Jean-Paul Slap is the new director of rooms. Slap brings an impressive background of over 20 years in the hospitality industry, having gained experience across Singapore, Belgium, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Austria, where he has assumed various welcome office roles, such as director of rooms, executive assistant manager overseeing rooms, and resort manager, among others.
Olivia Klipa was promoted to vice president, conferences and events. Having joined the organization nearly eight years ago, Klipa has been integral in the evolution of AHLA and AHLA Foundation events, with member engagement opportunities increasing to over 100 touch points annually. Most notably, Klipa has helped to grow the Foundation's two annual fundraisers to million-dollar events. In her new role, she will assume expanded responsibilities for the overall strategy, management, and execution of all AHLA and AHLA Foundation programs, meetings, and special events and will continue positioning these engagement points as a key source of non-dues revenue for both entities.
In her new role as Director of Group Sales, Brittany Ostrander will oversee the group sales team strategy including day-to-day office operation. Ms Ostrander joined The Newbury Boston shortly after its reopening as Group Sales Manager and quickly moved into the role of Assistant Director of Group Sales. Prior to joining The Newbury, she worked at a number of luxury hotels in Boston, including Encore Boston Harbor, Boston Harbor Hotel and Ritz-Carlton Boston. She is a graduate of Florida State University.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth is also proud to recognize the promotion of Sybille Piquard who will be the resort's new Director of Rooms. Part of the 2021 pre-opening team as Front of House Manager, progressing into Assistant Director of Rooms, in this new role Sybille will oversee all activities of the department and implement the rigorous daily quality process at the resort. Sybille boasts more than 15 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry. Previously, she has assisted in several hotel openings including the Shangri-La properties in both Paris and London and Hotel Lutetia in Paris.
Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Media City has promoted Izzat Mambetov to rooms division manager.
Lotachukwu Monyei has been promoted to marketing and communications manager, recognising her outstanding performance, particularly in enhancing the hotel's digital presence and executing successful F&B projects.
Chef Concierge Angela Cooper is one of only three Les Clefs d'Or members in the state of Washington. Also known as The Golden Keys, Les Clefs d'Or is an elite fraternity of hotel concierges globally connected, committed to professional development, and driven to setting new standards for guest service perfection. Angela brings to her new role more than two decades of hospitality expertise at some of the highest-volume resorts and casinos in the nation, including The Cosmopolitan and Ceasars Palace in Las Vegas, where she played an integral role in maintaining the property's 5-Star status and creating memorable experiences for VIP guests. When not assisting guests, she loves learning about new places and cultures while traveling around the world.
Jasmin MacMillan has been promoted to the role of Director of Sales, Groups & Meetings. Jasmin joined the company in May 2021, and with her expanded mandate she will lead the newly established Groups and Meetings hub, overseeing the Sales and Reservations teams both onshore and offshore. Her previous on-property experience, combined with leadership skills and deep-industry knowledge has proven a powerful combination in driving growth in the segment for the company.
Sofitel Mumbai BKC, the elegant, luxury hotel in Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex, has appointed Nimesh Pandav as their new Front Office Manager.
Transitioning from his role as front office manager at Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites, Bizhkenov's versatile skills and adaptability to last-minute changes have earned him the position of director of rooms.
Amwaj Rotana Hotel has promoted Waleid Elsahi to director of front office.
Since his arrival at Grand Hyatt Dubai in 2010, Yassine Essouissi has been instrumental in propelling the hotel's success, particularly within the events and catering sectors.
Hyatt Regency Chennai has announced the appointment of Sharath Rajan as its new Director of Rooms.
Safdar Ali Rashid is the cluster assistant chief engineer at The First Collection Waterfront. With over 19 years of experience, he has been instrumental in overseeing all building-related systems including maintenance of equipment and internal and external structures to ensure the safety of hotel guests, associates, and vendors. His achievements include implementing and updating Standard Operating Procedures, ensuring fire safety, and fostering collaboration between engineering and other hotel departments.
Varun Kalra is the cluster executive housekeeper at The First Collection Waterfront and The First Collection Business Bay. Kalra's responsibilities include heading the housekeeping department, where he manages a dedicated team of 85 members and his role extends to pre-opening activities, budgeting, capex, and P&L management, as well as recruitment and training initiatives.
Nabil Youssef will serve as the cluster director of rooms at The First Collection, overseeing the duties of all housekeepers and front office staff in both The First Collection Waterfront and The First Collection Business Bay to ensure a high level of guest satisfaction. Some of his accomplishments include achieving substantial upsell revenue for check-ins and overseeing a successful score of zero turnover for colleagues in the first year of operations.
The U.S. Travel Association announced today the addition of Ishma Haider as Vice President, Group Travel, a new position that will bolster the association's work to increase group/meetings travel to and within the United States.
Hili Rayhaan by Rotana has announced the appointment of a new front office manager.
Megha Karnik steps into the role of cluster meeting & events sales manager. Karnik has grown from meeting & events sales coordinator to assistant meeting & events manager.
Joanna Maris Manuel has been promoted to the position of cluster meeting & events executive.