Combining classic Art Deco design with an exciting, modern flair, Courtyard Miami Beach South Beach will soon be revealing its upgraded accommodations. Following the completion of its renovations on September 29, 2017, the hotel now boasts refined rooms with stylish décor and amenities.
Kempinski Hotels announces the appointment of industry veteran Jeff Lanzarotta to head up their North American leisure & luxury division as Global Director Sales. Lanzarotta joins the Kempinski team after a long career with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, where he acted as Director of Global Leisure & Luxury Sales in the US in his last position. Lanzarotta holds a degree in Hotel & Restaurant management and will continue to be based in Miami, Florida.
Curtis joins the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate team from Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas where he served as the vice president of group sales. Previously, he spent several years as director of sales and marketing for The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida. There, he was responsible for managing all sales and marketing efforts during re-branding of the resort from Westin to Hilton. Prior to that role, Curtis held various positions with Starwood Hotels and Resorts for more than 20 years.
MCR, the seventh largest hotel owner-operator in the United States, announced the grand opening of the Residence Inn by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Pompano Beach Central, a 112-room hotel located in the Center Port Business Park in Pompano Beach, Florida. The $21 million extended-stay hotel is owned and operated by MCR.
Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting Center welcomes Ruben G. Rodriguez as the newly appointed Director of Sales and Marketing. With a robust group sales background, Ruben will be responsible to proactively focus on business development, planning and implementing strategic plans to achieve objectives assigned in transient, group, contract and catering segments along with heading the marketing efforts as led by the Hersha Hospitality Management team. Leading and managing all day-to-day activities related to the sales function with a focus on building long-term, value-based customer relationships that enable achievement of property sales objectives.
Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, one of the newest oceanfront luxury resorts in South Florida, announces the appointment of Chintan Dadhich as general manager of the 290 all-suite, nautical-themed property situated on Fort Lauderdale’s exclusive North Beach.
Kimpton’s Surfcomber Hotel in South Beach, Miami is pleased to announce the appointment of Sharee Hines as the director of sales and marketing for the design-inspired boutique hotel that offers ocean view board meetings, intimate beachfront weddings; and combines “daylife” and delight to provide the ultimate guest experiences. In her new role, Hines will spearhead all sales and marketing activities, while leading the hotel’s dedicated sales team to position Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel as the area’s choice hotel for boutique offerings. She will also establish and maintain relationships with industry influencers and key strategic partners that will further support the Kimpton of Florida brand initiatives overall. Hines joins Surfcomber with a Kimpton background, most recently serving as director of sales for Kimpton Ink48 Hotel in New York City where she took part in re-launching the property after a multimillion-dollar renovation. Prior to that, in her six-year tenure at Kimpton Hotel Eventi, Hines was part of the pre-opening team and held several roles including area director of group sales, director of group sales, national account coverage rep, senior sales manager and group sales manager. Hines also held sales manager roles at Millennium Hilton New York and Hilton Newark Penn Station. She is excited to join the Kimpton South Beach property and hopes to use her effective sales strategies and tactics cultivated in New York to produce sales growth for Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel.
W Fort Lauderdale has appointed Brigette Bienvenu as the new Director of Sales and Marketing. In the role, Bienvenu’s overall responsibility is to manage the property’s reactive and proactive sales efforts in order to achieve booking goals and drive revenue. Specific duties include implementing the brand’s initiatives and service strategy, managing the marketing budget, building long-term, value-based customer relationships, and providing day-to-day leadership to sales associates.
Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach will be opening its doors this month as the second Conrad property to open in Florida. The 290 all-suite oceanfront resort situated on Fort Lauderdale"s exclusive North Beach will offer four dining and bar experiences, a full-service spa with a couples massage room and separate men and women steam rooms, a fitness center, event space, and a 20,000-sq. ft. ocean-facing pool deck.
HP Hotels, a full-service third-party hotel management company, announced today that it has been awarded the management contract for the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida. It is the second full-service Hilton join HP"s portfolio in the last 12 months. Kerry Ranson, HP"s President and Chief Development Officer, made the announcement.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa has named Kyle Dunavant its new vice president of marketing. Dunavant brings more than a decade of marketing experience in the casino industry. He spent three years as vice president of marketing at Hollywood Casino in St. Louis and was at MGM Resorts International for eight years, holding various roles. He has a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Key International – a prominent real estate investment and development company specializing in hospitality – has recently opened the new Marriott® dual-branded Residence Inn (140 suites) and SpringHill Suites Clearwater Beach (115 suites). The firm has appointed LBA Hospitality – a full-scale hotel management, development and consulting firm – to oversee the properties.
As director of sales, Kelly Clark will handle training and supervision of the sales team to generate meeting business in the corporate, government, sports, and social market segments. With more than 15 years of accomplished hotel sales experience, Clark is trained and certified in numerous hotel brands. She was most recently director of sales at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Tampa Bay, where she had three years of record-breaking revenues, including three record months in the first quarter of 2017. Prior to this, Clark was director of sales at SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Gainesville, Florida, where she created a sales training program and incentives to target past accounts and groups. As an active member of the community, Clark has been involved in many local causes and organizations throughout her career. She will continue her service in Clearwater through her efforts at the Homeless Empowerment Campus [HEP].
With three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Ron Bitz comes to the Residence Inn and SpringHill Suites Clearwater Beach with extensive operations experience from upper-level Hilton brand positions. Most recently, Bitz was area general manager for Hilton Worldwide, where he was nominated for General Manager of the Year (2016) and, recently, recognized with a Community Service Award and Employee Engagement Award at the 2017 General Manager’s Conference. Bitz also worked as area director for the Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton and Homewood Brands. He will oversee day-to-day operations of the new Clearwater Beach properties. Bitz is an active member of Tampa Bay Lacrosse Officials Association and serves on the boards of Tarpon Springs High School Music Leadership Conservatory and the University of South Florida’s School of Hospitality.
A native of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Chad Armistead brings 18 years of hospitality experience to Hilton Sandestin Beach. His career has encompassed numerous hotels and resorts in Nashville, Tennessee, including Gaylord Opryland Hotel, Hilton Nashville Downtown, Hotel Preston, Hyatt Place, Union Station Hotel, Hutton Hotel and Hilton Nashville Downtown. At these diverse properties, Armistead held various positions covering critical tasks, such as managing and directing hotel operations, supervising front office and housekeeping, managing revenue and providing daily management reports and monthly forecasts. As director of rooms at Hilton Sandestin Beach, Armistead will oversee all aspects of the Rooms Division operation, including housekeeping, front desk management, bell stand and concierge services.
With more than 37 years of experience in hospitality, Wayne Stokes has held senior level positions with industry-leading companies and properties such as The Royal York Hotel and L’Hotel in Toronto. Stokes recently held the position of rooms division manager with a Marriott Autograph Collection property in Orlando, Florida, before stepping into the director of front office position at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona. Prior to that, he was part of the Casino Del Sol Resort and Conference Center's opening team in the spring of 2011 and directed front office operations of the successful opening of Orlando's newest and most luxurious Westin property, the Westin Lake Mary. In his new role at Hilton Sandestin Beach, Stokes will oversee front office operations, including management of front office, front desk agents and telecommunications.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa has named Kyle Dunavant its new Vice President of Marketing.
Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd., a hotel ownership and management group with an upscale portfolio of distinct and visually captivating properties spanning the US, is pleased to announce the appointment of Amelia Hill as Area Spa Director of its two Florida Keys properties – Little Palm Island Resort & Spa and Ocean Key Resort & Spa.
As director of rooms, Christopher Jennings plans and manages day-to-day operations in the rooms division and related areas to achieve guest satisfaction and quality service. Jennings brings several years of front office management experience at iconic, luxury resorts including The St. Regis Princeville Resort on Kauai, Baha Mar Casino in the Bahamas and The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Ariz.
A 20-plus-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Todd Gehrke brings a wealth of industry knowledge and luxury sales & marketing experience to The Don CeSar. In his new position, Gehrke leads and implements sales & marketing strategies for The Don CeSar while staying ahead of the curve on trends and innovative concepts to create memorable experiences for guests. Gehrke’s previous roles include director of sales & marketing at The Madeline Hotel and Residences in Telluride, Colo. and director of group sales & marketing at The Telluride Tourism Board.