Kokua Hospitality, an independent hotel management company based in San Francisco, appointed Dawn Aronson as director of sales and marketing at the Carmel Mission Inn in Carmel, Calif. The property joined Kokua Hospitality’s West Coast portfolio in early Q3 of 2017. The coastal boutique hotel consists of 165 guestrooms, more than 4,500 square feet of meeting space, a restaurant and bar, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, a Jacuzzi and private gardens.
Photo credit: Kokua Hospitality
In her role as director of sales and marketing, Aronson is responsible for planning and implementing sales, marketing and product development programs targeting existing and new markets for the property’s meetings and convention business. The California native brings 28 years of hospitality experience to the team.
Aronson graduated from the University of Arizona with an associate’s degree in business administration and management. She served for 12 years in the California Air National Guard at Moffett Field in California as personnel management specialist, eventually making her way into the hospitality industry at Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, Calif. There she explored the various roles within a hotel, working at the front desk and in reservations, catering, and sales.
Aronson moved on to join Hilton Hotels & Resorts as a senior sales manager at Hilton Monterey and Embassy Suites by Hilton Monterey Bay Seaside, both in Monterey, Calif. Following her eight years with Hilton, Aronson oversaw the sales and marketing departments of a collection of three hotels as the director of sales for Monterey Peninsula Inns. Aronson then served as a global account executive and meeting planner for ConferenceDirect for 13 years before joining Carmel Mission Inn.
“Dawn’s extensive experience and strong relationships within California’s meetings and events industry are an invaluable asset to our West Coast team,” Kirk Pederson, president of Kokua Hospitality, said in a statement. “Her passion and focus on creating personalized, engaging experiences for every guest and client made her a perfect fit within the Kokua culture.”
Aronson grew up in Long Beach, Calif., and currently lives in Carmel Valley. She can often be found at the softball field cheering on her daughter or volunteering with such organizations as California Society of Association Executives, Society of Government Meeting Professionals and MPI Northern California Chapter.