Names in the News – September 2010

Tom Cupo, general manager of The Chattanoogan in Chattanooga, Tenn., developed the city’s highly respected Green Lodging initiative, which received the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award in June. The initiative was adopted statewide by the Tennessee Hospitality Association.

David Caine has been named director of events for the Branson Convention Center, the adjacent Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel and nearby Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing hotel in Branson, Mo. Caine brings more than 20 years of catering and events management experience to his new position. He joined Hilton Worldwide in 1988, and has held various food and beverage positions around the country.

Kathy Faulk has been named general manager of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles. Most recently, she was general manager of the boutique Hilton Checkers in downtown Los Angeles where she was awarded 2008 General Manager of the Year.

David Law is the new director of national accounts at the Arlington CVB in Arlington, Texas.

Jay Marsh is the new director of sales for the Washington, D.C., satellite office of the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association. Most recently, he was the director of national accounts for the Dallas CVB.

Lisa Meredith has been named director of sales for the San Diego CVB. Based in Chicago, she is responsible for San Diego hotel sales to clients located throughout Illinois, as well as overseeing the bureau’s sales team in the Midwest.
 Most recently, she was director of association sales at the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau.

Deborah Potter and Stephen Seeram have been named national sales managers for the Villas of Grand Cypress, a four-diamond property located in the Lake Buena Vista area of Orlando adjacent to Walt Disney World. Potter will cover the corporate and association accounts in the Midwest region. Seeram, previously with the Omni Orlando
Resort at Champions Gate and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, will handle the Northeast section of the U.S. and Canada for all market segments.

Tina Smith is the new executive director of national accounts for Loews Hotels and is responsible for managing Loews key accounts in the Northeast
for nine Starwood Hotel brands. Most recently, she was account director for the Westin and Sheraton Beach Resorts in Fort Lauderdale.

John Iannini, CTC, has been appointed senior director of Sol Melia Meetings and Events in the Americas.

Paula Zimmer, above,has been named a new national sales manager for Team San Jose responsible for Midwest, West and Northeast association and corporate markets.

Sandi Tally, CMP, has taken on the new role of managing director of national business development for Team San Jose.