The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is officially accepting entries for its 2018 Adrian Awards, celebrating excellence in travel marketing. Now in their 62nd year, the Adrian Awards recognize standout brands and agencies for their innovation and creativity in hospitality advertising, digital marketing, and public relations campaigns.
New York is a hot spot of major transformational real estate development that is rapidly changing the city's landscape and lodging environment, according to JLL's 2018 New York Hotel Market Report.
Grace Hotels has announced the appointment of Andy Ross as Regional Director of Sales & Marketing, Americas. In his new role, Andy will oversee all sales and marketing activities for hotels in the Americas region, including public relations, advertising, strategic partnerships and special events.
Opening this fall and now taking reservations, Moxy Chelsea is a lifestyle hotel with all of the amenities, and none of the price tag, that reimagines the urban jungle, blending botanically-inspired design with Italian romance. The hotel, developed by Lightstone and part of Marriott International's experiential Moxy Hotels brand, will rise 37 stories high into the New York City skyline and feature 349 bedrooms flooded with natural light and designed thoughtfully - and with a touch of wit.
62 residents. 22 storeys. 1 unique exhibition. Last night citizenM officially unveiled its citizens of the Bowery exhibition on the windows of citizenM New York Bowery, and lit it up for all of New York to see. Next on the agenda? Opening the doors to our first guests very soon! See more about the exhibition captured by Christelle de Castro here: https://www.citizenm.com/thebowery
Andaz 5th Avenue is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Mason as General Manager of the 184-room luxury boutique property in mid-town Manhattan. Mason, who has a distinguished 20 year career with Hyatt Hotels has been at the helm of numerous projects throughout the country. Most recently he served as the Miraval Group Director of Special Projects where he was instrumental during Hyatt's acquisition of this new wellness brand. Additionally, he was respon sible for onboarding General Managers for the Tucson and Austin properties while assisting the global team during the strategic planning phase. Prior to Miraval, he was with the Andazbrand where he served as the General Manager at Andaz Mayakoba and in 2015 opened the AndazScottsdale Resort & Spa. When Hyatt added The Driskill - one of Austin's most iconic hotels, to its Unbound Collection Mason was appointed General Manager and oversaw Hyatt's transition as owner and operator and directed an $8 million renovation project. While in Colorado, Mason served as General Manager of Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center during its $4 million renovation and General Manager for Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, where he directed a $28 million renovation. A few years prior, Mason's career led him to Chicago and New York, where he was hotel manager for Park Hyatt Chicago and the landmark Stanhope Park Hyatt in New York City. Mason's modus operandi is to be an involved community leader in the cities he calls home. While in Austin, he served on the Board of Directors for several organizations, including the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association, the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau, Austin Hotel & Lodging Association, and the Board of Directors for Preservation Austin, formerly the Heritage Society. He also previously served as vice chair for the Board of Governors for the Vail Valley Partnership. Mason continues to be an active member of Hyatt's Diversity and Inclusion Council since 2009, serving as chairman from 2010-2012.Prior to joining Hyatt Hotels, Mason spent several years working in a variety of management positions for Disney's resort operations and theme park management. He is also a graduate of the Disney Management Development program.A Colorado native, Mason received his Bachelors of Science degree in Hospitality, Meeting and Travel Administration from Metropolitan State University of Denver. In 2009, he graduated from the General Managers Program at the prestigious Cornell University. In his free time, he enjoys golf, fitness and traveling with his wife.
Ketchum director Sara Garibaldi has been promoted to the new role of managing director of the firm's newly created Travel & Economic Development industry sector. Most recently serving as a group manager and brand practice director, Sara's promotion is timed to Ketchum's strategic shift to a communications consultancy structured around 14 industry sectors. In her role as Travel & Economic Development sector leader, Sara brings 15 years of experience gathered at the top PR agencies leading integrated marketing communications campaigns across diverse industries including travel & hospitality (destinations, airlines & hotels), spirits & beverages, financial services, retail & apparel, consumer packaged goods and home & lifestyle clients. She's a brand marketer at heart with rich experience in travel & hospitality. Specifically, she managed all PR efforts for the Puerto Rico Tourism Company for four years (from 2004-2008), including work for Rums of Puerto Rico and currently leads the global relationship with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and Department of Economic Development & Commerce (since May 2017 through present day) working on many cross-collaborations between the government of Puerto Rico and private tourism industry partners (from hotel chains to cruise lines to airlines). She helped navigate the team through Hurricane Maria and at the six-month mark, tourism already showed strong signs of a comeback with public relations as the primary driving force of the communications strategy immediately post-Maria. Sara completed her MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business in Marketing & Finance in 2007. In addition to receiving numerous Adrian Awards from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) for her tourism campaigns, in 2014, she was named one of PRWeek's "Top 40 under 40" and won PRWeek's 2013 Campaign of the Year. Sara can be reached via [email protected].
Westgate Resorts announced today the acquisition of the former Hilton New York Grand Central, a 23-floor, 300-room, two-tower hotel located in the historic Tudor City neighborhood within the heart of Midtown Manhattan's East Side that has been rebranded Westgate New York City.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' (NYSE: WH) President and CEO Geoff Ballotti, Chairman of the Board Steve Holmes, executive leadership, team members and hotel teams today rang the NYSE Opening Bell celebrating the launch of the company's new ticker symbol "WH".
Last night, Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), the world's most diversified casino-entertainment company brought to life four of its iconic brands inside New York City's iconic Rainbow Room, celebrating the launch of brand licensing opportunities for Caesars Palace, The Cromwell, Flamingo and The LINQ.
Continuing the momentum from the end of last year, RevPAR growth accelerated in the first quarter of 2018. Occupancy levels continued to increase due to accelerating demand growth and decelerating supply growth, with pricing power appearing to finally begin to return to Manhattan hotels. RevPAR increased 7.4 percent, driven equally by increasing occupancy and average daily rate ("ADR") levels.
Taormina, a celebrated hospitality professional with over 15 years of experience, most recently served as Area Managing Director for Dream Hotel Group, where he oversaw both Dream Downtown and Dream Midtown. He started his career in 2004, as a General Manager Lodgian Hotels Corporation. Throughout this six-year period, he managed five properties in several cities including Dallas, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Denver and Atlanta. After leaving Lodgian Hotels Corporation in 2010, Taormina joined Highgate Hotels, first as the General Manager of Doubletree by Hilton in Syracuse, New York where he had numerous accomplishments including overseeing a multi-million dollar renovation of the hotel's public spaces. Following his tenure at Doubletree by Hilton, he became the Managing Director of Refinery Hotel in New York City and spearheaded the property's opening in the prominent Fashion District. In 2015, he took on the role of Area Director of Operations for Highgate Hotels in Miami.Taormina, a celebrated hospitality professional with over 15 years of experience, most recently served as Area Managing Director for Dream Hotel Group, where he oversaw both Dream Downtown and Dream Midtown. He started his career in 2004, as a General Manager Lodgian Hotels Corporation. Throughout this six-year period, he managed five properties in several cities including Dallas, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Denver and Atlanta. After leaving Lodgian Hotels Corporation in 2010, Taormina joined Highgate Hotels, first as the General Manager of Doubletree by Hilton in Syracuse, New York where he had numerous accomplishments including overseeing a multi-million dollar renovation of the hotel's public spaces. Following his tenure at Doubletree by Hilton, he became the Managing Director of Refinery Hotel in New York City and spearheaded the property's opening in the prominent Fashion District. In 2015, he took on the role of Area Director of Operations for Highgate Hotels in Miami.
Palmer will lead the spring 2019 opening and day-to-day operations of the 512-room TWA Hotel. Prior to joining MCR, Palmer served as the Hotel Manager for the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, the largest non-casino hotel in the United States, transforming it into one of Marriott's top performing properties. Previously, he was General Manager at the Courtyard and Residence Inn L.A. LIVE, which ranked among the top five hotels in Marriott's western region for guest satisfaction. Palmer holds a B.S in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management from the University of Delaware.
Business titans and thought leaders in the hospitality industry will be among the featured panelists at the 40th Annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference. Hosted by the NYU School of Professional Studies (NYUSPS) Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism (sps.nyu.edu/tisch), the Conference will be held June 3-5 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City, and will feature panel discussions, workshops, and networking events that provide data, analysis, perspectives, insights, and opportunities for professionals in the field. Jonathan M. Tisch, chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels & Co. and co-chairman of the board of Loews Corporation is the Conference chair; Jeffrey Stewart, founder, Walnut Hill Advisors, serves as the Conference vice chair; Dennis Di Lorenzo, Harvey J. Stedman Dean, NYU School of Professional Studies, serves as the Conference host; and Nicolas Graf, associate dean, NYU School of Professional Studies Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism, is the Conference co-host.
Renowned hotel brand and management company Dream Hotel Group announces the appointment of Kori Yoran as the new General Manager for Dream Midtown in Manhattan NYC. Kori joined Dream Midtown as Director of Front Office in October 2015 and was promoted to Hotel Manager shortly thereafter in February 2017, working closely with the Managing Director in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Midtown property. Kori began his career in hospitality in 2009 holding various Front Office positions with SoHo House in New York City. He also previously worked as Front Office Manager at DHG's for mer property, The President Hotel in Times Square, before joining Intercontinental Times Square and the SoHo Grand Hotel, where he held various management roles, including Assistant Front Office Manager and Assistant Executive Housekeeper.In his new role, Kori is responsible for all day-to-day management, operations, and oversight of the inaugural Dream Hotel location, including front of house, engineering & security departments, recruitment, development of staff, the hotel's annual budget, and assuring guest satisfaction. Kori studied Business Administration, Hospitality Management & Marketing at The George Washington University, and later received an MBA with a specialization in Asset and Revenue Management from Glion.
Arlo Hotels, an independent, four-star lifestyle hotel brand, has appointed Bassim Ouachani as General Manager at Arlo SoHo. Ouachani brings more than 18 years of hospitality experience to this role, which was a natural progression from his previous position as Director of Operations at Arlo SoHo.
New York-based real estate developer and investor Lightstone has appointed Paul Ridguard as GM for the Moxy NYC Chelsea. Ridguard will lead the opening and launch of Lightstone's newest Moxy hotel in New York City, which is scheduled to open in October 2018.
Moxy Hotels, Marriott International's experiential hotel brand, announced today a multifaceted collaboration with the award-winning improv theater, Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB). The two brands will team up to debut an original employee crew training program to heighten the guest experience, as well as to kick-off brand-wide Improv Workshops for guests to join in on the fun.
Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of internet services and solutions for the hospitality industry, has announced the successful implementation of its BeyondTV solution at the Cachet Boutique NYC, an ultra luxurious hotel in New York that serves as the U.S. flagship property for the Cachet Hospitality Group. Setting itself apart as an urban cultural oasis, Cachet Boutique NYC's decision to adopt BeyondTV further demonstrates the property's goal of providing its guests with the latest in hotel communications technology and personal device to guestroom television casting convenience.
The St. Regis New York is delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Arnao as Executive Chef. Boasting extensive knowledge of the culinary hospitality industry, Chef Arnao brings a wealth of experience to his new role at the beloved flagship property where he will oversee the culinary direction for the hotel, including its Astor Court restaurant and the famed King Cole Bar.