HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/15/2004 - STAFF REPORTS (18) MEMORANDUM
TO: David Ready
Palm Springs City Manager
FROM: John Adams
Regional General Manager/ SMG
DATE: September 15, 2004
RE: Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism
SMG is very pleased to present Mr. Mark Bellinger for your approval as the new
Executive Director of the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism. Mr. Bellinger was
selected by a unanimous vote of a nine-member interview committee,
comprised of community stakeholders.
We are confident that Mr. Bellinger's industry experience and tourism
background will be of great benefit to the City of Palm Springs and the
hospitality community.
We expect to have Mr. Bellinger in place the week of October 18, 2004.
Resume attached
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„ 08/24/2004 15:46 3032238102 JOHN ADAMS PAGE 02
Mark J. Bellinger
Mammoth Lakes, CA
California's Premier Mountain Resort
Work:760-934-2712,ext.259
Work E-mail:mbg in er@visitmar0 oth com
Mailing Address: 190E.Pebble Lane,Friendswood,TX 77546
OBJECTIVE: Seeking an executive-level position in a location of family choice to
utilize talents and experience in city/statelprivate sectors, tourism,
economic development, city parks&recreation.,state parks, facility
operations, hotel management, convention&visitor bureaus, chamber of
conunerce, employee relations, sales and marketing, advertising, media,
business development,food&beverage, convention centers, meeting
planning&travel, contract negotiations/facilitation, administration,
communications,public relations,print publication, trade&travel
shows, festivals& events,private and public sector budgets/finance,
grant writing, strategic planning,technology, e-commerce, government
cable channel, public arts, and human resources.
QUAT,IFICATIONS: Twenty-four years of progressive management experience. Earned
superior ratings on all performance reviews. Received industry, local,
and state awards.Excellent executive-level and staff references.
Professional and political etiquette. An individual who enjoys exceeding
the expectations of employees, employers, and the public.
EDUCATION: B.S.,Business Administration, 1982,University of New Hampshire,
Durham,NH, LC1 Certification for hotel Management, 1983.
Continuing education in tourism, city,and financial management.
EXPERIENCE/ACCOMPLISFIMENTS:
DIRECTOR,Visitors Bureau, Tourism,Parks &Recreation,
Chamber of Commerce and Community Services.Marrunotb Lakes,
California's Premier Mountain Resort. 8/01 to present.Permanent residence in
Houston,Texas(Family remained in Texas,)
Accepted the assignment to restructure the Visitors Bureau,Tourism, and
Parks&Recreation dcpartments.Responsible for a yearly budget of$3.2
million dollars and 24 full-time employees. Emphasis in tourism was to
create a new sales department and enhance marketing,e-commerce,and
advertising programs that will promote the town, increase tourism,during
the shoulder and off-seasons of the year,help coordinate promotional
efforts of Mammoth Lakes and Mono County, develop,market and
manage annual special events/festivals and to aggressively solicit
national and international overnight group business, thereby enhancing
and developing the economic fabric of the community and county.
Lodging occupancy percentages and sales tax receipts have increased
each and every month since 9111,compared to previous monthly
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JOHN ADAMS PAGE 03
averages. Increased self-sufficiency of Parks&Recreation programs.
Merged Tourism&Recreation departments. Partnered land exchanges
between the Town and the United States Forest Service. Updated the
park master plan and a recreation needs assessment.Acquired land from
the College Board to build a $33 million dollar recreation and
community center.Coordinating marketing efforts of the restaurant,
retail, and hotel associations. Current ex-offieio member of the Chamber
of Commerce.Developed Chamber's business programs and helped to
increase their memberships and budget,Developed a Public Art
Ordinance& Commission.Manage the government&community cable
channel.Received state and federal grants to build a new visitors center
and department office building on donated USFS land_Committee
member working with stakeholders and the FAA to expand the
Mammoth Lakes/Yosemite Airport in order to receive future commercial
air service.Work closely with the Economic Development and Public
Works departments. Served on the General Plan committee.Participated
in staff union contract negotiations.Extremely political position
requiring constant communication and meetings with the hospitality
industry and town officials. Mammoth offers over 4,650 rooms, and
receives over 3.4 million visitors per year. The Town is 100% dependent
on tourism.Received the 2003 California state tourism award of
excellence for Best Publication and Marketing. Extremely affluent
residents and guests.Average household income of visiting guests is
$119,275.00. Located adjacent to Yosemite National Park,the ,Ansel
Adams and John Muir Wildernesses,the area is absolutely beautiful and
pristine offering year round world-class amenities and outdoor
recreational activities. I have reported to three different Town Managers
during my tenure. Extremely high cost of living in California and the
geographic location prevents a permanent move.
DIRECTOR, Convention & Visitors Bureau, GalvUka Island Texas.
4100 to 8/O1
Oversaw the development,implementation,and administration of all
Bureau programs that promote interest in tourism, transient sales,
convention sales,group tour and incentive sales, special events,
advertising, destination marketing,nature tourism,public relations,
finance, film and other,tourism activities for Galveston Island.
Responsible for a staff of nineteen,including convention center sales and
operations. $2.1 million dollar budget.Overall island occupancy
percentage increased 55% from 1999 to 2000. helped to increase the
occupancy for the five major island hotels a combined average of 11.4%
in 2000, compared to 1999,Introduced Galveston Island to national
markets. Managed daily operations of the Galveston Island's convention
center at Moody Gardens.Part of a team that spearheaded the successful
cormttittee and city vote that approved to build a new convention center
on the Gulf of Mexico.Received honors for a new advertising/public
relations campaign. Implemented a sales incentive program. Exceeded all
quarterly goals established by the Park Board of Trustees. Special Events
department awarded top 100 International Festivals for 2000.Received
the 2000, "Best City”in Texas Award from the Texas Travel Industry
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JOHH ADAMS PAGE 04
Association. Sought out by Town of Mammoth Lakes and recruiter for
the California position,
DIRECTOR,Meetings&Travel,Special Events.MGKessan/HBOC
Corporation,General Medical Corporate Office,Richmond,VA.A Fortune 25
company with headquarters in San Francisco.9/94 to 7/99 in Richmond, then
7/99 to 4/00 as consultant in west coast office.9194 to 4/00,(Position moved to
San Fran.Also worked with AIMR and World Travel Partners.)
Responsible for directing,developing and coordinating 27 meetings per
year, 16 major trade shows,the annual national sales meeting with over
2,400in attendance, executive Chemed events/receptions,board retreats,
national incentive programs, corporate sponsorships, and managing the
company's travel program;air,hotel, car rental contracts and policies.
Introduced Internet travel bookings and 13-eommeree.Managed the
following yearly budgets:meetings budget of 7.1 million, air volume of
5,7 million, and 2.1 million in ad specialties.Twice recipient of the
Employee of the Month award."Worked with senior vice presidents and
CEO on a weekly basis.Utilized four and five diamond upscale hotels
and resort properties throughout the United States and Europe.
BUSINESS MANAGER.ykgWja&fate Parks.State Capital Office,
Richmond,VA, 9/99 to 8/94.
Responsible for concession and visitor operations in 21 state parks, i.e., 3
conference and banquet facilities, 9 restaurants, A snack bars, 16 gift
shops, 6 swimming pools,9 beach swimming lakes, marinas,boat
rentals,horseback riding facilities, lake cruise vessel, etc. 'Worked with
the private sector to solicit successful companies to conduct business
within state parks.Planned new initiatives and increased sales 47%.
Developed advertising and marketing campaigns, Developed all
contractual and procurement documents.Implemented P&L statements
that thatched the state system of accounting.Responsible for the design
of all new F&B, gift shop, and recreational facilities. Prepared annual
reviews of all park fees and proposed recommendations to the general
assembly. Researched new revenue resources.Responsible for training
all park personnel in the areas of guest services and hospitality.Worked
with State Senators and General Assembly representatives.
HOTEL E}LpERI.ENCE(Company an
FOOD&BEVERAGE DIRECTOR.Williamsburg,VA.
.MANAGER,ACACIA RESTAURANT,Atlanta,GA,
MANAGER,WHIRLIGIG'S NIGHTCLUB,Indianapolis, IN.
MANAGER,MARQUEE LOUNGE&NIGHTCLUB. Washington,DC,
RESTAURANT OUTLET MANAGER.Atlanta,GA.
EVENING HOTEL SUPERVISOR.Boston,MA,
Also worked with Jamestown/I'orktown Foundation,AaJR
and World Travel Partners.
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MINUTE ORDER NO.
RATIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF MARK BELLINGER AS
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PALM SPRINGS
BUREAU OF TOURISM
---------------
I HEREBY CERTIFY that this Minute Order, ratifying the appointment of Mark Bellinger as the
Executive Director of the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism was adopted by the City Council of
the City of Palm Springs, California, in a meeting thereof held on thel5th day of September,
2004.
PATRICIA A. SANDERS
City Clerk