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Arizona Phone Bood
Arizonaarizona
 

 

October 1, 2009

phoenix /  The Phoenix City Council has approved a $600 million renovation of the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa which officials said will update the amenities of the hotel while preserving its historic character.  The project will consist of a new spa, fine-dining restaurant, upgrades to neighboring trails, traffic improvements, pool and landscaping redevelopment, a promenade along the Arizona Canal, new resort entrance and 300 new rooms.

 

With an eye towards being more environmentally conscious, the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel has planted a 120 square-foot seasonal garden on the fourth-floor deck of the 31-floor hotel.  In addition, the hotel is working with Philips Electronics to determine possible CFL or LED technology for custom lighting fixtures that currently only work with traditional incandescent bulbs.

 

In June, the Gila River Indian Community celebrated a 35,330 square-foot expansion of the ballroom at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa.

 

An exciting new resort project is under construction in the heart of the greater Phoenix area. This 15-story world-class resort, slated to open in early 2010, is being developed by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.  SRP-MIC recently announced their decision to name the new resort “Talking Stick Resort,” a name that signifies the rich culture and heritage of the Pima and Maricopa tribes.

 

Casino Arizona announced the appointment of Ramon Martinez as director of public relations for two properties, Casino Arizona at Salt River and Talking Stick Resort.   “Ramon has been with Casino Arizona since its beginnings and has demonstrated true dedication to its progress,” said Jon Jenkins, president and CEO of Casino Arizona.

 

After 13 hours of impassioned preparation and meticulous presentation, Executive Pastry Chef Kaushik Chowdhury, of JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, led his trio to win the 2009 National Team Pastry Championship held recently at the resort.  Chef Chowdhury, along with team members Melynda Gilmore and Keith Taylor, the resort’s pastry supervisors, competed for the $30,000 first place cash award and to advance as Team USA in the 2010 World Championship.

 

The Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak is the first resort in Phoenix to feature PURE Rooms, an allergy-friendly room that provides guests, especially those who suffer from allergies and asthma, cleaner, fresher air.

 

scottsdale /   Benchmark Hospitality International has named Bob Boyle regional director of operations for the Woodlands, Texas-based hospitality management company.  In his new role as regional director of operations, Bob assumes responsibility for overseeing the 326-guestroom Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center.  He will continue in his responsibilities at the 443-guestroom Turtle Bay Resort.  Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center and Turtle Bay Resort are the two largest resort properties in Benchmark Hospitality’s portfolio. 

 

A multi-million dollar renovation is underway at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa and is expected to be completed in fall 2010.  The resort will remain open during the duration of the project, but a transformation will take place behind the scenes in the elements kitchen which will expand to double its current size. Also in development is private dining room XII, which will feature a wine corridor exhibiting 800 bottles and a sommelier station. In addition, Sanctuary was named to Travel + Leisure’s “500 World’s Best Hotels.”

 

The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa, Arizona’s only “Platinum Medal” winning golf course, has announced the arrival of new golf professional, Jean Ashley Crawford.

 

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa has recently received these awards:  Meetings & Conventions Magazine - Gold Tee Award, Successful Meetings Magazine - Pinnacle Award, Incentive Magazine - Platinum Partner Award, and the AAA 4-Diamond Award.

 

Chaparral Suites Scottsdale has received the 2009 Gold Key Award from Meetings & Conventions magazine.

 

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North announced the appointment of a new GM, Vince Parrotta, as well as a new resort manager, David Bernand.  David comes to the resort following a six-year appointment at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C.

 

fountain hills /  In June, the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino was selected as the recipient of the Radisson Hotels & Resorts 2008 Hotel of the Year Award .  Fredrik Korallus, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Radisson Hotels & Resorts, presented the award to Greg Carrish, GM of the hotel as well as the Tribal Council of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation which owns the property.  The hotel is managed by TriStar Hotel Management Company.

 

paradise valley /   Hermosa Inn, an authentic Southwestern hacienda and boutique hotel and was hand-built in the 1930s by renowned cowboy artist Lon Megargee as his home and studio, has begun a $2 million room remodel to retain and honor the “Old Arizona” charm with new furniture, tile, carpet, artwork and bedding as well as expanded and updated bathrooms.  According to GM Michael Gildersleeve, the renovation will be complete in early November.

 

The co-owner and operator of the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix has been tapped to help redevelop the shuttered former Marriott’s Mountain Shadows and Golf Club in Paradise Valley. Boston-based Pyramid Advisors owns or operates 49 resort properties throughout the United States, including the Biltmore and the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa also in Phoenix.

 

sedona /   Enchantment Resort is pleased to announce the grand opening of the new Agave Ballroom, Ocotillo Ballroom and Manzanita Executive Boardroom. These beautiful event spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows boast stunning views of the red rocks and Boynton Canyon along with warm, natural décor. These additions to the resort’s meeting facilities bring Enchantment’s total indoor event space to more than 13,000 square feet. Enchantment Resort was named the best U.S. and Canada hotel on Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best Hotels for Families.”

 

tucson / Meeting Professionals International recently announced that Matt Brody, director of sales and marketing for JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, will serve his third straight year on the MPI Board of Directors.

 

flagstaff  / The Flagstaff CVB and Visitor Center has made the following personnel changes:  Heather Ainardi has officially accepted the position of director.  She was formerly the public relations manager.  Jacki Lenners is now the marketing and public relations manager, formerly marketing manager.  Mike Russell is now a publications specialist, formerly publications assistant.  Kathy Hales is now the visitor center manager and Baily Pugh has accepted the 31-hour administrative assistant position at the Visitor Center.

 

mesa / Gaylord Entertainment’s plans for a massive hotel and conference center in Mesa got a boost with a recent announcement that it plans to raise $380 million.  The influx of cash seems likely to help fund plans for Arizona’s largest hotel on part of the former General Motors proving grounds in east Mesa.  The $1 billion resort is one of the largest projects proposed for the entire East Valley.

 

litchfield / Joseph Harvey has joined the Wigwam Golf Resort as director of finance. He was most recently the pre-opening director of finance for the Sé San Diego.

 

marana /   Michael McMahon, general manager, announced that the Dove Mountain Ritz-Carlton will be completed in Ocotber.  It is Ritz-Carlton’s 75th property.  The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club opened earlier this year just in time for the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship which featured Tiger Woods’ return to the game after knee surgery.

 

 
Arkansas Phone Book
Arkansasarkansas
 

 

October 1, 2009

bentonville / Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced plans to open its first hotel in Bentonville.  The Sheraton Bentonville Plaza, scheduled to open in 2011, will occupy a prime location directly across the street from the corporate headquarters of Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club.  The newly constructed property will offer 234 guest rooms, 6,500 square feet of meeting space, and an interactive environment.

The Bentonville CVB announced these new hires:  John Lamparski, group sales manager, Wendy Bader, sales manager of SMERF market, and Blair Cromwell, vice president of sales.

The Bentonville Convention & Visitors Bureau has moved into their new facility on the Downtown Square at 104 E. Central, Bentonville. “The Bentonville Commissioners have done an outstanding job of building the foundation for our city as it grows into a viable leisure destination,” stated Kalene Griffith, president of the Bentonville CVB.  “Moving to a location with higher-visibility translates into higher-traffic and provides us with more opportunities to inform our tourists about all the things we have to offer both in the city of Bentonville and across Northwest Arkansas, thus enhancing the overall visitor experience.” 

fort smith /  Christy Marks has joined the Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau as convention & event sales director. Christy has more than 10 years experience in the Arkansas hospitality industry and additional experience in Branson, Mo. Most recently, Christy was with the John Q. Hammons Embassy Suites Northwest Arkansas Hotel, Spa & Convention Center.

eureka springs /  Marty Roenigk, 68, co-owner of the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa and the 1905 Basin Park Hotel, died in a two-vehicle collision near Griswold, Iowa, on the evening of June 18.  Roenigk and his wife Elise bought and restored the Crescent and Basin Park hotels 12 years ago and have been active in preservation and community work in Eureka Springs since that time.

little rock /  The Peabody Little Rock just completed a full renovation of the Grand Ballroom, pre function, and East Concourse areas including new carpeting and air walls.

The Arkansas Arts Center is presenting the exhibition World of the Pharaohs: The Treasures of Egypt Revealed that will run through July 5, 2010.  “World of the Pharaohs will be the biggest exhibition ever in Arkansas and the first exhibition of Egyptian art to come to Arkansas,” said Arkansas Arts Center Executive Director Nan Plummer.

 

 
Colorado Phone Book
Coloradocolorado

 

October 1, 2009

colorado springs /  Experience Colorado Springs, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, is developing a new website to launch by the end of 2009 and targeting leisure travelers and meeting planners.  The bureau said that the new website will include improved functionality and usability. 

Laurie Vitagliano has been appointed the regional DOSM for the Antlers Hilton Hotel.  The Antlers Hilton has just received the AAA Four Diamond Award for 2009-2010.

Sheila Manzanares, director of sales for the Cheyenne Mountain Resort, announced the promotion of Lynda McMasters to sales manager.  Lynda has been supporting the team in the role of marketing information coordinator since December 2005 and is very familiar with the sales team and sales processes.

denver / The Brown Palace announced that Michael Maruca has been promoted from executive assistant manager-food & beverage to hotel manager.  Working under managing director, Marcel Pitton, Michael will oversee the food and beverage operation as well as the rooms division and front office operation for the hotel.  The Brown Palace also received these awards:  top U.S. Hotels - Zagat 2009, Pinnacle Award - Successful Meetings 2009 and the Gold Key Award - Meetings & Conventions Magazine.

Warwick Denver Hotel announced these new hires:  Devona DeVault as group sales manager and Jill Klocek as IBT sales manager.  The Warwick Denver recently completed a $25 million renovation.  In addition, the pool has undergone a major renovation and is the only roof-top pool that is open year round in Denver.

Kinsley, a full service meetings and events management firm, announced the addition of Josh Levy to its management team as marketing director.  Most recently, he was the director of sales communications and development at Exclusive Resorts. Kinsley also announced Rowland Cheeks as director of sales and new business development.  Prior to joining Kinsley, Rowland directed national and regional sales efforts at a number of organizations, including the Disney Resorts Destinations, Conferon / Experient and Hyatt Hotels & Resorts.

Tom Novak recently joined the Crowne Plaza Denver International Airport as the assistant GM and director of operations.  Tom has served as an operational director for multiple upscale brand hotels in the Denver area for over 17 years.  The Crowne Plaza DIA was awarded with a “Meeting and Hospitality Award of Excellence” by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of MPI.

Sage Hospitality announced that it will join an innovative public–private partnership with The Metropolitan State College of Denver and M.A. Mortensen Co. to develop and operate a 190-room hotel slated to house the school’s rapidly expanding Hotel Learning Center.  The new hotel is expected to open in 2012.

The Westin Westminster has hired Michael Rayburn as the hotel’s director of group sales and Christoph Schöttle has been named executive sous chef.

The Curtis hotel announced two appointments to its executive staff:  Bruce Mangual as director of catering and Rick Oberdahlhoff as DOSM.  In the tradition of the Curtis, Bruce and Rick created their own job titles: Bruce is the “Director of Chaos” and Rick will be known as “The Closer.”

Tom Puntel has been promoted to DOSM at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center.  Prior to arriving in Denver, Tom held the position of regional director of revenue management.

Travel + Leisure lauds Denver’s Hotel Teatro and it is the only Colorado facility to be named as one of America’s top 50 large city hotels, a designation reserved for hotels with at least 100 rooms.

Christy DeSiato has been named as director of group sales for The Westin Tabor Center, Denver.  Christy comes to the hotel from Westin Westminster, where she held that same position.  A nine-year Starwood associate, Christy has held various sales and catering positions with Denver area Starwood properties.  The Westin Tabor Center completed an $11 million renovation in March.

Magnolia Hotels, a Denver-based hotel development and management company, announced Caroline H. Czirr has been appointed to the position of corporate director of sales for the company.  Caroline brings 15 years hospitality management experience including serving 12 years in numerous capacities for the Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group.

Ron Fiorilli has assumed the duties of DOSM with the Courtyard by Marriott Denver Cherry Creek.

David J. Jurcak, GM of the Omni Interlocken Resort & Spa, announced that the hotel was recognized as the #3 Company in the Best Companies to Work For in Colorado by Colorado BIZ Magazine.

Maria Maxwell, DOSM at the Sheraton Denver Downtown, announced their newest sales manager, Marc Kruger.  Marc will be handling the Northeast & Eastern Canada Territory.  The Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel has enjoyed a renovation of all 1,231 guestrooms and suites as well as renovation of the over 133,000 square feet of meeting space.  The heart of the lobby renovation is the Link@SheratonSM experienced with Microsoft, a sleek and inviting communications lounge where travelers can stay connected.

General manager Barbara Readey for the Denver Marriott Tech Center is a Denver Business Journal - Business Woman of the Year Finalist.

The JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek announced that it has completed more than $2 million in property enhancements over the past 18 months including a sophisticated new lobby that is divided into multiple seating zones that provide areas for both large groups and intimate gatherings, including two major focal points - the fireplace and the library.

The Kessler Collection with properties of Beaver Creek Lodge, El Monte Sagrado and Kessler Canyon has opened a new Midwest regional sales office in Denver.  Staffing the new office are Jeannie DiGrappa, regional director of sales, and Pamela Feeley, regional senior sales manager.

broomfield / Vail Resorts, Inc. announced that Heidi Kercher-Pratt was promoted to VP and chief marketing officer. Heidi, who fills the role recently vacated by Derek Koenig, joined Vail Resorts in 1996 as an assistant in the advertising department and will now oversee all of the marketing and sales for the company’s mountain division.

Vail Resorts, Inc. also announced that Patricia Campbell, senior vice president and chief operating office of Keystone, will move into the position of senior vice president and chief operating officer of Breckenridge Resort, replacing Lucy Kay.

aspen /   Aspen Meadows Resort has been named to the 2009 Expedia Insiders’ Select list, ranking it one of the travel website’s top 1% of hotels worldwide.  In addition, Expedia lists the resort as a four-star hotel property.

Shannon Dempsey has been hired as a national sales manager for the Colorado Mountain Collection with properties located in Aspen, Snowmass, Telluride, and Vail.

The Little Nell is setting a new standard in hotel room design with the commission of internationally known residential designer Holly Hunt to redesign The Little Nell’s guest rooms, junior suites, and its corridors, ensuring the iconic and fashionable hotel is as fresh as ever. The hotel will be closed for the renovations and re-opening in December.

beaver creek /   The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa has been awarded its Silver LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the first LEED certified hotel in Colorado and only the 9th Silver LEED certified hotel in the U.S.

glenwood springs /   The Glenwood Hot Springs welcomes Ann Denney, director of sales and marketing, as the newest member of its management team.  Ann was a former independent contractor for Aspen Ski Tours/Ski.Com, one of the ski industry’s largest ski wholesalers.  Also new and helping Ann in her duties is Kerstin Brixey, assistant DOSM.  Kerstin recently relocated from Portland, Oregon where she was the executive sales assistant for The Paramount Hotel.

gateway /   Gateway Canyons Resort, a premium destination property located in the red rock canyons of western Colorado, has announced the addition of Marci Kurronen as director of outside sales.  Marci was most recently the associate director of sales and had a twelve year tenure at Vail Valley Partnership/Chamber and Tourism Bureau.

vail / The construction of Four Seasons Resort Vail continues and is on-target to welcome guests beginning in early summer 2010.  The resort will feature 121 rooms and an 8,000 square foot conference and function area, the centerpiece of which will be the 3,600 square foot Big Horn Ballroom.

Pete Hayda has been named area director of sales & marketing for RockResorts Vail Collection which includes The Arrabelle at Vail Square, The Lodge at Vail, and Austria Haus Hotel as well as continuing with his current role as director of sales and marketing for Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa.  Prior to his position at Vail Marriott, he served as the DOSM for the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel.

George Fischer, managing director for Destination Hotels & Resorts, recently named Brett Schoenfield general manager of the Vail Cascade.  Brett joins the Vail Cascade team most recently from The Riviera Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, Calif.  In addition, Gore Creek, the slope side stream that flows through Vail, is the inspiration for the new Atwater on Gore Creek restaurant at the Vail Cascade. The new restaurant is the final phase of the property’s $30 million transformation to take advantage of the resort’s private location along one of the Vail Valley’s most distinguishing characteristics – Gore Creek.

snowmass / Viceroy Snowmass, the anchor property of the Base Village project and the only building still under construction, is officially on its way to a ski-season opening.  Featuring the only ski-in/ski-out ballroom in Aspen/Snowmass, Viceroy Snowmass’ 5,600 square-foot ballroom is divisible into four sections and features floor to ceiling windows offering spectacular mountain and valley vistas.  Viceroy Snowmass prepares for its debut in December with the appointment of Jeff David as general manager.  In addition, the hotel has hired Rob Henderson as new DOSM, Kakie Grainger as the director of leisure sales, and Katie Keeling as sales manager.

telluride / Destination Hotels & Resorts announced that the company will manage Hotel Telluride located in the heart of the historic town.  The 59-unit boutique hotel is situated in downtown Telluride with easy access to Telluride Ski Resort and offering picturesque views of the San Juan Mountains.

golden / Andria Lewis, owner of the award-winning Golden Hotel, was named the Women’s Business Alliance “Woman of the Year” at Choice Hotel’s International 55th Annual Convention in May for her “professional achievement, personal leadership and commitment in the lodging industry.”  The Golden Hotel has a new executive chef, David Davis.  Chef Davis most recently held the position of executive sous chef at the Isle of Capri.

 

 
Louisiana Phone Book
Louisianalouisiana
 

 

October 1, 2009

new orleans /  Kelly Buchler Johnson has joined the sales team at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.  Kelly most recently served as convention sales manager at the New Orleans Metropolitan CVB.  Rose Lehn has been named food and beverage strategist / facility F & B liaison of the convention center which has recently built a 26-acre festival ground adjacent to the facility.

The New Orleans CVB announced that Jeffrey Anding, director of convention marketing, and MaryBeth Guarisco, director of convention services, recently received their Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation.  The New Orleans CVB also announced the promotion of Rachel Avery to account executive. 

The Roosevelt New Orleans will roll out the red carpet for a historic grand-opening gala weekend Oct. 23-25 featuring world-famous New Orleans entertainers and the introduction of John Besh’s Domenica Restaurant and the acclaimed Guerlain Spa, benefiting area non-profits.  The newest member of the Waldorf Astoria brand, the hotel follows up on its July ribbon-cutting with a weekend of festivities expected to attract up to 1,000 guests to hear New Orleans’ first family of funk, the Neville Brothers; Grammy Award-winning singer Irma Thomas; musician, composer and producer Allen Toussaint; and clarinetist Tim LaughlinRobert Plouffe has joined The Roosevelt team as executive pastry chef.  Robert was most recently a sous-chef at Hilton’s Rose Hall Resorts in Jamaica.

The Crowne Plaza New Orleans Airport received the Intercontinental Hotel Group 2009 renovation of the year award for all Crowne Plaza Brand Hotels throughout the country. This award is given only to those hotels that merit special recognition for having successfully completed major modernization and renovation programs during the past year.

The city of New Orleans has been awarded Super Bowl XLVII.  After exhaustive efforts by Saints owner Tom Benson, the Saints organization, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and other officials, Benson’s fellow NFL owners voted that the city will host the league’s championship game in 2013.

The National World War II Museum will open three major new attractions in November: the 250-seat “Victory Theater,” premiering the 4-D cinematic experience Beyond All Boundaries, the Stage Door Canteen, featuring a signature live show and other entertainment, and The American Sector, a Chef John Besh restaurant.  This new complex is the latest phase of The National World War II Museum’s $300 million expansion which will quadruple the size of the existing facility.

New Orleans recently ranked number one in a poll conducted by the Society of American Travel Writers to find the “Top 10” North American cities for live music.  SATW is the world’s largest organization of professional travel journalists and photographers.

The Hotel Monteleone has been named the official hotel of the Broadway Across America series which will return to New Orleans this fall after a four year absence since Hurricane Katrina, with the opening of five award-winning shows: Cats, The Color Purple, Mamma Mia!, Wicked, and Avenue Q.  “We’re so excited to be in partnership with such a distinguished brand,” says DOSM, Andrea Thornton.  The Hotel Monteleone’s Carousel Bar celebrated its 60th anniversary in May.  In 2008 the Carousel Bar was voted “Best of the City” by National Geographic Traveler.

Donna Brown has been promoted to director of operations at the JW Marriott New Orleans.  A Marriott associate since 1988, Donna received a B.S. from Loyola University. Donna’s new responsibilities will encompass the front office and rooms operations, as well as kitchen and restaurant facilities.

The Louis Armstrong International Airport is undergoing a $350 million renovation.  The airport terminal interior improvements include upgrading signs and lighting on Loop Road, which is substantially complete.  Improvements will be made to the first and second level facades along the curbside beginning in late 2009.  Terminal interior improvements include upgrades to the flight information display system, restroom renovations and renovations to the terminal area.

AirTran will begin nonstop flights from Baltimore/Washington Airport to New Orleans in October.  Aeromexico, the official airline of Latin America, began six weekly nonstop flights between New Orleans and Mexico City in July. Aeromexico is New Orleans’ first international flight service since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The 166-room La Quinta Inn & Suites, located at 301 Camp Street, reopened in February after a complete renovation of the hotel’s interior and exterior.

baton rouge / Embassy Suites announced that Lenore Elvir, Embassy Suites – Baton Rouge, has been named Director of Sales of the Year at its brand conference held in San Diego in May.  Lenore has served as an Embassy Suites team member for nearly twenty years, joining in 1991 as sales assistant.

Radisson Hotels & Resorts announced the addition of the Radisson Hotel Baton Rouge located at 2445 S. Acadian Thruway.  The 132-room hotel, which offers more than 5,000 sq.ft. of meeting space, was converted to the Radisson brand following an $8.5 million renovation.  Dimitri Veltsos serves as the hotel’s general manager.

Hotel Indigo and Baton Rouge developers, Brace B. Godfrey, Jr. and John Schneider, announced the commencement of renovations to the former Hotel King property in downtown Baton Rouge.  Scheduled to open in late 2010, the 48,000 sq. ft. building will become a 93-room Hotel Indigo.


shreveport-bossier city /   Alison Young is a new sales manager at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Shreveport. A graduate of Louisiana Tech University, Alison has nine years of sales and marketing experience in retail, advertising and commercial kitchen equipment.

Debbie Coleman has been promoted to general manager of the Clarion Hotel Shreveport.

Louisiana’s Other Side tourism industry is strong with the state’s highest hotel occupancy rates, despite a drop in travel figures for many destinations nationwide.  A recent Smith Travel Research report shows the Shreveport MSA leading all other Louisiana cities in hotel occupancy for the month of July with 73.5 percent. Baton Rouge’s is 64.1, Lafayette – 49.6, and New Orleans – 64.6.

 

 
New Mexico Phone Book
New Mexiconew mexico
 

 

October 1, 2009

albuquerque / Jim Metzger has joined the Radisson Albuquerque as GM.  Jim’s past experience includes several water parks including the Kalahari and Great Wolf Lodge.  Arthur ‘Coop’ Cooper has been named DOSM at the Radisson Albuquerque.  Most recently, Coop, a Colorado native, was the DOSM at the Clock Tower Resort and Conference Center, home of CoCo Key Water Resort outside of Chicago.  Marsha Kirk, who recently relocated from Embassy Suites Corpus Christi, is the new association sales manager at the Radisson, and Jessica Wax, CMP has joined the hotel as a senior sales manager.  The Radisson is scheduled to open its new water park this fall.

The former La Posada de Albuquerque recently welcomed its first customers as the Hotel Andaluz after completing a four-year, $30 million renovation.  Built in 1939 by Conrad Hilton, the 10-story hotel was the tallest building in New Mexico at the time.  The 107-room boutique hotel is on track to becoming silver LEED certified, which would make it one of the first historic hotels in the U.S. to receive the designation.  Paul O’Dowd is the GM and Kimberly Berry is the director of sales. 

Edward Mendoza, CTC, CMP, the director of sales & marketing for the Sheraton Uptown, announced the appointments of Laura Luby as sales manager and Cherie Jacob as catering sales manager.  Laura is from Breckenrige, CO, and Cherie is from Santa Fe.  The Sheraton Uptown has recently completed an extensive $20 million renovation.

Casa Esencia, one of Albuquerque’s most significant buildings located near the Hotel Albuquerque, has been transformed into a chic and refined 8,000 sq. ft. private event venue with a design scheme that marries contemporary style with the venue’s Spanish Territorial origins.  Enjoy unparalleled service in a glamorous hacienda setting with exceptional fare, creative cocktails and enchanting ambiance. 

las cruces /  Global Spectrum, operators of the soon-to-open Las Cruces Convention Center, named David Hicks as the first general manager of the 55,000 sq.ft. center.  The new center, located on the New Mexico State University campus, features a 14,500 sq.ft. exhibition hall, 8,900 sq.ft. ballroom, and six break-out rooms.

Ramada Palms Hotel de Las Cruces announced these new staff members:  Maria Reyes, director of sales; April Magallanes, catering manager; Angella Torres, quality assurance manager; and David Castillo, chief engineer.

santa fe / Bob Boulogne, COO of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, announced that Michelle O’Malley, formerly DOSM at the Eldorado Hotel and Spa, has been appointed DOSM at the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi.

Hotel St. Francis, a Heritage Hotel, has completed its extensive renovation with a new design and décor reminiscent of the Franciscan Missionaries who were an important element of New Mexico history.  Hotel St. Francis celebrated its grand reopening with a gala event in early October.   “Here, utter simplicity is an exacting art” says Jim Long, CEO of Heritage Hotels & Resorts.  The purity of this style, bordering on austere, allows hotel guests to unwind from their busy lives and enjoy a moment of relaxation and calmness and provides a moment for reflection and contemplation.

Buffalo Thunder Resort welcomes Andrew Potter as banquet manager and Martha Bleckley as events manager.

Chris Madden has rejoined the Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau sales team.  After working as a sales manager at several Santa Fe hotels, Chris worked with the bureau for 6 years as national sales manager and, most recently, as the overall director of sales.  Chris took a brief sabbatical but is now back working as the East Coast sales manager for the bureau.

 

 
Oklahoma Phone Book
Oklahomaoklahoma
 

 

October 1, 2009

oklahoma city /  Wyndham Hotels and Resorts announced the opening of its first / hotel in Oklahoma, the 244-room Wyndham Garden Hotel Oklahoma City Airport.  The hotel completed a $7.5 million renovation before joining the Wyndham system.  Mike Farney serves as the Wyndham’s GM.

Robert Wood, formerly the DOSM at the Crowne Plaza, has joined the Oklahoma City CVB as convention sales manager.

Dallas-based Hospitality Management Corporation has been awarded the management contract for the Crowne Plaza Oklahoma City.  Keith Komon has been appointed GM for the Crowne Plaza and reported that the hotel recently completed a $4.5 million renovation that includes new guestrooms, meeting rooms and lobby redo, HVAC and elevator upgrades.

Teresa Garrison, area director of sales & marketing for SJS Hospitality, announced The Candlewood Suites Tulsa, an SJS Hospitality property, has won its second ‘Quality Excellence’ award from IHG.  GM, Kate Buster will travel to Washington D.C in November to accept the award. The Courtyard by Marriott-Atlas Life, an SJS Hospitality property, is now on the National Registry of Historic Places as of June 2009.  Completion for the hotel is set for May 2010.

Caryl Kuykendall, district director of sales, Leisure Hospitality Management, Inc. announced they will be opening three new hotels by first quarter 2010:  Towneplace Suites by Marriott Owasso Tulsa North; the Courtyard by Marriot Woodland Hills which will have 1,000 sq ft of meeting space; and the Fairfield Inn & Suites on Creek Turnpike and across from Southcrest Hospital on 91st street which will have a 1,000 sq ft meeting room.  Leisure Hospitality has hired Debbie Rahman as the director of sales for the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites in Jenks, Ok. 

Tracy Swibold, DOSM for the Renaissance Oklahoma City, announced Deanna Devore joined the team as the new catering sales manager.  Previously, she was the property manager for Midtown Renaissance.  Sara Furr, most recently with the Crowne Plaza OKC, joined the team as the new sales manager.  Trent Alcott, most recently the GM of the Nonna’s Restaurant in Bricktown, is the new director of catering. 

norman /   Jennifer Tregarthen has joined the Norman Convention & Visitors Bureau as marketing and public relations manager.

The Norman CVB has offered a 5-year contract to host the Sunbelt Classic Baseball Tournament in Norman, through 2014. Updates to the contract were made to include a 5-year secured contract, NCVB-negotiated hotel prices, special meal rates and hospitality transportation, said Norman CVB executive director Stephen Koranda.

clinton /   Riverside Golf Course has totally redesigned the front nine holes of their municipal golf course which serves as a destination golf course for the southwest.

lone wolf /   Amber Scism has joined Quartz Mountain Resort, Arts & Conference Center as director of group sales.  Amber is a Virginia Tech grad with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management and comes to Quartz Mountain from Marriott Hotels.

tulsa / After sitting vacant for nearly 30 years, downtown’s historic Mayo Hotel is open for business again after a $40 million renovation.  The general manager is Wesley Ludloff.  Wesley has worked for a variety of luxury hotel brands including Orient Express Hotels, Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis and others.  The director of sales is Candace Taylor.

The Tulsa CVB announced its executive leader and senior VP, Suzann Stewart, retired October 15, 2009.  Suzann has led the Tulsa CVB for 30 years and has cultivated a progressive and successful organization.  Stewart’s numerous accomplishments during her tenure include maintaining an excellent rapport with community leaders, property owners and venues; and successfully advocating on behalf of the establishment of a hotel/motel tax—among the first of its kind in the nation.

Most recently, under Suzann’s leadership, the Tulsa CVB launched a new community branding campaign and was instrumental in the revitalization of Tulsa’s tourism industry downtown.  Since 2003, the City of Tulsa has invested in an 18,000 seat arena, the BOK Center which is now the No. 9 venue for tickets in the U.S.; a $50 million renovation to its Maxwell Convention Center; and built a new baseball stadium downtown set to open in 2010.

 

 
Texas Phone Book
Arizonatexas
 

 

October 1, 2009

austin /  Following an extensive nationwide search, the Texas Travel Industry Association has named David Teel to succeed Paul Serff as its president/CEO at the end of this year.  Paul, who has headed TTIA for the last 12 years, announced his plans to retire earlier this year and will step down at the end of December.  David has been with TTIA for six years, most recently as VP of the state-wide travel and tourism organization. Previously, he served as the director of tourism for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism.  Paul will continue to serve TTIA on a part-time basis and has plans to teach and provide industry consulting.

Ashley Sansalone, CMP, formerly with La Torretta Del Lago on Lake Conroe, has joined The Driskill Hotel as director of sales.

Lisa Kidder has been named director of sales for the Austin Convention Center.  Lisa comes to Austin from Washington, D.C., where she was the global account director, mid-Atlantic global sales office for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

Sue Ann Baker, DOSM for the Radisson Austin North, announced the appointment of Miriam Moorman as senior sales manager.  Most recently, Miriam was with Radiant Properties and previously worked for Embassy Suites and Renaissance Austin North.

Sunstone Hospitality Management, a division of Interstate Hotels & Resorts, announced that it has entered into a contract to manage the 149-room, full-service Doubletree Hotel Austin-University Area.

Keith J. Purcell, DOSM for the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, announced that Jeremy Lander is the new director of sales. The  AT&T Conference Center and Hotel was named The Austin Chronicle’s Critics Choice Award for Best New Hotel Complex.

Robert Hill, the GM of the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin, is transferring to the InterContinental Miami.

T.J. Pritchard, DOSM at the Hilton Austin Airport, has recently promoted Michele Edison from catering manager to senior catering manager.

In the first major hotel project to be announced for downtown Austin in nearly two years, developers plan a 17-story hotel that could mark the debut of a new global brand. The hotel, proposed for the southwest corner of West Fifth and Colorado streets in the Warehouse District, would be a concept called 1 Hotel by Starwood Capital Group. Starwood Capital has billed the concept as the first luxury eco-friendly global hotel brand.  Starwood has hired Woodbine Development Corp to build the hotel which would have about 250 to 275 rooms.

lost pines /  For the third year in a row, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa has received the Gold Key Award from Meetings and Conventions magazine.

beaumont / The Beaumont CVB announced that the Texas Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus proclaimed Beaumont CVB executive director, Dean Conwell, as the incoming chair for 2010 at the recent TACVB Annual Conference in Waco.  “I’m pleased to have this opportunity to not only represent TACVB, but also Beaumont,” said Dean.  “With tough times facing our industry, this is the perfect time for Beaumont to step up and prove that travel and tourism means business.”

The Red Roof Inn, which recently opened in Beaumont, is the first in Texas of the company’s Next Gen Property Line which is receiving positive reviews.  Standard amenities include granite countertops, flatscreen HDTVs, and ergonomic seating.

bryan-college station /  The 55-room LaSalle Hotel is under new management.   Magnolia Hotels recently took charge of the seven-story landmark in downtown Bryan. The name is being changed to the LaSalle Hotel by Magnolia Hotels.

corpus christi /   The rare buff-breasted sandpiper was spotted in Robstown, TX (near Corpus Christi) in late August - and not just several, as many bird sightings report, but THOUSANDS.  Several birders counted this rare bird species in flocks of more than 5,000 in a field at a sod farm in Robstown. The Texas Gulf Coast attracts avid bird watchers from all over the world.

Blucher Park, a well-known park popular with birders, has undergone a transformation receiving about $86,000 worth of improvements, which will benefit both the birds and the birders who enjoy them.  Blucher Park is one of the major “Fall Out” or resting stops along the migratory pathway.

Keith Arnold, CEO of the Corpus Christi CVB, has been selected to serve on the board of directors of the Texas Society of Association Executives and the Texas Travel Industry Association.  Aurora Cantu has joined the CVB staff as receptionist and sales assistant.

dallas /  In a ceremony featuring Mayor Tom Leppert, the Dallas City Council, and a broad spectrum of civic and community leaders, the city of Dallas officially broke ground on the 23-story Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel.  The project was endorsed by voters in May and backed by the sale of nearly $500 million in revenue bonds in August.  When the property opens in early 2012, Dallas will boast a luxurious, 1,000-room hotel with state-of-the-art features and convenient skybridge access into one of the nation’s largest convention centers.  The new hotel will offer a minimum of 80,000 square feet of meeting space with a 33,500 square-foot senior ballroom.

Meeting Professionals International’s 2009-2010 executive committee include the following:  chairwoman: Ann Godi, CMP, president, Benchmarc360°, Inc;  chairman-elect: Eric Rozenberg, CMP, CMM, president, Swantegy; vice chairman of finance: Craig Ardis, CMM, director global event management, Zimmer Inc;  vice chairman: Sebastien Tondeur, CEO, Corporate Division, MCI ; vice chairman: Kevin Kirby, senior director of sales, Hard Rock International;  immediate past chairman: Larry Luteran, senior VP, Hilton Hotels Corporation; and ex-officio: Bruce MacMillan, CA, president & CEO of MPI.  Margaret A. Moynihan, CMP, Director, Deloitte LLP, was elected chairwoman of the MPI Foundation.

Katie Callahan-Giobbi is leaving the top post at the MPI Foundation.  Katie, who serves as the Foundation’s EVP and chief business architect, is pursuing new career ventures.

George B. Graves, who served many years in the hospitality and meetings business, died July 11 in Dallas.  George was 64 and died from complications of pancreatic cancer.

Nicole Considine has been promoted to DOSM for the Westin Park Central.  Most recently, Nicole served as the director of group sales for the property and previously was the director of catering and convention services at the Westin City Center.

Adele Ichilian, formerly with the Gaylord Texan, has joined the Morton Meyerson as director of catering.

IHG announced the opening of the new Crowne Plaza Dallas Downtown.  The conversion hotel has undergone a $14 million renovation from the Hampton Inn Dallas-West End-Convention Center.  Renovations for this property included all 300 guest rooms and suites, the addition of 22 new meeting rooms encompassing over 22,000 square feet of versatile meeting space, the brand new TEN15 Elm restaurant, and high energy nightclub, THRIVE.

Lauren Manford, formerly with MPI, has joined Hotel ZaZa as director of marketing and communications.

The new 193-room, $35 million Aloft Hotel opened recently across from the Dallas Convention Center.  It was built in an 84-year-old former railroad freight depot, the first time Aloft, one of Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ brands, has opened in a historic building.  The average guest room has about 430 square feet of space -- as much as a Manhattan apartment.  There’s also about 10,000 square feet of meeting space.

Lisa Flick has accepted the position of sales associate for Airstar Lighting of Texas, the Texas distributor for Airstar Lighting products, the originator and worldwide leader of lighting balloon technologies.

Lisa Chatterton, CMP has joined Meritage Events as an account executive.  Most recently, Lisa served as marketing/event management consultant of her own company, LTC Consulting. Her career also included nineteen years in sales and marketing with Nortel.

Susan Kilgore, director of marketing for Outstanding Productions Destination Management Company announces these changes:  Patty Phelps has been promoted from director of business development to VP-global sales; Tammy McCormick, CMP was named director of sales-Outstanding Productions office in Gaylord Texas; Suzy Morse was promoted from sales manager to director of sales-Outstanding Productions Office in Hilton Anatole.  Meredith Kennemer, sales executive, was voted into the Texas Meetings and Events Magazine’s 2009 Hall of Fame as “The Up-and-Coming Meeting Professional.”

The Hotel Joule has named Stephanie Masters as director of sales and marketing and Sandie Fouke as catering and convention services manager.

Severine Massengale, CMP, formerly a meeting and event planner at JCPenney, has a new profession as a wine “edutrainer” and has launched a new event service call “Salud! A Wine Experience.”

Norah Marr, CMP, CMM with Conference Direct has appointed Karen McNickle as operations associate.  Karen was previously with Marriott.

Patty Cipoletti, DOSM for the InterContinental Dallas, announced the completion of their ballrooms and meeting space renovation.  The renovation included the Malachite Showroom, the Lalique Ballroom, 2nd floor breakout rooms as well as the 25,000 square foot Crystal Ballroom.

The Westin City Center Dallas announced the appointment of Deena Dillon to sales manager.  In her role, Deena will oversee the SMERF and government markets for the 404 guestroom, AAA Four Diamond, downtown hotel.  Deena most recently was a sales manager at the Westin Park Central hotel.

The Sheraton Dallas has successfully completed the hotel component of its $90 million renovation project and will conclude renovations to its conference center by the end of 2009.  Featuring 1,840 guest rooms and over 260,000 square feet of meeting and event space, the hotel combines form, function and style to host a video conference for 10 or a gala for 5,000.

Fairmont Dallas’s executive chef JW Foster won the 18th Annual Caesar Salad Competion.

Brandy Distefano McDonald, communications coordinator for the Cooper Guest Lodge Hotel, Conference Center, and Spa, reported that the hotel is in the final stage of renovations for all guestrooms and suites. The Guest Lodge also announced Jennifer Code as the new social events manager which includes weddings, private, and social events. She has a total of eight years of experience in managing and planning events.

Doug Libby has been recently named DOSM for the Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre.  Most recently Doug was DOSM at the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa.  Also, Heather Baumbach was recently promoted to the position of senior sales manager.

Tracie Houston-Amend, CMP, area DOSM for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, welcomed Winter Morrison as a new sales manager.  Winter has been in the hospitality business for over 14 years, most recently with PHM Hospitality.

Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar and Hotel Lumen have recently been named as one of the Dallas Business Journal’s Best Place to Work 2010.  Hotel Palomar also welcomed the director of pet relations, Kora, to their team.  Kora will be responsible for greeting their four-legged customers and making sure all of their needs are met.  

Yodvadee Hudak, DOSM at the Radisson Hotel & Suites Dallas Love Field, announced that the hotel has a new GM, Therese Jones, and is now managed by Driftwood Hospitality.

Kate Neu, director of marketing for the Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa, announced that the hotel and restaurant, Bolla, have been awarded the AAA Four Diamond award. They are also listed on the Condé Nast Travel Hot List.

arlington /   Gail Grogan, CMP, CMM was named the director of special event sales for the new Cowboys Stadium.  Gail previously was with Rough Creek Lodge.  On Gail’s team are Michelle Crosby, senior sales manager-special events, formerly with Ultimate Ventures DMC, and Jessica Anderson, group tour coordinator, formerly with The Rangers Ballpark at Arlington.

plano /  The Plano Convention and Visitors Bureau was named, for the second year in a row, the Best Destination Management Organization in the Texas Northern Region and Plano Centre was named the Best Conference/Convention/Exhibition Centre in the same region during a reception hosted by Texas Meetings and Events at Lakeway Austin. 

Mark Thompson, executive director of the Plano Convention & Visitors Bureau, was honored by the Texas Travel Industry Association with its prestigious Tall in Texas Award at the association’s annual Summit conference held recently in Arlington, TX.

allen / Jackie Brinkley has been promoted to city director of sales for the Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Allen.  Jackie most recently served as director of sales, marketing and catering for the Hilton Garden Inn Dallas Market Center.

richardson /  Sharon Butler, DOSM for the Hyatt Regency North Dallas, announced that Colin Clayton has been promoted to corporate group sales manager.

frisco / Amy Cale has joined the Westin Stonebriar and Sheraton Stonebriar hotels as sales manager handling the Northeast and Southeast territories. 

irving /   Maura Gast, president & CEO of the Irving CVB, announced that construction on the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas is on schedule for a late 2010 opening.  With almost 100,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space, the building’s unique architecture, vertical design, and interior finishes create a new niche in the marketplace. The new venue is the first phase of an entertainment district that will include a 6,000-person capacity performance venue and unique dining and shopping.

grapevine / Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center announced that Mike Wainwright has joined its team as vice president of sales and marketing.  Most recently, Mike served as VP sales & marketing Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida.  His career also included sixteen years in sales and marketing with Marriott International.

lewisville /  The new TownePlace Suites by Marriott opened recently in front of Vista Ridge Mall and across the street from the Lewisville Convention Center.  This all-suite property features 118 suites with full kitchens, free high-speed internet access, and free breakfast daily.

The Holiday Inn Express rolled out its new logo signage and completed a major hotel upgrade with all new furniture and soft goods in every guest room.

Currently under construction is a 105-room Hampton Inn & Suites located next to the Lewisville Convention Center and scheduled to open in spring 2010.

mckinney /   Vanesa Baggett recently joined the staff at the McKinney Convention & Visitors Bureau as tourism services representative.  “Vanesa brings such a wide spectrum of professional experience to our team,” said Diann Bayes, executive director of the McKinney CVB.

flower mound / Circle R Ranch won two top honors at the 2nd Annual Best of Readers Choice Awards sponsored by Texas Meeting + Events Magazine.  Circle R was recognized as Unique Venue and also Teambuilding Facility/Organizer.

paradise /  Garrett Creek Ranch Conference Center announced that it has been selected to join ClubCorp as an affiliate partner in their Associate Club program, one out of only seven properties selected in the DFW area.

fortworth /   Barbara Stone, VP of convention services and community relations for the Fort Worth CVB, has been named the Best Meeting Professional for 2009 by Texas Meeting & Events Magazine.  As the winner of this award, Barbara is among seven Hall of Fame inductees, chosen by the magazine’s editorial advisory board.

Melanie Hoover, director of meeting sales for the Fort Worth CVB, has been named the 2009 Distinguished Affiliate by the Texas Society of Association Executives.  She received the award at the TSAE Awards Luncheon in September.  The award recognizes outstanding professionalism of a TSAE affiliate member who has made a significant contribution to TSAE and its members through exceptional service to associations and to her employer.

mansfield /   Melissa McNair reported that the new 13,000 sq.ft. Aristide Event & Conference Center is on schedule for its grand opening in November.

houston / Stan Skadal, senior director of sales for the Hyatt Regency Houston, announced the September completion of the hotel’s extensive $40 million renovation.  Stan, a 34-year industry veteran, is celebrating his 20th year at the Hyatt Regency Houston.

 

Ron Lamers has been appointed general manager of The St. Regis, Houston.  Ron arrives at The St. Regis Houston after leading the successful opening of The Resort at Singer Island, a Starwood Luxury Collection Resort in Florida.

The new 216-room Embassy Suites Houston-Energy Corridor opened in October with the following staff:  Faisal Kamal - GM, formerly at Hilton Houston NASA-Clear Lake; Tom Martone - DOSM, previously at Embassy Suites Phoenix-Scottsdale Golf Resort; Leo Serrata - business travel senior sales manager, formerly at Embassy Suites Houston-Near the Galleria; Eliana Keshari - sales manager, formerly at Crowne Plaza Houston-I-10; and Susan Fillbrandt - catering/conference service manager, formerly at Crowne Plaza Houston-Reliant Park.

Jim Mills, general manager of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, announced the promotion of Steve Fronterhouse to hotel manager.  Steve joined The Houstonian in July 2005 as food & beverage director.

The 244-room Hotel Sorella opened in August and will serve as an anchor for Houston’s new CITYCENTRE -- a dynamic, pedestrian-friendly mixed-use development located in close proximity to Houston’s Westchase and Energy Corridor business districts.  The hotel is the flagship for the new Sorella brand, an inspired hospitality concept from Houston-based Valencia Group.

HSMAI Greater Houston Chapter recently held its annual Meeting Planners Forum at the Omni Riverway in Houston.  Meeting planners from the pharma, energy, and independent sectors engaged with local hospitality industry professionals to discuss specific market sectors and the business climate for 2010.  Pictured, from left to right, are Renee Adams of Cyberonics, Connie Gray of Exxon Mobil, and Rebecca Loeb of Sullivan Group.

Penelope McMahon has been appointed to the position of business travel sales manager at Hotel Sorella.  She has spent the past 20 years in client account management for two of the world’s largest agencies, Carlson Wagonlit Travel and BCD Travel.  Additionally, Lisa Wathen has been appointed group sales manager for the hotel.

Stacey Sugg has joined HelmsBriscoe as manager, global accounts.  Stacey was previously with Schlumberger as corporate travel manager.  Lisa Treece, formerly with Conoco Phillips, joins HelmsBriscoe as manager, global accounts.  Also new to HelmsBriscoe is Jon Bartosh from the Hotel Icon where he was responsible for managing strategic accounts within the energy sector.

On September 16, 1969, the Conrad N. Hilton “School” of Hotel and Restaurant Management held its first classes with 39 students and three professors.  The college recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. 

Gina Schumacher has returned to Texas as the DOSM at the Houston Marriott Energy Corridor.  The 206-rom hotel, located in West Houston, is scheduled to open in January.

Mia Monroe, who recently achieved her CSEP (Certified Special Events Professional) designation, has joined Norris Conference Centers as the general manager of their original Houston location.

Norris Conference Centers opened its newest facility in Houston’s CITYCENTRE in May and announced that Darin Kelley, who most recently was the AGM for Norris in San Antonio, was promoted to GM in Houston.  Darin’s sales team includes Gail Walker and Terri Davis.

Diane Giagnacovo has been named DOS of the Hilton Garden Inn Houston Galleria.  Diane joins the 182-room property after serving as DOS of the Holiday Inn Southwest.

The 487-room Westin Galleria Houston has announced plans for a complete $10 million renovation.  The new design, created by Moncur Design Associates from Toronto, will have a beautiful new look and feel providing a sense of calming.  The Westin Brand reinforces the notion that the guest experience should be an exercise in stress reduction and a stay at the hotel should provide a sense of renewal.

lake conroe / Patti Culwell has been appointed director of catering & conference services at La Torretta Del Lago Resort & Spa.  She served Del Lago Resort for 11 years, initially as the director of conference services, and later, as director of conference center operations and prior to returning to the property, Patti was an independent meeting management consultant.

Lindsey Hafner, formerly the director of the Lake Conroe CVB, has joined First Tradition and will be providing tourism development and marketing management for communities and tourism entities throughout Texas.

the woodlands / The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center has recently received the 2009 Inner Circle Award as chosen by readers of Association Meetings magazine, and Corporate & Incentive Travel magazine’s 2009 Award of Excellence.  The Woodlands Resort has also been ranked in the 2009 edition of Golf Digest magazine’s 75 Best Golf Resorts in North America joining the likes of Pebble Beach and The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida.  Only two other Texas resorts were named to the list – Westin La Cantera in San Antonio and Barton Creek in Austin.

The Woodlands CVB announced that Kent Johnson has joined TWCVB Board of Directors.  Kent relocated to The Woodlands in May of 2005 to be the general manager of The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center.

Benchmark Hospitality has a new revenue management team.  Appointed to the leadership position of vice president revenue management is Kim NugentErnesto Velázquez, Mary Darre, Seth Spencer, Nicole Di Maio and Michelle Auelua have been appointed area directors of revenue management.  Ernesto was previously director of revenue for Hotel Contessa.  Mary comes from Hyatt Hotels where she served as director of revenue.  Seth previously served as revenue manager at The Chattanoogan. Nicole previously worked at The Heldrich Hotel & Spa in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  Michelle was previously revenue manager for Turtle Bay Resort.

laredo /  Interstate Hotels & Resorts announced that it will manage the 203-room Holiday Inn Laredo Civic Center.  The property houses one of the finest restaurants in Laredo, the Terraza Verde Restaurant and features six meeting rooms that can accommodate groups of up to 300 people.

lubbock /   The “Legacy of the Wind” windmill mural at the American Wind Power Center was formally dedicated in October.  The mural covers approximately 6,000 square feet of wall space and has been a work in progress for almost two years.  The artist, La Gina Fairbetter, used acrylic on aluminum to create a realism piece of art.  The mural depicts the utilization of wind power from the 1700’s when Dutch style windmills were built along the East Coast to the present wind turbines.

midland / Becca Saunders, formerly with the Midland CVB, has accepted the position of area director of sales for Platinum Hotels.   In Midland they own Courtyard by Marriott, Hampton Inn, and Comfort Inn.

san antonio /  San Antonio has officially unveiled an additional section of the River Walk - the Museum Reach.  Now, even more meeting venues can be found along the river’s banks including the ecofriendly Pearl Brewery redevelopment where delegates can take river taxis from the main core of the River Walk to the brewery’s extraordinary meeting facilities.  Another stop along the extension is the San Antonio Museum of Art, noted for its antiquities collections and the 30,000-sq.ft. Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art.  Plans are underway to extend the River Walk an additional nine miles for a total of 13 miles.  This more serene addition will connect four of San Antonio’s 18th-century Spanish colonial missions. The $279 million River Improvements Project is expected to reach completion in 2014.

Marina Bogrand, DOSM for the El Tropicano Riverwalk, reported that El Tropicano is now conveniently located on the banks of the new Museum Reach, the first phase of the San Antonio River Walk expansion to open.

The San Antonio CVB announced long-time tourism veteran Ronnie Price as its new assistant executive director, sales and marketing.  In his new role, he oversees the Sales, Services, Tourism, Communications, and Mexico/Latin America divisions of the CVB.  Ronnie was previously with Marriott for more than 12 years, rising to the position of Area Director for Anaheim Marriott and the new L.A. Live JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton.

The San Antonio CVB has other new faces:  Brenda Morales, Néstor Núñez, Alysia Roden, Barbara Smith and Cleo Soto as national sales managers, Sandy Phillips as tourism sales manager, and Joy Ware as assistant housing manager.  Troy Love, national convention sales manager, is the CVB’s latest Certified Meeting Professional.

Benchmark Hospitality International has named Cheryl Ferguson, CMP, DOSM for Hotel Contessa.  Most recently, Cheryl served as VP, sales for Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, NC.  Benchmark has appointed Brian West executive chef for Hotel Contessa and its restaurant, Las Ramblas.  Brian previously served as executive chef for Café Paladar.

San Antonio swept the state of Texas with Travel + Leisure magazine’s “World’s Best” Awards. The Watermark Hotel & Spa and Omni La Mansión del Rio, two Omni sister properties, were named to the list of “Top 100 Hotels” in the world, standing as the only properties in Texas to have received this high honor.  “We are thrilled and honored to be ranked by Travel + Leisure readers in such a competitive poll,” said Bryan Davis, DOSM for The Watermark Hotel & Spa and Omni La Mansión del Rio.

Robert Thrailkill has rejoined the Hilton Palacio del Rio as general manager.  Robert was most recently the opening GM of the 203-room Conrad Miami, a full-service luxury hotel and the first new-build Conrad hotel in the United States.

The Marriott Rivercenter and Marriott Riverwalk Hotels have just completed a bold $45 million renovation.  This full scale renovation of guest rooms, meeting space, restaurants and lobby have reinvented the Marriott Rivercenter and Riverwalk Hotels into San Antonio’s most notable haciendas.  No detail has been left unattended as more than 77,000 square feet of combined meeting and special event space have been reinvented for both hotels.

The 1,002 room JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in the Cibolo Canyons countryside will open its doors a month earlier than anticipated opening January, 2010.  Aside from 140,000 square-feet of meeting space, the JW will also offer two Tournament Players Club golf courses designed by Pete Dye, Greg Norman and Sergio Garcia as well as a 26,000-square-foot spa.

Amy Trench, DOSM at the Hotel Valenica, announced the expansion of their Verona Room which adds an additional 1,000 sq. ft. of space to the popular meeting room.

Phoenix Hospitality Group, the developer of the Radisson San Antonio Market Square, announced that the 250-room hotel will covert to a Doubletree by Hilton hotel later this year.

Troy Knapp, an eleven-year veteran with Hyatt Hotels Corporation and recipient of Hyatt’s 2008 Chef of the Year Award, has been appointed executive chef for Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa. In his new position he will oversee and manage the operations of the resort’s award-wining dining outlets.

The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa unveiled its new Interpretive Center located in lobby of the resort.  Designed to embody the many treasures of the Texas Hill Country, the Deep in the Heart of Texas Interpretive Center, takes the form of a large cavern with a cool Texas spring running through it.  “The Interpretive Center is a work of art in full three-dimension highlighting the many experiences that make the Texas Hill Country one of the most popular destinations to visit and vacation within the state,” said Gino Caliendo, GM of the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa.

Betsy Krug has been appointed to banquet and convention services manager at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk.  Betsy comes from the Hyatt Regency Hill Country where she was a manager in the stewarding department.

The new Hotel Indigo at the Alamo, slated to open in November, announced the appointment of Holly Evans as general manager of the newest upscale, full service, boutique hotel in San Antonio.  Andrew Boardman, director of sales, joined the staff in late May.

The Holiday Inn Northwest/Sea World makes “green” a top priority as they pursue the Gold Standard for LEED certification. The truly green, truly stylish hotel option in San Antonio will open in October.

Meeting Professional International Texas Hill Country Chapter has named DuWayne Greene as 2009/2010 chapter president.

The Norris Conference Center recently announced the promotion of Terry Martinez to assistant GM and the appointments of Priscilla Contreras as catering manager and Ashley Johnson as sales assistant. 

wichita falls /   Premier Hospitality Management, Inc. of Durant, Oklahoma, recently announced that after an extensive eight month, multi-million dollar renovation, their Holiday Inn at the Falls is once again flying the Holiday Inn flag and proudly reopened in September.

 
 
Karin Alvarado

Karin Alvarado is director, national accounts for Global Cynergies, a world class hotel and venue selection company, and reports Arkansas news.

kalvarado@globalcynergies.com

Kelly Ball

Kelly Ball is a Dallas-based regional director for HelmsBriscoe, a leading meeting services firm, and reports the Dallas area news.
kball@helmsbriscoe.com

Leah Belasco Leah Belasco is an independent meeting contractor and active member of the MPI DFW chapter. Based in Dallas, she reports Dallas news and can be reached at (214) 441-3309.
Eva Bourret

Eva Bourret is a veteran sales &
marketing professional within the hospitality industry. Eva reports
the San Antonio and Hill Country

news.
emebourret@yahoo.com

Bonnie Boyd Steven Long is a global account director for ConferenceDirect, a leading meeting services firm. He is based in Bastrop, TX and reports the Austin news. steven_long@conferencedirect.com
Brandon Buck Brandon Buck is president of The Buck Group, Scottsdale, AZ, a meetings management firm that specializes in intuitive meeting solutions.
brandon@the-buck-group.com
Steve Kinsey Steve Kinsey is a partner in Kinsley & Associates, LLC, a meeting management firm based in Littleton, Colorado. He reports Colorado news. steve@kinsleyassociates.com
Tom Mulholland Tom Mulholland is a principal with Executives by Sterling, a Denver-based executive recruiting and consulting firm. He reports Colorado news.
tom@executivesbysterling.com
Glen Parnell

Glen Parnell is regional director for HelmsBriscoe, a leading meeting services firm in Houston and reports Houston news. gparnell@helmsbriscoe.com

Marti Jenkins is regional director for HelmsBriscoe, a leading meeting services firm.  Marti reports the Oklahoma news. mjenkins@helmsbriscoe.com

   
   
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