A number of domestic and international hotels have appointed new sales and marketing leaders in recent weeks. Here are some names to know.
Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin
The Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin, Texas, appointed Miranda Burkes as event sales manager.
Working closely with the General Manager Harrison Compton, Burkes’ responsibilities will include selling and servicing events, working with the client on menu planning and agenda setting as well as facilitating communication before, during and after events with relevant hotel colleagues.
Burkes most recently worked at the South Congress Hotel in Austin as corporate catering manager. Before that, she held multiple positions at Hotel Van Zandt in Austin, including catering sales manager and associate sales and catering coordinator.
Malliouhana Resort
Malliouhana Resort in Anguilla promoted Daniela Victoria to director of sales. In her new role, she will manage the sales teams for the Caribbean resort and continue to maintain and build relationships with key corporate accounts and serve as the leader of the overall sales team.
Victoria previously was Malliouhana’s group sales manager and previously worked with Rosewood, Mandarin Oriental and Ritz-Carlton.
Le Méridien Fort Worth Downtown
The upcoming Le Méridien Fort Worth (Texas) Downtown appointed Dawn Freeman as the director of sales.
With more than a decade of experience in driving revenue growth and cultivating client relationships, Freeman will be responsible for expanding the hotel’s market presence.
Developed in collaboration with premier real estate investment and development company, Blueprint Hospitality, and managed by Remington Hospitality, this 14-story hotel is poised to open its doors in the summer of 2024
Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel
The Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel in Columbia, Md., appointed Bridgette O’Neil the new marketing director.
O’Neil is experienced in creative strategy and digital marketing, business process improvement and branding. She most recently was the marketing director at White Oak Hospitality. During her time there, she helped grow the Banditos Tacos & Tequila brand and expanded three other restaurant concepts ranging from upscale-dining to bar-centric.
Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
In Tucson, Ariz., The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain appointed Rowena (Ro) Tucker as the property’s senior sales executive leisure sales. Tucker most recently was area senior leisure sales manager for Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Los Cabos and The St. Regis Punta Mita.
Before Zadún and The St. Regis Punta Mita, Tucker was the area director of leisure sales at Solage and Calistoga Ranch, both Auberge Resorts in California’s Napa Valley from 2017 to 2020. In this dual role, Tucker led the development of new and existing accounts in both the U.S. and International markets. Tucker’s roots with The Ritz-Carlton brand started at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, Calif., as national travel industry sales manager.
Round Hill Hotel and Villas
Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Montego Bay, Jamaica, appointed Josy Karabolad as the property’s new head of global sales and marketing. In her new role, Karabolad will be responsible for driving revenue growth, expanding brand presence and developing sales and marketing strategies.
Karabolad most recently was director of global sales (Americas) for JOALI Maldives and JOALI Being. She also previously held leadership roles with Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces.
St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort/W Miami
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Miami Beach, Fla., appointed Terrance Kelly as market director of sales and marketing. In his role, Kelly also will oversee W Miami.
Kelly joins The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort and W Miami from Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, where he was the director of sales and marketing. Before this, Kelly was the director of sales for Four Seasons Nevis and Four Seasons Punta Mita, while based in Miami. Kelly’s career in hospitality began with several operational and sales positions at Four Seasons Atlanta and Four Seasons Miami. Kelly holds a Business Degree from Georgia State University.
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, Calif., appointed David Martins as director of sales and marketing. In his new role, Martins is responsible for overseeing all sales and marketing initiatives at the property, along with achieving sales growth, developing new and existing markets, and driving commercial performance. Most recently, he oversaw sales and marketing at the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C.
Martins’ relationship with Hilton dates back to 2013, when he joined the opening team as sales manager and opened Conrad Hotels & Resorts’ first resort property in Europe, Conrad Algarve in Portugal. He also held a variety of sales roles within Hilton Luxury Brands portfolio including Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian in Scotland.
From there, Martins relocated to New York City to work as director of sales at The Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park and reposition the hotel as a new luxury landmark in New York following a complete renovation. He then served as director of sales and marketing at the St. Regis Washington D.C. before returning to Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts in 2022 to open one of the new flagship hotels for the Waldorf Astoria brand, Waldorf Astoria Washington DC.
Waldorf Astoria Chicago
The Waldorf Astoria Chicago appointed Ashley Ochse as the new director of sales and marketing.
Having previously worked as the director and complex director of catering sales and event management at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago from December 2013 to January 2017. Most recently, she was the director of sales, group and catering at The St. Regis Chicago where she was a part of the hotel’s opening team. Before that, she was the executive director of Chicago Gourmet, a prominent food event in the city, and as the president of Bunker Hill — a private resort.