Nilay Saran

Experience

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  Ambassador Group

  Nov 1998 - May 2000

  SALES EXECUTIVE (Regional Sales Office, Bangalore)

  Responsible for increase in market share of the group from Bangalore by 75%.Generated new accounts by introducing new packages tailor made for the Bangalore market. Giving the group a strong presence in Bangalore.

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  Sarovar Hotels & Resorts

  May 2000 - Feb 2001

  Sales Executive (Regional Sales Office, Bangalore)

  Part of the Bangalore Sales OfficeInvolved in boosting the existence of the group by increasing the Market Awareness.Servicing the existing and prospective clients and handling key accounts.Developing a stable database, this generated business irrespective of market fluctuations.Responsible for 12 % increase in revenue vis-à-vis targets.Was responsible to increase the ARR of the RSO significantly by 20 %.

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  Scotch 'n' Water Innovations Pvt. Ltd

  Mar 2001 - Apr 2004

  Director

   Introduced the concept of Hospitality Services, in Bangalore. Featured in Times Of India – Bangalore Times as “One of its kind in India” – 16th October 2001. Executed ‘Britannia Lagaan Match’, held at Bourbon Stadium, Mumbai on 25th December 2001. Handled the complete logistics for Britannia, which includes transportation, stay and stadium arrangements etc. Was covered by Times of India – Bangalore Times for “Britannia Lagaan Match” – 12th January 2002. Was responsible for coordinating and conducting all big and small events/conferences for our Clients in India. Show less

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  IHG Hotels & Resorts

  Jul 2005 - Feb 2008

  Promoted to the post of Sales Manager Crowne Plaza New Delhi and saddled with the responsibility of handling Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai market.Creating a brand image of the Hotel in South India.Conducting regular Sales Blitz's, and Corporate Parties to foster existing relationships and develop new ones. Heading the Regional office Bangalore for Crowne Plaza New DelhiResponsible to turn our available sales resources to long term assets.Creating a Brand Image of the Company in Bangalore and Hyderabad markets.Responsible for the increase in revenue by 95%, and increase in the client base from the Bangalore Sales office.

  • Sales Manager (Regional Sales Office, Bangalore)

    Aug 2007 - Feb 2008

  • Asst. Manager Sales (Regional Sales Office, Bangalore)

    Jul 2005 - Jul 2007
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  Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

  Feb 2008 - Jul 2009

  Sales and Marketing Manager

  Ramada Resort , Cochin February 2008 – July 2009 (A part of Wyndham Hotel Group)Sales & Marketing Manager Part of the Pre Opening Team, Heading the Sales and Marketing Department.Successfully launched the property in July 2008.Actively involved in incorporating Ramada Brand Standards.Conducting Soft Skill training for other departments

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  Marriott International

  Aug 2009 - May 2011

  Director of Sales

  Four Points by Sheraton, Jaipur October 2010 –Till Date Director of SalesPromoted to the post of Director of Sales from 1st October 2010.Responsible for set up and handling Regional Sales office in Delhi, MumbaiCreating a strong brand of the Hotel Pan India.Handling GSA in all key feeder markets.Responsible for effective business and revenue forecasting for next 90 days on a monthly basis, with a track of variation of 3-5%Responsible for crossing the revenue figures for the month of November and December 2010.Handling all TMC, Consortia and RFP for the hotelFour Points by Sheraton, Jaipur August 2009 – September 2010 Sales Manager Heading the Sales and Marketing Department, part of the Pre Opening Team,Successfully launched the property in October 2009.Responsible for setting up the Sales and Marketing Department including sales SOP’s, sales calling pattern, reporting format and control systems.Responsible for revenue generation in the unit via room and catering sales.Responsible for implementing Starwood Systems including loyalty programs.Constantly working on Business Intelligence report, for effective business forecasting.Participating and representing the hotel in all Starwood initiated sales activities.Liaison with Starwood Global Sales Offices, for optimization of business for the hotel from key feeder markets like Delhi and Mumbai.Conducted regular Sales Blitz in key feeder markets followed by PR parties.Representing hotel in all major Trade Shows. Responsible for all unit based marketing activities. Show less

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  Golden Tulip Hotels, Suites & Resorts

  May 2011 - Dec 2011

  Director of Sales

  Responsible for the Rajasthan Cluster for Golden Tulip, Hotel. Re launching the Golden Tulip brand in Rajasthan and creating brand awareness pan India.Identifying and appointing GSA in key feeder markets.Responsible for activating and handling all online distribution channels for the entire group. Handling all TMC, Consortia and RFP for the hotelOrganizing regular Trade and Corporate PR party in the Hotel and launch regular Hospitality Suite in the Hotel. Designed and Successfully Launched the Booker Loyalty Program for Golden Tulip, Jaipur. Show less

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  IHG Hotels & Resorts

  Dec 2011 - Apr 2015

  Promoted and got an internal transfer to launch the Brand New Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre a 172 room hotel, with 5 F&B Outlets and 6000 square feet of flexible meeting space. Successfully launched the hotel in September 2014Responsible for setting up Sales and Reservation setup and assisting the General Manager in opening the hotel as per IHG brand standards.Conducted the Positioning Workshop, Brand DNA workshop and also conducted the Strategy Meet to finalize the Hotel Wheel for 2014.Rolled out STAY YOU Now Open marketing campaign to launch the Hotel in Outdoor, Print and Radio.Budgeting for 2015, with well-defined Strategic Marketing and Revenue Plan to win in 2015Rolled out trainings on IHG Ways of Sales, and Brilliant Basics DashboardDrive Revenue Management for Hire (RMH) and Sales for Hire (SFH) for market specific price positioning and establishing the hotel in the Jaipur market. Show less Heading the entire sales and marketing operations for the Refreshed Holiday Inn having 211 room inventory.Responsible for the ramp up of the Hotel post opening in June 2011.Established brand positioning in the market, resulting in exceeding budgeted room revenue by 8.6% and exceeding overall budgeted revenue by 8.5% for the year 2012.Responsible for delivering and surpassing the targeted RGI for the hotel for 2012 and 2013 YTD.Accountable for the monthly and yearly revenue forecasting, yearly budget process and also handle the reservation department for the hotel.Strong client brick walling initiatives, to maintain the existing client base and constant sales penetration in Domestic and International feeder markets to increase market share.Accountable for all marketing initiatives for the hotel ( Rooms and Food and Beverage including Banquets )GOP focused marketing approach.Heading the Sales and Marketing for Holiday Inn KochiExcellent team management skills, and have achieved 90% employee engagement score highest in the entire hotel for sales department in April 2013 IHG Employee Engagement Survey.Constant mentoring and coaching of the sales team, and ensuring development of the team members, by rolling out SMART personal development plans and regular training programs. Show less

  • Director of Sales and Marketing

    Jan 2014 - Apr 2015

  • Director of Sales

    Dec 2011 - Jan 2014
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  The Chancery Pavilion

  Apr 2015 - Jan 2017

  Group Director of Sales and Marketing

  Responsible for ramp up of The Chancery Pavilion (225 rooms) and The Chancery Hotel (120 Room) and a combine Convention Space of 26000 Square Feet (The Chancery Pavilion: 20000 Square Feet and The Chancery: 6000 Square feet).Handling the entire Sales and Marketing portfolio for the group with a team size of 21 members.Implementation of industry best practices for structuring the Sales Team of both hotels with same back end process.Mentoring and Training the teamResponsible for effective Revenue management Practices and guiding the Revenue ManagerRolling out the Sales Incentive Program.Rolled out Strategic Pricing Grid for the Group ( Includes Catering Sales and Rooms Segment Wise)Opened Regional Sales Setup in New Delhi and Mumbai Show less

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  Marriott International

  Jan 2017 - Aug 2018

  Director of Sales and Marketing

  Part of Marriott International , handling the Sales, Marketing, Reservation and Distribution forthe iconic Le Meridien Kochi ( 225 Rooms and 65000 Square Feet International ConventionCentre)Effectively ramped up the Hotel revenues in both Room and Catering and have surpassed the 2017 Revenue Budgets:1- Over all revenue of the hotel by 2% 2- Surpassed room Revenue by 6 %3- Surpassed Catering Revenue by 10% { Achieved one of the highest revenues in last 7 years)surpassed the Hotel Budget for 2017.Responsible for generating international leisure and MICE business for the hotel.Roll out customised Destination Wedding Program of Marriott to create a new market ofDestination Weddings for the Hotel Show less

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  Hyatt Hotels Corporation

  Aug 2018 - Jun 2019

  Director of Sales and Marketing

  ♣ Spearheading overall Sales and Marketing Operations of this Joint Venture Hotel (50% Owned by Hyatt Corporation) featuring 210 Rooms and 14000 Square Feet of Convention area (Largest Inventory of Rooms and Convention in Ahmedabad)♣ Successfully acquired and executed National Events like Vibrant Gujarat 2019 Prime Ministers ODC at Mahatma Mandir and managed High-Level State Guests and World Leaders during Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit and DG summit ODC at Statue of Unity.♣ Maintain relationship with Gujarat Government to remain preferred partner for all Government events both residential and outdoor catering.♣ Actively involved and assist General Manager in all operational strategic processes to increase operational efficiency, rolling out SOP’s and also officiate as Operational Leader in Absence of the General Manager. Show less

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  Intend Global Travel Services

  Jun 2019 - May 2023

  Founder

  ♣ Founded Intend Hotels and Consulting a Luxury Travel Company and Consulting company.♣ Intend Specialises in Hotel Representations Services, Corporate Empanelment, MICE Facilitation and High End B2C Clients.♣ Representing Roseate Hotels and Resorts, Sahara Star, Holiday Inn Mumbai from Gujarat as their Regional Sales Office.♣ Have conducted High End Residential conferences for companies like Eris Life, Torrent Pharma, Britannia, Gulf Oil, CERA, Central Bank of India and many more PAN India.♣ Have conducted Sales and Revenue Trainings for The Otera Hotel, Electronic City Bangalore in January 2020 ( Formerly Crowne Plaza , Bangalore) Show less

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  1000 Island Hotels & Resort Pvt. Ltd.

  May 2023 - now

  ♣ Oversee and lead the entire Commercial and Business Development vertical for 1000 Island Hotels & Resorts.♣ Includes Sales, Catering, Revenue Management, Reservations, Public Relations and development♣ Current project Woods At Sasan, Sasan Gir (An Ultra Luxurious Wellbeing Retreat) ♣ Projects Under Developmento Luxury Resort at Jawai, Rajasthan in 20 Acreso First of its kind F&B Project in India at Narmada Region.

  • Senior Director of Business Development

    Jun 2023 - now

  • Director of Business Development

    May 2023 - Jun 2023
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  The Quorum

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  National Director - Sales