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.

Jason Outman is now director of sales for the Columbia Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in South Carolina. Prior to joining the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports and Tourism, he held several executive positions, including most recently director of tradeshow sales with Cobb County CVB in Georgia.

Randy Parker is the new director of sales for the Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau. Previously, he served as vice president of sales at Nationwide Meetings.

Leslie Mathews has joined the Pensacola Bay Area (Florida) CVB staff as convention sales manager after a three-year career in convention sales with Visit Lubbock (Texas) CVB.

Tom Bennett has been named vice president of sales for Visit Newport Beach Inc., the official destination marketing organization for the City of Newport Beach, Calif. Previously, Bennett was senior vice president, sales and services, for the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Bill McMillan, formerly the director of marketing and business development for the Charlotte Regional Sports Commission, has joined Visit Charlotte (North Carolina) as senior director of sales.

Lina Cantillo has joined NYC & Company as regional director of national accounts for the New York City Convention Development team. Cantillo has more than 14 years of New York City hotel sales experience, most recently with the Millenniums of Manhattan.

Tammy Johnson is the new national convention sales manager for the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority in Nevada. Johnson will be based in Chicago, Ill., and her territory will include Chicago and portions of the Midwest and Northeast. Johnson worked for the San Jose CVB and Lake County (Indiana) CVB.

Earl Nightingale is the new general manager of the Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago.

Jason Parsons has been named general manager of The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club in Southwest Florida.

Jim Tolbert and Wahid Razaqi have joined the San Diego North Convention and Visitors Bureau. Bringing more than 30 years of combined hospitality experience to the bureau, National Sales Managers Razaqi and Tolbert will be responsible for new group business. Tolbert formerly worked at luxury properties in southern California and Phoenix. Razaqi was sales manager for government accounts at the Doubletree Club Hotel in Mission Valley and the Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island.

Jeffrey B. Beckelman, president and CEO of the Palm Springs Desert Resorts CVA, resigned at of the end of April. Beckelman is credited with unifying the eight desert cities under the CVA and helping to establish Business Improvement District assessment, which expanded funding for the tourist and conventions sales and marketing efforts. Judy Vossler, vice president, Silver Rock Resort/LandMark Golf Management of Indian Wells, will serve as interim president and CEO.

Ann Marie Maher is the new executive director of the Prince William County/Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureaus in Manassas, Va. Maher most recently was cooperative sales and marketing director at the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau in King of Prussia, Pa.

Laura Zacharias is now the director of sales and marketing for the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Ga. Zacharias was the director of sales for the Hilton Garden Inn Sugarloaf, Ga., for the past seven years. She succeeds long-time Director of Sales and Marketing Cheryl Gee, who recently resigned from her position after 16 years to take a similar job at the new Mobile Bay Convention Center in Mobile, Ala.

William Pate, president and CEO of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB), has been named the 2010 Corporate Marketer of the Year by the Atlanta Chapter of the American Marketing Association. So far this year, Atlanta is outpacing every major competitive city in trade-show convention bookings over the next eight years and will host more citywide conventions than any year in the history of the city.

Tracey Kegebein, vice president of sales and services for the Syracuse CVB, received the 2010 New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association’s Tourism Executive of the Year award. Kegebein has worked at the Syracuse CVB for 23 years and is a Certified Destination Management Executive. In March 2010, she became the president of the Association of Convention Sales and Marketing Executives, a partnership of convention bureaus and destination centers.

Linda Johnson, executive director of the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau, is retiring from the bureau after 13 years. Johnson was recently inducted into the Class of 2010 Tourism Hall of Fame by the Mississippi Development Authority.

Janice Jefferson has been named director of sales for Harrah’s, Horseshoe and Tunica Roadhouse Casinos and Hotels including Harrah’s Convention Center in Tunica, Miss. Formerly national sales manager at Greater Birmingham CVB, she plans to remain in Birmingham.

David Spencer has been named vice president of convention services and special events for the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Spencer joined the CVB in 2004; before that, he was with what is now Bridgestone Arena.

Scott Blalock has been appointed general manager of the new JW Marriott Indianapolis. A 22-year industry veteran, Blalock brings extensive operational, sales and administrative experience to the property. He joined White Lodging in 2006 after more than 18 years with Marriott International. In addition to his position at the hotel, Blalock serves as the secretary of Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. and is on the board of the Greater Indianapolis Lodging Association.

Bob Conwell, the first executive director of the Corpus Christi CVB, has been honored by The Society of American Travel Writers with the Blake-Whiddon Award in recognition of his dedication to the promotion of Corpus Christi as a tourism destination. Conwell founded the Coastal Bend Tourist Association in the mid-1950s and led the CVB for 31 years until his retirement.

Vanessa Selva has been appointed director of social event sales at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami. In her new position, Selva will be responsible for attracting and managing large-scale events for the 313-room hotel, the first Marquis in the JW Marriott brand, and its 20,000-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom, the largest ballroom in downtown Miami. Prior to this position, Selva served as senior catering sales manager at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.

Ron Morin was promoted to vice president and managing director of The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa in Asheville, N.C. Morin celebrated his 25th year with resort in 2009.

Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nev., promoted Sally Gentile to director of meetings and conventions.

Chef Heem K. Chee (left) joined The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach as vice president of food and beverage, overseeing operations for banquets, bars and eateries throughout The Resort Collection’s properties. Stacey Aronson (right)  is the new vice president of lodging, responsible for managing all aspects of the front desk, housekeeping, laundry, and rental maintenance and services. John F. Ward is now the vice president of golf and resort activities. His responsibilities include managing Hombre Golf Club, Majestic Beach Resort Health Club and resort activities, as well as golf, tennis and the health club for Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort. Michelle Lacewell, marketing director, was recognized by Florida State University Panama City as one of three Notable ‘Noles for 2009.

SmithBucklin, an association management company, appointed Leslie Thornton managing director of Courtesy Associates, responsible for the day-to-day management of the Washington, D.C.-based conference and event management firm.

Visit Jacksonville’s Recognition of Service Excellence Awards chose Kevin McCarthy as a finalist out of 97 nominees for a Rose Award. Owner of the Amelia River Cruises and Cumberland Sound Ferry, McCarthy was nominated by his staff for the award, which recognizes personnel in the hospitality industry who are ambassadors for Jacksonville, Fla.

The Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nev., promoted Denise Banks to vice president of sales, meetings and conventions. Banks joined the property in 1980 and has held a number of key management roles including vice president of meetings and conventions.

The Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa on Del Monte Golf Course named Kathryn McMahon senior sales manager. McMahon has more than 16 years of experience in sales and works from her home office in Washington State.

Loews Hotels appointed Robert L. Nee director of marketing for Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, Calif. Nee brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience to his new role.

Bob Nelson was named general manager of the Wyndham Virginia Crossing Hotel and Conference Center. Nelson has 25 years of hospitality experience

Janice Marshall, president and CEO of the Macon-Bibb County Convention and Visitors Bureau, is retiring after 27 years. Marshall will stay with the bureau until the board of directors finds a replacement. Under her leadership, the CVB received numerous tourism awards including four Southeast Tourism Shining Example Awards and the Al Burris Creative Expression Award.

Robert Michael Koscelnik is the new general manager of the Doubletree Guest Suites Doheny Beach hotel in Dana Point, Calif.

Anthony Faso was appointed the global account director of business travel for Millennium Hotels and Resorts. Jon Hodges is the new global account director of consortia sales.

The Tri-Valley, Calif., CVB appointed Joy Ryan senior sales manager. Ryan brings 20 years of San Francisco Bay Area hospitality sales and event operations experience to the position.

Cheri Deland joined Meeting Professionals International (MPI) as the West Coast regional sales manager and newest member of the MPI Marketplace staff.

Kathy Tooth, Positively Cleveland’s group tour and motorcoach sales manager, retired in December — just shy of her 10th anniversary with the organization. While at the CVB, Tooth introduced a successful motorcoach tracking program, carried out ambitious joint familiarization tours with convention sales and brought the African American Travel Conference to Cleveland in 2008.

The Las Vegas Hilton named David Monahan chief executive officer and general manager.

Gaylord Entertainment Company promoted Kemp Gallineau to senior vice president and chief sales officer for Gaylord Hotels.

Carnival Cruise Lines named Ruben Rodriguez executive vice president of ship operations.

San Diego North CVB hired hospitality veteran, Larry Kaufman, as vice president of sales.

The Meeting Professionals International Foundation (MPIF) has appointed Paula Hughes as executive director. Hughes reports directly to MPI president and CEO Bruce MacMillan and works with the MPI Foundation Global Board of Trustees and councils. She has served as executive director of three not-for-profit organizations within the North Texas region.

The New Hanover County (N.C.) Tourism Development Authority has named Shawn Braden as executive vice president of marketing for the Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast CVB. Braden has more than 20 years of experience in destination marketing.

Alisha Waid, CMP, joined Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) as the mid-Atlantic vice president of sales. In her new position, Waid will provide meeting professionals, association executives and convention specialists with ALHI national sales services. She is based in Washington, D.C., and reports to Ed Simon, regional vice president of sales.

Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center in Branson, Mo., hired Brad Duncan as sales manager. A 14-year hospitality industry veteran, Duncan joined the Chateau from Wyndham Vacation Ownership, where he served as an in-house sales representative.

The Corpus Christi CVB welcomed Vanessa Kager as director of sales for the State of Texas. Kager will lead a newly opened CVB satellite office in Austin, handling agency and association bookings.

Longtime regional VP of convention sales for the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB, Tom Durkin, passed away in October. With the GFLCVB since 1993, he moved to the CVB’s Washington, D.C., office in 1995. “On every level, Tom will be missed by his many friends at the GFLCVB, and the vast universe of meeting and hospitality professionals who knew him for his charm and loyalty to greater Fort Lauderdale,” says Nicki Grossman, GFLCVB president/CEO.

David Peckinpaugh has joined HelmsBriscoe, a site-selection company in Scottsdale, Ariz., after serving as the vice president of the San Diego CVB. Peckinpaugh’s new focus will be building partnerships with CVBs and improving existing partnerships.

Kevin Duvall was named chief operating officer of the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCCA) Authority. Duvall has served as the assistant general manger of the center since May 2006. He is now responsible for managing the 3.9 million-sq.-ft. Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park.

The Hilton Hotels Corporation announced the promotion of Andrew Flack to vice president of global brand marketing for the Hilton brand. Flack brings 20 years of hotel industry experience to the newly created position.

Desires Hotels, a collection of modern boutique hotels, appointed David Moth to director of operations. Moth will oversee the day-today hotel operations with hotel general managers, service standards and the maximization of revenues. After joining Desires Hotels in 2006, he held management positions at The Sagamore in South Beach, The Glenn Hotel in Atlanta and The Strand Ocean Drive in South Beach.

Ono Poortier, president of The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts received the Five Star Diamond Award as “one of the finest corporate hoteliers worldwide” May 7. The recipients of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences honor are recognized for their unrivaled level of excellence. Poortier joined The Leela group in February 2008 with experience in corporate business development, marketing and operations.

Sunset Resorts in Jamaica appointed
Michele Oliver senior vice president of sales May 6. Oliver will oversee the areas of sales, marketing, public relations, revenue management and channel distribution for the company and its three properties, Sunset Beach Resort & Spa, Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa and Sunset at the Palms.

Sue Brush, senior vice president and global brand leader, announced that she will retire December 31, 2009, from a career as a leader of Westin Hotels & Resorts and its parent company Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. May 5. The 30-year veteran of Westin is responsible for the standards, marketing an strategic direction of the brand. One of her career highs includes the launch of the Heavenly Bed.

The Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau named
Meg Winchester president of the CVB after two years as the director of sales. Winchester has more than 20 years experience in the hospitality industry and is a Certified Meeting Professional.

Positively Cleveland brought in three new hires who understand the value of social media, public relations, niche marketing and sales toolsl. The CVB welcomed executive sales administrator Nancy Artale, web manager Freddie Coffey, and communications coordinator Lexi Robinson-Hotchikiss.

Kathryn Garcia joined the Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau as the new communications manager. Garcia will focus on building local awareness of the CCCVB and the marketing of Corpus Christi to regional, state and national audiences.

GroupConnect.com announced the selection of Jennifer Lynne Powers as vice president of sales and marketing for the joint American Bus Association-Ontario Motor Coach Association online portal. Powers brings experience as a veteran travel industry business leader to the website.

Ashly Gabri was promoted to vice president of incentives and strategic accounts for Associated Luxury Hotels International. Gabri will offer meeting professionals national sales service for the Associated Luxury Hotel’s nine million square feet of meeting space worldwide.

Matthew Watson now leads the food and beverage operations of the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel. Watson will oversee operations for Opus, the hotel’s signature restaurant, The Bridge bar, and the lobby martini bar. He previously served as director of F&B at the Omni Jacksonville in Florida.

The Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomed Brantley Butler as a new sales manager in March. Butler is now responsible for marketing the CVB to medical, scientific, and engineering markets and attracting them to host conventions and events in Columbia area.

The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa named Stephanie Heckathorne director of public relations. Formerly media relations manager for the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau, Heckathorne has more than six years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Visit Jacksonville hired two tourism veterans in March. Chris Bracken, a 28-year industry veteran, joins Visit Jacksonville as the vice president of sales and marketing. The newly appointed director of sales, Kim Ritten, will manage the daily operations and activities of the sales department.

Cedarbrook Conference Center named Joe Figone director of sales and Brian Petoletti as director of food and beverage. Cedarbrook, a meeting and event destination, was formerly a private corporate retreat but is now open to the public for the first time in its five-year history.