Testimonials

Dear Linda,

"I couldn’t wait to get back from our 20th Annual Trade Show and Convention to write a recommendation for Linda Elland. The dynamo packed into this body is something to be reckoned with. Linda must have another 6 arms hidden somewhere and eyes in the back of her head. She is all seeing, anticipating necessary action before it is requested. I swear she can move mountains when she puts her mind to it. Hired with less than a month to go to Opening Night she pulled the myriad of details and people together to make our convention and trade show a wonderful success. Her special skill is that she sooths the crazy that unveils itself the closer people get to kickoff with such charm and insight you end up barely remembering what the issue was in the first place. She is like Houdini making problems disappear! If you get the opportunity to work with Linda, jump at it. It will be the best decision you make for your event. I know I’ll be on the lookout for every opportunity to recommend her. She is the best!"

Kathy Ritondo
Chairperson, 20th Annual Committee
WEVA EXPO August 2010"
Service Category: Meeting Planner
Year first hired: 2010
Top Qualities: Personable, Expert, High Integrity

“Linda is the type of professional to roll-up her sleeves and jump-to the task at hand. As the keynote speaker for MPI's April Meeting, several key leaders were out of town, and in the last moments Linda raised her hand to take-on responsibility for ensuring the success of the meeting. Linda created a relationship with me prior to the event, reviewing details such as AV Equipment, Agenda Flow, Marketing Tables, and such. When I arrived, she was ready to begin work immediately- creating a warm, while highly productive atmosphere. As it turned out, I was unable to eat lunch which was served during my presentation. Without missing a beat, Linda ensured I had a packed lunch waiting (and boy was I grateful for her extra initiative!) Linda has a charm about her that attracts laughter, as well as focus on the tasks at hand. If you want a personality to accompany the competence needed to plan your meetings ahead, call on Linda!”
April 23, 2010
Kathy Potts
Keynote Speaker (Taking Accountability/Goal Achievement)
Executive Coach , Oncore Performance Group, LLC

“I am having the distinct pleasure in working with a true industry professional. Linda tackles a project with gusto and she's always on top of the details. We are working together on a number of MPI projects for our Tampa Bay Chapter and no matter the circumstances Linda's optimistic attitude keeps everyone moving toward a successful event. We just completed a fund raising event for the Dress for Success Tampa Bay organization and working with Linda was a joy. We are both proud of what we have been able to do for this worthy organization. I look forward to working with Linda on projects in the future. It is a great collaboration.” February 26, 2010
Margaret H Williams, Certified Meeting Professional
Owner/President , Pizzazz Meeting & Event Planning Group

“It is my pleasure to recommend Linda to anyone looking for meeting planning assistance. Her passion and willingness to help others certainly does not go unnoticed. I was honored to design a logo for Linda and she was amazingly easy to work with. Her ability to communicate her thoughts and ideas effectively made my job very simple. I would gladly work with Linda again and will recommend her services to everyone I know.”
October 20, 2009
Kim Patterson
Owner, Art Director , Moonstruck Design Studios

“Linda Elland is by far one of the five most energetic and most personable individuals I have ever met. She dedicates herself to working hard to getting your business and even harder to keep it through incredible customer service, astute attention to detail and top-notch communication with her clients. Referring Linda to anyone is one of the easiest decisions I could make!”
October 19, 2009
Brian Melton
Financial Advisor , Raymond James & Associates

“Linda is a professional that makes her goal your goal. Her ability to create a win-win for all parties is extraordinary. A woman of integrity with a positive attitude will allow you the opportunity to create successful meetings and events at Tradewinds Island Grand Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida.”
April 2, 2008
Top qualities: Personable , Good Value , High Integrity
Vicki Runyeon
hired Linda as a Hotel/Resort in 1998

 “Linda is an excellent leader. She has a great depth of knowledge of the hospitality industry and current trends. I learned a great deal under her tutelage. She has great respect for her team and the work life balance for team members to be successful. I learned a great deal in my time at the TradeWinds and appreciated the opportunity to grow. With her at the helm, rest assured that that she will be a great resource for any organization looking to host great meeting with that special WOW and Sizzle!”
June 10, 2010
Tad Naglestad
National Sales Manager , TradeWinds Island Resort on St. Pete Beach, FL

“It has been my distinct pleasure to work with Linda. Linda is a true professional, she is very knowledgeable of the hospitality industry, therefore providing the best knowledge and guidance for her Sales Managers. Her organization, positive attitude, drive and passion contributed to the team's success and continued growth in the industry. Her network base speaks for itself. I would definitely recommend her.”
May 19, 2009
Karleen Johnson
National Sales Manager, CMP , TradeWinds Island Resorts

“I have known Linda for over 20 years and I finally had the pleasure of working with her for a year at the TradeWinds. Linda has a wealth of knowledge in Sales and Marketing in the hospitality industry and while working with her, she taught and suggested different options and philosophies of how to get new business and new techniques of closing business. She is dedicated and very customer driven. I was proud to be a part of her team!”
February 24, 2009
Karen Bell
National Sales Manager , TradeWinds Island Resorts

 “Linda Elland is an extremely talented individual. I started working for Linda when I was 19 years old and she taught me everything I know. She is an extremely organized, professional, enthusiastic, intelligent person and I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today if not for her. I would always recommend Linda for anything, because if she wants to do it, she will be successful at it...guaranteed!”
December 8, 2009
Julia Owens
Sales Manager , Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa

“I have enjoyed both a personal and professional relationship with Linda Elland since 1984. Her progressively responsible positions at South Seas Plantation, then Sanibel Harbor Resort and finally The Tradewinds represent years of executive level experience meeting the needs of clients at each of the resorts she represented. Her contacts are worldwide, her reputation sterling, her ability to produce remarkable. I am thrilled to recommend A2Z Meetings & Events to any client looking for top-notch representation in a highly competitive arena. Not only will Linda represent your interests and the values of your company, but she will provide exhaustive research on your behalf and will negotiate terms that meet your needs....and all of this is FREE! How can you beat that! You could not ask for a more experienced or delightful professional to assist you...and I am sure you will make a new friend for life! Debbie Regnone President Resort Sports, Inc.”
April 7, 2009
Debbie Regnone
Owner , Resort Sports, Inc.

“Linda approaches the task at hand with enthusiasm and a determination to achieve results. She excels in collaborative efforts and is a pleasure to work with.”
March 24, 2009
Sara Moffly
Corporate Director of Sales , Sonesta Collection

“I have known and worked with Linda Elland for way too many years to count. We were kids together in the tourism industry. What you need to know is that Linda is a rock star in the Florida resort and meetings business. She is one of the hardest working women in this industry and as a result she has been successful. I admire her for her knowledge of both the meetings industry and resort operations. She has a natural ability to negotiate well and leave both sides feeling good about the deal. But most of all I admire her amazing up-beat personality and her wonderful sense of humor. This is a woman you want on your side!”
March 24, 2009
Bud Nocera
President / CEO , VISIT FLORIDA

“Linda is the consummate hotel executive. She was and still is a very successful hotel executive because of her passion for the industry, her love of the sales process, and most importantly her sincere empathy towards her clients. She would only sell what the resorts could deliver, and be there to personally make sure it was delivered as promised. Linda is also very loyal to those that have the same passion and work ethic as she does. Whenever I'm down and out, I just send Linda a quick email and her responses are always uplifting. I feel fortunate to have worked with her and to consider her a great friend.”
March 24, 2009
Gary Cherrett
Director of Marketing , Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa

“Linda Elland is special! Any organization that has the opportunity to associate with this smart, savvy, detailed and conscientious individual is fortunate. Linda's knowledge of the groups and meetings industry is unsurpassed in the field. Her experience is exemplary and she possesses the contacts and relationships to "get things done" and to "get them done right." I had the pleasure of working with Linda at the Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa some years ago. Additionally, we collaborated in conducting pre-opening training for a period of time in various hotels and casinos. Linda's ability to share her knowledge with others in a way that allows them to take action and gain results is impressive. I can and do recommend Linda for any tasks or assignments relating to groups, meetings, sales and marketing in the hospitality and travel industries.”
March 16, 2009
Robbie Wilson, CHA
Resident Manager; Corporate Training Manager , Sonesta Hotels

“Linda was an absolute pleasure to work with. Extremely personable and hard working, Linda tested my IT department with new and innovative ways of marketing. I very much enjoyed working with her and looked up to her high work ethics.”
March 9, 2009
Bill Johnson
Director, Information Systems , Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa

“Linda is an outstanding leader, salesperson and colleague. She is extremely passionate in whatever she does.”
February 23, 2009
Dawn Messuri
DIrector of Catering , Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa

“Linda has come a long way since I worked with her at Detroit's Hotel Pontchartrain and this comes as no surprise to me (nor I'm sure to any of our other colleagues at that time.) She has always been enthusiastic about her job and has the energy and drive that some people might be envious of. Her attitude was consistently positive and she always had an infectious, sincere smile. Linda's love for her profession has contributed to the success in her career as well as to the relationships she's built with clients. It was wonderful working with someone as professional, hard working and upbeat as Linda.”
September 6, 2009
Camille Stawarz
Administrative Assistant , Hotel Pontchartrain