Radisson RED Portland Downtown announces today the appointment of General Manager Luca Merino and Director of Sales and Marketing Gregory Heinze. The two are the first members to join the team at the brand’s latest lifestyle property coming to Portland in November 2018.
“Luca and Gregory are both invaluable additions to our Radisson RED Portland team,” says Elias Assaly, vice president, managed hotels, Americas, Radisson Hotel Group. “We’re thrilled that Luca will be continuing his work in shaping and evolving the RED brand and that Gregory will be bringing his expert knowledge of Portland hospitality to our new, vibrant hotel.”
General Manager Luca Merino
Merino’s career in hospitality started nearly 20 years ago when he interned in communications and operations for Disney. Since then, he’s worked in numerous lodging, food, and beverage establishments and found his knack for the hotel business when overseeing operations and development of concept for the opening of Le Méridien Chambers Minneapolis.
For the past three years, Merino has worked with the Radisson Hotel Group, most recently opening the United States’ first Radisson RED in Minneapolis serving as the hotel’s Director of Sales and Marketing. Merino is eager to continue his efforts in providing Radisson RED guests with organic and reliable experiences during their stays at Radisson RED Portland Downtown.
“Portlanders are very real and expect a genuine experience in return,” says Merino. “I’m excited to bring the Radisson RED brand to Portland as we offer a balance between a boutique, tailored atmosphere and the consistency of a trusted hotel group like Radisson.”
As general manager at Radisson RED Portland Downtown, Merino oversees all aspects of hotel operations for the soon to be opened, 180-room hotel.
Director of Sales and Marketing Gregory Heinze
Heinze enters his new role of director of sales and marketing with more than 12 years in Portland’s hotel industry. Before joining the Radisson RED team, Heinze worked as the director of transient sales at The Benson Hotel, where he developed, managed and maintained relationships with the hotel’s key accounts. Prior to that role, Heinze served on the marketing and sales teams at properties in Oregon such as Hotel Modera, Riverhouse Hotel and Convention Center and Crowne Plaza Portland Convention Center.
In addition to Heinze’s former work with hotels in the state, he is also engrained in the local travel industry, serving as the director of membership of the Oregon Business Travel Association and director of special event programming at the Oregon chapter of Meeting Professionals International.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of the Radisson RED’s first West Coast property,” says Heinze. “As an Oregonian, I believe this vibrant, lively hotel will truly resonate with travelers visiting Portland, as well as the city’s residents.”
In his new role, Heinze guides the strategic development of the hotel’s marketing and sales team and ensures that guests will have an exceptional, personalized experience at Radisson RED Portland Downtown.
