BRIAN STROUYS

• Drove revenues to all areas of hotel including rooms, food and beverage and spa.
• Supervised sales and marketing team of 4 consisting performing group and leisure sales, catering, wedding coordination, administrative support, marketing, and sales systems analysis, public relations agency and social media management agency.
• Liaised with VP of Marketing on marketing strategies for the resort and developed marketing plan and budget.
• Developed new supplemental markets - UK and Germany.
• Repositioned the resort with focus on market perception, penetration and RevPAR index growth.
• Developed strategies to target local corporate and association meetings, and leisure groups for incremental revenues.
• Refocused sales team to capture more local groups and events to supplement business in off-peak times.
• Established sound relationships with major tour operators of UK, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Accomplishments:

• Five times in 2023, achieved 1/5 ranking in STR; YTD, achieved 2/5 ranking in STR 2023.
• 2023 room revenue budget has been surpassed by 3.2M AED.
• 3M AED worth contract negotiated and signed to secure a Czech club for 2023/2024.
• German market growth: 3M AED 2023 vs 1.2M AED in 2022.
• UK market growth: 1.2M AED in 2023 vs 550K AED in 2022.
• Groups & Events segment growth: 1.6M AED in 2023 vs 1M AED in 2022, and 1M AED in 2022 vs 270K AED in 2021.
• Increased market share by 8% points to achieve 102.8 RGI index in 2022.

• Spearheaded and motivated a team of 11, which included 3 Assistant Director of Sales.
• Curated a culture that exhibits success, a passion of excellence and enthusiasm for the hotel/brand.
• Developed and implemented sales plans that supported increased revenue, occupancy, average rates, food & beverage sales, and banquet sales.
• Reviewed day-to-day reports, weekly reports, monthly reports and sales forecasts to analyze current and potential market and sales trends.
• Fine-tuned the departmental budget and financial projections, as well as the hotel marketing strategy.
• Interacted with guests to get feedback on the quality of the product and the level of service and build connection.
• Collaborated with GSOs on appropriate business cases for global RFP submissions, ensuring that property requirements are met and sales operations are complementary rather than duplicative.
• Conducted team performance appraisals, according to Kempinski SOP’s.
• Developed and managed relationships with key stakeholders, both internal & external.
• Reviewed advertising, print and other media.
• Directed the sales team's day-to-day activities, including planning, organizing, and assigning work, as well as developing and communicating objectives and goals.

Accomplishments:

• Maintained profitable occupancy during border closures and strict government regulations by identifying and targeting a new domestic market and focusing on growing new corporate accounts.
• Achieved forecasted revenue for Q1 2021 during the COVID pandemic with a tactile blanket offer targeting local industries such as education, energy and banking.
• Attained the highest occupancy of 83% in Feb 2021 for the Kempinski Residences since opening in 2018 and a GOP of 26% by introducing short term lease strategy.
• Introduced a voucher program to generate cash flow resulting in $260K in 10 days to contribute towards operating fixed costs - March 2021.

• Managed all the GCC, Lebanon, Jordan and government sales.
• Attended sales missions within the GCC, trades shows, networking functions, industry events, weekend and after hours functions.
• Sourced new business opportunities through daily sales visits in the UAE and maintained a high level of exposure.
• Organized key events and product knowledge training to boost sales and expand Anantara's brand awareness in the GCC, Lebanon, and Jordan.
• Developed and implemented strategic plans and forecasts to achieve budgets.
• Connected with the media/magazine on a regular basis to keep the two resorts brand identity fresh.
• Planned promotion activities with key partners and brochure contribution.
• Developed and managed strategic partnerships with luxury tour operators, luxury destination wedding planners, lifestyle agencies, major media and publication companies, airlines, and MICE planners.
• Sourced familiarisation groups, key influencers, destination wedding planners to visit the properties and experience the service culture first hand to generate word of mouth and create brand ambassadors.

Accomplishments:

• Achieved room night and revenue goals for both properties 2017-2019.
• Increased revenue on average by 10% each year for both properties 2017-2019.
• Exceeded first year business mix goal by 7%, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort.
• Exceeded second year business mix goal by 8%, Anantara Kalutara Resort.
• Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, in its first year of business 2017, negotiated and closed a $350K Indian destination wedding buyout.
• Anantara Kalutara Resort, in its second year of business 2018, negotiated and finalized a $205K corporate annual retreat buyout.

• Met with clients, delivering presentations and educating on product and service features and offerings.
• Coached and counseled sales personnel, assisting with individual selling efforts and helping sales representatives reach targets.
• Closed lucrative sales deals using strong negotiation and persuasion skills.
• Evaluated performance against goals and implemented appropriate development plans.

Accomplishments:

• Exceeded revenue goal for the residences by 25%.
• Achieved room night and revenue goals for the resort and residences 2015.
• Increased the corporate business mix from 1% to 2%, with the leisure segment accounting for the majority of the business mix.

• Reached out to potential clients via telephone, email and in-person inquiries.
• Negotiated and closed long-term agreements with new clients in assigned territory.
• Negotiated, prepared and signed contracts with clients.
• Generated new business with marketing initiatives and strategic plans.

Accomplishments:

• Achieved room night and revenue goals for the hotel and residences 2014.
• Exceeded revenue goal for the residences by 15%.
• Increased corporate business mix of the hotel by 10%.
• Increased the number of producing corporate RFPs 10-22, growth 120%.
• Exceeded revenue goal for the groups segment by 12%.

• Connected with prospects through trade shows, cold calling and local-area networking.
• Consistently serviced accounts to maintain active contacts and continuously promote profitable offerings.
• Established and cultivated solid business relationships with new or existing clients.
• Met with clients, delivering presentations and educating on product and service features and offerings.
• Evaluated performance against goals and implemented appropriate development plans.
• Coached and counseled sales personnel, assisting with individual selling efforts and helping sales representatives reach targets.

Accomplishments:

• Four promotions.
• Achieved room night and revenue goals for both properties 2010-2013.
• Successfully managed two Air shows in 2009 and 2011 dealing with major industry leaders.
• Successfully increased revenue on average by 10% each year for both properties 2011-2013.
• Achieved the highest number of converted groups in two consecutive years, 67 in 2011 & 72 in 2012.

Positions Held:

• Senior Sales Manager | Sep 2012 - Sep 2013, 1 yr 1 mo
• Sales Manager | Jan 2011 - Aug 2012, 1 yr 8 mo
• Sales Executive | Jan 2010 - Dec 2010, 1 yr
• Group & Conference Executive | Jun 2008 - Dec 2009, 1 yr 7 mos
• Reservations Supervisor | Jan 2007 - May 2008, 1 yr 5 mos