Concerned about the lack of appointment stories of late? Don’t panic, it’s not the result of a job shortage crisis, we just had a bit of a lazy streak.

Check out who’s moving and who’s shaking their way around the industry right here:

Rocky Mountaineer appoints new sales managers

Rocky Mountaineer is pleased to announce the appointment of Millie Browne and Ryan O’Connell as Sales Managers, Asia Pacific, beginning June 5, 2017.

Newcastle-based Browne joins Rocky Mountaineer after spending two years as Sales Development Manager with Scenic Tours. Prior to joining Scenic she was employed as a reservations consultant with Flight Centre in the United Kingdom.

O’Connell is based in Sydney, having worked with Wendy Wu Tours since 2010 in a variety of roles. Mostly recently, he was the National Sales Manager where he managed a team of eight business development executives across Australia, and the company’s relationships with several key accounts.

“With Rocky Mountaineer remaining near the top of so many travelers must-do list, we are pleased to build out our team to meet the growing demand in Australia and New Zealand,” said Fiona Watson, Managing Director, Sales – Asia Pacific.

With the appointment of Browne and O’Connell, Rocky Mountaineer’s in-market sales manager team grows to six under Watson’s leadership. The team includes: Melbourne-based Greg McCallum, Regional Director, Sales – Australia and New Zealand, and Paula Phillips, Sales Manager, Asia Pacific; and Brisbane-based Helen Hersom, Sales Manager, Asia Pacific.

Minor Hotels appoints new Associate Sales Director for New Zealand

Minor Hotels has announced the appointment of Richard Dodds as Associate Director of Sales – New Zealand, effective immediately.

Dodds brings with him a wealth of international knowledge, with former residencies in London, Thailand and Australia, making for over ten years’ experience in the sales and marketing industry, while carving specialisations in the tourism, sport and hospitality sectors.

Prior to his appointment with Minor Hotels, Dodds held various successful tenures with leading corporates, including SKYCITY Entertainment Group, TFE Hotels (Australia), Copenhagen Convention Bureau (UK), Tourism Rotorua and Rendezvous Hospitality Group. This extensive experience has also seen him manage teams of up to seven direct reports and business up to $20 million.

With a strong entrepreneurial background and quality stakeholder management skills, Dodds’ role will now be the driving force behind Minor Hotels’ New Zealand sales department, ensuring continuous business growth specifically within this key market.

Based in Auckland, Dodds will manage a total of three properties – two in Queenstown and one in Auckland – overseeing the hotelier’s key New Zealand accounts and directing the company’s sales initiatives for the region, which is expected to expand as part of its continued growth strategy.

This appointment is reflective of Minor Hotels’ commitment to strengthening its strategic departments with highly experienced professionals to develop new initiatives and strategies, delivering on key performances as the company’s portfolio continues to grow.

Brisbane Airport seeking LEGO^®ist-in-Residence’

Seriously, a person looking to play with lego. We already tried to apply.

Brisbane Airport (BNE) is on the hunt to find the perfect candidate to fulfil the position of ‘LEGO®ist-in-Residence’.

Julieanne Alroe, Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) CEO and Managing Director, said the exciting position was being offered as part of Brisbane Airport’s hugely successful ‘Artist-in-Residence’ program.

“Brisbane Airport is the first airport in Australia to offer an Artist-in-Residence program that was launched in 2015 with renowned realist painter Robert Brownhall who created a series of works featuring passengers, aircraft and incredible landscape views.

“In 2016, The Queensland Symphony Orchestra treated passengers and visitors to six ‘pop-up’ performances at the International and Domestic Terminals.

“This time we thought we’d venture outside the box of traditional art and performance and into a space that most of us have dabbled in at some stage in our life, but with a view of taking it to new heights.

“From its humble beginnings LEGO® has truly transcended the realms of toy boxes across the world and is growing in popularity with creative artists producing mind-boggling installations from the colourful blocks.

“We saw real opportunity in engaging someone skilled in this art form to become Brisbane Airport’s next Artist-in-Residence and we’re excited about what a LEGO®ist will bring to the program.

“From life sized installations to interactive workshops, anything is a possibility,” Alroe said.

The Opportunity:

• The Artist-in-Residence will be contracted to BAC for a 12 month period (June 2017 to June 2018).
• This is not a full-time position but rather an opportunity to receive a payment for something you love to do. Hours required at the airport will be flexible.
• The LEGO®ist-in-Residence will need to be available for random LEGO® chats, planning sessions and corporate appearances. Brisbane or Queensland based is preferred.
• Interested applicants can visit http://www.bne.com.au/artist-residence
• Expressions of interest close 15 June 2017.

Brisbane Airport Hotels Group makes four key appointments to senior team

Alex Penklis

Jason Pratt

Michelle Hanson

Renee Brereton

The Brisbane Airport Hotels Group which encompasses the Novotel, Pullman and ibis Brisbane Airport and the Brisbane Airport Conference Centre, has made a number of key appointments ahead of the opening of its Pullman and ibis Brisbane Airport properties, slated for October 1 this year.

Leading the senior management team across all three hotels and conference centre will be Alex Penklis in the role of Chief Operating Officer. Equipped with over thirty-five years experience and regarded as one of the industry’s most seasoned professionals, the new role will see Penklis take the lead with the pre-opening teams for both hotels in addition to the adjoining conference and events centre.

Originally appointed as General Manager of the Novotel Brisbane Airport in 2009, Penklis’ business acumen combined with his high-energy approach has seen his role continue to evolve and progress over the preceding years. In his newly-created position, Penklis has played a role in all aspects of the new builds – including design, functionality, finance and construction.

Prior to this Alex achieved great success across a number of high profile roles. These included tenures with the Sofitel Wentworth Sydney, Sofitel Gold Coast, Voyages Hotels and Resorts, Mokusigas Resort Fiji, the Tanoa Hotel Group, Turtle Island and set up of the exclusive, 5 star Sanoviv Health Retreat Mexico.

Alex Penklis, Chief Operating Officer, Brisbane Airport Hotels Group said, “As a part of this exciting growth phase for the group, we’re proud to announce that two of the existing team will step into new roles – with Michelle Hanson as Sales & Marketing Director and Renee Brereton as Business Development Manager for the Novotel Brisbane Airport.”

Bringing well over a decade’s experience to the role, Michelle Hanson will assume the role of Sales & Marketing Director for the group. Having started her career at the Outrigger Mooloolaba, Michelle quickly progressed before relocating to Brisbane in 2007 to take up a position at the Novotel Brisbane.

In 2009, Hanson worked alongside Alex Penklis as part of the opening team for the Novotel Brisbane Airport before being promoted to Director of Sales effect May 2014. The most recent promotion to Director of Sales & Marketing with the Brisbane Airport Hotels Group is reflective of Hanson’s unwavering commitment and dedication to her now multi-discipline role as it extends to encompass two new properties.

Stepping in to the role of General Manager for the Novotel Brisbane Airport is the newly-appointed Jason Pratt. Bringing over two decades’ experience in the industry, Pratt’s background has seen him gain experience across all aspects of hotel management including sales and marketing right through to day-to-day operations.

As testament to the growth and development opportunities within the group, Renee Brereton has been promoted to the role of Business Development Manager at Novotel Brisbane Airport. Originally from Townsville, Brereton began her career at the Mercure Townsville while undertaking tertiary studies in business and tourism.

Subsequent roles have seen her garner experience as a GSA, duty manager and reservations agent before moving into business development at Novotel Brisbane Airport in 2015.