New appointments across the meetings and hospitality industry include:
- Mo Halawani—Hotel Manager, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
- Reena Shanahan—Director of Global Sales, ALHI
- Jillian Cauvin—Director of Global Sales, ALHI
- Scott Hallgren—General Manager, Grand River Center and Five Flags Center
- Ellen Kaplan—Senior Vice President of Marketing, EOS Hospitality
- Jon Benson—General Manager, Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Villas
Mo Halawani
Bringing more than 15 years of luxury hospitality experience to Wine Country, Mo Halawani steps into the role of hotel manager at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. His previous positions include director of rooms at Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa and leadership roles with Fairmont El San Juan and Fairmont San Jose. He will oversee hotel operations with a focus on guest experience, service excellence and team engagement.
Reena Shanahan & Jillian Cauvin
At Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), Reena Shanahan and Jillian Cauvin have joined the team as directors of global sales. Each brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience, with Shanahan representing the Mid-Atlantic region from Washington, D.C., and Cauvin covering the Southern region from Atlanta.
Scott Hallgren
With a background spanning venue management and event operations, Scott Hallgren, CVE, takes the helm as general manager of Grand River Center Convention Center and Five Flags Center in Iowa. He joins Oak View Group from Bridge View Center in Ottumwa, Iowa, where he served as executive director. Hallgren will focus on expanding convention, entertainment and event business across Dubuque and the Tri-State region.
Ellen Kaplan
A decade-plus career across hospitality, restaurants, media and lifestyle brands has prepared Ellen Kaplan for her new role as senior vice president of marketing at EOS Hospitality. She will oversee the company’s marketing strategy and team while advancing brand growth, portfolio positioning and corporate communications.
Jon Benson
After nearly four decades with Hyatt, Jon Benson takes on a new leadership role as general manager of Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Villas in San Antonio, Texas. A former executive chef and longtime general manager, Benson has led properties including Hyatt Regency Aruba, Park Hyatt Washington and Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. He joins the resort following its more than $100 million transformation.
