New York, NY - The W Hotels of New York has hired veteran hotel sales executive Keith M. Douglas to serve as its Area Director of Sales & Marketing. In his new role, Mr. Douglas, formerly the General Manager of The House of Blues Hotel, A Loews Hotel in Chicago, will be responsible for managing the transient, group and catering sales operations, as well as the local marketing initiatives, for the five W Hotels in New York.

As the Area Director of Sales & Marketing, Mr. Douglas will report to Brad Wilson, the Area Managing Director for W Hotels of New York.

"We are thrilled to welcome Keith to W Hotels' New York team," said Mr. Wilson. "His successful track record in developing sales and marketing strategies, boosting revenue and visibility in a particular market and driving effective sales training programs make him a valuable addition to our team."

Prior to serving as General Manager for The House of Blues in Chicago, a Loews hotel, Mr. Douglas served as the hotel's Director of Sales & Marketing from 1999 to 2001. During his tenure, the House of Blues increased its recognition as a preferred business travel hotel and achieved the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award. Mr. Douglas previously served as the Director of Sales & Marketing for the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel in Chicago (1996-1999), and the Director of Sales & Marketing for the Omni Colonnade Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida (1994-1996), where he consistently increased the property's business travel and group sales.

Mr. Douglas started his hospitality career as a Front Office Supervisor with the Omni Biltmore Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island. Over the past 15 years, he has twice been nominated for Crain's Chicago Business' "40 Under 40" Award; assisted in earning the AAA Four Diamond Awards for the Omni Colonnade Hotel, Doubletree Guest Suites and The House of Blues Hotel; selected as "Sales Executive of the Year" and "Top Salesman of the Year" by Omni and Hyatt Hotels respectively; and named Director of Marketing of the year for Loews Hotels, among many other professional accomplishments.

During his time in Chicago, Mr. Douglas was very involved in the local community, offering financial and human resources to VitalBridges, the Chicago anti-cruelty association and the Inspiration Café. Mr. Douglas is a member of the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association and the Midwest Business Travel Association, where he served on the Board of Directors from 1990 to 1994. He has a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Johnson & Wales University in Providence.

New York City is home to the W New York on 49th Street and Lexington Avenue; the W Times Square on 47th Street and Broadway; the W Union Square on 17th Street and Park Avenue South, and the W Court and W Tuscany on Lexington Avenue at 39th Street.

About W Hotels - W Hotels Worldwide, the premier lifestyle hotel brand, opened its first property in New York City in December 1998. Today there are 18 hotels in the U.S. and abroad, each a unique blend of style and substance, located in Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Silicon Valley, Sydney and Mexico City. W Hotel Montreal and W Hotels Seoul open in May/June 2004, while W Hotel and Residences in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Dallas open in 2006. For more information and to make reservations contact: whotels.com and 1.877.WHOTELS.

Jane Glastein
Public Relations Manager
212.930.7408
Starwood