D A W N O ’F L A N N E R Y W A L Z A K , CH ME
S E NIOR E X ECU T IVE H O SPITA LI TY I N DUS TRY
Highly accomplished premiere hospitality executive with significant sales achievements in brand management,
relationship management, regional team management, business strategy, and sales leadership. Dynamic leader of sales
and marketing strategies designed to drive growth, increase revenue, decrease cost of sale, meet and exceed business
goals. Specializes in maximization of brand, revenue management, public relations exposure, inventory yield
management and electronic commerce. Best in class achievements in the digital, social, mobile and web arenas.
Demonstrated success in developing highly successful teams, providing visionary leadership, creating innovative
solutions to positively impact financial results for both short-term and long-term success. Metrics-driven with the agility,
flexibility and dedication to implement creative organizational change.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE





Brand Management
Business Strategy, Positioning
Strategic Planning
Sales Strategy Management
Sales Operations Management





Marketing, Advertising, PR
Brand & Product Innovation
Ecommerce & Distribution
Customer Insights & Loyalty
Multiple Markets, Teams





Team Leadership, Development
Digital, Social & Web Marketing
Annual Planning & Budgeting
New Market Development
Account Management
KEY SKILLS ASSESSMENT







ROI-driven leader in strategic planning, organization, developing and executing plans to ensure that all staff,
processes and systems are in place to support the business strategy and deliver results above expectations.
Demonstrated presentiment on new revenue sources and changes to competitive landscape.
Proven success driving growth in targeted markets through implementation of key projects and leading company
efforts in change management strategy resulting in year over year 20% growth in revenue.
Ability to quickly assess needs and launch plans for significant revenue increases in immediate and future growth.
Create and implement successful business plans leveraging all distribution channels/markets to execute on
strategies and increase profitability.
Enthusiastic motivator who inspires teams to think creatively in providing solutions and exceeding goals.
Proficient and knowledgeable in existing and next-gen technologies, online marketing trends and strategies.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
TISHMAN HOTEL CORPORATION, Lake Buena Vista, FL
1997 - Present
Senior Vice President
2005 – Present
Directly participate in the sales, marketing and revenue management of the hotel and resort portfolio of a multi-billion
dollar vertically integrated real estate owner, operator and development company
 Manage and build multiple brands across the United States and Puerto Rico including Westin, Sheraton,
InterContinental, Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard, Four Points, Radisson, Doubletree, Ramada, and
numerous Boutique/Independent properties.
 Serve as ownership representative/operator in pre-opening, opening, operating all marketing and revenue
channels with continuous market analysis throughout operation including Food & Beverage.
 Create and execute innovative marketing/business plans strategically designed to increase all revenue channels.
 Devleop, lead and motivate teams to successfully achieve objectives.
 Identify and target optimal business opportunities to enhance product value and increased market share.
 Analyze and assess market trends to strategically align goals.
 Implement innovative brand/product strategies to capture new markets, or reposition in existing markets.
 Lead teams in developing strategies to acquire customer insights and loyalty.
 Oversee sales operations, planning, financial management and account development.
 Direct the creation of sales tools, steer execution, analyze results while decreasing the cost of sale.
 Create and implement ROI online, mobile and social marketing strategies.
DAWN O’FLANNERY WALZAK, CHME, PAGE 2
Key Accomplishments:
 Built current award winning portfolio to more than $160 Million in annual revenue, over 500,000 occupied
room nights. Revenue gains YOY of over 25%. Numerous brand awards from both Starwood and Marriott.
 Ownership representative responsible for the pre-opening, opening, marketing of Three Flagship Shula’s
Steakhouse Restaurants in Chicago, Orlando & Times Square
 Oversaw implementation, engagement, results analysis and disengagement from both Marriott and Starwood’s
North America sales cluster initiatives in Chicago and New York.
 Oversaw sales and marketing for the successful openings/operations of the Westin NY at Times Square,
Renaissance Chicago O’Hare Suites Hotel, Chicago, IL & InterContinental New York Times Square, NYC, NY,
Westin Rio Mar Beach & Sheraton Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, Marriott Courtyard, Warsaw, Poland.
 Implemented a highly successful Area Sales Network Team of both Tele-Sales staff and in-market Group Sales
Managers to enhance sales efforts at Tishman owned and Starwood managed assets; the team was created to
augment the efforts of on property sellers and Global Sales Offices. Annual incremental sales revenue $3M.
 Assisted in the renovation, repositioning and re-flagging of the Four Points Sheraton Hotel LAX, which
completed its first year of operation at 97% occupancy vs. prior year 57% occupancy. Developed and launched
the World’s First Beer Sommelier.
TISHMAN HOTEL CORPORATION, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Vice President
Director
2001 - 2005
1997 – 2001
WESTIN MISSION HILLS RESORT, Rancho Mirage, CA
Director of National Accounts
1992 – 1997
HYATT HOTELS & RESORTS, Indian Wells, CA
Senior Sales Manager, Sales Manager
1988 - 1993
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
Masters Degree, Business & Hospitality Management, Magna Cum Laude
Bachelor of Science, Hospitality Management, Cum Laude
Florida International University, Chapman Graduate School of Business, Miami, FL
2004
1986
CHME Accredited – Certified Hospitality Marketing Executive, HSMAI
CHBA, In Progress, Certified Hospitality Business Acumen, HSMAI
1998
2013
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
FIU Hospitality Real Estate & Financial Management Task Force, Board Member
Florida International University, Industry Advisory Board Member
Hotel Business Journal, Editorial Board Member & Contributing Writer
Westin Owners Advisory Council, Board Member
Association Sheraton Franchise Owners of North America. Board Member
Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association Intl., Past National & International President
2012 - Present
2006 - Present
2005 - Present
2004 - 2011
1999 - 2001
1996 - 1997
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
HSMAI's Hotel Management Company Sales & Marketing Roundtable
(HSMAI) Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International
HSMAI’S Chief Sales Officer Roundtable
(HSMAI) Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International
One of the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing
(HSMAI) Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International
One of the Top 40 Industry Executives Under 40, Travel Weekly
April 2013
September 2012
January 2005
March 2003