Tim Ellis, CSEE, is Director, Global Sales – Sports for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in Buffalo, Minnesota. As a 2020 Connect Sports Game Changer, he discusses his passion for sports tourism.
 

How I got here: While working on my master’s degree in sports management from the University of Minnesota, I gained hands-on experience in the school’s athletics department as a graduate assistant. In this role, I dealt closely with the Minneapolis/St. Paul hotel community as we were the host institution for several collegiate events (NCAA Men’s Basketball Regional, Big Ten Track and Field Championship and NCAA Volleyball, to name a few). From there, I went on to property sales roles at two Minneapolis hotels before heading to global sales with Carlson Hotels in 2010. I am so pleased to be celebrating my second year with the world’s largest hotel company with more than 20 brands and 9,200 hotels globally: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. 

Greatest career accomplishment: I was honored and humbled to be named Hotel Professional of the Year (2018) at Connect Sports Marketplace, Salt Lake City and earn consecutive Platinum Sellers Circle recognition from my employer Wyndham Hotels & Resorts the past two years.

Specific event I am proud of hosting: I was fortunate to serve as vice chair of the Tourism and Marketing Committee part of the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee for Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis from 2016-2018. Being a part of such a massive event and experiencing all the intricacies required to execute a Super Bowl was memorable and fascinating. I was surrounded by amazing leaders and learned so much.

What I do outside of work: I love attending sports, music, church functions and camping as a family. Recently I was privileged to serve on the Executive Board of Minnesota Positive Coaching Alliance and I also volunteer with our local youth soccer club. Saturday mornings, I enjoy watching Premier League Football and proudly support Chelsea Football Club, go Blues!
 

Words that describe Ellis:

Calm

Consistent

Caring