Alex Caceres recently joined the AC Hotel Miami Beach team as General Manager. The 150-room design-led hotel, scheduled to open April 13, is the AC Hotels flagship property and one of the first to open in the United States.
A combined 1,100-room multi-brand complex including Courtyard Orlando Lake Buena Vista, SpringHill Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista and Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Marriott Village is excited to have McCracken and his 27 years of hospitality experience leading the properties designated Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotels. Beginning as a bellman, McCracken’s career spans more than a quarter of a century. McCracken was first introduced to Marriott brands while working at Courtyard Richmond Airport in Sandston, VA and Courtyard Charlottesville – University Medical Center in Charlottesville, VA. After relocating to Orlando to be closer to his family, McCracken was named general manager of Residence Inn Orlando Convention Center. McCracken then became the assistant general manager for the Orlando Marriott Village, overseeing the food and beverage operations for the complex’s Lake Buena Vista hotels. Following two successful years at the Marriott Village, McCracken was promoted to general manager of Residence Inn International Drive. McCracken won numerous awards in his 14 years as a general manager including the Franchise GM of the Year and Opening GM of the Year for Courtyard. In his latest role of area director of modern essentials and extended stay, McCracken supported hotels in Georgia and North Florida and was responsible for annual revenue in excess of $80 million.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced plans to spin-off its vacation ownership business, Starwood Vacation Ownership ("SVO"), into a separate publicly traded company. Matthew Avril, who retired as President of Starwood's Hotel Group in 2012, will return to lead the new company as Chief Executive Officer following completion of the spin-off. Stephen Williams will continue to serve as Chief Operating Officer. Avril, 54, began his career with Starwood in 1989 through Vistana, Inc., the original predecessor to SVO. During his tenure with SVO he served as both Chief Financial Officer and subsequently as Co-President. He became President of Starwood's Hotel Group in 2008 with oversight responsibility for the company's global hotel operations for all nine of Starwood's brands and its Global Sales Organization. Throughout his tenure, Starwood's hotel business experienced significant market share gains and record high associate engagement. He also contributed to Starwood's success as a global enterprise, driving key initiatives and best practices across all geographies.
Olivere will lead the sales team in their role as ambassadors of Club Med’s unique value proposition contributing towards the brand’s global vision to be the worldwide leader in upscale, all-inclusive vacations.
As Complex Director of Revenue Management, Alex is responsible for all aspects of revenue/yield management including, managing rates/inventory, forecasting room revenue, managing distribution channels and analyzing competitive pricing.
Mr. Omeish joins the St. Regis Bal Harbour from the Hotel Monte Carlos & Casino Las Vegas where he was VP of hotel operations. Prior to that, Mr. Omeish spent 2 years at the MGM Grand Las Vegas and 8 years at several Four Seasons properties internationally and in the US, including the awarded Four Seasons Beverly WIlshire in Los Angeles.
Host Hotels & Resorts, the nation’s largest lodging real estate investment trust, in conjunction with Destination Hotels, the largest operator of independent hotels and resorts in North America, announced today the appointment of Nicole Whitaker as Director of Sales and Marketing at the new YVE Hotel Miami (YVE). The 243-room property which launched December 2014 is ideally situated in the heart of downtown Miami at 146 Biscayne Blvd.
Bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience in hotel management and operations, Day most recently served as general manager of Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica where he led a team of 700. Day began his career in hotels in 1987 as director of restaurants for the Scottsdale Princess Resort and has since held management positions at The Buttes Resort in Tempe, Arizona; Adam’s Mark Hotels; El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico; and Miami Beach Resort & Spa. In addition, in 2007, he oversaw the conversion of Saratago Hotel in New York to the Hilton brand. Day’s result-driven leadership skills and passion for the hospitality and culinary industry has put him on many boards and executive councils including Jamaican Hotel & Tourism Association, Saratoga Springs Convention & Tourism Board, American Institute of Wine and Food; Arizona and Delaware Valley chapters, Chaine des Rotisseures in Phoenix, Mobile, Philadelphia and Jamaica as well as SKAL International. Day holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Business; School of Hotel & Restaurant Administration from Florida State University.
With more than 20 years of experience in destination and hospitality sales and marketing, Purvey was assistant director of tourism for Bermuda, where he spearheaded a number of successful programs. He later moved to the U.S., where he continued his career as director of marketing and leisure sales at the Radisson Suite Resort (now Marriott Sand Key) in Clearwater, Florida. He spent 13 years in that position and was credited with developing a strategic marketing and sales plans that led to significant success for the resort financially, as well as in customer service and guest satisfaction. Since leaving Clearwater, Purvey has served as director of sales and marketing for Bahia Mar Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale as well as Radisson’s two Caribbean properties in Aruba and St. Martin.
As a leader in the global hospitality industry, Orlando World Center Marriott is proud to announce the appointment of Ron Kerere as Director of Food & Beverage to its distinguished culinary team. In this role, Ron will oversee all food and beverage operations for the hotel's 2,009 guestrooms and suites, 10 diverse and seasonally-inspired restaurants and lounges, as well as a multi-million dollar banquet operation for the 450,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space. A native to Virginia, hailing from a small town near Washington, D.C., Ron brings a wealth of culinary experience, and a noteworthy education gained at Radford University, Va. Ron's resume also touts quality industry experience as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage at Morongo Resort in Cabazon, Calif., Beverage Manager at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif. and Assistant Beverage Manager at Sunset Station Hotel & Casino in Henderson, Nev. Most recently, Ron was General Manager of Gaylord Opryland Attractions in Nashville, Tenn., leading his team to achieve remarkable results in the areas of guest service, STAR satisfaction and financial success. Over the course of his career, Ron was notably the recipient of the Gaylord Opryland's 2010 Excellence in Leadership Award and winner of the 2014 Hedgehog Award.
Mr. Meli will focus primarily on expanding our select service/middle market investment sales practice throughout the southeast region, with a specific focus on the state of Florida, by continuing to work with Managing Directors Al Calhoun and Mark Fair in Atlanta, as well as with Managing Director Gregory Rumpel in Miami.
Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Edita Matic director of sales and revenue management for Marenas Beach Resort, located in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, north of Miami. Rikki Boparai, managing director of the Personal Luxury collection of Florida, made the announcement.
Stanfield joined Omni Hotels in 2013 as director of operations for Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate and shortly after was promoted to resort manager, a position he held until this recent promotion. "During his time at ChampionsGate, the resort has seen consistent high guest satisfaction ratings as a direct result of his leadership skills," said Stephen Rosenstock, senior vice president of Operations of Omni Hotels & Resorts. "We are pleased to wish Robert much success in his new role with Omni Hotels & Resorts."
With more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, Maine de Biran began her career at Westin Hotels & Resorts’ regional office in New York City as National Accounts manager, responsible for corporate and associations accounts. She then moved to the travel industry segment with Rockresorts, a portfolio of luxury properties owned by Laurance Rockefeller. In 1990 Maine de Biran moved to Paris, France where she gained experience in the international arena and worked on various foreign hotel projects including Hotel Montalembert, Hotel Pont Royal and Hotel de Vigny. In 1996 Jane founded the luxury hotel representation firm JMB Associates (later rebranded to M Luxury Collection). The collection featured a wide array of luxury resorts and hotels worldwide, such as Auberge du Soleil, One Devonshire Garden, Miraval Spa and Hotel Pont Royal to name a few. She sold M Luxury Collection September 2014, just prior to joining the Trump National Doral family.
Bassett joined the resort from the historic, Four-Diamond The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, where she was National Sales Manager, with a focus on serving the association market. Prior to that she was National Association Sales Manager for Interstate Hotels & Resorts, where she represented the Twin City Quarter Complex in downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which included two full-service hotels. Her experience also includes five years as Group Sales Manager at the Four-Diamond Grandover Resort in Greensboro, North Carolina. She is a member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), and the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from Ware College in London, England.
Dake came to The Renaissance World Golf Village Resort with extensive hospitality convention sales experience. This includes serving as Director of Sales for three years at the 600-room Amelia Island Plantation, where he oversaw a team of 9 sales managers and a total staff of 15. He also served as: Director of Sales at Hawk’s Cay Resort in the Florida Keys for seven years; as Director of Sales for South Seas Resorts’ nine waterfront properties for four years; and as Director of Mid-Atlantic Sales at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa. His broad experience also includes creating and owning a site-selection company that assisted corporate clients in placing meetings and incentive programs.
As director of sales, Walzak will oversee all group sales activities including the development of and business transactions for the 1,400-room equal parts business and leisure hotel which encompasses more than 250,000 square feet of meeting and event space including a 50,000 square foot outdoor Promenade. Most recently at Tishman Hotel Corporation, she was directly involved in the sales, marketing and revenue strategy of the hotel and resort portfolio of multiple brands including Westin, Sheraton, InterContinental, Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard, Four Points, Radisson, Doubletree, Ramada, among other boutique and independent properties.
Ed Walls has joined Hilton Worldwide as the newest member of the Curio – A Collection by Hilton management team. As the General Manager for Diplomat Resort & Spa Hollywood since October 2011, Walls will continue to oversee the overall operations and sales for the 998 room beachfront property.
Industry development leader Mike Burgess is now heading up the eastern region development for Vantage’s Upscale Brands that include the company’s midscale to upscale offerings of Lexington® Inn, Lexington Hotel, and the brands that are being relaunched under the Vantage umbrella - Jameson Inn®, Jameson Suites® and 3 Palms Hotels & Resorts®.
As General Manager, Wehen will oversee day-to-day operations, including the property’s onsite supper club, Kitchen 305, and widely acclaimed Aveda Seven Seas Spa & Salon. He will also manage sales, revenue management, finance and catering services for the property. In addition he is going to support the expansion of the Newport Group supporting transitions and conversions of new hotel projects.