Newport, Rhode Island – February 2016 – Hotel Viking announced the appointment of Keith Chouinard as Director of Sales & Marketing. Chouinard joined Hotel Viking in December 2015 and is responsible for the hotel’s sales and marketing efforts including promotions, strategic partnerships, and new business development. Chouinard, who serves on the Board of Discover Newport, brings more than 15 years of experience in hospitality sales to the Hotel Viking team.
“Keith is a driven, results-oriented team leader with great relationships in the community and beyond,” said Robert Burnetti, general manager at Hotel Viking, “His business development skills and commitment to client satisfaction will strengthen our group sales business and bring new visitors to Newport.”
Chouinard’s career began in high school when he worked as a banquet server at Danversport Yacht Club in Danvers, MA. While attending University of Massachusetts at Amherst, he quickly moved up to banquet manager. After earning his degree in restaurant and travel administration, he joined Hyatt Regency in Lake Tahoe. Chouinard then served as director of sales with the Vail Cascade Resort & Spa, Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa, and then headed back East to take the role as Director of Business Development for Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club in Cape Cod, MA. Prior to joining Hotel Viking, Chouinard was affiliated with the Hyatt Regency Newport where he significantly increased groups business resulting in a nomination for Director of Sales of the Year for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts nationwide. Chouinard earned the 2015 Director of Sales of the Year Award from Davidson Hotels & Resorts, the company that owns the Hyatt property in Newport.
“With the renovations almost complete and the 90th anniversary on the horizon, it is truly an exciting time at Hotel Viking,” says Chouinard. “I am thrilled to join the dynamic team here and am looking forward to building upon all the great work they have done.”
