June 1, 2010
amarillo / The western saddle is one of the great executions of form merging with function. But for a collection of saddles on exhibit at the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum, the saddle is all art. The collection focuses on their unique design, craftsmanship and graceful merging of silver, gold and leather. The exhibit is open and runs through July 31, 2010 at the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum in Amarillo.
austin / Congratulations to Beth Brooks and her team at the Texas Society of Association Executives for achieving a new milestone - 1,000 total members. Jill Beckham, CAE, foundation director for American Mensa in Arlington recently became TSAE’s 1,000th member.
Chris Swindler, formerly DOSM at the Doubletree San Antonio, has returned to Austin as DOSM at the Embassy Suites Arboretum.
The 340-room Westin Austin at The Domain officially opened in March. Tom Tabler is the GM and Alison Berg is the DOSM. The hotel, which offers 13,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, is a part of the White Lodging hotel family.
The former Radisson North has been converted to the Holiday Inn Austin Midtown and will complete a $4.7 million renovation by the end of August. Theresa Campos has been appointed DOSM and Emma Monette has returned to the property as the association sales manager.
Kyra Coots, formerly with La Torretta Lake Resort, has joined Destination Hotels & Resorts as director of PR & marketing communications for The Driskill and Hotel ICON.
The Texas Hotel & Lodging Association announced its 2010 board. Barron Hobbs, GM of the Hilton College Station & Conference Center, has been elected chairman of the board. Joe Palmieri, GM of the Hilton Americas Houston, is the 1st VP. John Imaizumi, SVP & GM of the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, is the 2nd VP. Al DeBerry, area director with Tharaldson Lodging Companies, has been named to the executive committee.
Barton Creek Resort & Spa will soon be completing an improvement project that began in December 2007. The latest enhancements include the enclosure of the property’s Resort Pavilion, an all-new patio off of their Hill Country Dining Room, a new ladies’ retail boutique plus an upgrade of the resort’s spa and fitness center.
The Hilton Austin Airport has received new items for the guestrooms that include a Herman Miller desk chair, new desk, and 32” HDTVs, and by the end of August, all public space and meeting space will have new carpeting. The hotel’s DOSM, TJ Pritchard, announced the appointments of Joe Cole, sales manager, and Necah Cannon, catering sales manager.
AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center is the newest meeting facility on the University of Texas campus and includes a 300-seat amphitheatre, 800-seat divisible ballroom, classrooms, conference rooms and breakout rooms. The center houses 297 guestrooms and three dining outlets. The Carillon features high-end cuisine and has been named among the best restaurants in Austin. Jeremy Lander, DOS for the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, announced the addition of new conference service’s director, David Kaso, who comes from the Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin.
Shannon O’Neill at the Doubletree Guest Suites Austin has been promoted from sales administrator to corporate sales manager. The hotel has just completed a total conversion of their Sweet Dream Serta pillow top mattresses offering triple sheeted luxury beds.
Tod Peddie, DOSM for the Holiday Inn Austin Town Lake, announced new catering sales and convention service manager, Homeyra Holtzclaw. Homeyra was previously with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts.
horseshoe bay / Paul Prator recently joined the Horseshoe Bay Resort team as senior account executive. With over ten years of sales experience, Paul previously served as global sales manager for Lakeway Resort & Spa.
san marcos / The San Marcos CVB announced the promotion of Denise Pardo from marketing assistant to tourism services manager. Denise will coordinate the servicing of conferences and events and oversee the daily operation of the Tourist Information Center.
beaumont / Susie Luquette has joined the city of Beaumont’s CVB as its new convention servicing manager. Susie recently attended Graceland University in Iowa where she studied public relations.
port arthur / Port Arthur CVB announced that the Holiday Inn Express and Suites opened in January 2010, the Scottish Inn and Suites opened April 2010, and a Best Western is opening summer 2010.
bryan-college station / Since the Brazos County Expo first opened in October 2007, it has proven to be a versatile venue for local, state and national events. On December 2009 the Expo began a $12 million expansion project. Nearly doubling in capacity, the expansion includes a 14,000 square-foot addition to the exhibit hall, a second 70,000 square-foot covered area, and a second 60,000 square-foot covered pavilion.
Shannon Overby, CMP, executive director for the Bryan-College Station CVB, announced the appointment of Danielle Fields as group sales & services coordinator. Most recently, Danielle was lead field coordinator for visitor studies at the Gettysburg CVB.
The La Salle Hotel by Magnolia Hotels unveiled its renovation in March which enhanced guest rooms and public space while retaining the character and charm of the historic hotel. Denver-based Magnolia Hotels took over management of the historic property in October 2009 and directed the renovation project.
arlington / Michele Lotspeich, DOSM for the Sheraton Arlington Hotel, announced the hiring of Jill Blackford as catering manager for their social and wedding market. Jill was previously with the Fort Worth Club.
dallas / Fred Euler has been named GM of the Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion. Steve Vissotzky, the hotel’s former GM, has been promoted to GM of the Grand Hyatt Seattle and Hyatt at Olive 8.
Debbie Contardi, most recently with the Fairmont Dallas, has joined the Hilton Anatole as senior sales manager. The Hilton Anatole recently opened Media Grill & Bar, a new 280-seat restaurant, bar & high-energy dance club. The Anatole recently began work on a $25 million transformation of their center Atrium that will include new flooring, adding a 50’ reflecting pool, a new grand entrance and a 120’ x 90’ suspended kinetic sculpture. Completion is set for mid-September.
Jennifer Thomas has joined the Hilton Park Cities as group sales manager. Jennifer was previously with Sheraton Dallas.
Laurie Sprouse, CITE, CMP, DMCP of Ultimate Ventures, has won Destination Management Professional of the Year in the 2010 Association of Destination Management Executives Achievement Awards.
Meeting Professionals International announced the following two members of the MPI/DFW Chapter as Certified Meetings Management (CMM) recipients: Stephen Smith, project manager, technical support, Mary Kay Inc., and Tanda East, Westin Galleria Dallas.
In memoriam … Ted Olson, a lifetime member of the MPI D/FW Chapter and one of the founding members of Meeting Professional International, passed away recently. “Ted’s kind and generous spirit will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends throughout the world,” said Jason Ware, MPI D/FW Chapter president.
Starwood Hotels announced that The Westin Galleria Dallas has been awarded Starwood North America 2009 Westin Hotel of the Year. Patricia Massar, catering sales manager at Westin Galleria Dallas, earned her CWP certification from the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners.
Kris Williams, CAE, has been named marketing director for the International Association of Assembly Managers, Inc. Previously, Kris worked for the American Association for Respiratory Care and the American College of Emergency Physicians.
At Hotel Palomar, Sam Tucker was promoted from sales manager to DOSM. Ruth Bilbo has joined the Palomar as senior sales manager. Previously Ruth was at the Adolphus.
Linda Fain has joined the Adolphus Hotel as group sales manager. Linda previously was with Omni Las Colinas. Megan Weber has been promoted to executive meeting manager for groups with 20 or less sleeping rooms.
Lionel Cooley, formerly at the Adolphus, has joined the Fairmont Hotel as sales manager and Elizabeth Savage has joined the Fairmont as business and leisure sales manager.
Barbara Piagari, DOSM for the Sheraton Dallas North, announced that Ann Stetson has joined their team as senior sales manager.
dfw airport / Hyatt Regency DFW announced the appointment of Joseph (Joe) Mojica executive assistant manager, rooms division. Most recently, Joe was the executive assistant at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe and succeeds Fernando Santana who was promoted to executive assistant manager of Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa.
Hyatt Regency DFW and Hands on Educational Services, Inc. recently celebrated the graduation of trainee George Messera from the Hyatt Hotels of Texas reality-based hospitality training program. The program provides placement for people who require an alternative to traditional programs at local community colleges and vo-tech schools.
Westin DFW Airport announced the appointments of Jennifer Maynard as the director of catering and convention services, Silvia Cuevas as catering sales manager, and Jan Jacobs as association/SMERF sales manager.
irving / John Yeung, formerly with the Doubletree near the Galleria, has joined the Embassy Suites DFW South as GM.
Roger Goldesberry, GM for the Dallas Marriott Las Colinas, announced the promotion of Clifton Thiebaud to DOSM.
Katie Weber has joined the Four Seasons Resort and Club as sales manager. Katie previously was with the Hilton Park Cities.
Tracie Houston-Amend has joined the Omni Hotel Corporation as corporate director-business travel sales. Tracie formerly was with Kimpton Hotels.
Chad Enloe, DOSM for the Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas, announced these new hires and promotions: Zac Craig, DOS, previously with LXR Luxury Resorts; Kelly Wildfong, sales manager, previously in pharmaceutical sales with Healthpoint; Diana Steele, CMP, senior conference planning manager, previously with Hilton Hotels, Gaylord Texan and Hyatt Hotels; and Ilse Murff, sales manager, recently promoted from express sales manager to group sales manager.
Lauren Dunnaway has been promoted to director of sales for the Double Diamond and is now overseeing the group sales operations for all of their properties nationwide.
lewisville / Dee Lincoln of Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House fame has opened a casual marina restaurant, The Dinghy Bar & Grill, at Pier 121 on Lewisville Lake.
Lewisville hotel news includes: TownePlace Suites in Lewisville is currently ranked #1 in the TownePlace Suites brand for overall guest satisfaction; the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson – Lewisville was presented with a 2009 Country Inn & Suites President’s Gold Award, and Hampton Inn and Suites Lewisville/Vista Ridge Mall will open in June 2010 with 105 total rooms, including 31 suites and meeting space for 100 people.
plano / The Plano CVB announced that Cissy Aberg has joined their team as the sports marketing sales manager. Cissy, a former sports journalist and athlete, comes to the Plano CVB
from Victor Credo.
Plano Centre was named the “Best Meeting and Event Venue” in Texas by the Official Best of Texas 2010 committee.
Omar Carrasco, formerly with the Embassy Suites Dallas Galleria, has joined the Hyatt Regency North Dallas as DOSM.
frisco / Hilton recently honored Homewood Suites by Hilton Dallas/Frisco with six awards including the 2009 Connie Pride Award of Merit and the GM of the Year Award of Merit.
Mindy Dennis has joined the Comfort Suites/Frisco Square as general manager.
grapevine / Great Wolf Resorts announced that Ken Broom has been promoted to assistant GM of Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. As DOSM, Ken was on the pre-opening team for the Grapevine property and prior to joining Great Wolf Lodge, he worked with Marriott Hotels. The resort announced that James Keaveny has been named as the new DOSM. Before joining Great Wolf Lodge, James was the VP of sales with the Hunt Conference Group.
The Cowboys Golf Club has announced Erin Lucia as event sales coordinator. Erin formerly was with Ferrari’s Italian Restaurant.
paradise / Jennifer Wasserman, CMP, DOS for the Garrett Creek Ranch, announced that the ranch recently won “Outstanding Facility” in the Business-Excellence Awards by the Decatur Economic Development Corporation, co-hosted by the Decatur Chamber of Commerce.
southlake / Renee Vincent, director of sales & catering, announced that the Hilton Southlake Town was named “The Best of the Best Hotel” in the Fort Worth Star Telegram.
westlake / Benchmark Hospitality International, selected by Deloitte earlier this year to operate Deloitte University, has named Creston Woods as GM for the state-of-the-art learning and leadership development facility currently under construction. Deloitte University is scheduled to open in 2011 and will serve as a proprietary meetings facility for Deloitte.
denton / Dana Lodge has been promoted to director of sales for the Denton CVB.
lake whitney / Michael Winter has joined White Bluff Resort on Lake Whitney as group sales manager. Michael was previously with The Retreat Golf Club in Cleburne.
fort worth / Richard A. Ross has just been named the director of sales and marketing for the Hilton Fort Worth. Richard previously was the DOSM at Buffalo Thunder in Santa Fe.
galveston / The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center announced the addition of Francie Syron as a regional director of sales which includes The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center, Hilton Galveston Island, Holiday Inn Resort on the Beach and the Galveston Island Convention Center. Richard See III, most recently with The Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, has joined The San Luis as director of room operations.
The Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa & Convention Center has appointed Brian J. Kohlweck as the new food and beverage director. Brian most recently served as the GM of GreenLinks Golf Resort & Conference Center in Naples, Florida.
Hawthorn Suites Galveston has completed the final phase of a multimillion-dollar, three-phased renovation. According to director of marketing, Pamela Matlock, the hotel began many of the renovations before Hurricane IKE, including guest suite and exterior renovations. All meeting rooms will be undergoing total renovation following the summer season.
Hotel Galvez & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Hotel, has unveiled its new second floor guest rooms. In preparation for the hotel’s 100th anniversary in 2011, hotel owners George Mitchell and the Mitchell family are updating all guest rooms with a new décor. When Hotel Galvez opened in 1911, Galveston had just completed its 17-foot seawall and its grade raising project to protect the Island from storm surges. The causeway had been completed, connecting Galveston Island to the mainland. These accomplishments were part of the Island’s recovery following the Great Storm of 1900.
houston / Meeting Professionals International announced that Randa Becker, president of R-Events, Inc. has become a Certified Meetings Management recipient.
The Westin Galleria Houston has just completed a $10 million renovation of the lobby, guest rooms and meeting space of the 487-room property located within The Galleria shopping complex. The hotel’s lobby and all of its 77,000 square feet of meeting space has been completely renovated with a fresh Westin look and feel including new furniture, artwork, carpeting and lighting.
Mercedes Dixon, sales manager at the all-new Hyatt Regency Houston, received the Supplier Scholarship from the Society of Government Meeting Professionals – Houston Gulf Coast Chapter. This scholarship provides Mercedes with an all-expense paid trip to the SGMP 2010 National Conference.
The HSMAI Greater Houston Chapter recently won the Frank W. Berkman Best of the Best Chapter Award for Collegiate Chapter Interaction during the HSMAI Leadership Conference in St. Louis.
The HSMAI Greater Houston Chapter proudly announced that they presented the HSMAI University of Houston/Conrad N. Hilton College Cougar Chapter the Frank W. Berkman Collegiate Chapter of the Year Award during the college’s 40th anniversary- celebration. Meagan Tomlin serves as president of the Cougar Collegiate Chapter.
Ninety-one years after Conrad Hilton opened his first hotel in Texas. the hotel at a Houston college bearing his name re-opened following a $12.5 million renovation. Hilton University of Houston, the teaching hotel for the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, opens its doors as an upscale, contemporary hotel serving Houston’s business and leisure travelers.
Three years after announcing a $1.5 million gift to the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston, alumni Nick and Vicki Massad celebrated the opening of the Massad Family Library Research Center and Hospitality Industry Archives. Ironically, it was a $1.5 million donation from Conrad N. Hilton which founded the school in 1969.
John Oakley, formerly DOS for the Westin Galleria and Westin Oaks, has joined InterContinental Hotel Houston as DOSM.
The 97-room Hotel Alden in downtown Houston has been acquired by Northwood Investors, a privately-held investment advisor and will be managed by a subsidiary of Northwood Investors. Hans Schmitt, formerly with Hotel Derek has joined the staff as GM and managing partner.
James Carroll, COO of Crestline Hotels & Resorts, Inc. announced the appointment of Michael Broadhurst as GM for the Hotel Derek in Houston’s Galleria area. Michael joined Crestline Hotels & Resorts in 2006 as the director of operations for the Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village, Princeton, NJ, and was then promoted to complex hotel manager for the Westin Reston Heights and Sheraton Reston Hotels, Reston VA.
In memoriam … Pam Warner, a 30 year member of Houston’s hotel community, passed away April 6th. Pam, most recently a sales manager at the Houstonian Hotel, had a career spanning through many management and executive positions in Houston. Clients and hoteliers alike knew Pam as having class, a quick wit, and a big heart. Mark Lupton, DOSM at the Houstonian stated, “She sent an email to me a week before she left us. It stated; ‘Mark, I’m trying to bust outta’ here and get back to work!’ She always had her wit, and the Houston hospitality community has lost a superstar. We miss her.”
Starwood’s Memorial City Complex announced the addition of some key team members. They include: Vicky Morales, Westin Houston Memorial City, the director of catering and convention services, most recently at the Westin Galleria and Oaks; Michelle Rayburn, complex corporate group sales manager, most recently at the St. Regis Houston; and Brian Crumby, Westin Houston Memorial City, social catering sales manager, most recently at Sheraton Brookhollow and Hotel ICON. Also, the Sheraton Houston West was named 2009 Hotel of the Year for the Sheraton Brand in all of North America.
Silvia San Martin, DOSM for the Omni Houston Galleria, announced two new
group sales managers, Angela Parish and Meghan Moreo.
Hilton Americas-Houston announced that assistant catering director Matthew Finnan has been recognized by Hilton Worldwide’s Circle of Excellence program, which rewards sales, catering, and events services professionals in the top ten percent of each brand. The Circle of Excellence represents the best of Sales, Catering and Event Services team members within the Hilton Worldwide family.
Teresa Cardin has joined the Hilton Houston Post Oak as the small meeting sales manager. Teresa’s past positions include Pine Forest Country Club and the Warwick Hotel and Club Corporation as catering manager. Anna Hernandez joined the Hilton Houston Post Oak as SMERF sales manager. Anna was previously with the St Regis Hotel and the Hilton San Francisco.
Mary Grace Gray, GM of the Hotel Granduca, announced the appointments of Ray Guyton as director of sales, Renato De Pirro as executive chef and Sandy Walding as controller.
The Crowne Plaza Houston River Oaks is pleased to introduce Kavana Healing Arts Spa. The spa is located near the pool and has a couple’s room as well as a single massage room.
Four Seasons Houston has completed a three-year, $25 million renovation. The new guest rooms at Four Seasons Houston boast all the modern conveniences with interior features and finishes that define the fashion forward hotel industry today. The neutral color palate – with its accents of soothing blue grays, walnut woods and matte silver touches – provides guests with a peaceful space to unwind and delight in the unparalleled level of service and attention to detail for which Four Seasons is renowned around the world.
Steve Glen, GM of Renaissance Houston Greenway Plaza Hotel, announced that the hotels has received the AAA Four Diamond rating for the eighth consecutive year.
Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops, located lobby-level inside the downtown Hilton Americas-Houston hotel, is sizzling with excitement as Chef Kyle Dennis and general manager Jimmy Leija team up to take over the culinary reins at the luxury restaurant and introduce a new menu.
clear lake / Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake announced that Lance Currey has joined their team as corporate group and business travel sales. The hotel is adding 4,700 sq. ft. of meeting and breakout space and will have new granite and terrazzo tile lobby and a new Precor fitness center that overlooks Clear Lake.
rosenberg / Carolyn Kagy, formerly with the Granbury CVB, has joined the City of Rosenberg as their civic center manager.
woodlands / Benchmark Hospitality International has named Ted A. Davis VP of sales & marketing. Most recently, Ted was VP of sales and marketing for Noble House Hotels & Resorts.
Benchmark Hospitality International has appointed John Davies as VP marketing. John will be the first to hold this newly created position at Benchmark. He was previously head of his own hospitality marketing firm and prior to starting his company, John served as VP marketing for Noble House Hotels & Resorts.
Kim Lowe, sales manager at The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center, has won the Smart Supplier Award for sales creativity and excellence in client care at The Smart Meeting, a three-day educational conference for tourism and meeting planner professionals.
A new team building venue, the Riva Row Boat House, has opened in The Woodlands where meeting attendees can test their skills in single and tandem kayaks right on The Woodlands Waterway. The venue is ideal for groups of all sizes, according to Casey Snyder, GM of The Woodlands CVB.
midland / Christopher M. Havins is the new convention sales manager for the Midland CVB. Before joining the bureau, Christopher served as the executive director for the George W. Bush Childhood Home.
Midland has built eight new hotel properties over the past three years including the Courtyard by Marriott, Sleep Inn & Suites, Residence Inn & Suites, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Value Place, Country Inn & Suites, and Best Western.
san antonio / Pam Hudec, DOSM for the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade, has a senior sales manager who has been with the hotel for 15 years. She is a “shining STAR” and her name is Melissa Janda.
The Hotel Contessa has been awarded Four Diamonds in 2010 by AAA.
Rebecca Peterson was recently promoted from sales manager to GM of Norris Conference Centers - San Antonio.
Nina Elaine Santellanes has been named director of group sales of the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa. Formerly the DOS at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort, Nina will serve Midwest group clients and will oversee incentive business and third party planners.
Hotel Indigo announced the opening of its second property of 2010 across from the historic Alamo in San Antonio. The property joins the Hotel Indigo San Antonio Riverwalk as the second Indigo in the San Antonio market. The 100-year-old Gibbs Building has been renovated into a 91-room property, including seven suites, while still retaining all of its original wood work and marble.
new braunfels / Through an outreach effort by the San Antonio Sports Foundation, the Haitian national soccer team arrived on April 14 at the T-Bar-M Resort and Conference Center for a more than two-week stay – offering a chance for the team to train for upcoming tournaments in the comparative tranquility of New Braunfels. The resort gave them a place to be away from it all for a little while and focus on being a team. In addition to the housing and food, uniforms, shoes, and practice balls have all been donated. Doctors have volunteered to tend to the aches and pains practice brings.
tyler / Justin Turner is celebrating his 8th year as the VP - tourism and director of marketing at the Tyler Convention and Visitors Bureau. Previous to his arrival in Tyler he was with the Galveston CVB. Justin currently serves on the TTIA Membership board.
The City of Tyler recently honored Earl Campbell (1977 Heisman Trophy Winner and star running back in the NFL) with a street naming. The Tyler City Council voted unanimously to rename the extension of New Sunnybrook Drive to Earl Campbell Parkway in honor of the native Tylerite.
wichita falls / The Wichita Falls CVB welcomed its new convention sales manager, Stacia Murphy. Stacia is a fairly new “Texas transplant” after moving from Florida last year.
The Wellington Banquet & Conference Center opened last fall. The 9,300 square foot facility offers luxury surroundings plus a 2,300 outdoor terrace with stone fireplace and is located adjacent to the Holiday Inn Express.