Sales Team
Florida Meeting Space
The TradeWinds Island Resorts sales team is one of the most experienced in Southeast Florida. They’ll be happy to help you with virtually every aspect of your event, making it an experience that will stay with your guests long after they return home. Use our RFP and one of our team members will contact you quickly to help you begin selecting the perfect venue, planning the ideal menu, organizing unforgettable group activities and all other important details. You can learn more about our sales managers below. If you’ve already spoken to someone about your event, feel free to contact them directly using the e-mail and phone numbers listed with their profile.
Terry Popelka – Vice President of Sales
Terry Popelka leads the overall group sales and conference services and catering programs. Before joining TradeWinds Island Resorts in November 2009, Terry was with the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort as the Director of Northeast Sales for just short of nine years. Terry received numerous awards during his career with Starwood and in 2008 was named Starwood sales person of the year for all of North America. A veteran of the hospitality industry, started his career in hospitality sales with TradeWinds back in 1995.
727.363.2245, tpopelka@twresort.com, 800-345-6461
Mike Wagner, Director of Group Sales
Mike Wagner, Director of Group Sales, is responsible for day-to-day operations of group sales. Mike moved to Colorado in 1993, where he owned and operated a bed and breakfast in a historic mining town. This began his love for the hospitality industry. Mike has served on several Chamber of Commerce Boards, and was chairman of the Town Promotion Commission where his bed and breakfast was located. Mike has been with the TradeWinds since 1999 working in the Midwest territory, and was named Sales Manager of the Year in 2007.
727.363.2242, mwagner@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Karleen Johnson, National Sales Manager
Karleen Johnson joined the TradeWinds Island Resorts in June of 2000 and is now the National Sales Manager for the Midwest territory. Prior to her promotion in January of 2008, Karleen held previous positions at TradeWinds as catering sales manager and convention service manager. She earned a BS in Hospitality Management from the University of Florida. Karleen was named TradeWinds’ Catering & Convention Service Manager of the Year in 2005 and obtained her CMP Certification in 2006.
727.363.2380, kjohnson@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Stacy Flanigan, National Sales Manager
Stacy Flanigan joined TradeWinds Island Resorts in February of 2010 to take the position of Sales Manager for Hillsborough County and Western Florida. Stacy also serves as the contact for all sports group markets. After 15 years of experience with wholesale banking and finance sales at Wells Fargo, Stacy decided to bring her abilities to TradeWinds Island Resorts. She strives to bring uniqueness to TradeWinds by generating new ideas and attracting new sports markets. She was named the 3rd top Sales Rep, and 1st for the East Coast three years in a row. From 2008-2009 she was recognized as a Cambridge Who’s Who Amongst Professional and Executive Women, and from 2004-2008 was a members of The President’s Club and received the Top Gun Award in Sales.
727.367.2231, sflanigan@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Nina Vallin, National Sales Manager
Nina Vallin joined the TradeWinds sales team in July of 2008 as an associate sales Manager for Florida and nine Southern states. Nina was promoted in 2009 to national sales manager for the Southeast, the region known for Southern Hospitality, where people extend a particularly warm welcome to visitors to their homes. Her professional career has been in various sales and hospitality positions throughout the Tampa Bay area. When time allows, Nina also works as a freelance translator in Swedish and Finnish.
727.367.6477, nvallin@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Marie Jones, Senior Sales Manager
Marie Jones joined TradeWinds Island Resorts in 2007 as Senior Sales Manager and specializes in working with Florida-based associations and non-profit groups. Marie began her career in the hospitality industry planning tournaments and social events at private clubs. After a stint creating and managing meetings and events for a wide range of clients at Universal Studios-Hollywood, Marie relocated to Florida and found her dream job at TradeWinds. Marie is part of TradeWinds Green Team, is a member of both Florida and Tallahassee Society of Association Executives and is active in the Tampa Bay Area Chapter of Meeting Professionals International.
727.363.2256, mjones@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Kimberly Ross, Specialty Groups Manager
Kimberly Ross is the Specialty Markets Manager for TradeWinds Island Resorts. Her territory is worldwide and her fascinating market includes bus tours, reunions, religious, sports and dance groups, along with other unique clubs sporting names like the Parrot Heads and The Hemingway Group. Kimberly joined TradeWinds Island Resorts part-time in the banquet department in August 1996. She made the complete crossover to the hotel industry full-time in 2001, transferring to TradeWinds Reservations where she excelled as top senior booking agent. Her background as a travel planner herself for corporate, leisure and group travel is an asset to those desiring a fun and enjoyable gathering.
727.363.2234, kross@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Debra Davies, Preferred Partners Manager
Debra Davies facilitates partnerships between TradeWinds Island Resorts and corporate America, connecting businesses with TradeWinds’ Preferred Partners VIP Hospitality and Employee Discount programs. She also manages the charitable donation initiatives for TradeWinds, funneling hundreds of vacation certificates to local non-profits to raise funds for their organizations. Debra is the go-to-girl for all things green, actively participating in the TradeWinds Green Team, as well as many local environmental organizations including St. Petersburg Audubon Society, Sierra Club, Tampa Bay Watch and Pinellas County Native Plant Society.
727.363.2263, ddavies@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Deborah Probst, Catering Sales Manager
Deborah Probst has been with TradeWinds Island Resorts since May 2003, beginning as a convention services assistant and moving up to Convention Services Manager less than a year later. In January 2008, Deborah was promoted to her current position as Catering Sales Manager primarily working with corporate groups for holiday parties, company picnics and banquet events. She is also in charge of high school reunions, birthday parties and other social events and celebrations
727.363.2257, dprobst@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Francisco Arias, Catering Sales Manager
Francisco Arias services smaller weddings of 75 attendees or fewer. He joined the TradeWinds Island Resorts catering team in early 2008 as a Catering Coordinator and was promoted to Catering Sales Manager in January 2009. Francisco has an MBA in Hotel Management and Event Leadership from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. Aside from his studies he also has experience as both a catering sales manager and convention services manager at the Crowne Plaza in Hartford, Connecticut.
727.363.2321, farias@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Renee Prine, Wedding Sales Manager
As Wedding Sales Manager, Renee Prine exhibits an uncommon level of personal concern, attention to detail and an aura of calm to make sure her brides have their perfect day. She joined the TradeWinds Island Resorts team in December of 2000 as a leisure reservations agent, then transferred into the sales department. She has been the Catering Wedding Sales Manager since 2005.
727.363.2309, rprine@twresort.com, 800.345.6461