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Industry Happenings
Mobile Photo Share by RoamingAround Adding Differentiation, Revenues to Meetings and Events
RoamingAround | October 17, 2013
Mobile Photo Share is taking events viral and expanding a brand's social media presence; Analytical tools track ROI and social campaign success BOSTON, MASS. - OCTOBER 17, 2013 - Hotel sales teams, event planners, and destination organizations are always looking to add differentiation to their meetings and tradeshow packages. RoamingAround is introducing an exciting new opportunity that is taking event branding viral. Mobile Photo Share by RoamingAround is a fast and fun way to engage with attendees and leverage mobility by instantly sharing photos with their friends and colleagues across the most popular social media channels. Each pho...
Tom Puntel Named Director of Sales & Marketing for Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa in Colorado
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa | October 17, 2013
BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (Oct. 17, 2013) - Park Hyatt Beaver Creek is pleased to welcome Tom Puntel as the director of sales and marketing. Puntel joins the celebrated mountain resort with more than 25 years of experience and success in the hospitality industry, most recently serving as the Director of Sales and Marketing at Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center. Puntel will be responsible for overseeing the revenue strategy as well as directing the group and leisure sales teams of the 190-room resort. During his tenure at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center, he was responsible for driving top line revenues, community engagement and meeting plan...
The 84-key Home2 Suites by Hilton Austin/Cedar Park Opens in Texas
Home2 Suites by Hilton | October 17, 2013
Owned by Pure Lodging Hospitality Two and Managed by Lodgic Hospitality AUSTIN, Texas and MCLEAN, Va. - October 17, 2013 - Home2 Suites by Hilton, Hilton Worldwide's award-winning mid-tier, all-suite hotel brand designed for modern business travelers and extended stay guests, this week announced the opening of its 23rd U.S. hotel, Home2 Suites by Hilton Austin/Cedar Park. The first guest to check-in received complimentary two night accommodations gift certificate for a future visit. "Home to a vibrant cultural scene and numerous universities and attractions, Austin is the ideal location to debut our third Home2 Suites hotel in Texas," s...
Flyte Systems Expands, Adds Sandra Ries as Account Executive
Flyte Systems | October 17, 2013
Ries Will Serve Flyte Systems' clients with 20 Years of Travel Industry and Operations Experience CHICAGO, IL - October 17, 2013 - Flyte Systems, the leading provider of airport travel information displays and digital signage content for the hospitality industry, digital signage, convention centers and related businesses, announced it added Sandra Ries as account executive to support its growth. Ries will work out of Flyte Systems' Chicago office to support existing clients and develop new business opportunities. Click here to request information on Flyte Systems' airport travel and guest information services. "Ms. Ries is a valuable ad...
Paresa Resort in Phuket, Thailand Welcomes Luca Mancini as Executive Chef
Paresa Resort | October 17, 2013
PHUKET, Thailand (October 17, 2013) - Paresa Resort, the hideaway-style luxury resort in Phuket Thailand, is pleased to announce Luca Mancini as executive chef. A seasoned chef with extensive luxury hotel experience, Chef Mancini has spent several years honing his culinary skills around the world. "Luca brings with him a passion for Italian cuisine along with impressive experience in Thailand, which will add to the success of our dining experiences at Paresa," said Paresa Food & Beverage Director Donna Toon. In his role as executive chef, Mancini will oversee all culinary operations at Paresa, assuming responsibility of the resort's...
The 180-room Westin Wilmington Under Development in Delaware to Open in Early 2014
Westin Hotels & Resorts | October 17, 2013
STAMFORD, Conn. - October 17, 2013 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced that its Westin brand will soon inspire wellbeing in Wilmington, Delaware. Opening in March 2014, The Westin Wilmington will be connected to the Chase Center right at the heart of the city's recently revitalized waterfront district. Owned by a joint venture between The Buccini/Pollin Group and Westport Capital, and managed by PM Hospitality Strategies, Inc., the newly constructed Westin hotel will provide 180 spacious rooms, the River Rock Kitchen restaurant, ample meeting space and spectacular views of the downtown Wilmington ...
TrustYou Partners With Simpleview to Provide Actionable Insights & Competitive Intelligence to DMO’s
TrustYou | October 17, 2013
DMOs Gain Greater Access to User-Generated Content & Key Sentiments with Detailed Analysis Dallas, Texas and Munich, Germany -- October 17, 2013 -- TrustYou, the market leader in online reputation management for the hospitality industry, has partnered with Simpleview, an interactive marketing software and services company for destination marketing organizations (DMOs), to provide DMOs with reporting tools to better understand and improve their reputations from the customer perspective. "Reputation and reviews are extremely important for travelers when they make their purchasing decisions. We are pleased to be working with Simpleview...
Janelle Schwartz Appointed as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for M&R Hotel Management
M&R Hotel Management | October 17, 2013
GREAT NECK, N.Y. - Oct. 17, 2013 - M&R Hotel Management, a fast-growing, owner-operator based in Great Neck, N.Y., today announced the appointment of Janelle Schwartz, a 16-year hospitality veteran, as vice president of sales and marketing to oversee sales, marketing, e-commerce, revenue management, public relations and social media. Brian M. McSherry, M&R chief operating officer, said Schwartz brings "multiple branding skills" to her new role, notably experience marketing hotels under the Starwood, Hilton, Marriott and Leading Hotels of the World brands in the United States as well as destinations including Turks and Caicos and...
Fort Myers Property Earns Prestigious Educational Institute Designation
the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute | October 17, 2013
Brings Lee County VCB Closer to Certified Guest Service Destination Goal Orlando, Florida, October 2013-The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI) awarded the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Fort Myers-The Forum with the Certified Guest Service Property designation during a ceremony on October 11, 2013. To earn the designation, all of the property's guest contact employees passed the Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP®) certification exam offered by EI. The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites is a member of the Lee County (Florida) Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB), which has set a goal of beco...
Regent Hotels & Resorts Appoints Michael Posch as GM of Regent Porto Montenegro Opening Summer 2014
Regent Hotels & Resorts | October 17, 2013
Taipei, Taiwan - October 17, 2013 - Regent Hotels & Resorts welcomes Mr. Michael Posch as the newly appointed General Manager of Regent Porto Montenegro, a luxury hotel scheduled to open in the summer of 2014. Posch brings with him 21 years of experience in the hospitality industry, and comes onboard this month after serving in the same capacity with Leonardo Royal Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz. Posch will be responsible for leading and managing operations at Regent Porto Montenegro. From food & beverage to sales to operations, Posch has a demonstrated expertise across all operations in luxury hotels. Starting out as a Front Offic...
Tom Donovan Named as Managing Director for Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, on Maui, Hawaii
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort | October 17, 2013
WAILEA, MAUI, HAWAII, October 16, 2013 - Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, announces the appointment of Tom Donovan as managing director of the 40-acre, beachfront resort destination on Maui. Donovan joins Grand Wailea at a new phase of growth with its new owner, the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), committed to investing financial resources to maintain Grand Wailea's position as one of the top island resorts in the world. GIC acquired Grand Wailea in March as a long-term investment and it is already devoting resources in capital improvement projects that will enhance the resort's unique offerings. Hilton Worl...
Mandarin Orchard Singapore Chooses Infor Hospitality
Mandarin Orchard Singapore, by Meritus | October 17, 2013
Infor EzRMS to Increase Profits, Maximize Occupancy NEW YORK - Oct. 17, 2013 - Infor, a leading provider of business application software serving more than 70,000 customers, today announced that Mandarin Orchard Singapore, a hotel on Orchard Road Singapore, has selected Infor EzRMS to better analyze data and respond quickly to varying market conditions. The automation capabilities of the full EzRMS™ product suite will reduce manual processes and increase overall revenue across the properties via real-time visibility. Modules such as Infor EzQUOTE, Infor EzBUDGET, Infor EzCONTRACT and Infor EzCOMPETE will provide quantified recommendat...
Janelle Schwartz to Lead Sales and Marketing for M&R Hotel Management
M&R Hotel Management | October 16, 2013
GREAT NECK, N.Y. (Oct. 18, 2013) ─ M&R Hotel Management, a fast-growing, owner-operator based in Great Neck, N.Y., today announced the appointment of Janelle Schwartz, a 16-year hospitality veteran, as vice president of sales and marketing to oversee sales, marketing, e-commerce, revenue management, public relations and social media. Brian M. McSherry, M&R chief operating officer, said Schwartz brings "multiple branding skills" to her new role, notably experience marketing hotels under the Starwood, Hilton, Marriott and Leading Hotels of the World brands in the United States as well as destinations including Turks and Caicos a...
Christopher Cowdray Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award at 2013 European Hospitality Awards
Dorchester Collection | October 16, 2013
(London) October 16, 2013 - Dorchester Collection's Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Cowdray, will be awarded the Lifetime Achievement award at this year's European Hospitality Awards taking place on November 1st in London. Now in its fourth year, this prestigious award recognizes a person for service to the hotel community and their body of work and is awarded by a panel of judges from the hospitality sector. Christopher Cowdray has been Chief Executive Officer of the London-based hotel management company, Dorchester Collection, since November 2007. A native of Zimbabwe and a graduate of the Columbia Business School Executive Progr...
Three Ritz-Carlton and Three JW Marriott Hotels Open in Asia in October 2013
Marriott International, Inc. | October 16, 2013
Hong Kong, October 16, 2013 – As Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) continues to help people "See the World," the company today said it will open six hotels in Asia this month from its Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott brands. The company's growth of The Ritz-Carlton brand continues apace with openings in Chengdu, Tianjin and Bangalore this month, while its JW Marriott brand will open hotels in Hanoi, Bangalore and Delhi. With 186 hotels in its signed pipeline, more than 135 of which it expects to open in the next three years, Marriott expects to more than double in size in Asia through 2016, reaching at total of 330 hotels with more...
Monica Bewak Appointed Director of Catering & Conference Services for 391-key Trump SoHo New York
Trump SoHo New York | October 16, 2013
NEW YORK (October 16, 2013) - Trump SoHo® New York, the first Trump Hotel Collection property in downtown Manhattan and the neighborhood's only AAA Five Diamond rated hotel, today announced its appointment of Monica Bewak as Director of Catering & Conference Services. "We are very pleased to welcome Monica to the Trump SoHo team," said Andreas Oberoi, General Manager of Trump SoHo New York. "With her extensive experience in selling and managing catering services for luxury properties, we are confident that her contributions will further elevate Trump SoHo's success in the event sector." Bewak brings with her extensive experience in...
Red Lion Hotels Adds Hotels in Greater Los Angeles and in Eastern Washington to its Portfolio
Red Lion Hotels Corporation | October 16, 2013
SPOKANE, Wash., Oct. 16, 2013 -- Red Lion Hotels Corporation (NYSE: RLH) announced this week two hotels converted to the brand adding locations in Greater Los Angeles and Eastern Washington wine country. The Red Lion Hotel Ontario Airport, 204 N Vineyard Ave., is located approximately 35 miles directly east of downtown Los Angeles. A former Ayres Grand Boutique Suites, the hotel has 107 rooms and suites and borders the Ontario Convention Center. Amenities include an outdoor pool and hot tub, a hot breakfast cooked to order and free internet access. Just 2.5 miles from the hotel, the Ontario Motor Speedway offers NASCAR oval stock car r...
Tony Dunn Appointed as General Manager of the 1,231-room Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel in Colorado
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. | October 16, 2013
DENVER - October 16, 2013 - The Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel announced that Tony Dunn has been appointed as its new General Manager. Dunn brings over 24 years of hotelier and hospitality experience to the position at Colorado's largest hotel with 1,231 guest rooms and over 131,000 square feet of meeting space. Starwood Hotels and Resorts manage the property, which is situated on the popular 16th Street Pedestrian Mall and in close proximity to the Colorado Convention Center. "I look forward to my new leadership role, as I am delighted to be involved with one of Denver and Colorado's premiere hotels. The experience I have gained in Can...
Development Launched for 186-room Sheraton McKinney Hotel to Open in McKinney, Texas in Q1 2015
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. | October 16, 2013
STAMFORD, Conn. & MCKINNEY, Texas - October 16, 2013 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced its Sheraton brand will expand its portfolio in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area with a new hotel planned for McKinney, Texas. The City of McKinney and the McKinney Community Development Corporation (MCDC) are teaming up with Champ Hospitality and Beck Development to build the $38 million Sheraton McKinney Hotel at the corner of Highway 75 and the Sam Rayburn Tollway. The 186-room Sheraton will be McKinney's first upscale, full-service hotel and will be connected to a 20,000 square-foot events cente...
Marquette Companies Developing 160-room Hotel Indigo in Naperville, Illinois to Open in 2015
October 16, 2013
ATLANTA - October 16, 2013 - Hotel Indigo®, IHG's (InterContinental Hotels Group) upscale boutique brand, continues to expand in top-tier U.S. markets, with plans for a hotel in the Chicago suburb of Naperville. The hotel, planned on the Naperville Riverwalk, an award-winning riverfront walkway and park, is expected to be a significant anchor for the mixed-use retail, restaurant and office development on the south end of Naperville's central business district. This is the second Hotel Indigo signing in the Chicago market this year, with a hotel expected to open in the Millennium Park area in late 2014. Slated to open in 2015, the hotel...
Northwood Investors Acquires the 200-room London West Hollywood in California
Northwood Investors | October 16, 2013
NEW YORK, October 16, 2013 -- Northwood Investors LLC ("Northwood"), a leading privately-held global real estate firm, today announced that it has acquired The London West Hollywood, a 200-room hotel in California. Northwood Hospitality LLC, an affiliate of Northwood, will manage the hotel. "Northwood is pleased to have the opportunity to own and operate such a high quality hotel in a supply-constrained hospitality market like West Hollywood," said Jonathan Wang, Managing Director of Northwood. "We are excited to build upon the success of the hotel by making further capital investments in the property, beginning with the build-out of th...
Tony Lanza Appointed as Chief Operations Officer for Emerson Resort & Spa in NY’s Catskill Mountains
Emerson Resort & Spa | October 16, 2013
MT. TREMPER, NY, October 16, 2013 - The award-winning Emerson Resort & Spa is pleased to announce the promotion of Tony Lanza to Chief Operations Officer, effective immediately. Lanza, who most recently served as the property's Marketing Director, will continue to oversee all marketing and public relations efforts in addition to the Emerson's day-to-day operations. "I'm thrilled to appoint Tony to our leadership team," said Naomi Umhey, CEO of Emerson Resort & Spa. "He brings extensive knowledge and experience to his role and shares our passion to deliver best-in-class hospitality and service. As we continue to evolve to meet th...
360 Hotel Group Affiliates to Open 122-suite SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Bellingham, WA
SpringHill Suites by Marriott | October 16, 2013
Bellingham, Washington - October 16, 2013 - The 122-suite SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Bellingham, Washington is scheduled to open on Saturday, October 19, 2013. Located at 4040 Northwest Avenue, the SpringHill Suites Bellingham will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned and managed by affiliates of 360 Hotel Group of Lynnwood, Washington. Located one mile from Bellingham International Airport and five minutes from downtown, the hotel offers guests convenient access to the Fairhaven Historical District, Western Washington University, the Whatcom Museum and Bellis Fair Mall. Rates are seasonal. "We're delighted that the SpringHill S...
Kerzner International Names Guenter Gebhard as General Manager for One&Only Hayman Island, Australia
Kerzner International Holdings Limited | October 16, 2013
October 16, 2013 - Kerzner International Holdings Limited (the "Company") has appointed Guenter Gebhard as the new General Manager for One&Only Hayman Island, ahead of the rebirth of the resort in April 2014. As General Manager, Guenter will be responsible for the entire operation of Hayman Island, its strategic development, as well as the successful integration into the One&Only portfolio. As the collection's first resort in Australia, his role will be key in strengthening the brand in the region. "I am thrilled to have Guenter join One&Only Resorts at this exciting time of growth for the company," commented Mark DeCocinis,...
