Hi, I’m
Michelle Hargrove
Kingwood,TX
Summary
Corporate Travel Consultant with laser-like focus on marketing and providing customer satisfaction. Exceptional scheduler with expertise in time management. Career success in travel and hospitality for private, global and corporate customers. Offering more than 20 years of industry experience. Terrific communicator with base of wealthy, loyal clientele. Consistently delivers best client experiences resulting in repeat business and market expansion.
Overview
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Wells Luxury GroupNew York, Los Angeles, Atlanta
Luxury Travel Consultant
01.2014 - Current
Job overview
- Executed site visits and negotiated hotel contracts in both international and domestic destinations for group, corporate, and entertainment clients
- Managed multiple relationships with VIP clients and vendors
- Confirmed all travel and itinerary components with all suppliers (air, hotel, car, DMC, and tours)
- Researched and provided destination, culinary and activity recommendations for global locations
- Liaised with hotels/resorts prior to clients travel to secure preferences, confirm special requests and amenities
- Liaised with hotel concierges to secure dining, spa, local activities, and ground transportation reservations
- Maintained knowledge of current trends in the travel industry to ensure clients received current information on destinations
- Responsive to client's needs, last minute changes and provided the very best travel experience for each client.
Restoration Inc.
Executive Event Producer
01.2007 - Current
Job overview
- Provided leadership, vision, and direction to event teams for annual conferences in multiple markets
- Oversaw and managed $500k annual budget
- Initiated effective data migration strategy to centralize sponsor base, cultivate sponsor relationships, and manage sponsorships
- Secured partnerships with Leading Luxury Hotels of the World hotels and resorts
- Managed relationships with clients, press, stakeholders, and vendors
- Negotiated group air travel, group resort booking and ground transportation contracts
- Developed and executed detailed marketing plan with positive ROI
- Oversaw organizations marketing, social media, and promotion campaigns ensuring including and diversity
- Curated customized luxury retreat packages for event attendees including dining, spas, and excursions
- Managed post-event summation to determine successes, ROI, future enhancements, and follow-up communications
- Built and maintained relationships with global luxury hotel and resort brands.
- Enhanced event attendee experience by meticulously coordinating logistics and managing event schedules.
- Achieved seamless event execution through effective communication with vendors, caterers, and staff members.
- Strengthened client relationships by consistently delivering high-quality events that exceeded expectations.
- Elevated brand awareness through the strategic planning of unique, engaging events tailored to specific target audiences.
- Streamlined event operations by developing comprehensive project timelines, checklists, and budget guidelines for team members to follow.
LVMH - Louis Vuitton Division
Director of VIP Client Sales | Marketing and VIP Event Coordinator
01.2006 - 01.2008
Job overview
- Implemented sales and marketing plan for VIP Clients within the entertainment and corporate industries
- Generated sales of over $250,000 within the first 60 days
- Expanded VIP Client base and created special and private in-store events, generating record-breaking sales
- Prepared correspondence and increased client engagement which increased sales by over $700,000 within the first 6 months.
- Organized successful product launches that generated buzz in the market and attracted new customers.
- Led pre-event planning meetings to ensure clear communication among team members, resulting in smooth operations on event day.
- Managed event logistics and operations.
Education
North Carolina Central UniversityDurham, NC
Bachelor's in Marketing
Long Island University (LIU), C.W. Post CampusGreenvale, NY
Bachelor of Science Degree, Medical Administration
Skills
- Destination Consulting
- Private Plane/Yacht Charters
- Corporate Events and Conferences
- Group Travel
- Customized Global Trip Planning
- Luxury bespoke Travel Consulting
- Sabre GDS
- MS Office Suite
- Budgeting
- Leadership
- Integrity and Confidentiality
- Result Orientation
- Business Awareness
- Customer Orientation
- Analysis/Problem Solving
- Teamwork
- Self-Management
- Self-Awareness
- Networking
- Responsible Decision Making
- Contract Negotiation
- Executive Travel
- Travel industry expertise
- Networking abilities
- Team collaboration
- Attention to detail
- GDS knowledge
- Strong communication skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Advanced itinerary planning
- Event coordination
- Travel documentation knowledge
- Client Relations
- Event Planning
- Travel Destination Advice
Websites
Accomplishments
- MARCH OF DIMES - Ambassador Mom / Keynote Speaker for March of Dimes Women's Leadership Conference
- FORBES MAGAZINE | BOSS NETWORK - New York Influencer Award Recipient 2010
- PARENTS OF PREEMIES, INC. - Board of Directors
- Certified Marriott Hotel Sales Specialist and Travel Advisor.
- Event Producer at MegaFest 2005-2007 in Atlanta, GA; and 2008 in South Africa, one of the largest conferences in the world hosting over 150,000 attendees
- East Coast Marketing Director for Woman Thou Art Loosed the Movie.
- Founded VC Legacy, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing a catalog of services to mothers with children who have medically compromised needs.
- Served as Customer Service Lead Agent for Continental Airlines at Newark Liberty International Airport for 18 months due to World Trade Center attack.
- Increased Turks and Caicos Tourism Board new account group travel by 20% in 12 months.
Timeline
Luxury Travel Consultant
Wells Luxury Group
01.2014 - Current
Executive Event Producer
Restoration Inc.
01.2007 - Current
Director of VIP Client Sales | Marketing and VIP Event Coordinator
LVMH - Louis Vuitton Division
01.2006 - 01.2008
North Carolina Central University
Bachelor's in Marketing
Long Island University (LIU), C.W. Post Campus
Bachelor of Science Degree, Medical Administration