Sarah Newton

Senior Travel Designer at Discover Holidays
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Contact Information
us****@****om
(386) 825-5501
Location
Canada, CA

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5.0

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Eva von Wagner

Sarah was a gem to work with - she is a master in trouble shooting, knows the quirkiest facts you can imagine about local places and a go to resource for anything I can think of in Canada and beyond. I have seen her talk clients down from raging tigers to tame kittens and her deeply caring personality makes sure that everyone is feeling truly taken care of. I always felt comfortable and happy to leave clients in her care! Her creative outlook and can- do attitude will make her a wonderful addition to any team!

Louise Weiss

I hired Sarah several years ago and was extremely impressed with her career and knowledge in the tourism industry. Sarah is a delight to work with and I enjoyed managing her for several years (I am now in a different department). Sarah is very professional and knowledgeable, and works amazingly with her customers. She will always figure out what is best for the customer and do so in a gentle caring manner. Her knowledge of the industry is also a huge asset as she is able to put forth ideas to the company in all different departments (from product to sales to marketing). She also participates in the company social event planning and comes up with some great unique ideas and knows how to implement them.

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Credentials

  • Assisting Travelers with Special Needs Certification
    International Air Transport Association (IATA)
    May, 2019
    - Oct, 2024
  • Liscenced Travel Insurance Sales Agent
    Insurance Council of BC
    Oct, 2014
    - Oct, 2024
  • The Disney Approach to Quality Service Certification
    The Walt Disney Company
    Jan, 2000
    - Oct, 2024
  • SuperHost
    go2HR - the resource for people in tourism
    Jan, 1995
    - Oct, 2024

Experience

  • Discover Holidays
    • Canada
    • Travel Arrangements
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Senior Travel Designer
      • Jul 2021 - Present

      Senior sales and service account representative for high-volume international travel wholesale agencies promoting Canada and Alaska. Responsibilities include: new hire onboarding and training, VIP account management, and creation and coordination of bespoke luxury travel itineraries.

    • Travel Designer
      • Dec 2020 - Jul 2021

      Sales and service representative responsible for itinerary development and operational logistics for international travel wholesalers specializing in Canada and Alaska. Duties include creation of custom itineraries, initiation and coordination of reservation requests and confirmations, ongoing vendor and customer communications, in-travel client support and crisis management.

  • Fresh Tracks Canada
    • Canada
    • Travel Arrangements
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Senior Vacation Coordinator: Customer Service & Guest Experience
      • May 2014 - Aug 2020

      Senior customer service representative responsible for management of FIT and group travel throughout Canada and Alaska, including direct client interaction, documentation creation, supplier communication, troubleshooting and crisis management. Responsibilities also included creation and implementation of cross-departmental training, and content creation for marketing newsletters, webinars and multiple social media platforms. Senior customer service representative responsible for management of FIT and group travel throughout Canada and Alaska, including direct client interaction, documentation creation, supplier communication, troubleshooting and crisis management. Responsibilities also included creation and implementation of cross-departmental training, and content creation for marketing newsletters, webinars and multiple social media platforms.

  • PDS
    • Canada
    • Events Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Program Manager: Creative & Planning Specialist
      • Aug 2012 - Nov 2013

      Operational lead responsible for planning, management and on-site execution of luxury corporate and incentive travel programs throughout Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria, British Columbia. Managed onsite operations, including vendor and staff management and scheduling, program budgeting and related accounting. Conceived, researched and prepared custom proposals in response to client RFPs including conceptual print and electronic media documents. Recipient of the 2012 BCSE Best Corporate Team Building Award in British Columbia. Show less

  • Outback Team Building & Training
    • Events Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Event Manager: Custom & Creative
      • May 2006 - Jul 2012

      Senior manager responsible for creation, direction and execution of employee engagement, CSR and travel incentive events. Researched, created and managed custom and stock teambuilding, social and special events throughout North America and the Caribbean for meeting and travel groups Roles and responsibilities included: Project Manager • Budgeting for and executing contracts in excess of $850,000 annually, including staff management and vendor negotiation. • Administration and delivery of over 200 large-scale on- and offsite events, including the development and implementation of appropriate training and evaluation materials. • Travel to North American (E1 Visa) and Caribbean locations to scout, manage and execute events and activities. Planning and budgeting with local staff, suppliers and vendors. Creative Direction • Developed conceptual, sales and operational documents for customized CSR, travel incentive and large-scale social gala events. • Created original teambuilding and social activities for resale in all global markets. • Managed all custom projects (local and international) through concept, end client delivery and post event follow up. RFP Specialist • Managed requests from established and new clients. Created detailed budgets and creative descriptors for local and international destinations. • Researched staff, suppliers and vendors in local and international markets. Negotiated daily rates as well as short and long-term agreements. Employee Engagement & Training Coordinator • Development and delivery of corporate policy and procedural training for all local and international office staff as well as internal and external temporary and foreign staff. • Consultant for the expansion of core offices throughout North America and Europe including staff recruitment and operational setup. • Daily management and mentoring of local workgroup and general assistance to the Operations team, as well as Sales and Marketing support. Show less

  • H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
    • Volunteer Manager & Visitor Experience Supervisor
      • Sep 2004 - Nov 2005

      Responsible for creation, implementation, supervision and overall management of adult and youth Volunteer Team, as well as daily supervision of customer service and floor staff for educational space science attraction which included facility opening and closing, cash handling and reconciliation, and general operational management. Also responsible for researching, developing and delivering unique hands-on educational and tourism-based programming and workshops for children, youth, family and senior’s groups. Further responsible for: • Project Management, administration and delivery of large-scale on- and offsite events, including the development and implementation of appropriate training and evaluation materials. • Liaising with the media (radio, television, web and print) for the effective promotion of the Space Centre and acting as public spokesperson for the facility. • Operational Management of Space Centre facility on weekend and holidays; responsible for all managing aspects, including sales, marketing, troubleshooting and crisis management. Show less

  • Storyeum
    • Team Manager – Guest Service
      • Apr 2004 - Sep 2004

      Responsible for management and supervision of guest service and floor staff for educational historical attraction, including daily scheduling and staff rotation, specific and ongoing staff training, staff evaluation, payroll administration and general operational troubleshooting. Subsequently responsible for providing and overseeing customer service to over 1200 guests each day. Also responsible for: • Development, coordination and delivery of onsite, specific and practical training for 24 front of house and tour guide staff. • Independent, unsupervised work often during evenings and weekends; accountable for all front of house operations, including sales, marketing and crisis prevention and management. • Liaising between operational teams and floor staff towards the creation and implementation of policy, procedure and operational standards. Show less

  • CCN Mathews (now Marketwired)
    • Customer Service Specialist – Writing and Publications
      • Mar 2002 - Nov 2003

      Responsible for all aspects of service and news dissemination for National newswire media service, including writing, proofreading, editing, and preparation of public information for dissemination to domestic and international media points. Subsequently responsible for customer service to over 140 national and international accounts each month. Also responsible for: • Interviewing, hiring and training of new customer service staff; ongoing skills training of senior and permanent staff. • Research, coordination and presentation of on-site client familiarisation tours which highlighted customer service and sales with on-line technical presentations and in-person product demonstrations and training. • Independent, unsupervised work, often on overnight or weekend shifts; responsible for all operational aspects, including sales, marketing and crisis management. Show less

  • SNV International Ltd
    • Group Travel and Event Coordinator: Customer Service and Sales
      • Jan 2001 - Jan 2002

      Responsible for research, design, promotion and delivery of customized group travel programs highlighting Western Canada and Washington State for Canada's largest independent inbound receptive tour operator. Acted as liaison between SNV International and travel agents and wholesalers to market and promote mutually beneficial relationships in North American and European markets and developed new and unique programs for sale to upscale, high-profile agencies, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Government of Canada. Further responsible for: • Personal customer service and daily support to 20 international travel agencies and wholesalers as well as over 900 individual travelers, representing revenue in excess of $350,000 annually. • Development, design and content /copy of promotional and customized sales documents, including multi-day travel itineraries utilizing Microsoft Publisher, Power Point and Corel programs. Show less

  • Aquarium Marine Science Centre
    • Educator
      • Apr 1999 - Jan 2001

      Responsible for the promotion, marketing, research, development and evaluation of an award-winning, hands-on animal centred program which allowed the public to directly interact with animal care staff and a variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals, including beluga whales and giant Pacific octopus. Subsequently responsible for the ongoing service and support of program participants, including event and project planning, guided tours, and exceptional guest service. Achievements and responsibilities include:• Received the 1st "Outside the Box" Award from COTA for innovation in the promotion of tourism in Vancouver and British Columbia.• Development and delivery of educational programs responsible for generating over $60,000 annually.• Planning and implementation of large-scale promotional campaigns, tourism and marketing events directly targeting over 3000 guests each year.• Recruitment and training of 100 staff and volunteers for educational programs and facility events.• Development and delivery of programs to over 1000 participants including events for the visually and hearing impaired, as well as specific needs groups (e.g.: preschool, families, senior citizens, physically challenged, developmentally challenged). Show less

    • Educational Program Coordinator
      • Jan 1996 - Apr 1999

      Responsible for researching, writing and delivering unique and diverse educational, curriculum-based programs focused on the natural world, both within the Aquarium and off-site. Additionally responsible for the recruiting, training and supervision of adult and youth volunteers for Members' and Public Programs education programming, and office and administrative support for both the Night Lights Sleepover program and Customized Programs. Other achievements and responsibilities include:• Development and delivery of travel programs for youth and families, including river rafting and sea kayaking expeditions.• Planning and implementation of large-scale events attended by 4000 members annually.• Development, training and delivery for the Sleepover Program, educating over 3500 children and families each year.• Development, training and delivery for Customized Programs, including programming for the visually and hearing impaired. Show less

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