Horses & Hospitality

Professional Passions at Play

Marc Helfer is an insightful and dynamic hospitality industry professional who relies on his solid and specialized knowledge base to continually surpass operational objectives in business development and overall profitability. With an innovative approach to building relationships with clients and key contacts and proven talents in account acquisition, he stimulates business growth and fully capitalizes on every opportunity to maximize ROI and market share. By remaining current on the latest marketing and business communication methods, Mr. Helfer ensures his employer remains competitive in the ever-changing environment of commerce.

Prior to starting his own business in January 2011, Marc has excelled as the Internet Marketing and Sales Manager for Trade Winds Islands Resorts in St. Pete Beach, FL. Marc held this critical management position since October of 2008 following three months of initial service in the department as an eMail and eContent Manager. His leadership position allowed him to participate extensively in the global world of e-commerce, where he utilized his technical acumen to promote the resorts via the latest Internet marketing strategies. By optimizing key channels including Global Distribution Systems, Online Travel Agents and by employing creative email promotional campaigns, Mr. Helfer expanded the client base and facilitated continued improvements in customer satisfaction levels.

Prior to his employment in the Internet marketing and sales division, Marc was an indispensible member of the Trade Winds sales team as an Associate Sales Manager from June of 2007 until July of 2008. With a creative approach to business development that included use of direct and indirect marketing and sales techniques, he adeptly mined and qualified leads to realize the highest profit potential. With a focus on group sales, Marc completed a Certificate as  a Meeting and Event planner from the University of South Florida. As a direct result of his exceptional contributions in sales and client service, Marc was nominated for the company’s Superfriendly team.

With his superb interpersonal abilities Mr. Helfer also outperformed his colleagues as a Business Development Coordinator in his initial position with Trade Winds in December of 2006. In this capacity he initiated associations with recognized as well as lesser known organizations and gained inroads into previously unexplored client markets; he was acknowledged for his talents with the promotion to Associate Sales Manager.

To gain the expertise necessary to thrive in prominent roles within the hospitality business, Mr. Helfer completed his MBA in International Tourism & Hotel Management in 2005. Courses such as tourism and marketing management and HR management for the hospitality sector provided him with the initial understanding of concepts that he easily translated into results as he began his career. Marc graduated with a 3.6 GPA  and received the International Hospitality Award for his outstanding academic 4.0 GPA in his core hospitality classes.

To complement his noteworthy professional background in marketing and business development, Mr. Helfer is equipped with notable experience as a Yellowstone National Park Tour Guide for Wilderness Pack Trips, Inc. of Livingston, MT in 2005. He completed a Certificate in Mammal Tracking and Interpreting Signs with Jim Halfpenny, a world-renowned tracker. Marc also possesses a unique knowledge of horses gained during his college studies while serving as a Stable Supervisor / Assistant for Otterbein College of Westerville, OH from 1998 to 2000.

Marc completed a Bachelor of Arts in Equine Science in 2003 where he majored in Equine Facility management with a focus on equine marketing, liability issues, contract law, and equine facility design. In addition, Marc learned first-aid and advanced horse care at the pre-vet level. He continues to expand his skills through various professional development seminars.