After signing a record 38 agreements last year, RLHC (Red Lion Hotels Corporation) (NYSE:RLH) continues to hit major milestones. The company announced today it has completed a six-month renovation to reposition the hotel as Red Lion Hotel Atlanta Airport. This is the company's first location in the greater Atlanta metro area and first property to adopt the new Red Lion Hotel guest room prototype design.
To serve the growing number of visitors traveling to the Atlanta area, La Quinta Inns & Suites announces the opening of the new La Quinta Inn & Suites™ Atlanta Airport North located at 1200 Virginia Avenue. Whether traveling for business or leisure, this new six-story hotel offers guests a refreshing and engaging experience providing 188 beautifully appointed guest rooms, an onsite business and fitness center, and outdoor swimming pool and spa. Complimentary Bright Side Breakfast® is served each morning and high-speed Internet access is always free at all La Quinta hotels.
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) today announced the signing of a franchise license agreement to bring Candler Hotel Atlanta to Curio - A Collection by HiltonTM, a global set of distinctive upper upscale and luxury hotels, hand-picked for travelers who seek local discovery and authentic experiences. The landmark Candler building is set to open as Candler Hotel Atlanta, Curio Collection by Hilton in late 2017 following extensive renovations. The property is owned by REM Associates, L.P. and will be managed by Highgate Hotels.
Atlanta-based Hotel Equities recently announced its selection as the management firm that will also assist in the design and processing of the renovation of the 190-key full service hotel off Camp Creek Parkway to a Four Points by Sheraton, a Starwood brand.
Hospitality eResources announced today that the firm has officially joined the growing global effort among organizations, corporations, educational institutions, government entities, municipalities and individuals to raise awareness of privacy and data security. In concert with Data Privacy Day 2016, HeR Consulting will host two of their popular training event "Protecting Guest & Employee Data in Hotels."
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has named Michael Torres Vice President of Corporate Communications, The Americas. Torres will provide strategic counsel to protect and enhance the reputation of IHG and its family of brands for the region, which includes the U.S., Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. As the chief communications officer, he will serve on the Americas Regional Executive Committee and be based in Atlanta. Torres will oversee internal and external corporate communications, including employee/organizational, crisis/issues management, strategic messaging, marketing communications and media relations.
Strand Hospitality Services recently announced that Drew Dunston has been named as the General Manager for the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in downtown Atlanta, Ga. He will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the 173-room hotel located at 111 Cone Street NW.
Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta is thrilled to announce the appointment of Yvette Thomas-Henry as General Manager of the leading luxury hotel in the city. A respected leader in the luxury hospitality arena, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role at the hotel.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, today announces the opening of the Hotel Indigo® brand's third Metro Atlanta area hotel, the 160-room Hotel Indigo Atlanta-Vinings. Located at 2857 Paces Ferry just 20 minutes from Downtown Atlanta, this boutique hotel sits in the heart of Vinings which was once known as the social crossroads for many in Downtown Atlanta. As the young elite would travel to Vinings as a riverside retreat for social mixers and afternoon tea with the Governor's wife, locals could be found socializing among their small farms, gardens and artist enclaves.
Prior to joining the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North, Hazar served as director of banquets for the 763-room Sheraton Downtown Atlanta, responsible for all banquet functions in the hotel’s 42 meeting spaces. Previously, he served as director of outlets for the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. His extensive food and beverage experience also includes serving as director of outlets and restaurant general manger for the Resort at Singer Island in Singer Island, Fla., as well as consultant at Yage Bay Club and assistant beverage manager at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, both in Miami, Fla. Hazar received a Master’s of Science degree in economics from Boston University in Boston, Mass. and a Bachelor’s of Science degree, Magna Cum Laude, in business administration and hotel management from the University of New Hampshire in Manchester, N.H.
Visconti joins the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North from Wyndham Hotel Group, where he served as director of sales and marketing and successfully oversaw the brand transition, renovation and repositioning of the new Wyndham Atlanta Galleria. Previously, Visconti served as director of sales and executive assistant manager for Thompson Hotels, overseeing revenue generation for the Boutique SAX Chicago Hotel, and for five years prior to that was director of sales and marketing for the Hyatt Regency Miami. His career includes 15 years with InterContinental Hotels Group, serving as a director of sales and marketing in Toronto, Chicago, Miami and Atlanta markets. Visconti received a Master’s of Business Administration degree from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Ga. and graduated from Toronto’s Ryerson University in the Hospitality Management Program.
The St. Regis Atlanta, an unparalleled in-town resort located in the elegant enclave of Buckhead, is pleased to announce the appointment of hospitality veteran, Andréa Heffner, to the position of Director of Sales and Marketing. In her new role, Heffner will oversee the property's on-site sales and marketing team, including sales, catering, and public relations as all areas relate to delivering the exquisite guest experiences for which The St. Regis Atlanta is known.
Hard Rock International – with hotel locations from Ibiza to Macau and Cancun to Chicago – announces plans to open Hard Rock Hotel Atlanta in spring 2018, bringing the legendary Hard Rock vibe to the popular Southeastern destination. Developed along with Bolton Atlanta LP, the 220-room Hard Rock International managed hotel will be located next to the upcoming Mercedes-Benz Stadium – future home of the Atlanta Falcons.
Spire Hospitality President and CEO Bill DeForrest has been awarded the 2015 Kemmons Wilson Service Award presented by IHAI, the Owners’ Association of InterContinental Hotels Group brand hotels.
Staybridge Suites® Atlanta Midtown, opening early 2016 under a dual-branded transformation with Crowne Plaza in the same Midtown Atlanta building, proudly announces the appointment of Jim Ricci as general manager. Bringing more than 30 years of dynamic hospitality experience in middle and executive level management, Ricci has deliberate plans for the success of the soon-to-be open Staybridge Suites Atlanta Midtown.
Atlanta-based Hotel Equities announced the hiring of Jason Caughron as the General Manager of the new Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Dunwoody/Perimeter Center in North Atlanta.
Most recently, Overstreet worked as senior national sales and task force consultant for PHM Hospitality in Dallas, where he improved operational and sales performance providing consultation to internationally acclaimed brands. Among his previous roles, Overstreet served as regional director of convention services for Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, and was instrumental in achieving the Pinnacle and Gold Key Awards for hotel excellence. Overstreet has held senior management positions with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC).
Crowne Plaza® Atlanta Midtown, currently undergoing a total reimagining with an ultramodern interior design package and a dual-branded transformation, announces Bill Spicer as director of sales & marketing. As an industry veteran with 15 years of experience, Spicer has displayed exemplary leadership and has consistently improved overall team performance over his career. Spicer and his team have big plans for the success of the newly open Atlanta Crowne Plaza and soon to be open Staybridge Suites in one signature Midtown Atlanta building.
Crowne Plaza Atlanta – Midtown, currently undergoing a renovation with an ultramodern interior design package, has named Patrick Palmer as general manager. As an associate of Spire Hospitality for 15 years, Palmer previously served as general manager of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pleasant Prairie-Kenosha in Pleasant Prairie, WI, where he oversaw the successful conversion of the property from Hawthorne Suites to Holiday Inn Express. Palmer worked as director of sales for Crowne Plaza Milwaukee West in Wauwatosa, WI, where he was responsible for directing the sales team and driving overall revenue for the hotel. Most recently, Palmer served the general manager of Crowne Plaza Milwaukee West, where Spire Hospitality recognized him as General Manager of the Year and Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts recognized Palmer as Best of the Best General Manager of the Year. Before joining Spire Hospitality, Palmer worked for Marcus Corporation in Milwaukee, where he served as director of rooms at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, WI. Palmer also worked with Coastal Hotel Group in Chicago as assistant general manager of Embassy Suites Chicago-North Shore/Deerfield in Deerfield, IL.
Nicolas BOUDET (ESSEC IMHI 1997) has been appointed President of International for Focus Brands Inc. Focus is the parent company of Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's, McAlister, Carvel, Moe's Southwest Grill and Schlotzky's. Reporting to the CEO, Nicolas will manage a network of more than 1,400 points of sales across 60+ countries. Prior to joining Focus, Nicolas served as Taco Bell Corp. Vice President of U.S. Development and Franchising. Nicolas joined Yum! Brands in 2008 as the Chief Development Officer, Latin America and the Caribbean Business Unit. Prior to joining Yum!, Nicolas served as Senior Vice President of Real Estate for Club Med Americas where he oversaw all development, acquisitions and asset management activities for the Americas business unit. He held several other positions such as Vice President Joint Venture Real Estate with Starwood Hotels and Resorts based in White Plains NY, and Vice President of Acquisitions and Development with Club Med Americas from 1999 until 2004.