Nayiri Ozbardakci
Hilton Arcadia Los Angeles announced the appointment of Nayiri Ozbardakci as director of sales and marketing. She brings 17 years of hospitality sales and marketing experience. Most recently, she served as director of sales and marketing at Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles–Monterey Park, leading strategic initiatives and exceeding revenue targets. Previously, she held senior sales roles with Embassy Suites by Hilton Arcadia-Pasadena and Crescent Hotels & Resorts.
Allison Sayer
Allison Sayer has been appointed director of global sales for the luxury leisure and business travel division at Associated Luxury Hotels International. Based in New York City, she brings 20 years of hospitality and business travel experience. She previously held leadership roles at CoralTree Hospitality. Known for her client-first approach, she builds partnerships across luxury, leisure, corporate and international travel. Sayer serves on the board of Global Business Travel Association’s New York City chapter.
Brittany Jernigan
Brittany Jernigan Hampton has been appointed director of sales, marketing and events at Andaz West Hollywood. She brings more than 15 years of hospitality sales and marketing experience. Previously, she served as area director of sales and marketing for Hyatt Lifestyle West, supporting Wild Palms Hotel and Hotel Avante. Her background includes leadership roles with Aimbridge Hospitality and Hersha Hospitality Management.
Jacque Riley
Jacque Riley has joined Convene Hospitality Group as senior vice president of brand marketing.
In this newly created role, she will lead brand architecture, strategy and marketing while guiding development of new brands under the CHG umbrella. Riley brings more than 15 years of global lifestyle marketing experience. Most recently, she served as vice president of brand marketing at Ennismore and previously held leadership roles with Kimpton Hotels and Karisma Hotels & Resorts.
Dana Miller
Dana Miller has been appointed director of sales and marketing at InterContinental Boston. With more than a decade at the waterfront hotel, he brings over 12 years of luxury hospitality leadership experience.
Miller previously served in senior sales roles at InterContinental Boston after early experience with Hilton Worldwide and a general manager role in Cape Cod. He has driven record revenue growth and will oversee all sales, marketing and commercial strategy for the historic property.
John Friebele
Destination Bryan in Texas has appointed John Friebele as the founding executive director of the advisory leadership board for 2026 by Destinations International (DI), the world’s largest and most respected association for destination organizations and professionals.
In this role, he will collaborate with tourism leaders nationwide to provide strategic insight, identify industry gaps, and support workforce development and retention initiatives. Friebele also participates in DI’s mentorship program to help develop future destination leaders. He serves as chair of the Texas Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus and holds several industry leadership positions.
Barb McCoy
Barb McCoy has been appointed regional sales director at Velas Resorts in Mexico, reporting to Senior Global Sales Director Cynthia Kunz. She manages sales and events for the MICE industry across the central United States, covering Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota.
McCoy brings over 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality, catering, operations and travel technology, and has held leadership roles at Rosewood, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, and The Ritz-Carlton. She most recently served as senior account manager at Sabre Hospitality. McCoy also serves on the dean’s advisory council at Texas Tech University.
Lanness Robinson
The Tampa Bay Sports Commission has appointed executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. A former board chair and current board member, he joins the organization from Hillsborough County Public Schools, where he served as director of athletics. Robinson has been deeply involved in Tampa Bay’s major event efforts, including multiple Super Bowls, NCAA tournaments, and the 2017 College Football Playoff Tampa Bay Local Organizing Committee. He will lead the Sports Commission’s efforts to attract and deliver world-class sporting events in the region.
Shakara Shelton
Shakara Shelton has been named vice president of sales at Choose Chicago, the city’s official destination marketing organization. She brings more than 15 years of sales and hospitality leadership experience, most recently serving as a national accounts manager at Hilton. Her prior experience includes roles with Embassy Suites, InterMountain Management and Atrium Hospitality.
Michelle Williams
DistiNCtly Fayetteville in North Carolina has named Michelle Williams as president and CEO. She brings more than 30 years of hospitality and tourism experience in hotel sales, operations and destination leadership.
Williams joins from Newport Hospitality Group, where she served as regional director of sales and oversaw operations across multiple brands, including Marriott, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham and Choice. She has also held leadership roles with Soleil Group and Sahaj Corporation. Williams has deep local involvement in civic and industry organizations and will lead efforts to drive visitation and strengthen community partnerships.
Aamna Manzoor
The Westin Houston Downtown’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Aamna Manzoor brings 17 years of hospitality industry experience, having held leadership roles with globally recognized brands including Hilton, Marriott and MGM. In her role, she oversees sales strategy, marketing initiatives and revenue growth for the property. Manzoor also serves as co-chair of the Marriott Houston Business Council and is involved in Serve 360 community-focused initiatives.
