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James Lewis Wark has been appointed as Director of Catering & Events at Thompson Miami Beach

With more than a decade of experience driving sales and managing creative event programming, Wark possesses an extensive network of influential contacts and an impressive ability to stay ahead of market trends. As director of catering & events, Wark is charged with identifying and coordinating strategic alliances, managing all catering functions and establishing creative programming and offerings for locals, hotel guests and groups.

David Casey has been appointed as Area Director of Sales & Marketing at Thompson Miami Beach

Casey joins the Thompson Miami Beach team from Miami Beach luxury resort, The Setai, where he served as executive director of marketing & sales for two years. During his time at The Setai, he led an extensive transition of the sales, marketing and revenue functions to a new management company. Casey also oversaw the opening of the first U.S.-based Expedia CruiseShipCenters retail and host agency franchise for which he remains a franchise co-owner and managing partner. Prior to his arrival in South Florida, Casey worked in the northeast market as vice president of hotel sales and marketing for one of the world’s largest casinos, Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino in Uncasville, Conn. There, Casey managed all hotel marketing and sales initiatives for a $1.4 billion expansion project, and developed and executed a comprehensive pre-opening and opening strategy.

Brett Orlando has been appointed as Area Managing Director at Thompson Miami Beach

Orlando brings more than 20 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry to Thompson Miami Beach, where he will be general manager. Recognized as a trailblazer in his respective category, Orlando’s bold leadership skills and contagious enthusiasm will drive his team as he oversees the pre-opening phase of the beachfront hotel, as well as general operations post-opening. Prior to joining Thompson Miami Beach, Orlando was general manager at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ EPIC Hotel in downtown Miami and regional director of operations for the group’s southeast region. In this role, he managed more than 500 employees across four hotels and led all operations, strategic marketing and revenue efforts. Before joining Kimpton, Orlando served as managing director at Gansevoort Hotel Miami, where he worked to transition the property out of a foreclosure status while also increasing growth in the leisure business category, ultimately positioning the hotel above its market competitors. At Thompson Miami Beach, Orlando will also draw on his experience from Fontainebleau Miami Beach, the 1,504-room hotel he supported as vice president of operations during their re-launch period from 2007 to 2009, driving nearly $200 million in revenue that translated to more than $26 million in profit during his first year. Orlando also counts tenures as general manager at Hotel Palomar in Washington, D.C., Royalton Hotel, The Maritime Hotel, as well as the SoHo and TriBeCa Grand Hotels in New York City, among his other industry experiences.

Nils Stolzlechner has been appointed as General Manager at Shelborne Wyndham Grand South Beach

Shelborne Wyndham Grand South Beach, the iconic Miami resort slated to open this summer following a $280 million renovation, is pleased to announce Nils Stolzlechner as its new general manager. An industry professional with more than 20 years of international hospitality experience, Stolzlechner brings his luxury property expertise to South Beach and Shelborne Wyndham Grand.

Laura Santoni has been appointed as VP of Global Sales for the Caribbean and Latin America at Marriott International, Inc.

Laura Santoni, a 25 year veteran with Marriott, has been announced as the new Vice President of Global Sales for the Caribbean and Latin America. As a key member of Marriott's Global Sales leadership team, Laura will be responsible for providing strategic sales leadership and management oversight to the global sales teams currently deployed throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Working in tandem with the region's sales & marketing leaders, Laura and her team will develop and implement sales strategies that optimize profitable market share from targeted high-value accounts. Laura began her Marriott career in 1991 as Director, Travel Industry Sales of the Orlando Marriott Hotel. Since then she has successfully held numerous positions including General Manager of the 1100-room Marriott Village at Lake Buena Vista in Orlando, Vice President, of Sales for the Northern Mid-America Area sales and most currently, Laura held the position of Vice President of Sales for Florida.

David Feder has been appointed as VP and Managing Director at Trump National Doral

Feder joins Trump National Doral Miami as one of South Florida's most accomplished hospitality executives. With more than 35 years of industry experience, he has presided over some of the nation's most prestigious resorts including Boca Resort and Club, Fontainebleau, Arizona Biltmore and Turnberry Isle, to name a few. Under Feder's direct leadership, these properties have excelled in performance and have received esteemed honors from some of the most notable hospitality organizations and highly coveted awards from the industry's leading media. Feder currently serves on the Resort Committee for the American Lodging & Hotel Association, advising the strategic direction of the nation's most trusted hospitality organization. More than just an industry expert, Feder is a highly respected and distinguished figure in the South Florida community, holding a governor appointed position on the Board of Trustees for Florida Atlantic University. Additionally, he previously presided over the Palm Beach Hotel Association, served on the American Heart Association Leadership Circle and held previous board membership for the Boca Raton Community Hospital. Feder is the recipient of the Gulf Stream Council Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizens Award, The Palm Beach International Film Festival Founder's Award and the LEAH Bridge Builders Award.

The Gale South Beach Relying on RoamBoost by RoamingAround for Enhanced Cellular Coverage

Insufficient cell coverage at a hotel isn't just a problem for guests; it can also affect internal communications for management, staff and restaurant/nightclub patrons. Such was the case at the Gale South Beach in Miami, Fla., a Menin Hospitality property. During a $35 million restoration initiative with considerable infrastructure and cosmetic upgrades, hotel management's attention was drawn towards the challenge of poor cellular reception. Cell service was nonexistent on the first floor and basement levels, both of which housed the hotel's administrative offices, the Regent Cocktail Club and Rec Room lounge, lobby, Dolce Italian restaurant and first-floor guestrooms. To address the problem quickly and cost effectively, Menin Hospitality turned to RoamingAround and its RoamBoost cellular signal enhancement solution.