promotion
Itinerary planning
Convention sales
Client follow-up
Familiarization trip coordination
Timeline
Director of Sales
Doubletree By Hilton Biloxi
12.2016 - CurrentRead More
Sales Manager, Wholesale and International and Mississippi Meetings
Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast
03.2003 - 12.2016Read More
Director of Sales and Marketing
Days Inn Biloxi
01.1996 - 01.2003Read More
University of Mississippi
Bachelor of Science from Social Work
Read More