MEG BRANCATO
Haverhill,MA
Summary
Dynamic Travel Advisor with 20+ years of extensive hospitality, travel and tourism experience. Strong understanding of major travel suppliers, fine hotels and niche suppliers to coordinate and manage complex travel projects.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
TRAVEL ADVISOR
AAA Northeast & No. New England
09.2021 - Current
- Contact preferred suppliers for air, hotel and ground transportation to receive incentives, upgrades and other amenities for clients.
- Book transportation using booking engines, made hotel reservations and collected payments to optimize trip planning.
- Leveraged travel industry connections to fulfill client vacation desires for cruise, resort and tour packages.
- Forged robust marketing strategy by incorporating promotional techniques and materials to increase tour package sells from $487K in year one to $870K in second year and $277K in first quarter of third year.
- Resolved travel problems, processed complaints and issued refunds to maintain customer satisfaction.
- Provided customers with best deals and well-researched travel options, successfully negotiating rates while improving customer satisfaction ratings.
OWNER, EVENT MGR. & CONSULTANT
JMB Events
02.2002 - 09.2021
- Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts, and costs.
- Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
- Provide full planning services from budget management and timelines, facilitating meetings between clients & vendors and creating themes and décor
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Set a high standard for impeccable, courteous and efficient customer service and train all staff to do the same.
- Evaluated suppliers to maintain cost controls and improve operations.
- Conducted target market research to discover customer needs and analyze competitor trends.
CHANNEL MARKETING MGR.
Genesys Conferencing North America
05.2000 - 09.2002
- Maximized coverage within defined regions to penetrate organizations to utilize products.
- Created a direct marketing and event program which assisted in increasing wholesale revenues by over 20% in one year
- Coordinated sales activities with partners and resellers to identify and close new business.
- Worked on leads generated by sales team to set up additional meetings.
- Developed solid working knowledge of products to understand benefits to potential customers
- Conducted market research to identify new opportunities and target markets.
MARKETING & EVENT SPECIALIST
Sprint-Nextel
10.1997 - 05.2000
- Managed a project staff of 50+ for wireless sponsorship and corporate events relating to branding and name recognition.
- Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking, and event promotions.
- Assisted with negotiations for and managed special events and sponsorships including the Head of the Charles Regatta (3 yrs.), Boston Marathon (3 yrs.), Sail Boston and The Ryder Cup at The Country Club, Brookline, MA.
- Planned large-scale events such as trade shows, conferences and meetings.
- Developed planning strategies while creating and maintaining best practices for budgets, project plans, event timelines, and presentations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration & Management
SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY
01.1996
Skills
- Exceptional communication
- Excellent customer service
- Marketing & Event Coordination
- New Account Development
- Business development and planning
- Team Leadership
- Lead prospecting
- Sales Presentations
- Sales initiatives and techniques
- Relationship Management
- Sales Tracking
- Deal Closing
- Database Management
- Upselling and Cross Selling
- Vendor Relations
- Managing quotas
- Negotiation and Persuasion
- Customer Needs Assessment
- Travel Arrangements
- Client Relationship Building
- Company Branding
- Budget Management & Reporting
- Competitor Analysis
- Travel research
- Sales Management & Reporting
- Workflow Coordination
- Staff Management
- Hiring, Training & Mentoring
- Special needs travelers
- Profit and loss understanding
- Creativity and Innovation
- CRM / MRM
- Travelport
Awards & Achievements
- AAA Magic Maker
Disney Destination Specialist
- AAA Agent of Honor
Honeymoon & Wedding Specialist
- Association of Bridal Consultants
- Nextel Circle of Excellence
Regional & National Award Recipient
- Salem State University School of Business & Economics Achievement Award
- Disney University "Mouseteers Degree”
- Walt Disney World College Program
Timeline
TRAVEL ADVISOR
AAA Northeast & No. New England
09.2021 - Current
OWNER, EVENT MGR. & CONSULTANT
JMB Events
02.2002 - 09.2021
CHANNEL MARKETING MGR.
Genesys Conferencing North America
05.2000 - 09.2002
MARKETING & EVENT SPECIALIST
Sprint-Nextel
10.1997 - 05.2000
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration & Management
SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY