Ava Wardecki, Communications, Partnerships & Influencer Manager, Accor CP Hotels New Zealand, said her career’s north star has been combining creativity, community and commerce.
She has been a culture, food, beauty and fashion writer for over a decade, alongside working in PR, branding and advertising. In the pandemic, Wardecki launched a social media agency to help lifestyle brands connect to audiences, which expanded into a communications consultancy.
“I wanted a change a few years ago, moved in-house as SO/ Auckland’s Communications and Marketing Manager, and now oversee the relations for 14 hotels across the nation.”
She said, in the hotel industry, her career highlight has been driving strong commercial results through one principle: meeting people where they are. Recently, she is also proud of SO/ Auckland’s collaboration with designer Adrian Williams, to bring “The Adrion Atelier Suite” to life during New Zealand Fashion Week Kahuria 2025.
“It really shows that Partnerships can come in all forms. But generally speaking, having a multi-hyphenate career and outlook is a highlight in itself.”
When Wardecki first joined the hotel industry, she was told to "never become a 'hotel marketer' hotel marketer." She has interpreted that to mean staying curious, forgetting the cookie-cutter, and not looking to the side to see what everyone else is doing. Throughout her career, learnings have come from all directions. However, it’s the frontline team members who gave her the best, most nuanced understanding of the hotel world when she first started.
Since she first joined the industry, hotel bars and restaurants have completely evolved since her early days as a food writer: once avoided, they’ve now become destinations in themselves.
“It’s a real testament to the power of world-building and blending function with delight, I find.”
In the future, Wardecki would like to see hotels truly meet people where they are. Rely on tech only when it's needed. Know when human connection is what makes life effortless for guests. Understand a guest’s unique user journey.
“Locally, I'd like to see how New Zealand’s paired-back approach to service can fuse with luxury standards.”
Throughout her career, curiosity and excellence have continued to motivate her.
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