SARASOTA, FL – AUGUST 2017 – Art Ovation Hotel, slated to open this winter with an exponential arts focus embracing Sarasota’s extensive cultural offerings, is proud to announce the appointment of Stephanie Rue as General Manager and Asa Thomas as Director of Sales.
As the appointed General Manager of Art Ovation Hotel, Rue will play a key role in the property’s opening strategy and development, as well as staff leadership, recruitment, and management. She will also oversee all aspects of daily operations, revenue generation, guest satisfaction, and programming upon opening.
Rue touts more than 12 years of hospitality and management experience, spending the past five years as the General Manager for the Courtyard Miami Homestead, where she was nominated for Marriott’s GM of the year in 2015. During her time at the Courtyard Miami, she proved her strong leadership prowess by developing a one-year training course for aspiring general managers for Shaner Hotels, resulting in four associates moving into managerial roles. Prior to her time with Shaner Hotels, Rue held various operational roles at Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa, and Courtyard Marriott in Columbus, Ohio.
Complementing Rue’s strong leadership record, Asa Thomas, CGMP joins Art Ovation Hotel’s team as Director of Sales and is charged with managing all hotel sales, marketing, and revenue strategies.
With more than 17 years of hospitality sales experience, Thomas has played major roles in the industry as Director of Sales at Hyatt Place Orlando Airport, Cluster Director of Sales at Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield Inn and Suites in Tampa. Most recently, she served as the Government Senior Sales Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa, where she booked more than $1.6 million in group sales and catering, and honored with Employee of the Year. Additionally, Thomas was Vice President of the renowned Navy League of Tampa Bay, and Founding Board Member of Women in Defense of Tampa Bay.
“With a laser focus on talent acquisition, paired with an acute plan for operational excellence, we will curate an epic and immersive artistic journey for every guest. Our team (or in Art Ovation terms – our talent), is designed with the intention of creating exceptional moments, cultivated through passion for hospitality and customer service,” said General Manager Stephanie Rue.
The 162-room boutique hotel will join Marriott’s Autograph Collection this winter and plans to make its mark as Sarasota’s signature hotel of the arts.
For more information, visit http://artovationhotel.com.
