Flavour of the Week
Next to these Travel Industry champs, we feel like complete sloths. Although that’s not saying we have anything against sloths.
Mike Barton Appointed Director of Edgewater
The shareholders of Edgewater Resort Hotel Ltd have appointed a new Director to the Board.
Former General Manager, Mike Barton was appointed to the role, effective from 30 June 2018. Mike is the only Director living in Wanaka and so is on hand to support the current management as they progress through significant developments at the property over the coming years.
Mike’s appointment is for an initial three-year term, after which time Directors can make themselves available for re-election.
Mike brings governance experiences from a number of board roles in both the private and not-for-profit sectors. He is presently Deputy Chair of Lake Wanaka Tourism. Mike has been a member of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand and Governance New Zealand for almost 30 years.
Prior to holding the role of General Manager Mike was Financial Controller so his total tenure in management at Edgewater was 15 years. Consequently, he has an intimate knowledge of the property and its operations. He guided the hotel through a major refurbishment programme and led the management team during a period of record business growth.
“The combination of Mike’s management roles, governance experience and intimate knowledge of Edgewater made him the obvious choice as Director,” says Chairman David Robinson.
According to Mike he sees a very bright future for Edgewater. “Edgewater is now in its 33rd year of operation and it has become a Wanaka icon which I remain very passionate about. The future developments will help catapult the hotel into yet another positive phase of its evolution”.
La Réserve hotels and Myconian Hotel Collection appoints Léa Seguier as Sales Ambassador to Asia Pacific
Léa Seguier has been appointed as the Sales Ambassador to the Asia Pacific for the exclusive La Réserve hotels and Myconian Hotel Collection. She will be responsible for representing all facets of the brands and be based in Sydney.
Hailing from France, Léa graduated in International Hospitality Management from Surrey University, UK. She began her career with an internship at the Belmond’s Hotel de la Cité in Carcassonne (formerly Orient Express) but graduated quickly to receptionist and finally Sales Manager.
In 2009, Léa came to Australia and worked at the Observatory Hotel as Sales Manager. After it was sold by Belmond, she secured a position as Business Development Manager at the Shangri La in Sydney. She has progressed quickly from there to Regional Sales at the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, in Cap d’Antibes, (Oetker Collection) and then to Communications & Sales Director at one of the most exclusive palaces in Paris, La Réserve hotel (Palace ranked #1 in the World by Conde Nast).
After three years in Paris and extensive travel around the globe, Léa was offered the opportunity to represent the La Réserve group in the Asia Pacific and has thus begun a new chapter, starting her own business, to act as an ambassador of luxury brands: www.leaseguier.com Lea believes that Australian clientele represent a huge potential for the luxury sector. In addition, Léa is also an Associate to Anthony Knox & Associates whom she has known since the beginning of her career.
Léa said, “My goal is to remain within the luxury segment and represent only what I truly appreciate, most importantly, I wish to be the ambassador of properties whose owners and CEOs I know personally. Thus I can be a genuine link for the trade here in Australia and offer personalized assistance to our partners. I see myself as a true extension of the properties’ sales team and I share the visions of each hotel in my portfolio.”
The portfolio Léa is representing includes La Réserve Paris, La Réserve Appartements Paris, La Réserve Genèva, La Réserve Ramatuelle (St Tropez) and the owner’s private Domain La Chatreuse de Cos in Bordeaux (Wine estate Cos d’Estournel) .
Her portfolio also extends to nine hotels in Mykonos, all-family-run luxury establishments, in the Myconian Hotel Collection. These are perfect for Australians travelling to Greece, especially with the direct service to Mykonos launched by Qatar Airways.
Her ambassadorship extends to a wonderful following on social media and can be seen via her Instagram account: @leaseguier
Paul Davison announced as General Manager of SMC Conference and Event Centre
SMC Conference and Event Centre – one of Australia’s premier events venues – is delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Davison as General Manager. Paul commenced in the role in July 2018.
Paul brings a wealth of industry experience forged over 25 years in venue management, festival and event management, and customer experience across the business events, arts, culture and community sectors.
His expertise includes technical and production, business development and is coupled with a financial acumen that is equally matched by a drive for creativity and innovation.
SMC Director and Company Secretary, Stephen Green made the announcement, commenting, “Paul’s appointment coincides with our plans for capital works that will further enhance the facilities on offer to our valued clients. We are confident that his vast knowledge and experience in the hospitality arena, coupled with his keen business acumen will provide an innovative energy that will ensure the growth of SMC into the future,” he said.
Paul has been honoured by the MEA as Outstanding Operations Person and inducted into their Hall of Fame for the Best In-House Audio-Visual Team for the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre 2010, 2011 and 2012. He also won Best Event Design and Production at the ISES Esprit Awards 2012. These accolades underpin Paul’s determination to deliver outstanding events of any scale at SMC.
Reflecting on his appointment, Paul said “The team at SMC are renowned for their outstanding customer service and I am looking forward to working closely with them to deliver exceptional experiences for our clients. The refurbishment plans for the Centre are truly world-class so it is a very exciting time to be joining this establishment”.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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