Hi, I’m
Kriszta K. Winther
Summary
Dedicated and results-oriented professional with more than 30 years of experience in the hotel industry. I thrive in a busy work environment and juggle many responsibilities. I gain energy from interacting with people and building relationships. I feel comfortable in both Danish and international settings. I am always engaged, a strong team player, adaptable, and unafraid to take the lead - a high work ethic and structure, with an eye for details. Strong stakeholder management experience based on my organizational, facilitation, and communication skills: building long-term beneficial relationships, influencing, maximizing partnering opportunities, and raising loyalty and engagement. My attention to detail and persistence ensure quality and consistency in my work, while my curiosity and energy drive me to discover innovative solutions and continuously seek improvements.
Overview
34
years of professional experience
6
Languages
Work History
Arp-Hansen Hotel Group
Congress Group sales specialist
12.2023 - 10.2024
Job overview
- Company Overview: Arp-Hansen Hotel Group Central Office
- Streamlined internal processes for proposal development, reducing turnaround times while maintaining quality standards.
- Achieved higher retention rates by consistently engaging clients and resolving their concerns quickly.
- Handling contracts for all the Arp-Hansen Hotel Group properties.
- Handling incoming requests and planning for various large groups, events, and congresses, ensuring smooth execution and internal/external satisfaction
- Providing support to external sales representatives, assisting with client acquisition and retention strategies
- Offering comprehensive hotel support, addressing operational challenges, and enhancing guest experiences
- Collaborated with the Reservation Managers at the various properties in regards to price structure, to achieve budget and goals
- Preparing daily reports to the management and hotel directors, analyzing budgets
- Participated in trade fairs, workshops, and client meetings, promoting the brand and cultivating new business relationships
- Acted as the one point of contact between the customer and the hotels to ensure an accurate and efficient booking process
- Developed customized sales proposals for potential clients, resulting in a higher conversion rate.
Arp-Hansen Hotel Group
Assistant Reservation Manager
01.2013 - 12.2023
Job overview
- Company Overview: Arp Hanse Hotel Group Central Office
- Support the reservation manager with the daily operation, price management and special projects
- Assisted in managing group reservations such as congresses and corporate events, ensuring smooth coordination among various stakeholders involved.
- Maintained a high level of confidentiality when handling sensitive customer information or personal data.
- Ensured seamless communication between other departments, optimizing guest service delivery.
- Managed GDS loading and RFP contracting for all our corporate clients
- Participated in industry conferences and workshops to stay informed about current trends, best practices, and competitor strategies within the hotel reservation landscape.
- Addressed guest complaints or concerns promptly, resolving issues effectively while maintaining professionalism at all times.
- Monitored daily performance metrics within the reservations team to ensure targets were consistently met or exceeded expectations.
- Liaised with finance department on billing discrepancies or adjustments related to guest reservations, ensuring prompt resolution.
- Training and supervising staff members and providing ongoing support within the team and the reservation team across the organization
- Provided comprehensive training for new team members, ensuring consistent adherence to company policies and procedures.
- Collaborated with sales and marketing teams to maximize room occupancy rates during peak seasons.
- Conducted regular inventory audits for room availability accuracy and updated systems accordingly to prevent overbooking errors.
Arp-Hansen Hotel Group
Group Coordinator
09.2010 - 01.2013
Job overview
- Company Overview: Arp-Hansen Hotel Group Central Office
- Support the sales team and teams across the chain
- Prepared and followed up on offers and contracts
- Coordinated hotel stays across the whole chains
- Handled various administrative tasks
- Implemented streamlined processes to improve overall group coordination, leading to increased performance and goal achievement.
- Fostered strong relationships with external stakeholders through open communication channels, promoting collaboration on shared initiatives.
- Assisted in the recruitment and onboarding process for new team members, ensuring seamless integration into the existing group dynamic.
- Utilized project management software tools effectively to organize tasks, deadlines, and resources, ensuring efficient project coordination.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop innovative strategies for achieving project goals within tight deadlines.
- Streamlined communication between departments, resulting in improved efficiency and smoother project execution.
DGI-Byen, Copenhagen
Reservation Manager - Cluster
03.2006 - 08.2010
Job overview
- Company Overview: DGI-Byen Central office
- Training and supervising staff members and providing ongoing support
- Ensuring efficient handling of reservation inquiries via phone, email, and external channels
- Inventory management
- Revenue management
- Managed GDS loading and RFP contracting
- Pricing and maintenance on OTA's and channel managers as well as PMS
- Proactively identified areas for improvement within the reservations department, implementing strategic changes to maximize revenue.
- Trained and mentored reservation agents, enhancing their skills for optimal performance and professional growth.
- Optimized revenue management practices by regularly reviewing competitor pricing and market trends.
- Handled high volumes of incoming calls professionally while multitasking other administrative tasks essential to the role.
- Collaborated with sales and marketing teams to develop promotional offers that drove revenue growth.
- Resolved various issues and discrepancies for customers.
- Worked closely with front desk to achieve full occupancy of property.
- Opened and closed location and monitored shift changes to uphold successful operations strategies and maximize business success.
Valvoline Nordics
Customer Service Assistant
10.2004 - 02.2006
Job overview
- Answered customer questions about product availability and shipment times.
- Assisted customers with product selection, providing detailed information on features and benefits.
- Built strong relationships with customers and colleagues by providing friendly and personable service.
- Collaborated with team members to improve overall customer experience and boost company reputation.
- Utilized problem-solving skills to address customer queries and complaints.
Imperial Hotel
Reservation Assistant
11.2002 - 03.2004
Job overview
- Follow up on inquiries via telephone, fax and email
- Allotment management
- Extensive support to customers
- Participation in customer events
- Liaised with hotel departments to guarantee smooth operations related to guest stays, including transportation arrangements, dietary preferences, and billing inquiries.
- Supported revenue growth through upselling additional services such as dining options, room upgrades when appropriate.
Plaza Hotel Group ( Accor Hotels Denmark)
Reservation Coordinator
03.1993 - 11.2002
Job overview
- Handling allotment
- Gift card handling
- Follow up on company policies
- Transfer bookings from partner sites to PM
- Follow up on inquiries, via telephone, fax
- Swift from manuel operation to PMS
Hotel Alexandra
Receptionist
01.1991 - 02.1993
Job overview
- Managed check-in/out, reservation, bookings, and cash handling
- Reservation
- Billing
- Concierge service and switchboard operations
Education
Arp-Hansen AcademyCopenhagen
from Management: Communication/ Employee 2015-2017
01-2017
Arp-Hansen AcademyCopenhagen, Denmark
from Law And Compensation Within The Hotel Industry
01-2016
HorestaCopenhagen
from Revenue Management 2008-2010
01-2010
Hillerød Business CollegeHillerød, Denmark
High School Diploma
04.2001
Skills
Strong negotiation skills
Sales strategy development
Problem-solving
Time management
Team leadership
Adaptability and flexibility
Organizational skills
Relationship building
Sales cycle management
Revenue growth
Teamwork and collaboration
It Skills
Office Suite:
Excel
Word
Outlook
PMS Systems:
Opera
Fidelio
AK techotel
Picasso
External Systems:
Meetingmanager
Cvent
Timeline
Congress Group sales specialist
Arp-Hansen Hotel Group
12.2023 - 10.2024
Assistant Reservation Manager
Arp-Hansen Hotel Group
01.2013 - 12.2023
Group Coordinator
Arp-Hansen Hotel Group
09.2010 - 01.2013
Reservation Manager - Cluster
DGI-Byen, Copenhagen
03.2006 - 08.2010
Customer Service Assistant
Valvoline Nordics
10.2004 - 02.2006
Reservation Assistant
Imperial Hotel
11.2002 - 03.2004
Hillerød Business College
High School Diploma
04.2001
Reservation Coordinator
Plaza Hotel Group ( Accor Hotels Denmark)
03.1993 - 11.2002
Receptionist
Hotel Alexandra
01.1991 - 02.1993
Arp-Hansen Academy
from Management: Communication/ Employee 2015-2017
Arp-Hansen Academy
from Law And Compensation Within The Hotel Industry
Horesta
from Revenue Management 2008-2010