A number of hotels have appointed sales and marketing leaders in the past month. Here are some names to know.
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino and Grand Cayman Marriott Resort
Marriott International has appointed Carolina Voullieme as multiproperty director of sales and marketing, overseeing both the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino and the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort. Voullieme’s most recent achievements at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino include managing the team through a propertywide makeover and guestrooms renovation. Her career with Marriott spans several decades, beginning in her early years in the hospitality industry with a global hotel chain and the Santiago Marriott. She went on to become the director of sales at both the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino and the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort. In 2009, she led her team to exceed budgeted occupancy by 3.5 percent, while also boosting the hotel’s ranking in revenue per available rom from third to first in its competitive market.
In 2000, Voullieme returned to her home country, where she took on the role of director of sales and marketing at The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago. She advanced to the Aruba Marriott Resort, where she contributed to generating over $140 million in total revenues.
The Hermitage Hotel and Keswick Hall
The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville and Keswick Hall in Virginia’s Piedmont region appointed Spencer Hux chief sales officer.
Hux’s journey in hospitality began in 2005 as a caddie at Kiawah Island. Rising quickly through the ranks, he held roles at The Sanctuary, Pinehurst Resort and The Hermitage Hotel, where he was director of sales. He held such roles as chief operating officer at The Beyond Collection and, most recently, a consulting position at Keswick Hall.
Hiltons of Chicago
The Hiltons of Chicago Sales & Marketing Complex, representing Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, Hilton Chicago and The Drake Hotel, has promoted Alison Wallace to director of sales, citywide strategy, effective April 1. Wallace has spent 25 years with the Hiltons of Chicago sales complex.
Hilton West Palm Beach
Hilton West Palm Beach, Fla., has appointed Alexandra Wood senior marketing manager. Wood brings several years of marketing experience with Marriott and Hilton properties and worked at the Cavalier Resort in Virginia Beach. She also previously worked at Nauticus, a maritime discovery center and museum in Norfolk, Va.
Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, Fla., appointed Jenny Onega as the property’s director of Group and Catering Sales. In this role, Onega will bring her extensive expertise to elevate the property’s group and wedding event offerings, further solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for meetings and celebrations.
With more than 20 years of experience, Onega most recently was an area sales leader for Marriott International’s Miami Beach market, overseeing six hotels and driving growth in group and corporate sales. Previously, she managed sales efforts as group and catering sales leader for The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club – Autograph Collection, JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa and The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village.
Silverado Resort
Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif., promoted Heather McKenna to director of marketing.
McKenna joined Silverado Resort in August 2021 as digital marketing manager. She was promoted to senior e-commerce marketing manager in April 2023 and oversaw the launch of the resort’s new website in July 2023.