March 25, 2015 (LAGUNA BEACH, CALI.) – Montage Hotels & Resorts has announced two appointments at resorts on either side of the country: Craig Schoninger as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, a Montage Resort, in Bluffton, South Carolina, and James Palank as Director of Sales & Marketing at Montage Kapalua Bay on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Both executives are responsible for developing and maximizing strategies to provide optimum revenue streams from all departments at their respective resorts, as well as providing training, support and guidance to maximize the talent and booking potential of their individual sales teams.
“Both Craig and James have impressive backgrounds and a proven track record of success in the hospitality industry,” said James Bermingham, Executive Vice President of Operations, Montage Hotels & Resorts. “We are excited to have their leadership at their respective resorts and assist in the growth of Montage Hotels & Resorts.”
Craig Schoninger, Director of Sales & Marketing, The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, a Montage Resort
With more than a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, serving as Director of Sales & Marketing at a number of acclaimed properties, Craig Schoninger joins The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, a Montage Resort, from The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. During his time with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Schoninger oversaw properties in South Beach, Palm Beach and Amelia Island. Schoninger also held the Director of Sales position at Amelia Island Plantation and was pre-opening Sales Manager for The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, where he managed the northeast market. He studied hotel, restaurant and travel administration at Georgia State University. In his personal time, Schoninger enjoys travel, fitness pursuits, spending time on the beach and cooking for family and friends.
James Palank, Director of Sales & Marketing, Montage Kapalua Bay
With more than 20 years of experience in hospitality sales & marketing, James Palank joins Montage Kapalua Bay from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, where he most recently was Director of Sales & Marketing for both The Westin Maui Resort and Spa and The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas within The Ka’anapali Resort. Previously, Palank was Director of Sales & Marketing with The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, where he was honored as “Starwood Sales Leader of the Year” within the North American Division in 2013. Earlier in his career, he spent four years with the Trump Hotel Collection as Regional Director of Leisure Sales and served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing with The Trump International Hotel and Tower in Las Vegas. In his free time, he enjoys the brilliant sunshine and outdoor lifestyle of Maui, pursuing surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and sailing on the blue Pacific.
For more information or to make reservations at Montage Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.montagehotels.com.
