Several hospitality companies have appointed new sales and marketing leaders in July.
Fairmont Orchid
Fairmont Orchid on Hawai‘i Island, appointed Chris Sessions as the new director of sales and marketing. Sessions will lead all aspects of sales strategies, revenue management, conference services and brand partnerships for the 540-room oceanfront resort.
With more than 15 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry, Sessions was most recently the director of sales for Nemacolin, a luxury resort in Farmington, Pa. Before that role, Sessions was director of sales, marketing and events for Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina in San Diego.
Ritz-Carlton Maui and Sarasota
In another Hawaii resort appointment, The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua appointed Michael DiFrancesco director of sales and marketing. He brings 35 years of hospitality sales experience to the role and will oversee all sales and marketing efforts for the resort. Before joining The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, DiFrancesco served as senior director of sales and marketing for the Autograph Collection since 2019.
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota in Florida appointed two new hospitality professionals to its executive sales team. Jillian Dampier is director of group and catering sales and Peter Francis is director of transient sales.
With 20 years of experience, Dampier has held various leadership positions with brands such as Hyatt, Conrad Hotels and Resorts, and other properties under the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. She will be spearheading sales for the luxury hotel’s group events.
Francis’ 28-year career in the hospitality industry began at Walt Disney World, followed by an 18-year tenure with various Marriot Bonvoy brands. He launched his leisure sales experience when he joined the team at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, and has since gained experience at other properties including The Ritz-Carlton Resorts of Caribbean and Mexico, and The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe.
The Pendry Washington D.C. — The Wharf
The Pendry Washington D.C. – The Wharf appointed Kate Thompson director of sales and marketing. An industry veteran with more than 20 years of hospitality experience, Thompson has directed and managed teams within corporate hotel groups, in addition to luxury boutique properties. Thompson most recently served as area director of sales for Viceroy Washington D.C. and Hotel Zena, a Viceroy Urban Retreat.
The St. Regis Washington D.C.
The St. Regis Washington D.C. appointed Kasia Bronisz as director of sales and marketing. Bronisz joins hotel following a tenure at Mandarin Oriental Washington, D.C., where she served as the director of sales and was responsible for driving group, transient and catering sales activities with luxury agencies and corporate market. Before her position at Mandarin Oriental Washington D.C., Bronisz served as the area of director of sales and marketing at Riggs Washington D.C. during the hotel’s opening year.
The Hythe & Hotel Clio
The Hythe, a Luxury Collection Resort, Vail and Hotel Clio, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Denver Cherry Creek, appointed Tyler Landers as regional director of leisure sales for both Colorado properties. Landers will oversee luxury consortia as well as travel advisors and wholesale partners in both domestic and international markets. Additionally, he will be responsible for the development of strategic plans across both leisure and business travel markets. Landers held leadership positions at various properties, including associate director of sales for the Stein Collection and leisure and social sales/on-site reservations manager at Madeline Hotel and Residences.