Wendy Speirs, marketing manager -ÊLos Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau
Education: four O’ levels, sales and management training, various computer qualifications, event management skills and, after attending the Los Angeles Travel Academy, a qualified LA expert.
First travel job: temporary assignment at Town and Country car rental for six months as a data input clerk, inputting rental agreements into their system.
Career path: within a year of joining Alamo Rent A Car in April 1988 as a reservation agent, Wendy was promoted to sales and marketing assistant, which began her relationship with tour operators in the UK. In 1992, she was made senior sales and marketing co-ordinator, responsible for the European and UK tour operators. After another promotion in 1995, to sales support manager, Wendy managed the team of co-ordinators responsible for the UK leisure and corporate marketplace. Wendy joined Visit Florida in 1996, promoting Florida to the travel trade with joint promotions, sponsorship and consumer shows. In April this year, she became marketing executive, to assist with the opening of LACVB’s UK office. In September, she was promoted to marketing manager, a role which involves co-ordinating special projects throughout the year, overseeing the Los Angeles Travel Academy, a five-day training in LA and working on day-to-day marketing opportunities.
Advice for people wishing to develop a career in travel: “Be flexible and willing to take on new challenges. Start with an area of the industry you enjoy and by developing your skills you will find an aspect of the travel industry you excel in. It is easy to be complacent, take the opportunities that are offered to you, this is a key way to achieve your personal goals.”
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