The Team

146Francis W. Purvey brings years of successes in tourism and hospitality management, sales and marketing focused on upscale and luxury resorts and destinations.  Respected as an entrepreneurial innovator and keen marketer, he is a respected speaker, panelist and educational contributor at industry events and trade shows, and is frequently quoted by trade publications.

Key lifetime accomplishments include his role as Assistant Director of Tourism in Bermuda heading up such successful programs as Tall Ship Races, College Weeks, Off-Season promotions, travel, incentive and meetings industry sales, and award winning advertising campaigns. 

He has been a member of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association’s Marketing Committee, President (2010) of the Florida (includes the Caribbean) Chapter of Site Global, President of a Bermuda Rotary Club and produced “Same Time Next Year” in Bermuda with professional New York cast and crew to financial and critical success.Employed in 2009-2013 as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Shores Resort & Spa Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, he was also appointed to the Halifax Area Advertising Authority, which overseas that destination’s new tourism strategic direction and budget.

As Director of Sales & Marketing for Radisson’s two luxury Caribbean resorts (Aruba & St Martin), Francis let the team and Aruba resort to RevPar dominance against such brands as Marriott, Hyatt and Starwood and opened new $90 million resort on the French side of St Martin in December 2008. Specialty attributes in Aruba included the on-site casino, while the marina was a key element in St Martin. Both resorts have impressive and extensive spas.

In Florida Francis has also been Director of Sales & Marketing at Boca Resorts’ Bahia Mar Beach Resort and Director of Leisure Sales & Marketing at the Radisson (now Marriott) Suite Resort on Sand Key. The Bahia Mar is best known as the home of the famed Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. He was Vice Chair for Visit Florida’s Meetings & Travel Trade Advisory Committee and member of that public-private entity’s Marketing Steering Committee. He was also Vice Chair of the Host Committee for the Site Global 2013 Conference in Orlando and recognized as the “Master Motivator” in 2017 for the SITE Florida & Caribbean Chapter.

In his leadership role at Sunlark Associates, the company has represented hotels in the Caribbean and Florida in leisure sales relationships, reorganized sales teams and set systems for hotels and resorts in the USA.

In July 2021 Francis earned a “Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt” certificate from Mercer University, Stetson-Hatcher School of Business, thus emphasizing his commitment to strategic management processes.

Shannon Knapp, noted hospitality revenue guru, established SKNapp Consulting in January 2015 to capitalize on her 27 year career in hotels, contact centers, and revenue management. At Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, in North America and in Australia, Shannon delivered industry-leading results in reservations services contact centers and hotel distribution support teams. As Group Director of Revenue and Distribution Management at Mirvac Hotels and Resorts and Accor Hotels Asia Pacific, she was successful leading multifunction teams, producing operational excellence and strong profit outcomes.  She brings both hotel and executive level experience, plus expertise in the use of technology to create models to match historical and current demand and competitive trends to strategically drive revenues across multiple channels.

 

Shannon co-wrote and assisted in the development of the HSMAI online training course program and presents HSMAI Revenue Management Certificate Courses throughout the Asia Pacific region.  Her revenue and hotel distribution management courses are presented across Australia to critical acclaim.  Shannon is also a product consultant at SiteMinder where she works with enterprise distribution product development teams. 

 

Current customers of SKNapp Consulting include hotels and reservations contact centers in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and North America and benefit from onsite evaluations, collaborative workshop-style training workshops, and remote-access support.

Steve Frazier, a principal with Flying Compass, brings an extensive working knowledge in and an understanding of creative marketing services. His expertise encompasses website design and development, as well as digital print production honed prior to the arrival of the Internet. Flying Compass is not a general services agency, rather their single focus is the hospitality and travel industry. “We believe it’s all about the experience,” said Frazier. “Our digital marketing solutions are designed to drive visitors and to increase awareness, attendance and profits.” Clients include destinations, resorts, hotels, restaurants, cruises, spas, marinas, museums, visitor services and events. 

maria-hayworthMaria Hayworth
As President of Hayworth PR, Maria Hayworth draws on more than two decades of direct experience in the tourism industry.  Prior to opening Hayworth Creative, Maria served as Director of Publicity & Promotions for VISIT FLORIDA, where she managed a staff of 11, as well as representatives in four international offices.  Under Maria’s direction, the publicity and promotions departments drew national attention for their innovative programs and aggressive tactics.  For two consecutive years, Travel Agent magazine recognized Maria as one of the “100 Rising Stars” in the travel industry.  Maria began her career at the Orlando/Orange County CVB, where she worked in public relations and domestic tour and travel sales.  She then went on to join The Zimmerman Agency, where she generated worldwide exposure for tourism clients such as Marriott Vacation Club International, and other destinations and world-class resorts.  Maria is a past-chair of the PR Committee for VISIT FLORIDA and PR Co-Chair for the United Way Women’s Initiative of Volusia/Flagler.  A life-long Florida resident, Maria has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Florida State University.

RonStevensRon Stevens is a seasoned hospitality professional with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. He has held executive positions with many leading Florida properties and is now President of HRC Recruiting.

Mr. Stevens believes that in order to professionally service the industry you must enjoy and thoroughly understand the hospitality industry. He has been, and always will be, committed to that belief. He brings his years of experience, expertise, and love of the hospitality industry to the table. Always active in civic and professional affairs, Mr. Stevens has served in several key positions and been recognized as an extraordinary leader.

HRC provides executive search and placement services of management level hospitality personnel for hotels, restaurants and country clubs.  They know cruise ships and attractions. HRC is an ideal partner for organizations seeking personal one-on-one services who are dedicated to working hard to find solutions, be it short-term employment for a “task force” project or a resource base that will resolve complex staffing requirements in a time-critical fashion. The primary goal is to be known as “the recruiter you trust.” They treat clients and job seekers candidates the way you would like to be treated. Professionalism from the beginning.

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