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Dan McDermott has been appointed as General Manager at Marenas Resort

Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed Dan McDermott general manager for Marenas Resort, located in Sunny Isles Beach north of Miami.Dan McDermott was most recently general manager of the Hilton Irvine, located in Orange County, California. Prior to this appointment, he served as hotel manager for the landmark El Conquistador Golf Resort and Casino, located in Puerto Rico and part of the Waldorf Astoria Collection.

Cliff Delorey has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Resort Experience Officer at Marriott Vacations Worldwide

Marriott Vacations Worldwide (NYSE: VAC) has appointed Cliff Delorey to executive vice president and chief resort experience officer. In his new role, Delorey is directly responsible for the on-site management of Marriott Vacation Club and Grand Residences by Marriott properties around the globe, provides oversight and coordination of the on-site management company for The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, and is responsible for the development and financial performance of resort-based ancillary businesses. In his role, Delorey will also serve on the executive committee and the corporate growth council for the company.

Roger Amidon has been appointed as General Manager at Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Resort & Spa

Urgo Hotels, a major operator, developer and owner of upscale hotels, announced today that it hired a new general manager for its Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Resort & Spa property. Roger Amidon, a seasoned Palm Beach-er, will take the helm of the Singer Island Resort, bringing more than 16 years of local industry experience to his new position, starting Monday, September 17.Amidon comes to Singer Island from his position as Executive Director at Tourist Development Council for Palm Beach where he worked with the Palm Beach County Board of City Commissioners and managed tourism-related agencies. His past experience also includes tenure as Area General Manager for Marriott Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton Residence and Fort Lauderdale Marriott North as well as general manager for both the Sheraton at CityPlace and the Delray Beach Marriott.

James E. Ayres II has been appointed as General Manager at Angler’s Boutique Resort

With over 15 years of industry experience, Ayres has served in various management capacities with a strong background in Rooms Division as well as significant sales & marketing expertise. Before arriving at the Angler’s, Ayres most recently ran several award-winning boutique properties throughout Florida and Georgia for Coral Hospitality. His work with Coral Hospitality began in 2001 when he accepted the position of general manager at the Vero Beach Hotel and Club. Earlier in his career, Ayres spent time at the Ritz Carlton in Naples, FL and then as an integral member of the Don Cesar Beach Resort & Spa in St. Pete Beach, helping the property to fill their role as VIP Host Hotel during Super Bowl XXXV.

Gina Tsirmpas has been appointed as Canadian Director of Sales - Meetings & Incentives at All Inclusive Collection

All Inclusive Collection – the brand that is shifting the sands of the all inclusive resort experience – proudly names Gina Tsirmpas as the Canadian Director of Sales - Meetings & Incentives. Tsirmpas is responsible for servicing and developing meeting, incentive and convention business for the All Inclusive Collection’s Hard Rock Hotels in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. A seasoned sales veteran, Tsirmpas brings more than seventeen years of sales and marketing experience to her role at All Inclusive Collection, the majority of which she achieved during her time in the Canadian travel industry. Over the past 17 years, Tsirmpas has held roles including Agency Branch Manager, Outside Sales/Business Development Manager and Reservations/Promotions Manager, where she was responsible for bringing in new business, reaching out to customers and implementing various marketing initiatives. Working with a leading Caribbean resort chain as the National Groups & Incentives Manager, Tsirmpas worked closely with both meeting planners and travel agents to design creative, customized and cost-effective groups as well as incentive programs for their clients. In addition to her success in the business world, Tsirmpas also maintained a highly successful travel industry blog to inform her clients about the resort chain’s latest developments, product updates and sales promotions.

Betsy Wirth has been appointed as General Manager at Bohemian Hotel Celebration

The Kessler Collection is thrilled to announce Betsy Wirth as the new general manager of its charming escape, Bohemian Hotel Celebration, as of July 2012. Wirth’s duties as general manager include overseeing hotel operations, management of staff, budgeting, project management and ensuring elite guest interaction. Tucked away from the traffic and noise of the city, Bohemian Hotel Celebration captivates guests with lakeside views and its delightful representation of the “unexpected Orlando.” After graduating from the University of Richmond, Wirth immediately began management training with Marriott International. Her noteworthy experience in the hospitality industry include positions as general manager at Courtyard by Marriott in both Clearwater, Fla. and Atlanta, director of market strategy and director of sales and marketing at Marriott International in Tampa, Fla. and most recently area director of Marriott International in Atlanta, where she was responsible for overseeing 17 properties. In 2000, she was honored as the southeast region general manager of the year by Marriott.

Mona Ingram has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at Hilton Orlando

Prior to joining Hilton, Ingram was vice president of Colorado-based Sceptre Hospitality Resources, where she was responsible for managing the migration of more than 600 properties into new central reservation systems with short lead time and resources. Ingram has also served as the regional director at Pegasus Solutions Inc. where she managed a team of nine sales and account managers, and has held various sales and marketing management positions for some of the world's leading luxury hotels, including Four Seasons, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts and Adam’s Mark Hotels.

Stephen Cummings has been appointed as General Manager at Loews Don CeSar

The recently renovated Loews Don CeSar Hotel is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Cummings as general manager. With 22 years of hotel experience, including 13 with Loews Hotels, Stephen takes the helm of Florida’s legendary “Pink Palace” in the heart of St. Pete Beach.In 1999, Stephen joined Loews Hotels & Resorts as executive chef of Loews Coronado Bay Resort in Coronado, California. He quickly advanced to be the director of food and beverage and eventually was promoted to director of rooms. Stephen then moved to Loews Ventana Canyon Resort as executive assistant manager, taking the number two spot at one of Tucson’s most beautiful golf resorts. From there, he was promoted to general manager of the Loews Denver Hotel, where oversaw all of day-to-day hotel operations along with sales and marketing.

Steve Williams has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Starwood Vacation Ownership

Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. (SVO) has promoted Steve Williams to Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Williams, a 12-year veteran of the company, will oversee the day-to-day operations of SVO. This new role, effective July 1, 2012, was created as part of organizational changes made by SVO's parent company, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), to combine the company's North American and Latin American regions with SVO under a new Americas region. As part of the organizational change, Serge Rivera, who was Chief Executive Officer of SVO, was promoted to Co-President of Starwood Americas.

Phillip Starling has been appointed as General Manager at Naples Bay Resort

Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed Phillip Starling general manager of Naples Bay Resort, the award-winning property located in Naples, Florida. Naples Bay Resort is part of Benchmark Hospitality’s collection of Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels SM. Greg Champion, Benchmark’s chief operating officer, made the announcement.Phillip Starling was most recently director of operations for Marenas Resort, Benchmark’s Personal Luxury property located in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida. Prior to joining Benchmark Hospitality International, Mr. Starling served as general manager for The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa, located in Coconut Grove, Florida. He has held senior-level leadership and management positions for hotels and resorts throughout Florida, Georgia and Kentucky.

Erica H. Perry has been promoted to Group Sales Manager at Westin Imagine Orlando

Ms. Perry started at the hotel in April 2010 as a Service Express Agent and was promoted to a Supervisor in January of 2011. She then joined the sales department in June of 2012 as the Sales Administrative Assistant. In this role, she was responsible for supporting the Director of Sales, Sales Managers and the Catering and Convention Service Manager. Prior to joining The Westin Imagine Orlando, Ms. Perry was on the Rosen College Research Team for the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau- now Visit Orlando, where she worked on a marketing research project with meeting planners.

Suya Davenport has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa

Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed Suya Davenport director of sales & marketing for ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa, the luxury property situated oceanside in Miami Beach, Florida. Rikki Boparai, Benchmark’s general manager, made the announcement. Suya Davenport was previously director of sales & marketing for Naples Bay Resort, Benchmark Hospitality’s luxurious property that envelops a marina in Naples, Florida. Prior to joining Benchmark, Ms. Davenport served as executive director of the Lee County Visitors & Convention Bureau in Fort Myers, which under her leadership received three Flagler Awards by VISIT FLORIDA and a Destiny Award from the US Travel Association. Earlier in her career, Davenport served in sales leadership positions at major luxury-brand hotels and resorts on both coasts of Florida and in the Caribbean.

David Cortijo has been appointed as Director of Rooms at Marenas Resort

Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading US-based hospitality management company, has named David Cortijo director of rooms for Marenas Resort, located in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, north of Miami. Marenas Resort is part of Benchmark Hospitality’s collection of Personal Luxury Resorts & HotelsSM. Jim Franklin, general manager, made the announcement. Previously David Cortijo served as resort manager for Daily Management, Inc., responsible for two resorts and 1000 timeshare units in Weston, Florida. Prior to this he held positions in the Rooms division of major hotel brands, serving multiple properties in Puerto Rico and Florida, including a convention center. Mr. Cortijo also has experience opening major resort properties.

Eduardo Fernandez has been named General Manager at B Ocean Fort Lauderdale

Fernandez brings nearly three decades of hotel and resort management experience to his new role. Prior to joining B Ocean Fort Lauderdale, Fernandez held various positions with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in which he managed new builds within the St. Regis, Luxury Collection, Westin, Sheraton and W portfolios. As the past senior director of operations for Starwood, Fernandez served as the primary contact between ownership groups, brand teams and development groups. As general manager of the Atlanta Perimeter Hotel & Suites (previously the W Atlanta Perimeter,) Fernandez managed all financial and operational responsibilities and facilitated developmental opportunities with the real estate group for Starwood. Prior to that position, he served as the pre-opening general manager for the W Retreat & Spa on Vieques Island in Puerto Rico. Fernandez has received several accolades throughout his career including the Delaware Hotel & Lodging Association’s Hotelier of the Year (2001) and the ITT Sheraton President’s Award (1991). Fernandez holds a Hotel Management Degree from the Institut de Tourisme et d’Hotellerie du Quebec and a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Management from Barry University in Miami. He is fluent in English, French and Spanish.

Matthew Tobin has been appointed as associate director of sales at Conrad Miami

Matthew Tobin has been named associate director of sales and brings more than seven years of experience in the hospitality industry. He will oversee the sales efforts for the hotel in domestic pharmaceuticals, medical and health services, sports, and the Northeast market. Prior to joining Conrad Miami, Tobin oversaw national sales for luxury hotels in New York and Miami, acquiring significant expertise in pharmaceutical and financial client accounts throughout the East Coast. He earned a bachelor’s of science degree in hospitality management in 2005 from Florida State University, in Tallahassee, Fla.

Rob Kennehan has been appointed as General Manager at the Embassy Suites Tampa Brandon

Kennehan started his new role at the beginning of the month, leaving his position of general manager at the Hilton Garden Inn Silver Springs. Kennehan has been in the hospitality business for more than 10 years, working in roles such as Assistant Front Office Manager and Sales Manager, and has served as general manager at three hotels prior to his role at the Embassy Suites.

Amanda Morrison has been appointed as Manager of Conference Services and Events at Hotel Duval (Autograph Collection)

Hotel Duval, a style icon and the first and only boutique hotel in Tallahassee, proudly announces the addition of Amanda Morrison as manager of conference services and events. Responsible for facilitating events, weddings and groups of 10 to 250 people among more than 7,500 square feet of meeting space at Hotel Duval, Morrison brings a fresh events planning perspective.

Ron Gebhardt has been appointed as Director of Sales at B Ocean Fort Lauderdale

Prior to joining the B Ocean Fort Lauderdale team, Gebhardt was co-owner of Luxury Travel Solutions, a hospitality company concentrating on group travel and meeting planner development for luxury tradeshows. Previously, he was complex director of sales and marketing for the Westin Grand Bahama Island & Sheraton Grand Bahama Island at Our Lucaya Resort on Grand Bahama Island. Gebhardt holds a Hotel Administration Degree from the University of Nevada and a Master of Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.

Ana Fonseca has been named Director of Sales & Marketing at ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa

Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed Ana Fonseca director of sales & marketing for the luxurious ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa in Miami Beach, Florida. Rikki Boparai, general manager, made the announcement. Ana Fonseca was previously global sales manager for Aman Resorts in Turks and Caicos. She has served in sales leadership positions for major hotel brands at properties in Bal Harbour, Florida, as well as in South Carolina, California, in the British Virgin Islands and Belize. A former resident of exclusive Bal Harbour, her family connection to the Village has remained throughout Ana’s career.