Finn joins team as director of Sales
June 16, 2020
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (June 16, 2020) –Though he’s been on staff for nearly three months, he’s only been in the office a handful of times.
Don Finn, 64, Crystal Mountain’s director of Sales, started at the resort on March 15 – a day before the resort closed its operations amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Zoom meetings have certainly helped me see my colleagues, at least face-to-face, when I started,” he said with a laugh.
Now that Crystal Mountain has re-opened most of its operations just in time for summer vacation planning, Finn has gotten to know many of his teammates, at least from six feet away.
Finn joined Crystal Mountain after working a number of years in the hospitality, travel and group sales industry in Southeast Michigan. His latest job was as director of Business Development with BI Worldwide in Troy, Mich.
He had been a frequent visitor of the resort for more than 25 years, golfing at Crystal Mountain with friends so he’s familiar with his new workplace.
“When my in-laws bought a vacation house near Crystal Mountain, I really loved the area and wanted to be here permanently. It’s easy to fall in love with this area,” he said.
As director of Sales, Finn oversees the team responsible for finding, cultivating and assisting groups – corporations, organizations and associations – with their events at Crystal Mountain. Regional meetings, incentive trips, conferences, weddings, any group event ... If you want to host an event at Crystal Mountain, chances are Finn or someone from his team will assist.
“We’re thrilled someone of Finn’s caliber and experience has joined our team,” John Melcher, chief operating officer for Crystal Mountain, said. “We are continuing to invest in talent and good people.”
For the past few months, Finn and his team have been rescheduling and finding new conference and meeting dates for groups and guests affected by the Stay Home, Stay Safe order, while also looking for new business opportunities.
He said he’s always been captivated with resort operations, having planned and operated events around the United States and in Europe. He also previously booked events for past clients including General Motors.
But now he’s seeing conference planning and sales from an entirely new perspective.
“I have always been impressed by Crystal Mountain’s commitment to the guest,” Finn said. “And now, I have an even bigger appreciation for our commitment to safety. And that safety is not just for guests, but for our employees, as well.”
A graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in marketing, Finn lives in Honor, Mich., with his wife Lauren, who’s an artist.
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About Crystal Mountain:
Established in 1956, Crystal Mountain is a family-owned, four-season resort destination located 28 miles southwest of Traverse City and a short drive from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The resort features lodging, dining, downhill and cross-country skiing, two championship golf courses, shopping, award-winning Crystal Spa, Michigan’s only alpine slide, the Park at Water’s Edge, Michigan Legacy Art Park, weddings and a conference center.
Crystal Mountain Media Contact:
Sammie Lukaskiewicz, Director of Public Relations
SammieLukaskiewicz@CrystalMountain.com
o: (231) 378-2057
m: (517) 673-4177