Smart Meetings | Page 439 of 603 | Corporate Event Planning: Business Events, Meetings, Conferences

Filet mignon and a multicourse chef’s table certainly have their allure and glamour, but frankly, for many people attending events, hot dogs can’t be topped.

July is National Hot Dog Month and July 18 is National Hot Dog Day, according to National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC). The organization estimates that 150 million hot dogs will be consumed on Independence Day alone, and more than 19 million during the 2018 Major League Baseball season.

“At a time when so many issues divide us, hot dogs stand as a food that unites,” says Eric Mittenthal, NHDSC president. “Whether people enjoy beef or pork, natural casing or skinless, hot dogs are truly beloved.”

Contest

Attracting between 35,000 to 40,000 fans annually, Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest is a tradition on Coney Island, located in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. According to legend, the contest first took place in 1916, but the first recorded event was in 1972. Competitive eaters are given 10 minutes to guzzle as many dogs as possible. The event is so massive, it is broadcast live on ESPN. Current champion Joey Chestnut of San Jose, California, won by downing 72 hot dogs in 2017, and set the world record by eating 73 in 2013.

Planners can scale this down for a team-building exercise by hosting a hot dog eating contest of their own.

? Smart Tip: Sub in pigs in a blanket to avoid upset stomachs. Another contest option is to have a hot dog cookoff where teams compete to make the “best dressed” dog.

Dog Localization

Just like New York City has its thin-crust pizza and Chicago is known for its deep-dish pizza, hot dogs also take on different identities in different cities. This is a way for planners to hop on board the localization trend train to wherever their group is meeting. There’s the Kansas City dog, Michigan Coney Island dog, Sonoran dog, West Virginia dog, southern style dog and New York style dog.

NHDSC is hosting the 2018 Annual Hot Dog Lunch on Capitol Hill on July 18 in Washington, D.C. The event is expected to attract more than 1,000 hungry politicians and staffers. The lineup of hot dog carts offers an assortment of varieties that tie in flavors from all over the country. In previous years there has been a hot dog baked inside an Idaho potato, guacamole-topped hot dogs for Texans and sourdough buns for reps from San Francisco.

Customization

Go wild and crazy with hot dog menus and names. Use this as a valuable opportunity to weave in your event’s theme through gastronomy. In celebration of the Fourth of July, Pink’s Hot Dogs in Los Angeles is adding the America the Beautiful Hot Dog to its menu. It’s a 12-inch jalapeno dog topped with pastrami, bacon, lettuce and chopped tomatoes. An American flag is planted in the frank. It has also created special dogs for the World Cup, universities and television and movie-themed events. To honor Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s nuptials last month, Pink’s sold two hot dogs in a bun with a “spot” of chili.

Hot dogs have also become synonymous with ballparks, such as the Dodger Dog at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. There are some rookies joining clubhouses nationwide this season, including the Texas Rangers’ Dilly Dog, Atlanta Braves’ The Spec-Tater, Detroit Tigers’ An Ode to Detroit Dog, Arizona Diamondbacks’ Asada Dog, Colorado Rockies’ Triple Play Dog, Pittsburgh Pirates’ Pittsburgh Paella, Kansas City Royals’ Teflon Dog and Tampa Bay Rays’ Bacon Fried Doggy.

Topping Bar

Ice cream sundae bars have been a popular way to serve dessert at parties for years, and then along came mashed potato bars. Well, what about a hot dog bar with every topping imaginable? Richard Pink, president of Pink’s Hot Dogs, recommends a buffet that includes chili, mustard, onions, shredded cheddar cheese, relish, bacon, chopped tomatoes, mushrooms, sauerkraut, sour cream, sauteed peppers, guacamole, lettuce, jalapenos, nacho cheese, pastrami, Fritos, coleslaw and American cheese. Some guests will appreciate ketchup, too.

“All the fixings can be put out individually on a table, under an old-fashioned hot dog umbrella for the guests to select from,” Pink says. “It would be good to provide suggested toppings that go well together.”

Catering

During the short lunch break between conference sessions, who has time to wait in a long line for food? Pink’s offers catering packages, so they can come to you. Several package options are available.

Former boy-bander Joey Fatone is now in the hot dog biz. The N’ Syncer has an Orlando-based food truck called Fat One’s. If you’re looking to arrange a food truck festival in O-town, Joey himself might just tear up your guests’ hearts. That’s one way to get your meeting trending on social media. His menu includes hot dogs named Gone Hollywood, Boy-Bander and Sloppy Joey.

If the stars align just right, the famous Wienermobile might be rolling through town while you’re holding your meeting. There are currently six in the fleet, so they can cover multiple cities simultaneously. This month, the brand introduced Super Hotdogger, a jet-pack wearing hot dog delivery person.

“Oscar Mayer will stop at nothing when it comes to providing quality hot dogs to fans everywhere, and our innovative WienerFleet is an integral part of our mission to get a better hot dog in every hand,” says brand manager Matt Riezman. “With the debut of Super Hogger and last year’s WienerDrone, the future of flying hot dog delivery is bright.”

Catering costs often tip the scale, and planners aren’t often offered something for free. Every weekend this summer until Aug. 26, the Hot Dog Bus will be serving free hot dogs to passersby in Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City. Created by artist Erwin Wurm, the vintage Volkswagen Microbus was converted into a mustard-yellow food truck and commissioned by the Public Art Fund.

Jarred Bryant

Benchmark has announced that Jarred Bryant is now general manager of Tivoli Lodge, a Gemstone Collection, in Vail, Colorado. Most recently, he served as director of operations for Benchmark’s Graduate Berkeley Gemstone Collection in California, where he played a large role in the hotel’s renovation and rebranding.

Dylan Andersen

Dylan Andersen was appointed director of sales for the Americas by Cashel Travel, the specialist United Kingdom and Ireland Destination Management Company, and luxury incoming tour operator. Andersen brings plenty of experience with him, having served in executive sales positions with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and The Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara, California.

Photo credit: Cashel Travel

Denielle Godwin

Snow King Hotel named Denielle Godwin director of sales and marketing. She previously served as director of sales and marketing at another Benchmark property, Costa d’Este Beach Resort & Spa in Vero Beach, Florida. Before this appointment, she was regional director of sales for TMI Hospitality.

Troy Karnoff

Troy Karnoff has been named director of sales and marketing of Court Marriott Long Beach Airport in California. He will lead his team through development of the property’s sales and marketing plans. He has more than 20 years of experience, including working for 16 years at Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa in a variety of positions. He most recently served as manager of new business development at Arena Americas in Chicago.

Jenny Barrett_CREDIT Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort

Jennifer Barrett

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort appointed Jennifer Barrett senior sales executive. She brings eight years of experience with Hilton, The Ritz-Carlton and Marriott brands. In her new role, she will be responsible for managing regional association and corporate business within the Midwest, West Coast and Mid-Atlantic markets.

Photo credit: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort

Sara Minerd

Sara Minerd was appointed director of event sales and programming at The Ramble Hotel in Denver. She will be overseeing events within the hotel and its meeting spaces. Previously, Minerd served as outlet manager for the Troubadour Hotel in New Orleans, where she was responsible for overseeing team member training, hiring and employee evaluations.

Stephen Cullen

Stephen Cullen was promoted to area general manager for Ames Boston Hotel and Copley Square Hotel in Boston. He had been serving as general manager, of Copley Square Hotel and previously was general manager of Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel in New York City.

Photo credit: The California Parks Company

Tech companies are discovering what families in Airstream trailers have known for generations. Parks are a great place to reconnect, unwind and be inspired. From Lake Mohave Marina in Bullhead City, Arizona, to Lake Chabot in California’s Castro Valley, teams of engineers, business developers and accountants are ebiking, swimming and Segwaying into the great outdoors—and loving it.

Joanne Tan-Casem, director of sales for The California Parks Company, reports that in the last three years the list of Silicon Valley companies that have bused employees to lakes and forests has grown exponentially. “It is no longer about scary ropes courses,” Casem says.

Fresh Air Options

A San Francisco Bay Area favorite is Angel Island State Park, where tram and scooter tours are a 15-minute ferry ride away from the Embarcadero. An East Bay gem, The Ranch at Little Hills, is a 25-acre spread with no animals but lots of room for inflatable sumo wrestling matches and blow-up bumper ball races for up to 1,500 people. This green space alone hosted 125 events in seven months last year.

Some companies are staging overnights a couple of hours away from headquarters to meet at Camanche Recreation Area in Ione, California. By taking advantage of the rent-my-tent program, they can access a turnkey adventure complete with pre-set-up campsites, smores-making supplies, equipment to show an outdoor movie and party barges for up to 40 that come with a driver and snacks.

Despite its name, The California Parks Company markets more than 20 locations all over the western United States. It is a privately owned event management company partnering with public agencies, such as California State Parks.

Not so long ago, hallyu, or the “Korean Wave” cultural phenomenon in South Korea was a passion isolated to the young and restless. But the movement that started with music and television is now seeped so deeply into daily life that the country’s main meetings event, held this month, focused on how hallyu can be integrated with the industry.

“When MICE events are held in Korea, foreign participants have said that the most important thing to them is shopping; we needed to find something more than shopping to have a competitive edge,” said Ahn Suwook, managing director of SM Entertainment, a South Korean company, in his keynote address—to 350 Asian companies and 250 non-Asian international firms—at Korea MICE Expo in Incheon June 14-15. That has led the company to develop more products for people to enjoy whenever it is convenient for them. SM strives to cover four areas—shows, sightseeing, food, stays and shopping.

Initially, hallyu’s main component was K-Pop, with its vibrant music scene, featuring bright, explosive colors, as well as bizarre fashion and exciting pyrotechnics. Hallyu expanded to include Korean art, literature, movies and TV programs, emphasizing the contemporary and at times highly innovative. Now, it also includes old Korean traditions and customs.

Recognizing the importance of hallyu, the South Korean government is providing funding for start-ups and supporting new, creative industries. This has played a major role in the rapid rise of South Korea and its major city, Seoul, toward the top of international meetings destinations rankings.

Happiest Places on Earth

What is happiness? The answer varies greatly, but apparently some places have it figured out.

Annual reports rank countries on a variety of factors, such as GDP, health and overall sentiment. But because happiness is subjective, the places on this list are compiled from different sources, including Gallup, National Geographic and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

Here are four delightful takeaways to add a little happiness to your next event.

Denmark—Get Cozy with It

Pronounced “hoo-ga,” hygge roughly translates to “coziness,” but translator ToveMaren Stakkestad explained, “hygge was never meant to be translated. It was meant to be felt.”

In Denmark, it’s more than just a word—it’s a lifestyle. The U.N. ranked Denmark third on its annual World Happiness Report. Hygge might just be the Danes’ secret weapon.

Hygge is taking life’s simple pleasures and allowing them to evoke a comforting atmosphere. Anything can be hygge. Snuggling up on a rainy day can be hygge.

So perhaps at your next event, scrap the harsh LED ceiling lights. Fit your space with welcoming amber lighting. Then fill the air with ambient aromas, whether it be a calming lavender or the intoxicating smell of fresh pastries.

Hygge can make attendees feel calm, warm and at home.

Iceland—Look Around

It’s no longer a surprise that Nordic countries score highest on the U.N.’s report every year. Besides high GDP, the countries are home to some of the most intoxicating scenery in the world.

The secret to Iceland’s happiness is in the water. The country’s famed hot pools serve as a place of congregation—to relax, to meet and, of course, to drink.

In the 1950s, Iceland switched from coal-powered heat to geothermal. Leveraging the island’s volcanic resources, communal pools became iconic sites to socialize. The pools are embedded in daily life, with many Icelanders going before or after work.

You could take a similar approach. At your next meeting, try embracing, rather than changing, your surroundings. Some locations readily offer raw beauty to be admired. Additionally, the most unconventional meeting spaces can prove to be the most memorable. Not to mention keeping it simple is the ultimate sustainable practice.

Colombia—Think Positive

Even after years of conflict, this country flaunts its resiliency. Colombia doesn’t have the GDP to compete with the well-off countries that score high on the U.N.’s report. But an age-old adage rings true: money isn’t everything.

A 2018 Gallup poll reported that Colombia was the second happiest country in the world. The survey found that 88 out of 100 Colombians are happy with life, with 46 percent believing that life will improve.

Celebrations, rather than challenges, are often emphasized.

Meeting planning can be taxing when unexpected hiccups arise or budgets suddenly shrink. Take a page from the Colombian playbook. Grab a cup of quality coffee, strategize and remain optimistic.

Make the best out of your situation, and attendees will too.

Boulder, Colorado—Get Outside

National Geographic measured cities based on lifestyle factors, including healthy eating and civic engagement. As a result, Boulder solidified itself as America’s happiest city.

What the magazine found was that the large majority of Boulderites feel “active and productive every day.” Many of them walk to work and pair it with high rates of exercise in the lush outdoors. Hotels in the area also adopt these healthy practices. St. Julien Hotel and Spa offers yoga sessions facing the Flatiron Mountains as part of its Boulder Lifestyle Meetings Menu.

Physical activity boosts serotonin, a.k.a the happiness hormone. Stuffy ballrooms can lead to the 2 p.m. slump. Reinvigorate attendees by incorporating a refreshing breeze. A quick bike ride or hike can jump-start meaningful team building. Simple exercises, such as yoga, can be performed almost anywhere (including those ballrooms).

Meeting Room at Loews Coronado Bay Resort

The meetings industry is stronger than ever, but the rise in activity brings new challenges. In many cities, it is becoming more difficult to find appropriate space for large-scale conferences. Space is just not available like it was years ago, and if you’re not working nine to 12 months in advance, your options could be limited.

When you’re searching for a venue, consider these three often-overlooked details.

1. Make sure your venue can accommodate everyone.

Ask the venue coordinator at a prospective property how many people each room can sit in different seating arrangements. That way, you’ll know what might work. We love to partner with clients at this point in the process whenever possible. A lot of times we’ll get hired on after the venue has been booked and find out that the general session room is not large enough to accommodate the stage and seating solution the client has in mind. We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but it happens all too often.

2. Save room for the big stage.

Many planners find a venue that says it can accommodate their size group, but doesn’t leave room for a stage and projector throw. Often, large conferences have large stages, and if your venue holds 1,000 in round tables, it’s likely a quarter or more of those seats will disappear once you get the stage—and green room and storage space—in place. You may not know the dimensions of the stage—or even an idea of what it might look like—when you search for venues, but planning for some space is better than none.

3. Build in time for set-up and rehearsals.

You’ve booked the venue, taken the stage size into account, and now you can’t get into the room until 24 hours before the start of the conference. Stages can take three days to set up, and that’s not including decor and presenter rehearsal time. No presenter wants to be rehearsing at 11 p.m. the night before the big event. Before you sign the contract, be sure you know exactly how much time you need for everything to come together. You’ll also want to factor in time for stage dismantling and load-out. After a production team has worked a 12- to 14-hour day, no one wants to pay overtime to a tired crew to dismantle the stage and load it all out before midnight that same day. Factor in a day post-event for these needs and you’ll avoid paying both venue fines and crew overtime.

Accounting for these factors early in the game will set you up for event success, and hopefully help you avoid both panic and budget overages down the road.

Tom McCulloch joined Minneapolis-based metroConnections in 1998 after having been a customer for almost five years. As chief marketing officer, he is responsible for strategic marketing and sales oversight. His background includes marketing development for high-tech software companies including creation and management of conferences.

The vitamin D deficiency epidemic is more serious than anyone may have imagined, according to several new reports. If your doctor said you are deficient or insufficient, this is one diagnosis you are not alone in receiving.

“An estimated 50 to 70 percent of the national population is either vitamin D deficient or insufficient,” says Kenneth L. Seldeen, research assistant professor of medicine in Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at University at Buffalo in New York.

Last month, new data was presented at European Society of Endocrinology in Barcelona that associates the battle of the bulge with vitamin D deficiency. “The strong relationship between increasing amounts of abdominal fat and lower levels of vitamin D suggests that individuals with larger waistlines are at a greater risk of developing deficiency,” says Rachida Rafiq from the VU University Medical Center and Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands. She analyzed men and women 45 to 65 years old who participated in the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study.

Health Risks

Vitamin D helps provide calcium for healthy, strong bones, among other things. Results from several scientific studies linking lack of vitamin D to serious health conditions have been released within the last month. The findings are quite startling.

Prolonged under-exposure to vitamin D may reduce stamina and performance, according to research that Seldeen and partner Dr. Bruce R. Troen, conducted on mice. “The take-home message of this study is that while having low serum vitamin D for a month or even a year or two may not matter for a person, over several decades it may have clinical ramifications,” Seldeen says.

The National Institute of Health published a study last month in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology that suggests vitamin D “may play a protective role in pregnancy.” It goes on to say that women trying to conceive after miscarriage are more likely to become pregnant and successfully deliver a healthy baby if they have a sufficient level of vitamin D.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is no laughing matter. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, about 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with ILD annually, and life expectancy is less than five years after diagnosis. New data analysis released this month in Journal of Nutrition says that low vitamin D levels could be a contributing factor to developing ILD.

Another recent study, published in Journal of the National Cancer Institute, may have found a connection between vitamin D and colorectal cancer. “For both men and women, deficient levels of vitamin D were associated with a 30 percent increase risk of colorectal cancer,” says Marji McCullough, a nutritional epidemiologist for American Cancer Society and co-author of the report.

Researchers do emphasize that although their discoveries found a correlation between low levels of vitamin D and specific health conditions, further research is required to determine whether there is a cause-and-effect relationship.

Take Action

As a planner, you can give attendees the gift of a pocketful of sunshine by taking meetings outdoors during warm weather months. Provide guests with sunscreen to protect them from the harmful ultraviolet rays that can lead to skin cancer. Many hotels, CVBs, companies and events use sunscreen bottles as a branding opportunity by customizing the label. Some travel-size bottles even come with a loop to conveniently put on a keychain.

“The truth is, it doesn’t take much sun exposure for the body to produce vitamin D. Even committed proponents of unprotected sun exposure recommend no more than 10 to 15 minutes of exposure to arms, legs, abdomen and back, two to three times a week, followed by good sun protection,” wrote Dr. Anne Marie McNeill and Erin Wesner in The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal. “That minor amount of exposure produces all the vitamin D your body can muster.”

Eggs and oily fish, such as sardines, herring, tuna, salmon and mackerel, contain vitamin D. Consider including these items in your catering selection at meetings and events.

At LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, a Noble House Resort, in Naples, Florida, groups can sign up for the Vitamin D Break package that includes essential oils and lotions, as well as a choice of a chair massage or water yoga class. The scrambled-egg station features regular and egg whites, tomatoes, grilled red onions, cheddar cheese, goat cheese, smoked salmon, diced ham, mushrooms, green onions and red peppers. An assortment of juices is available at the juice bar. For dessert, guests can nosh on chocolate-covered dried oranges, Meyer lemon bars and key-lime mini scones.

Consult with a medical professional before taking a supplement to inquire if it is necessary for your body and to be prescribed the proper dosage. Vitamins for both vegans and nonvegans are available. Consuming too much vitamin D comes with a different set of risks, such as toxicity, excess calcium in the blood and kidneys, nausea, vomiting and fluctuation in mental state.

Joy Tomita 2_CREDIT Queen Kapiolani Hotel

Joy Shinobu Tomita

Joy Shinobu Tomita was appointed director of marketing for Queen Kapi’olani Hotel, located on the Diamond Head side of Waikiki. She will oversee the $35 million transformation of the hotel into a four-star, full-service property. With more than 18 years of sales and marketing experience in the Hawaiian Islands, she previously worked as sales manager at the Halekulani and Oahu Visitors Bureau. She also served as sales coordinator for Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Photo credit: Queen Kapi'olani Hotel

Luis Mendez

Bringing more than 25 years in the hospitality industry with him, Luis Mendez was appointed Kimpton EPIC Hotel’s director of sales for its Downtown Miami property. He will be responsible for planning and incorporating sales and development programs in new and existing markets. Previously, he served as associate director of sales and marketing at InterContinental Miami and held a variety of leadership roles with The Ritz Carlton, Renaissance and IHG properties in Puerto Rico.

Nyree Armoreda

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront named Nyree Armoreda marketing and e-commerce manager. Her background includes hospitality and real estate digital marketing, website design and graphic design.

Ashley Crunstedt

Teneo Hospitality Group, a global firm representing more than 300 independent and luxury branded hotels, resorts and DMCs appointed Ashley Crunstedt director of events. A member of Meeting Professionals International and a certified meeting professional through the Events Industry Council, Crunstedt brings more than a decade of experience to the position, most recently serving as senior event manager for Ewald Consulting.

Richard Carroll

Cliff House Maine named Richard Carroll director of sales and marketing following a second phase of renovations. He is a former president of MPI’s New England Chapter. He has also served as director of sales and marketing at Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island, and at Chatham Bars Inn.

Timothy Edgecombe

Timothy Edgecombe was appointed director of sales at Rosewood Washington, D.C., a luxury retreat in Georgetown. He will offer strategic direction to the sales team. Edgecombe brings 30 years of sales experience in the hospitality industry. Previously, he served as director of travel industry and entertainment sales at Rosewood Washington, D.C.’s sister property, The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel in New York City.

David Watts

Following its opening in 2017, Enclave, a special events facility in Las Vegas, has tapped David Watts as venue director. He has more than a decade of experience under his belt. In this role, Watts will oversee the venue’s sales, production and marketing initiatives. He previously was special events director for Greenspun Media Group and director of special events at Keep Memory Alive Event Center.

Photo credit: Al Powers, Powers Imagery

Tiffani Velazquez

Tiffani Velazquez has been appointed director of catering sales at The Mayfair Hotel, in downtown Los Angeles. In her new role, she will oversee catering requests and take the reins in creating custom menus for large groups. She has been working in Los Angeles for more than 20 years, with experience including director of catering for The California Yacht Club and sales and special events manager for The Ebell of Los Angeles.

David Mars

With more than two decades of experience within the hospitality industry, David Mars has named general manager of The Henderson, a Salamander Beach & Spa Resort in Destin, Florida. This follows eight years with Montage Hotels & Resorts, where he held the position of general manager at Spanish Peaks Mountain Club in Big Sky, Montana. He also served as resort manager at Montage Deer Valley in Park City, Utah.

Todd Temperly

Waldorf Astoria Chicago and Conrad Chicago have appointed Todd Temperly as general manager of Hilton’s two properties in Chicago, where he will oversee operations. He has worked with Hilton for more than 20 years. He most recently served as hotel manager for Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort in Maui; previous to this, he was hotel manager at Palmer House in Chicago.

Barry White_Chattanooga CVB President and CEO_cropped

Barry E. White

Following his service as president and CEO of Augusta, Georgia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Barry E. White was appointed president and CEO of Chattanooga CVB. He brings 26 years of experience with him. In his previous role, he increased Augusta’s total hotel revenue and initiated and fostered an expansion of the city’s convention center.

Sandy Narvaez

Sandy Narvaez was appointed director of sales and marketing for The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. She will be spearheading the opening of the resort’s Diamond Head Tower in October. Narvaez brings more than 10 years of experience to the role, having previously served as director of sales and marketing at Hilton Waikiki Beach.

Tina Schwab

Realize Colorado, the Global DMC Partner serving Colorado, welcomed Tina Schwab as director of sales. She will be promoting new business development, collaborating with Colorado hoteliers and fostering current client relationships. She most recently worked as group sales manager with Visit Vail Valley.

Katarina Burns

Katarina Burns is an 18-year veteran of Marriott Hotels and has been promoted to general manager of Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center in Maryland. Originally from Sweden, Burns visited the United States at 14 and fell in love with the travel industry. After moving to the U.S. in 1996 to work at the Ocean Reef Club in Florida, she eventually found her way to JW Marriott Washington, D.C., as an assistant front desk manager, and has continued to work her way up the ladder.

Ralph Mahana

Following his role as Windsor Court Hotel’s assistant general manager, Ralph Mahana was promoted to general manager. As assistant general manager, Mahana was responsible for all hotel operations and functionality. Previously, he held titles including director of rooms and guest services at the hotel.

Dana Johnson

Increasing its expertise in hosting meetings, Marcus Hotels & Resorts promoted Dana Johnson from assistant director of sales to director of sales for the Milwaukee market. She will oversee sales for Marcus Hotels & Resorts’ three Milwaukee Properties: Hilton Milwaukee City Center, InterContinental Milwaukee and The Pfister Hotel. Johnson has spent 15 of her 25 years of experience with Marcus Hotels & Resorts.

Tifani Jones

Tifani Jones was named corporate director of sales at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions. She will oversee sales teams in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; Sandusky, Ohio; Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania; and soon in Round Rock, Texas. With more than two decades’ worth of experience, she most recently worked as director of sales and service for Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau. She also has served as director of sales for both Marriott and Sheraton brand hotels.