"These panelists represent some of the best in entrepreneurial and innovative thinking within the travel industry," said Michael W. McCormick, GBTA executive director and COO. "We are excited to welcome these industry game changers to the stage and look forward to hearing their perspective on the future of distribution systems, among other topics."
Commerce Secretary John Bryson today appointed Mario González-Lafuente, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), to the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB) of the US Department of Commerce, as part of a strategy to promote the United States.
Most recently Keller served as the executive chef of The Mason Inn and Conference Center Hotel in Fairfax, Va., and prior to that The Capital Grille in Chevy Chase, Md. He also served as the executive chef of Moon Bay Coastal Cuisine, a fine dining restaurant located at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center at National Harbor in Maryland.
"With our global headquarters in nearby McLean, Virginia, we are committed to the growth and vitality of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area while preserving this historic landmark," said Christopher J. Nassetta, President and CEO Hilton Worldwide. "I want to applaud the GSA for moving forward with this opportunity and acknowledge Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton for her leadership on the legislation that authorized this tremendously important project to proceed."
Ms. Gritte joins Crestline Hotels & Resorts from Vista Host where she was the General Manager at the Homewood Suites by Hilton, Charlotte, N.C. She brings nine years of hospitality industry management and operations experience to this new role having also worked at Hampton Inn & Suites and AmeriSuites. Ms. Gritte holds a BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She has been recognized with several achievements and accolades by her former employers, as well as Homewood Suites.
HEI Hotels & Resorts (HEI), the nation’s fastest growing private owner/operator of hotel real estate, today announced several general manager promotions, transitions and appointments resulting from the acquisition of four hotels earlier this year. Ken Peduzzi was appointed General Manager of the Sheraton National Hotel, in Washington, DC, a 417-room hotel acquired by HEI in May, 2011. Prior to this assignment, Peduzzi was the General Manager of the Marriott Hunt Valley.
Mark joined Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in his most recent position as Regional Vice President, Pacific Northwest Region & General Manager, The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, in 2007. A seasoned hotelier, Mark spent 25 years with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, including roles as General Manager for the Hyatt Seattle, Hyatt Charlotte and Hyatt Regency Vancouver. From 1998 – 2000 he was Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Great Canadian Railtour Company. In 2000, he joined Starwood Hotels & Resorts, serving as General Manager, the Westin Bayshore, Vancouver for six years.
Less than two miles from downtown D.C., Virginian Suites is steps away from the banks of the Potomac River. The 261-room, all-suite hotel is close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Arlington National Cemetery, Washington Convention Center and government agencies and just a mile from the vibrant shops, restaurants and nightlife of historic Georgetown.
Until recently, Byrne was the general manager for nine years of The Churchill Hotel in Washington D.C. Prior to this role, Byrne was the director of sales and marketing; with a keen knowledge of the embassy market, she adeptly managed the sales and reservation department teams to serve and meet the needs of these guests. Additionally, Byrne successfully repositioned the hotel from the Sofitel Washington DC to the independent property that The Churchill Hotel remains today. Byrne also had served as director of operations, as well as the executive housekeeper at Sofitel Washington D.C.
Johnston comes to The Fairfax at Embassy Row from The Back Bay Hotel in Boston, (formerly under the name of Jury’s Boston Hotel), where he served as general manager for nearly eight years. Johnston oversaw the opening of the hotel in 2003 and later managed the rebranding process when it changed to The Back Bay Hotel; which included all sales, marketing and public relations tactics. Prior to this, the Dublin-born hotelier was vice president of revenue of Jury’s Doyle Hotel Group, where he developed revenue management strategies for more than 30 hotels in Ireland, UK & USA. Earlier in his career, Johnston was the general manager special projects for Jurys Doyle Hotel Group, and successfully handled the integration of Ireland’s two largest hotel companies.
Bas-Bailey brings with her 18 years of sales and marketing experience, including 15 years of achievement and growth with Marriott International – culminating in an area director role with responsibilities in the Washington, DC area. She then spent two years with Kimpton Hotels where she garnered significant year over year growth results. Most recently, she was a regional director of sales and marketing for the Pyramid Hotel Group. Bas-Bailey attended the Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey for Tourism & Hotel Management as well as Montgomery College for Business Administration.
A seasoned leader in the company, Davidson comes to Park Hyatt Washington with over 24 years of experience at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, most recently in Texas, where he held the position of General Manager of the 208-room Grand Hyatt DFW. Prior, he served as General Manager for Hyatt Regency Jersey City, where he oversaw operation s for the 350-room hotel. Davidson has also held positions at the former Park Hyatt Highlands Inn, Hyatt Regency San Antonio, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe and Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay.
Herve Humler, president and chief operations officer, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, was a participant in a gathering of senior private and public sector leaders invited to attend The White House Educational Roundtable hosted by President Barack Obama on Monday, July 18, 2011.
The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) invites all qualified meeting and event professionals who are looking to gain insight and build strong business relationships to attend its show, HSMAI's MEET National, focusing on Meetings, Events, Education and Technology. Registration is complimentary for qualified planners thanks to the generous support of HSMAI's MEET exhibitors and sponsors.
Sams’ career began with Omni in 1994. He took his first position in the hospitality industry as a restaurant server at the Omni Bayfront in Corpus Christi, TX while still in college, and never looked back. From there, he continued his career with various Omni properties and held numerous key positions including area director of finance, director of operations and general manager. While at the Omni Richmond Hotel, Sams was named General Manager of the Year in 2008 by the brand, an award recognizing his market leadership and exceptional overall performance. After graduating from Texas A&M University, Sams went on to complete the General Managers Program from the prestigious Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. Sams is known for his commitment to local market leadership, immersing himself in several civic and community endeavors.
Today the Corporation for Travel Promotion named Jim Evans, a longtime leader in the hospitality industry, its first CEO. Evans will be responsible for leading the Corporation's efforts to promote the United States as a travel destination and strengthen the U.S. tourism industry. Each overseas visitor to America spends an average of $4,000 per trip on hotels, restaurants, attractions, retail and other activities. Evans has decades of experience leading and developing businesses in the travel industry. His experience includes:
The Hilton Garden Inn Washington, D.C./U.S. Capitol is operated and managed by OTO Development. The Hilton Garden Inn Washington, D.C./U.S. Capitol is located at 1225 First Street NE in Washington, D.C., one block from the Red Line metro stop at New York Ave./Florida Ave./Gallaudet University, and just one metro stop from transportation hub Union Station.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)-the voice of the global business travel industry-today announced the inaugural GovTravDC 2011, a new event designed for both government and business travel professionals who are committed to smarter travel management. GovTravDC will be held June 1, 2011 at the George Washington University Cafritz Conference Center and will also be available via the GovTravDC Live Webcast
Jay Karen, president and chief executive officer of the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII), was elected by peers in the travel industry to serve a two-year term as an at-large member of the U.S. Travel Association board of directors. This will be the first time a representative from the bed and breakfast industry will serve the organization in this capacity. Jay has fifteen years of experience in organizational and association management and leadership, fourteen of which has been in the hospitality and leisure market. Since 2007, Jay has served the bed and breakfast industry as president and CEO of PAII. For ten years prior to that, he served in senior staff positions with the National Golf Course Owners Association, representing and promoting the business interests of golf course operators worldwide.
A native of Washington, DC, Vinh Nguyen was previously Assistant General Manager for The Eldon Luxury Suites. He began with the property during the preopening phase, responsible to the owner for sourcing materials for the hotel’s new suites, and eventually served as Accountant for the hotel throughout its pre-opening and soft opening periods. He has also managed the Front Office for The Eldon.