Michael J. Hardy is a passionate leader with extensive experience in marketing, branding, and developing organizational initiatives to build customer value and sustainable growth. He has over 25 years of experience managing teams and developing programs to promote tourism and community organizations. Currently, he works as an independent business development consultant providing marketing and business development services to a variety of clients.

1. MICHAEL J. HARDY Passionate leader, marketing strategist, innovator,
and tactical director of organizational initiatives
that build brand awareness and customer value
resulting in sustainable and profitable growth,
maximizing experience by all, and for all parties!
Chicago, IL
585.721-6032
AHardyHello@yahoo.com
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Charismatic spokesperson with a thirst for promoting and marketing organizational goals and vision. Inspired by change and making
a positive and lasting impact in the community. Natural talent in uncovering unique market opportunities and developing public
programs that build long-term customer loyalty. Inviting and vibrant personality, sense of humor, self-motivation and confidence
with a results-oriented, “roll up the sleeves” type of positive attitude. Expert in aligning strategy with organizational vision and
working closely with team members and industry and community leaders to execute successful initiative and/or trainings.
Strong commitment to empowering employees and motivating volunteers to express ideas, make change and have a voice.
CORE STRENGTHS:
Visionary & Strategic Collaboration & Networking Volunteer Management
Branding & Identity Event & Program Management Team Building & Brainstorming
Training & Supervision Coaching & Motivational Organizational Development
Sales & Marketing Community Empowerment Public Speaking & Pitches
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Independent Business Development Consultant 2013 – Present
PR, Tourism, Sales, Training, Marketing and Business Development for a diverse variety of clients that include; DresdenPR,
Airigami/BalloonAdventure.com, Visit Rochester, WalkUp Advertising, KidsOutAndAbout.com, ARTISANworks.com, etc.
Visit Rochester, Rochester, NY 2007 – 2013
Director of Convention & Visitor Services, 2010 – 2013 Sales Manager, Medical, Music Professional Fraternal & LGBT
Markets, 2007 – 2010
Promoted the metropolitan area of Rochester and The Finger Lakes, its many assets, the organization’s 450 plus members’ products
and services and other community and regional resources, to individual visitors/tourist and a diverse number of meeting and event
planners, locally, nationally and internationally.
 Recruit, train and supervise 18 employees and 200+ volunteers for major events such as PGA Events, Special Olympics and
Lilac Festival. Coordinate 1000 hours of service staff for 50 hospitality tables at local events.
 Coordinate and manage 100 plus convention meeting planners annually. Liaison for vendor services coordination, client
retention, building new business and maintaining trusting relationships with members.
 Spearheaded the creation of a robust new programming service for Visit Rochester to provide members with an updated
customer service program termed, “The Magic of Hospitality, Making Visitors Reappear!” Program came in under budget
with over 40 sessions to 100 plus organizations and 600 people in the first year.
 Secure sponsorship from major corporations such as Bank of America to operate and maintain 2 permanent and 1 mobile
visitor center. Direct, staff, train and oversee all operations of centers.
 Selected to oversee additional department due to a temporary leadership absence. Charged with spending down both
department budgets while in the busiest time of the year and progressing through a tremendous learning curve.
BestofBroadway.com/Group Sales Box Office, New York, NY 2005 – 2006
Vice President of Group Sales, Domestic & International
 Recruited to develop and grow product offerings for New York City’s oldest and 2nd
largest group ticketing agency.
Developed and executed large-scale presentations to prospects through public speaking, trade shows and client visits.

2. Top of The Rock, New York, NY 2005
Director of Group Sales
 Hand-selected to bring in 500 Tour Group Clients (with a base of 79) in less than 5 months for the reopening of New York
City’s legacy observatory deck while training a completely novice sales team of four. Participated in national and
international trade shows, sales calls and capitalized on industry relationships while establishing new company SOPs.
Corning Museum of Glass, (CMoG) Corning, NY 2001 – 2005
Group Sales Representative
 Promoted and marketed the world’s premier museum of glass to the domestic and international group and motor coach
industry after a multi-million dollar renovation for top-of-mind awareness, multiple itinerary experiences and FUN!
 Collaborated with all departments to drive the growth of 30 to more than 100+ weekend tour bus groups in a post 9/11 and
SARS economy to take full advantage of dining, shopping, and hands on activities on site, in town and the region.
 Charged with evaluating, developing and implementing a compatible data base for past, present and future tour group clients
resulting in the growth of a healthy base and making searches, mailings and reports streamlined and simple.
 Maximized organizational benefits in ABA, NTA, OMCA, RSAA, PBA, and sat on the board of SYTA. Traveled
extensively to do sales calls and attend many trade shows, group leader shows and tourism initiatives.
Greater Rochester Visitors Association, Rochester, NY 1994 – 1997
Director of Visitor & Convention Services
 Promoted Rochester, Monroe County and Upstate/Western NY and the organization’s 300 plus members’ products and
services and other community and regional resources and assets (manmade and natural), to individual visitors/tourists and a
diverse number of meetings and events planners, locally as well as nationally.
 Collaborated with community officials and business leaders. Recruited, trained and supervised a staff of 15 employees as
well as a pool of 200+ volunteers for events such as the Ryder Cup and Lilac Festival.
Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY 1992 – 1994
Nutritional Services Supervisor
 Supervised, trained, scheduled and effectively motivated 150 unionized personnel in the preparation and service of patient
meals at the area’s 750-bed trauma center while consulting daily with patients, families and caregivers.
Casa Larga Vineyards, Rochester, NY 1989 – 1991
Director of Catered and Special Events
 Pioneered the sales and marketing for banquet facilities, services and promotional activities for this family owned Finger
Lakes’ vineyard, winery and tour, retail and special events venue (and picked grapes too).
 Implemented on and off-site marketing and tastings. Developed sales, costing, inventory and operational formats.
Established and maintained profitable client base and loyalty programs with a grass roots marketing approach.
PROFFESIONAL/Volunteer AFFILIATIONS Visit Rochester’s Visitor Industry Council’s Steering Committee 2014-2016,
Rochester Area Community Foundation’s LGBT Giving Circle, Grant Committee Co-Chair, 2011-2014, TheatreROCS Board of
Directors, 2011-2014, MCC’s Career Technical Education Advisory Board, 2012-2015, Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley Board
of Directors, 2009 - 2012 and Rochester, NY’s, 10 Days of Pride, Co-Chair 2009-2014, Student & Youth Travel Association
(SYTA) International Board Director, 2002 - 2004 & SYTA Foundation Board, 2005 - 2007
EDUCATION
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester, NY - Coursework completed towards BS degree in Hospitality and Tourism,
1984 - 1989. ~ Co-ops; 1) Strong Memorial Hospital of URMC Medical Secretary, Float all services and all shifts, 2) Dietary
Services Assistant, and 3) Stouffer Hotel: Front Desk Operations, PBX, Bell Stand, Night Audit, Management and Training.