Stephen Williams
Sales and Marketing Director
Stephen is the Chair of HSMAI Europe Irish National Advisory Board and also a member of HSMAI Europe Digital Marketing Advisory Board
Q:æWhat does a day at work consist of for you?
A:æEach day is different we are involved in either the ownership or management of almost 15 properties in Ireland and Europe. A typical day would involve reviewing each hotels performance from the previous day analysing rates with the revenue management teams optimising websites and booking engines meeting with sales teams and ensuring that all our hotels are performing plus PR Branding Social Media analysis of hotel reviews CRM systems GDS E-mail marketing advertising trade fairs meeting with suppliers and partners. æThe role involves some travel and this can either involve face to face meetings with our hotels or participation at foreign trade events. We also try to be innovative in our approach to our Digital Marketing strategy and typically we implement 2-3 new marketing distribution on-line advertising or revenue management technologies each month.
Q:æWhat’s the best part of your job?
A: The best part of my job is working with the teams within the hotels and the very experience team within Windward Management. There is tremendous energy throughout the Group and we have the freedom to innovate come up with new ideas and implement new marketing and sales tactics. My role is continually evolving and it is definitely not boring!
Q:æDo you have anyone you’ve looked up to?
A:ææI couldn’t choose one individual throughout my career I have been lucky enough to have worked with some of the most experienced business leaders and hotel operators within Ireland working with these individuals was an excellent opportunity to learn and I am very grateful for their support and guidance.
Q:æHow long have you been a member of HSMAI?
A:æ13 years.
Q:æWhat do you think is the best thing about HSMAI?
A:æHSMAI is a wonderful organisation which allows people within the industry to learn and network. I spent two years in New York and was welcomed into the HSMAI New York Chapter and served on their Educational Board. As the HSMAI Europe Irish National Advisory Board are all working at the coal face of the industry we would hope that we are in a position to offer our members practical and relevant industry training combined with mentoring for newer entrants to our industry.
Q:æAre there any activities or projects you think HSMAI should start up?
A:æWe have a lot of activities planned for the coming months concentrating on Revenue Management and Digital Marketing however being a member of HSMAI should also be fun and we would hope to revive our HSMAI Awards night in 2016.
Q:æDescribe your perfect weekend.
A:æTime with wife daughter family and friends going out or cooking dinner nice bottle of wine.
Q:æIf you were trapped on a desert island what would you take with you if you could choose only one thing?
A:æOther than a boat or my wife and daughter I would have to say my phone.
Q:æWhat is the title of the book about your life?
A:æProbably “Gadgetman” (see the last question)
Q:æWhat is your next travel-destination?
A:æUnited States next week for work and Gran Canaria for family vacation.
Q:æDo you have any special hobbies?
A:æGadgets technology and travel. I’m also not a bad cook and I haven’t poisoned anyone yet!
Photo:æStephen Williams Sales and Marketing Director at Windward Management
