April 1, 2008
amarillo / Amarillo has three new hotels - Holiday Inn Express Airport has 70 rooms and opened in February 2008. Comfort Inn & Suites along I-40 East with 94 rooms and suites opened in October 2007. The city is anticipating the opening of the Hilton Garden Inn at I-40 West and Soncy Rd. in May 2008 with 117 rooms and some meeting space.
austin / Barton Creek Resort & Spa welcomed Michael Rushing as the new club director. Barton Creek Resort has begun an extensive multi-million dollar enhancement project which will include renovated guest-rooms, meeting space, lobby bar and grill.
Andrew J. Sultan, DOSM at Holiday Inn Austin Town Lake, announced Jan Allen as their corporate/govt. group sales manager.
Radisson Hotel Austin North announced it has a new GM, Peter Ambros. Peter comes from the 700-room Astor Crown Plaza in New Orleans.
Embassy Suites Austin Central (formerly Austin North) has a new look and new name. The multi-million dollar renovation encompassed all 260 suites, meeting space, common areas, business center, fitness room and “sea salt” indoor heated pool.
The Holiday Inn Austin NW Arboretum introduced their new DOS, Brianne Mouton, CPCE. The Holiday Inn’s multi-million dollar renovation began in March and is scheduled for completion by May 2008.
Jennifer Walker, formerly with Kolar Advertising, joined Austin CVB as director of marketing communications.
The Sheraton Austin Hotel announced the appointment of Gordon Rostvold as GM.
Don McCullough recently sold Association & Society Management, Inc. to his younger brother, Joe. “There is nearly 15 years separating us so he will be around a while longer I suspect,” said Don. “I believe I am retiring as the oldest and longest member of TSAE. I joined in 1965 and managed it from 1967 to 1972 as the first part time paid executive at $75 a month,” Don recalled.
The new 5,000 square-foot ballroom at the Renaissance Austin Hotel will be called “the Glass Oaks” room.
Scheduled for opening August 2008, plans for the newest meeting facility on the UT campus include a 300-seat amphitheatre and an 800-seat divisible ballroom. In addition, the Executive Education and Conference Center at UT will house 297 guestrooms.
lakeway / Lakeway Resort and Spa named Michael Swyney, formerly with Pacific Palms Resort, as its new VP and DOSM.
horseshoe bay / Horseshoe Bay Resort announced that the entire resort, including the Horseshoe Bay Resort Marriott, became “one” adding cohesiveness and seamless service to the “new” Horseshoe Bay Resort. Numerous 2008 transformations at the resort include a 90-foot dining yacht, a newly renovated Cap Rock Clubhouse, a new restaurant overlooking the Yacht Club and, in 2009, a new spa and fitness center.
burnet / Canyon of the Eagles Lodge announced the promotions of Anna Trahan to GM, Dondi Hinds to assistant GM, and Jill Ayers to sales/catering manager.
round rock / Michelle Williams has been promoted to GM of the Wingate by Wyndham & Williamson Conference Center. Rosemary Barner, formerly with Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel, is now the DOS.
new braunfels / Stacia Lara, convention/group coordinator for the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, Inc., announced that all phases of the new Civic/Convention Center will be ready in April 2008. The center now provides a grand exhibit hall, ballroom, and five meeting rooms.
san marcos / Ruth Buck, DOSM for the Embassy Suites San Marcos, announced that Jackie Oliva has joined her staff as corporate and government sales manager and Rosa Garza is the new association sales manager.
beaumont / Elizabeth Eddins has been appointed tourism coordinator for the Beaumont CVB. The tourism coordinator’s main objective is to promote and increase group leisure travel to Beaumont.
corpus christi / Melody Hosey, DOS of Embassy Suites Corpus Christi, announced that the property completed renovations in late December with updates to all 150 suites, brand new business center and fitness center.
Marriott International opened the 105-room Courtyard by Marriott in Corpus Christi in February 2008… Kaushik Bhakta, GM, announced the January opening of the new Hampton Inn & Suites Corpus Christi… The Best Western Marina Grand Hotel renovated the interior of the hotel in 2007 and is currently undergoing renovations to the exterior with a completion date of May 2008.
dallas / Big news from the biggest hotel in Dallas - the former Adam’s Mark Hotel is now the Sheraton Dallas. Ray Hammer, formerly with the Westin Park Central, is the new GM, Dave Swift, formerly with the Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, is the DOSM, and Matt Sciarrino, formerly with the Westin City Center Dallas, is the new DOS.
Mark Walsh has been appointed DOSM at the Westin City Center Dallas and Ruben Perez is the new director of group sales.
Amy Brown was promoted from catering assistant to catering manager at the Adolphus.
Remington Hotels and Resorts announced the promotions of Bret Arriola to senior vice president, sales and marketing and Jeff Patton to regional VP, sales.
Chairman and CEO Don Freeman has announced the promotion of Carrie Freeman Parsons to chief marketing officer for Freeman, and the addition of Toby Purdy to the company as senior VP of marketing.
Yale Feldman, formerly the GM at the Adam’s Mark Dallas, has been named GM of the InterContinental Dallas.
The Hospitality Association of Greater Dallas announced its officers for 2008 including Michael Vance, Omni Mandalay as president, Tom Garcia, The Adolphus, as chairman, Ron Perkins, La Quinta Corporation, as VP, James Montgomery, Gateway Hospitality, as secretary, and Tim Sullivan, Renaissance Dallas, as treasurer.
Marriott Solana completed an extensive renovation and expansion in November with 94 additional guest rooms for a total of 294. The newly established wing features a junior ballroom and a 3,000 square-foot outdoor terrace adorned with water features.
Janie Lopez has joined USA Hosts destination management services as sales coordinator.
Congratulations to James Monroe, CMP, CSEP and Jayna Monroe, CMP of J Monroe Designs for being awarded the Exhibitor Best Booth at the annual DFW MPI Supplier Showcase 2008.
Westin Park Central announced that Joe Bann has started as the new GM. Joe was most recently at the Westin Crowne Center, Kansas City. Bill Cole is the new director of operations and Heather Meador is the new revenue manager. She replaced Beth Meharie who is the new director of revenue management at the Westin City Center. The Westin Park Central Hotel’s Catering & Convention Services Team was awarded the #1 team in North America among all Starwood branded hotels for 2007.
Jennifer Cude, DOS for the Hilton Dallas Park Cities Hotel, announced that they have just finished a $100,000 renovation of their fitness center.
John Dirba, associate regional VP for HelmsBriscoe Dallas, announced that Vickie Vernon, formerly with Medtronic, Inc has joined the Palacios Team of HelmsBriscoe as regional manager. In Austin, Jennifer Dodson, regional manager with Helms-Briscoe has been promoted to regional director. Emily Aronoff, formerly with the Grand Hyatt DFW, has joined the Dallas Team of HelmsBriscoe.
Norma Ventrca, DOSM of the Omni Dallas Park West, announced that Lindsey Iles has been promoted to group sales. She was the Omni express sales manager at the Omni Park West.
The Holiday Inn Select North Dallas announced the appointment of Shannon Kelly as the new DOSM.
Link Kittrell, the new GM for the Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre, announced that the hotel and its team members have been recognized with the prestigious Hilton Hotels “Go for the Green” award.
Mindy N. Manning has joined the Holiday Inn Select Love Field as DOS.
Tracie D. Houston, CMP, area DOSM, Dallas for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced that Lisa Dalton, director of catering, won Kimpton’s Director of Catering for the year out of 42 hotels. Loretta Allen has joined the staff from the Adolphus Hotel to oversee a selected portion of the group market.
Dvorah A. Evans, CMP, conventions and tourism director for the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, has received the 2008 APEX Award for Distinguished Service.
Todd Budd, DOSM for the MCM Eleganté Hotel & Suites, announced that the property is undergoing major improvements through-out. The construction on the new 3,000 sq. ft. ballroom, complete with outdoor amphitheatre and fire pit, has begun.
frisco / The first phase of the new Sheraton Stonebriar Hotel opened recently. Phase one of the Sheraton Stonebriar Hotel includes 119 rooms and 1,000 square feet of event space. Its second phase will create a 250-room property with 27,000 square feet of meeting space and a rooftop, oasis pool. Phase two is scheduled for completion by the beginning of 2010, according to Valerie Mortimer, complex DOSM for the Sheraton and the Westin Stonebriar Resort.
John O’Hearn has joined Bill Bretches’ team at the Embassy Suites Frisco Hotel and Convention Center as DOSM. Linda Catalina, the hotel’s former DOSM, recently retired after a distinguished hospitality career.
The Frisco CVB announced that Denise Stokes will serve as the public relations/comm-unications manager and Jennifer Kimble serves as tourism & convention services manager.
richardson / Affiliates of Global Hyatt Corporation announced the opening of the 342-room Hyatt Regency North Dallas/Richardson, formerly The Richardson Hotel. Having recently completed an $8 million renovation, the hotel received an additional $6.4 million in upgrades prior its opening.
irving / The Irving CVB has named Keith L. Station national sales manager for the sports and entertainment market. Cyndi Golden, formerly with the Gaylord Texan Resort, has accepted the position of VP of sales for the Irving bureau.
Lisa Busbee, GM of the Dallas Marriott Las Colinas, reported that Erika Guerrero has been promoted to DOSM of the hotel. Cori Black and Barbara Jackson are new catering managers and Charlene Mendez is a new corporate sales manager at the Marriott.
Chad Enloe was named DOSM at the Omni Mandalay. Chad was formerly with InterContinental Dallas. Chad appointed Ramses Meijer as DOS. Ramses moved to Irving from Chicago.
Four Seasons Resort and Club announced these additions to their team: Jolinda Cohavi, director of marketing, coming to the Four Seasons Dallas from the Four Seasons Atlanta, and Catherine Spinazzola, sales manager, a former 12-year conference planner at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas.
dfw airport / Andrew Davidson, formerly with the Hyatt Regency Jersey City, has been appointment GM of the Grand Hyatt DFW.
The Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center has just completed the following renovations: 32” flat panel TV’s and double vanity desks. As an IACC conference center, the learning environment is a key ingredient. The double queen rooms are now outfitted with a one-of-a-kind extended desk providing two separate work spaces. Melissa Hampton has joined the Hilton DFW Lakes as director of group sales.
Bob Sherer, formerly DOSM for the Renaissance Hotel Dallas, has accepted the DOSM position at the Marriott Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.
JD Tamez, formerly DOSM at the Westin D/FW Airport, has recently been promoted to a regional marketing position for the Procaccianti Group, the owner of the Westin. Mier Brown has been named as the Westin’s new DOSM.
The Wyndham DFW Airport North announced the following new staffers: Jenny Peek, formerly with Tog Hotels, is DOSM, Jeanne Renner, formerly with Adam’s Mark, sales manager, LaRae Heick, catering manager, Shalina Daswani, revenue manager, and Patricia Aguillar, convention services manager.
Vince Vito, DOSM of the Grand Hyatt DFW, announced Amanda Arnett was promoted to group sales manager. Her market is Midwest and Texas corporate. Grand Hyatt DFW was named “Best Luxury Hotel” in D/FW in TripAdvisor.com’s 2008 Travelers’ Choice Awards.
grapevine / Josh Tate has joined the Grapevine CVB as advertising and creative manager. Becky Gardner and Connie Ash have joined the bureau as national sales managers.
By December of 2008, the new Great Wolf Lodge is expected to expand to include an additional 203 guest suites and offer a total of 27,000 square feet of meeting space. After the expansion, the resort will feature a 7,500 square-foot grand ballroom.
Byron Frazier, DOSM, PRA Destination Management Company, announced their offices moved from Irving to Grapevine and that Lee Hutchison was promoted from director of operations to national accounts manager. New on their staff are Sharon Shearer, account manager, Carissa Taylor, operations manager and Sarah Strawn, operations coordinator.
lake texoma / Jim Mullins, DOSM for Tanglewood on Lake Texoma, announced that Marsha Cordle has joined his team handling corporate & group sales, and Jaymie Lau is new to the staff and will handle catering/social/wedding sales.
lewisville / BK Murphy, DOS of the Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Lewisville announced that they have a new executive chef, Chef Phillip Merriman.
rockwall / Hilton Bella Harbor, the lakeside resort-style hotel set to open on Lake Ray Hubbard in early 2008, has appointed Steven Weir, formerly with the Belo Mansion, as executive chef of Mistra. Jennifer Wasserman, DOSM for the Hilton, introduced her team: Jacque Elliott, senior business transient sales manager; Sharon Felton, senior group sales manager; Eric Hutchins, group sales manager; Sam Gatoo, director of catering/convention services; Jenny Patton, convention services manager; and Michael Murphy, director of guest services/director of revenue.
arlington / Michele Lotspeich, DOSM of the Sheraton Arlington Hotel, announced a new director of catering, Rikki Bennett. She was previously at the Adam’s Mark Dallas. The property is in the midst of a $15 million renovation covering the entire hotel and scheduled for completion at the end of April.
The United States Bowling Congress will soon be moving from its historic home in Milwaukee into a new $14 million building shared with the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America in Arlington.
fort worth / Norris Conference Centers and Sundance Square have finalized a deal that will bring the conference facilities to downtown Fort Worth in the location occupied by AMC Sundance 11 on Houston Street. Norris Conference Centers plans to open the 40,000 sq.ft. facility in the fall.
Remington Hotels & Resorts announced that Stan Kennedy, GM of the historic Hilton Fort Worth, was recently named as their GM of the Year. Stan announced the promotion of Jeff Patton, formerly DOSM of the Hilton, to regional VP for Remington Hotels and the appointment of Renae Christoffersen, who is transferring from a Remington property in Marietta, Georgia, as the hotel’s new DOSM.
Larry Auth, DOSM of the Omni Fort Worth announced their newest team member, Lindsey Thomas as sales manager. She will handle 100 peak or less for the entire country and comes from the Austin CVB.
Donna Johnson, formerly with the Hilton Fort Worth, has joined the Sheraton Fort Worth as senior sales manager. The Sheraton is scheduled to reopen in April 2008 after a $42 million renovation.
Bob Jameson, GM for the Renaissance Worthington, proudly announced that AAA has awarded its prestigious Four Diamond Award to the Worthington for the 28th consecutive year.
The former Doral Tesoro Resort and Golf Club has been renamed the Marriott Hotel and Golf Club. Jim Campbell has joined the hotel as GM, Paul Chaston has been appointed DOSM and Robert Sanchez has been promoted to associate DOS.
granbury / Dee Ann Franklin, formerly an 8-year employee of Fort Worth’s Green Oaks Inn, has joined the Granbury CVB as DOS.
houston / Joseph Palmieri has been named GM of the 1,200-room Hilton Americas-Houston, a flagship property of Hilton Hotels Corporation. Joe joins the Hilton Americas-Houston from the Hilton Lincoln Centre in Dallas where he has served as GM since 1989.
Cindy Paul, DOSM for the Hilton Houston Post Oak, announced the appointment of Mitchell Willingham as SMERF sales manager.
Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake has a new GM, Faisal Kamal. Faisal was most recently the GM at the Houston Embassy Suites in the Galleria.
Steve Trent, managing director for the Hyatt Regency Houston, recently announced plans for a $35-million project to include the transformation of all 960 guestrooms, the addition of new, high-tech meeting space and a Shula’s fine-dining steakhouse. Completion is expected in late October 2008. Lance Barnes has been named business development manager of Shula’s Steak House and Alecia Williams has been promoted from sales manager to associate DOS.
The Four Seasons Hotel is nearing completion of a $4-million outdoor, resort-style pool. Andrea Ossola has joined the Four Seasons Hotel Houston as executive chef at Quattro.
Debbie Hollier the DOSM of the Holiday Inn Select near the Greenway Plaza, announced that they have completed the renovation of all guest rooms. Public space renovations will be completed this summer and the hotel will be renamed Crowne Plaza Houston River Oaks. Elizabeth Benton has joined the staff as senior sales manager and Tabitha Evans, formerly with Holiday Inn Houston Airport, is the new group sales manager.
Mark Lupton, DOSM at the Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa announced the appointment of Dawn Turbes as sales manager. The Houstonian is set to renovate all sleeping rooms this summer. The $7 million dollar renovation will be highlighted with such features as 37” HDTV programming and media panels to attach all of today’s consumer electronic devices.
Kim A. Brooks, area DOSM of Crestline Hotels & Resorts, announced the addition of Andrew Mirsky to the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square Hotel team as sales manager.
Jerry Paduano announced that the Wyndham Greenspoint finished their rooms’ renovation in March. Meeting space, front desk, lobby, outside landscaping, meeting space and public restrooms will be starting in June and finished in October.
Louise Upshaw-McClenny, formerly with Achiever’s International, has joined one of her largest clients, Freeman, as their new sales training manager.
galveston / Mike Riley, president of Moody Gardens, announced that Bill Pushak has been appointed as the GM of the Moody Gardens Golf Course which is scheduled to open in June. Most recently, he managed and directed golf operations for Shaker Run Golf Club in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The 30-acre San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center has recently launched H2o, a stylish ultra lounge concept inspired by the lounges that have made LA and South Beach popular. The San Luis Resort also unveiled “Club Ten” after the completion of extensive renovations to the 10th floor guest rooms. Each of the 21 rooms feature custom-designed furniture and fixtures, iPod docking systems, DVD and CD players, 42” plasma flat screen televisions in the bathroom and bedroom, and Internet access.
the woodlands / Benchmark Hospitality announced the appointment of Alex Cabañas as VP of capital markets for the leading hospitality management company.
huntsville / Richard Serrill is the new GM of the Comfort Suites Huntsville and Susie Lee also joins the hotel as sales director.
nacogdoches / Sarah E. O’Brien announced that Ashleigh McCorkle has joined the Nacogdoches CVB as meeting & event coordinator.
odessa / Molly Thorn, state association sales specialist, was recently promoted to the senior sales manager of the Odessa CVB. Molly has been with the bureau since 1993. The Odessa CVB received the Annual Readers’ Choice Award from ConventionSouth.
The Comfort Suites and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott are doing renovations, updating carpet and painting. Four new hotels will be built along Interstate 20 - one has already started construction - The Comfort Suites. Two more hotels will be built near the Music City Mall.
san antonio / Felicia Madison, CMP has been named the new DOS for the San Antonio CVB.
Michael Sanders is the new GM at the Hilton San Antonio Airport. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Houston’s Conrad Hilton College.
The Doubletree Hotel San Antonio announced the appointment of Gus Luna, who is relocating to the city from Destin, Florida, as the new GM. Ron Johnston, formerly the GM at the Doubletree San Antonio, has accepted a regional vice president position with Newport, RI-based Procaccianti Group. He will maintain his residence in San Antonio.
Beth Smith, area director of PR and DOSM for the Omni La Mansión, has resigned after a 22-year career at the hotel and will be joining Patrick Kennedy as VP of marketing for the Watermark Hotel Company, where she will be promoting Mr. Kennedy’s future business ventures.
Hyatt Regency Riverwalk announced the following promotions: Misty Cantrell, account manager - business & leisure travel, Brittany Robbins, sales manager - vertical market, Rebecca Burns, Meeting Connections sales manager, and Jennifer Watson - Meeting Connections service manager.
Brian Getman, DOSM for the Hilton Palacio del Rio, announced that Nicole “Nikki” Wiatrek was recently promoted to assistant director of catering.
Suzanne Mora has joined Sheraton Gunter as catering sales manager and Linda Mares has joined the staff as SMERF sales manager.
Holiday Inn San Antonio Riverwalk announced the appointment of Andy Hearon as DOSM for the 313-room property. Most recently, Andy was area DOSM for the Holiday Inn Hotel and Towers and the Holiday Inn Park Plaza in Lubbock.
Tom Smith recently began a new chapter in his Hyatt career as VP of rooms at Hyatt’s corporate offices in Chicago. With this change comes a new GM for the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, Gino Caliendo. Gino was formerly the GM of Hyatt Regency Miami. Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa recently celebrated its 15th anniversary by honoring its charter employees.
south padre island / Stormy Wall has accepted the position of operations manager for the Sapphire South Padre, a thirty-two story, condominium right on the beach. Sapphire will be operational in May with a Grand Opening around July 1.
tyler / The Preview Center of the new 4-star Bellwood Lake Resort held its grand opening February 29th in downtown Tyler. The resort, which opens in early 2010, will have 27,000 sq ft of meeting space, 175 luxurious suites, a full service spa, fine dining and much more amidst a naturally landscaped setting.
waco / The City of Waco has committed $17.5 million to expand the Waco Convention Center beginning in the fall of 2008.
The Hilton Waco is completing a $17 million renovation which includes a new face to the hotel, reorienting the entrance, redoing all rooms, and dramatically expanding the ballroom and meeting space.
The Courtyard by Marriott completed a $2.5 million renovation which included all soft goods and the lobby… Hotel Waco is almost finished with their renovation, which included all soft goods, meeting space, restaurant and lobby.
wichita falls / Pene Bridges, formerly with the Tyler CVB, has been named director of the Wichita Falls CVB.
other news / Steve Houser (shouser@frenchlick.com), the former DOSM at the Adam’s Mark Dallas, has joined the French Lick Resort and Casino as DOSM. Good luck, Steve!