Nicci Thompson
Business Development Manager
West Ballina,NSW
Summary
Dynamic sales leader with comprehensive experience in Sales Management in hospitality and tourism sectors. Proven ability in managing key accounts, developing new business strategies, and leading high-performing sales teams. Expertise in event planning and project management, focused on client-centric solutions that drive company success. Strong communicator with a talent for uniting brands and stakeholders for profitable collaborations.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Freelance Event Manager
The Buzz Group Communications
09.2025 - 10.2025
- Managed budgets, ensuring alignment with financial constraints and goals.
- Established partnerships with local businesses to enhance event offerings and services.
- Organized venues, budgets, guest lists, catering, and event timelines.
- Coordinated with vendors to ensure timely delivery of materials for events.
- Monitored event budgets to ensure accuracy and efficiency in spending.
- Developed and implemented event plans, including budgets, venues, catering, décor, entertainment and special guests.
- Reserved space, equipment and personnel needed to facilitate events.
Program Support Officer - GP Training
RACGP - Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
12.2023 - 09.2025
- Delivering face to face and virtual education and training events for Registrars in training, GP Supervisors, Practice Managers and Medical Educators.
- Stakeholder relationship management, event project management, liaising with hotels, venues, catering, presenters, and internal stakeholders, including legal, finance, and procurement.
- Financial stewardship, budgeting, negotiation, and contract management.
- Coordinated program activities to enhance member engagement and satisfaction.
- Managed communication between departments to streamline project workflows.
- Supported the development of training materials for general practitioners' education programs.
- Assisted in the organization of conferences and workshops for healthcare professionals.
- Maintained accurate records of program activities and participant feedback.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to identify training needs within the healthcare community.
- Prepared reports on program progress for internal review and external stakeholders.
- Facilitated meetings to discuss program updates and strategic initiatives with team members.
- Provided technical assistance to users during implementation of new software applications.
- Analyzed feedback from stakeholders regarding quality control measures taken by the organization towards its programs.
- Organized meetings with stakeholders, partners and other relevant parties.
- Managed project timelines effectively according to priorities established by senior management.
- Resolved customer issues related to programs by providing timely responses.
- Developed training materials for end-users based on their individual needs.
- Reviewed financial statements of the program to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations.
Sales & Business Development Consultant - Contract Based
O BAR & DINING
01.2023 - 09.2023
- Team leadership. sales training, revenue coaching and professional team development.
- Weekly financial reporting. Event sales revenue forecasting and occupancy growth.
- Increasing lead conversion, through sales cycle tactics, including active listening, qualifying, and understanding buyers' objectives and pain points, positioning product value and trust over price and outlining both verbal and written creative and cohesive solutions.
- Client services across inbound restaurant reservations, event sales, venue site inspections and client service recovery.
- Sales strategy, competitor analysis, event marketing offerings and package development for wedding, social and corporate markets.
- Stakeholder management between third party bookers, end clients, suppliers, VIP's including A-Listers, Tourism Australia, Destination NSW, Create NSW, Government Consulates, International Sporting Bodies. (FIFA; VIVID, The Ritz London, Canadian, Irish, British Consulate Generals).
- Event planning, invoicing, menu development with Chef and Sommelier.
- Prospecting across digital, tele-sales, LinkedIn, client entertainment, networking, and corporate events.
- 2 x direct reports - Event Sales Executive and Junior Event Sales Coordinator.
- A luxurious fine dining Sydney restaurant & bar, located on the 47th floor of the iconic architect Harry Seidler's, Australia Square building. Featuring an exclusive private dining room and dedicated event space, O Bar and Dining can accommodate an exclusive event up to 400 guests to an intimate wedding proposal for 2.
Head of Sales, Events & Business Development
KITTYHAWK
06.2022 - 12.2022
- Business Development strategy and target analysis based on location, industry, market intelligence, SWOT projections.
- New revenue generation planning and development with Executive Director.
- Prospecting across digital, tele-sales, LinkedIn, client entertainment, Networking, and corporate events.
- 3 x direct reports - Wedding Sales Manager, Event Sales Executive, Event Manager.
- Walk through Kittyhawk's winding entry corridor and be transported to Paris on August 25, 1944. WWII is over. It's Liberation Day! And what a party that would have been. Named after the WWII fighter jets of the same name, at Kittyhawk, no detail is spared. From mechanic manual-esque menus to the deep green and brass colour scheme, you'll feel like you've stepped back in time (in the best way possible). There are several function spaces available for groups of up to 175 (or 350, if you're happy to be split across two levels).
Business Development Manager - STC
SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY
05.2021 - 11.2021
- New BD Strategy.
- New revenue generation planning and development with Executive Director.
- Prospecting across digital, tele-sales, zoom meetings and LinkedIn for new brand partnerships for Season Ticket Holders loyalty program.
- Activation planning and development with STC catering partners Trippas White Group and The Fresh Collective.
- Sydney Theatre Company (STC) has been a major force in the Australian cultural landscape since its establishment in 1978. It is Australia's largest theatre company in terms of audiences and amount of work presented each year, the state theatre company of NSW, and is recognised as one of the world's most exciting and original theatre companies.
Senior Business Development Manager - Cruise Bar
C!NC - CRUISE BAR & COOGEE BAY HOTEL
08.2018 - 09.2020
- Revenue generation across B2B and B2C.
- Sales & Marketing strategy development and execution.
- Prospecting across digital, tele-sales, face to face meetings and networking associations.
- Hospitality package development and go to market sales execution.
- Relationship management of affiliate marketing partnerships.
- Budget and revenue management.
- Monthly reporting and presenting to Executive Leadership Team.
- Managing / onboarding BDM, Sales Executives and Event Planners.
- Sponsorship and partnership collaboration activations with key corporate associations, lifestyle brands and influences.
- Account acquisition and retention; Contract Negotiation, Invoicing and CRM maintenance.
- Sydney hospitality group inclusive of Coogee Bay Hotel and Cruise Bar. The venues encompass restaurants, bars, entertainment, accommodation, corporate & private events, weddings, retail.
- Key Successes:
- Increase of year-on-year revenue for 2018/2019.
- The Wedding Series Agency collaboration - new product offering launch, tailored to Luxury Brands, Media, and Influences.
- The Wedding Series Agency - Love Story partnership with lifestyle influencer Lichi Pan across digital, social, and print.
- Lead generation through new business partnership with Corporate Club Australia association members.
- Virgin Cruises, Australia Launch with Richard Branson.
Business Development Manager - Events & Groups - Parental Leave contract
THE OLD CLARE
11.2017 - 08.2018
- New Business development targeting Corporate, Professional Conference Organisers / Event Producers, Creative Agencies, PR agencies and associations to generate accommodation and event sales revenue.
- Mentoring and developing Event Coordinator on sales techniques, event coordination, client prospecting.
- Sales and Marketing Activations.
- Luxury Redefined, The Old Clare Hotel is the first Australian Boutique Hotel by the unconventional, Unlisted Collection Group. Encompassing 62 unique accommodation rooms, The Clare Bar, Kensington Street Social, A1 Canteen, Automata Restaurant, Rooftop Pool Terrace.
- Key Successes:
- Securing media and commercial partnership opportunities including, Good Design Awards Venue Partner & Fairfax Good Food Month Venue Partner.
- The Wedding Series Agency - Collaboration showcase with Luxury Brands & high net worth fashion and media influences, hosted by Neil Whittaker and partner David Novak-Piper.
- Harpers Bazaar Woman of Influence Dinner.
Business Development Manager - NSW territory
ENCORE EVENT TECHNOLOGIES
08.2016 - 11.2017
- Planning, implementation, and execution of 12-month New Business Development Plan across all B2B and B2C market segments.
- Growing key managed accounts through face-to-face client meetings, prospecting yearly managed accounts calendar of events and negotiating Preferred Supplier Agreements.
- Negotiating, implementing, and driving Sponsorship and Partnership agreements with commercially beneficial outcomes and focused ROI.
- Sourcing new tender proposals across government, corporate and association.
- Collaborating with leadership team on creating profitable and creative tendering proposals.
- Attending a variety of quality networking events across multiple B2B market segments.
- Award-winning Audio Visual and Events Company. Specialists in AV Solutions, Lighting, Staging, Webcasting, Styling, Event Technology, full cycle Corporate Incentive program management.
- Key Successes:
- New Business and Partnership Management: Negotiating and securing NRL tender process for 3-year Audio Visual Partner Supplier Agreement.
- Account Management & Inner circle Networking with C Level decision makers across industry.
- Commercial Venue Partnership and active gold networking member of the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce NSW.
Business Development Manager
CAMPBELLS STORE VENUES DOCKSIDE GROUP
06.2014 - 08.2016
- Key focus on reactive business for The Restaurants of the Rocks including qualifying, quoting, site inspections and booking conversions.
- B2B Business Development targeting key corporate inhouse event planners, event producers, PR companies, event influences and decision makers.
- Client entertaining with C level B2B buyers and influencers.
- Hospitality venue collection once inclusive of Dockside, L'AQUA, Dockside Pavilion and The Restaurants of the Rocks - Waterfront, Wolfies and Italian Village. Full-service catering and event venue management for key Corporate and Leisure markets.
- Key Successes:
- New Business Relationship with Bulldogs securing 2016 Exclusive Venue Partnership.
- New Business Relationship with Nova Radio securing events and advertising partnership.
Director of Event Sales
GASTRONOMY CATERING
07.2013 - 04.2014
- Developing and implementing personal business plans and KPI's for the Event Sales Department.
- Developing sales strategies to grow market share for the special events department.
- B2B Business Development targeting key corporate in-house event planners, event producers, PR companies, event influences and decision makers.
- Sourcing potential event venues in the Sydney events area whilst establishing and nurturing relationships with existing key venue sales managers, influences and decision makers.
- Attending a variety of networking and educational events, to connect with key influences across all business industry sectors - Networx, NSW Business Chambers, Business in Heels.
- Market sector research of international events with the potential of activation in Australia.
- Premier event caterer, specialising in the private, corporate, and special events arena.
- Key Clients:
- The Event Department, Liquid Ideas, Jardan Australia -The Design Files Open House 2013, Australian Institute of Architects, 19th Biennale of Sydney, Lend Lease, Enmore Design Centre, Boston Consulting Group.
New Business Manager
LUNA PARK SYDNEY VENUES
05.2008 - 08.2013
- Building and maintaining new and existing business relationships with key corporate event planners to secure new business revenue opportunities.
- Corporate market sector research and exploration including attending industry trade shows and events, keeping abreast with corporate newsletters, industry trends, new product launches, takeovers, and mergers which present opportunities for new events business.
- Telephone sales, appointment setting, face-to-face meetings, entertaining key event stakeholders, decision makers and influences to strengthen relationships and the event brand of Luna Park Sydney.
- Attending all incoming event enquiries that fall within individual corporate portfolios, developing and submitting creative proposals, follow up and negotiation to close new business opportunities.
- Attending various networking and educational events within key industry sectors across Media, Property, Pharmaceutical, Professional Services, Retail, Engineering, FMCG.
- Attending key b2b MICE trade shows.
- Iconic Sydney harbour-side entertainment precinct, encompassing 9 unique event spaces, producing events from 50 to 3000 guests.
- Key Successes:
- Year on year New Business revenue growth, across portfolio from 1.5M (2009) to 2.2M (2013).
MICE Sales Executive - Events and Groups
PARK HYATT SYDNEY
Sydney
05.2005 - 03.2007
- Cultivated relationships with high-profile clients at luxury hotel property.
- Collaborated with team to create tailored sales presentations for prospective clients.
- Coordinated site visits and hosted events to showcase hotel facilities.
- Negotiated contracts and agreements to secure profitable partnerships with clients.
Banquet Account Manager
THE STAR ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
01.2000 - 07.2003
- Event Management and coordination for conferences, exhibitions, gala dinners, and product launches ranging from 10 to 1000 delegates.
- Weddings & special events market: from 500 to 900 guests.
- Event coordination of high-profile charity gala dinners.
- Jewish fundraising gala events (JCA / UIA) Kosher weddings up to 400 guests.
Education
Short Course Workshop - Business Management
Swinburne Edge
Melbourne, Victoria, VIC03-2025
Diploma - Interior Design
The Interior Design Institute
Sydney, NSWSkills
- Competitive analysis and customer segmentation
- Negotiation and conflict resolution
- Business development and risk management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Sales planning and forecasting
- Stakeholder engagement and management
- Contract negotiation and budget management
- Team leadership and training
- Pipeline and CRM management
- Revenue development and pricing strategy
Certification
Motor Vehicle - Car - NSW
References
Available on request.
Timeline
Freelance Event Manager
The Buzz Group Communications
09.2025 - 10.2025
Program Support Officer - GP Training
RACGP - Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
12.2023 - 09.2025
Sales & Business Development Consultant - Contract Based
O BAR & DINING
01.2023 - 09.2023
Head of Sales, Events & Business Development
KITTYHAWK
06.2022 - 12.2022
Business Development Manager - STC
SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY
05.2021 - 11.2021
Senior Business Development Manager - Cruise Bar
C!NC - CRUISE BAR & COOGEE BAY HOTEL
08.2018 - 09.2020
Business Development Manager - Events & Groups - Parental Leave contract
THE OLD CLARE
11.2017 - 08.2018
Business Development Manager - NSW territory
ENCORE EVENT TECHNOLOGIES
08.2016 - 11.2017
Business Development Manager
CAMPBELLS STORE VENUES DOCKSIDE GROUP
06.2014 - 08.2016
Director of Event Sales
GASTRONOMY CATERING
07.2013 - 04.2014
New Business Manager
LUNA PARK SYDNEY VENUES
05.2008 - 08.2013
MICE Sales Executive - Events and Groups
PARK HYATT SYDNEY
05.2005 - 03.2007
Banquet Account Manager
THE STAR ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
01.2000 - 07.2003
Short Course Workshop - Business Management
Swinburne Edge
Diploma - Interior Design
The Interior Design Institute