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.
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.
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.
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Westchester is pleased to announce Greg Mendoza as the hotel's new General Manager. Most recently, he served as the General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park where he managed day-to-day operations of the AAA Five-Diamond Hotel. In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing all operations of the 146-room luxury hotel including an award-winning spa, rooftop pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, the comfortably elegant Lobby Lounge as well as 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
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.
Renowned hotel brand and management company Dream Hotel Group announces the appointment of Anthony Damiano as General Manager of The Time Nyack, the first and only lifestyle hotel in New York's historic Hudson Valley. In his new role, Damiano will be responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the 133-room boutique hotel and its food & beverage outlets, including the executive oversight, recruitment and development of staff, annual budgets and assuring guest satisfaction.
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.
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.
Time Hotels today announced the appointment of Anthony Damiano as General Manager of The Time Nyack, the first and only lifestyle hotel in the Hudson Valley. In this role, Damiano will be responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the 133-room hotel, including the recruitment and development of staff, annual budgets and assuring guest satisfaction. Damiano joins The Time Nyack with more than 15 years of hospitality experience in the Greater New York area. He most recently served as General Manager at Hyatt House White Plains and achieved many successes during his time there, including the ultimate recognition of 'Hotel of the Year' in 2014 and nomination as 'General Manager of the Year' in 2013, as well as multiple 'Excellence in Guest Satisfaction' accolades in 2016 and 2015. Damiano began his career as Catering Sales Manager in 2000 and worked his way up to General Manager in 2010.
In partnership with Union Square Events, Conrad New York is pleased to announce the appointment of Edward Zissel to director of banquets. With more than 12 years of events and planning experience in the New York City market, Zissel continues to showcase his expertise at lower Manhattan's only allsuite luxury hotel where he will manage the planning and execution of all operations by Union Square Events, the hotel's exclusive catering partner.
The Sheraton New York Times Square is proud to announce the appointment of Achilles Poliviou as Executive Chef. A classically trained chef with deep experience leading culinary programs in New York City hotels, Chef Poliviou brings more than 25 years of trademark food and beverage excellence from brands including Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott and St. Regis, among others.
Britton is no stranger to the Marriott brand, having begun his career as a bellman at a Courtyard by Marriott in Wichita, Kan. Prior to coming on board at the AC Hotel New York Times Square, Britton had the opportunity to spend several years in New York City working with multiple brands and service models. Britton will oversee and manage all aspects of the AC Hotel New York Times Square.
Buiza has 13 years of experience in the hospitality industry, managing, marketing and selling branded and independent hotels in New York City. She began her hospitality career in operations: doing everything from answering phones to managing the food-and-beverage department for a luxury hotel. Buiza obtained her master's degree in hospitality management with a concentration in hotel investment finance at NYU, and found her calling in hotel sales and marketing. Her love for providing extraordinary experiences for guests led her to lifestyle hotels, and eventually the leadership role as the director of sales for the AC Hotel.
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park is pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel Ritacco as executive chef. Joining from the Renaissance New York Times Square, Ritacco will lead the culinary operations of this iconic hotel, which features three distinct dining outlets including the hotel's signature restaurant Auden Bistro.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Richard Richardson director of finance for Doral Arrowwood. The resort, located in Rye Brook, New York, is a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property. Mike McNeill, Benchmark's general manager, made the announcement.