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SPOTLIGHT |
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OFF THE TOP |
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PEOPLE/PLACES |
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| People, Places & Things |
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People
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Ron Morin has been promoted to vice president and managing director of The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, N.C. Morin celebrated his 25th year as a member of The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa family in 2009. Beginning as a line staff employee in Food & Beverage in 1984, he has worked in many areas of the resort in both hourly and management positions. Morin has been a member of the Resort’s Operations Committee for more than 10 years. As vice president & managing director, Morin is responsible for the 512-room resort, which sits on 150 acres and includes a Donald Ross designed golf course. He oversees a staff of more than 900 employees in areas as diverse as lodging, retail, food & beverage, golf, sports club membership and a commercial laundry. Morin has worked with Historic Hotels of America (HHA) since 2005 and currently serves as vice chairman. In October 2010, he will become chairman of HHA. Morin also serves as a vice chairman of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, a board member of The Health Adventure/Momentum Science Museum and as a board member of the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association, where he serves on the Government Affairs Committee and the Lodging Issues Council. He is a graduate of Leadership Asheville 23 and is a Certified Rooms Division Executive with the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Morin lives in Flat Creek with his wife, Anna; son, Eric; and daughter, Alexandra. www.groveparkinn.com
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Benchmark Hospitality International has appointed Suya I. Davenport director of sales for Naples Bay Resort, located on Fifth Avenue in Naples, Fla. Davenport was previously executive director of the Lee County Visitors & Convention Bureau, located in Fort Myers. In this role she was responsible for the strategic planning and sales and marketing operations of the organization, focusing on domestic and international markets. Under her leadership, the VCB was awarded three prestigious Flagler Awards by VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism organization, and a Destiny Award from the U.S. Travel Association. This was the second time in her career that she worked with the Lee County VCB, having served as sales manager in the early 1990s. Prior to this appointment, Davenport was corporate director of global strategic partnerships for LXR Luxury Resorts. In this role she was responsible for overall integration of the transient and business market segments within luxury FIT, consortia and third-party markets on behalf of the company’s 30 properties in the United States and the Caribbean. Davenport has also served as director of leisure sales for Boca Resorts Inc., working with the Boca Raton Resort & Club, The Registry Resort & Club and the Edgewater Beach Hotel & Club. She held the same position for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Davenport received her Bachelor of Arts in marketing from the University of South Florida in Tampa. Earlier she received her Associate of Arts in business administration from Edison Community College in Fort Myers. She resides in Fort Myers Beach. www.naplesbayresort.com
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The Gasparilla Inn Club, located in Boca Grande, Fla., announces the appointment of Mark Beveridge as group sales manager. In this new position, Beveridge will oversee all group meetings and functions for the National Historic Landmark resort. He will lead the coordination of corporate retreats, executive meetings and incentive travel programs. Beveridge has been a member of the staff at The Gasparilla Inn Club for 25 years. Prior to becoming group sales manager, he served as reservations manager for the past six years. www.gasparillainn.com
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With the anticipation of the Peabody Hotel Group’s $450-million expansion in Orlando, Fla., the company announces the reorganization of the Peabody Hotels Division, including the recent hire of former Peabody Memphis director of rooms, Monte Hansen, CRDE, and the promotions of Gregg Herning, Barbara Bowden, Alan Villaverde, CHA, Douglas Browne and C.E. Zobell. Hansen, former director of rooms at The Peabody Memphis, has rejoined the Peabody Hotel Group and will serve as the new general manager of The Peabody Little Rock, which recently became the first and only Forbes 4-Star hotel in Arkansas. Prior to his return to the Peabody family, Hansen served as general manager of The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.V. Herning, former general manager of The Peabody Little Rock, has been promoted to vice president of sales and marketing for the Peabody Hotel Group. In his new role, Herning will oversee sales and marketing functions for The Peabody Orlando and The Peabody Little Rock, with direct responsibility for the expansion at The Peabody Orlando, which is scheduled to open this fall. Following the opening, he will assume sales and marketing oversight responsibilities for The Peabody Memphis in 2011. Bowden has been promoted to general manager of The Peabody Orlando and will retain her position as the Peabody Hotel Group’s corporate director of revenue management. In her new role, Bowden will be responsible for the overall operation of the hotel, including business, staff and financial management. Villaverde has been promoted to managing director of The Peabody Orlando and will retain his position as president of the Peabody Hotels Division of Peabody Hotel Group, overseeing the operations of all three Peabody Hotel properties. Browne, general manager of The Peabody Memphis, has been promoted to vice president of the Peabody Hotel Group. Browne will retain his position as general manager of The Peabody Memphis. Zobell, general counsel of the Peabody Hotel Group, has been promoted to vice president of the Peabody Hotel Group. Zobell will retain his position as general counsel. www.peabodyhotelgroup.com
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Sealy Global Hospitality, the world’s leading bedding manufacturer in terms of both sales and preference for the retail and hospitality markets, announces the addition of Leo Vogel as new business development manager-global hospitality. In his new position, Vogel will be responsible for developing new distribution channels within Sealy’s hospitality division, working with select key accounts and assisting in the process of increasing overall market share. The addition of Vogel to the Sealy team represents a homecoming of sorts for the hospitality veteran. From 1994 to 2007, Vogel was instrumental in establishing Sealy’s leadership position in the hospitality industry, which continues to expand today. In total, Vogel brings over 25 years of extensive hospitality experience and an impressive network of established industry relationships, including his most recent position with American of Martinsville. www.sealyhospitality.com
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Hotel Equities recently named Jedd McConnell general manager for the TownePlace Suites-Alpharetta. McConnell has responsibility for overseeing all financial and management operations of the hotel, including hiring the employees, meeting budget goals and representing the company in the community. McConnell brings seven years of experience to his new position with Hotel Equities. He began his hospitality career as the front office manager at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Sandestin, Fla. Named assistant general manager at the Residence Inn-Sandestin, he served as the hotel’s general manager before he joined Hotel Equities in Atlanta. www.hotelequities.com
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Places
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Loews Hotels in Denver and Nashville are offering guests a helping hand with their health as more and more people seek specialized medical attention out of town. They cannot promise medical miracles, but they are on the cutting edge of meeting the needs of patients looking for the “comforts of home” during their recovery process. Need an ice pack for a surgically repaired knee? No problem! Need a reclining bed for that tender back? Coming right up! Can’t drive and need transportation to an area hospital? Sit back and relax because a car is on the way. Upon arrival, guests can even look forward to pictures of loved ones waiting in their rooms—a touch of home away from home, along with select pillows, a decorative comforter, a microwave or a refrigerator, simply by making arrangements ahead of time. Loews offers an array of services and items to speed recovery and make patients as comfortable as possible, including a dedicated concierge that is assigned to guests from check-in to departure. Loews also can provide meals to satisfy every palate in a medically appropriate way. The company selected Denver and Nashville to unveil this program because major hospitals are in close proximity to both hotels. www.loewshotels.com |
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The Omphoy Ocean Resort, the only beachfront boutique resort in Palm Beach and the first new construction in nearly 20 years, is the recent recipient of AAA’s 4-Diamond award. Situated directly on the Atlantic Ocean, each of the 130 guestrooms at The Omphoy boast stunning and panoramic water views. Located in the heart of what is known as “America’s Riviera,” The Omphoy is just a short distance from Worth Avenue, showcasing some of the world’s finest shopping and galleries. The East Coast’s answer to Rodeo Drive, Worth Avenue showcases coveted designers such as Jimmy Choo, Gucci and Chanel along its pristine streets. Delighting guests and locals alike, Michelle Bernstein makes her first foray into Palm Beach with the debut of her signature restaurant—Michelle Bernstein at The Omphoy. The signature fare integrates the finest seafood available and quality cuts of meat, paired with crisp greens. For active guests or those simply looking to be pampered and re-energized, exhale spa at The Omphoy merges the paths of mind and body well-being, presenting a transformational experience for whole-body healing. www.omphoy.com |
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Following a search among potential super-nannies, story-tellers and lovers of Planet Earth, The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, N.C., has selected its new, costumed Mother Nature. The appointment comes on the heels of the hotel’s recent opening and submission of its formal application to attain LEED® Gold (NC) certification this spring from the U.S. Green Building Council. Beginning with her formal introduction to the public on Apr. 21, Mother Nature at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte is playing an important and highly public role for the hotel. The iconic new character enlivens the 146-room property’s environmentally minded features and services for young guests as well as the local community. From bringing eco-friendly toys and games to children staying at the hotel to providing them with story-telling, tuck-in service and the proverbial spoonful of organic sugar, Mother Nature is a highly visible figure at the LEED-built property in Uptown. Mother Nature’s job description also includes conducting environmental education experiences, local public appearances, hotel eco-tours, area recycling events and locally based charitable programs. www.ritzcarlton.com |
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