Smart Meetings | Page 558 of 604 | Corporate Event Planning: Business Events, Meetings, Conferences

Beekeeper Roger Garrison at Clift Hotel San Francisco

Clift Hotel San Francisco welcomed the spring season with an open house that awakened all the senses. The luxury boutique hotel located downtown unveiled their new rooftop bee sanctuary and cocktail herb garden Monday, as well as some season-inspired items on their dinner and cocktail menus.

General manager Michael Pace, who has been actively involved in sustainability efforts for the past 15 years, led a tour through the venues, explaining that the inspiration behind the bee sanctuary was the need to find something that brought the hospitality community together for a good cause.

Ten hives–stacked at different heights to represent the city skyscrapers in the distance–house 10,000 honey bees and one queen each, totaling 100,000 honey bees. They travel up to three miles to collect pollen from nearby parks. The hotel expects to have 70-80,000 bees per hive in the summer seasons.

beehives Each hive holds 10,000 bees and one queen

Bees have a massive effect on our ecosystem, and the colony collapse that started in 2007 is ongoing. Nearly 40 percent of colonies are dying each year due to a combination of parasites, pesticides and viruses.

Spring Samplings

The new menu items can truly be called garden-to-table, incorporating many key flavors freshly picked and extracted from the new herb garden and bee sanctuary. The 49er Tea Time, for example, is a black tea-infused whiskey with housemade honey syrup and lemon juice; and the Peerless Purple features housemade lavender-infused gin, with honey syrup, lemon juice and lavender bitters.

Pace says the mixologists employed at the Clift request different herbs based on their upcoming menus so that they can be grown in-house.

“We want visitors to come back because they feel this is a city with soul and feeling,” says Pace. “We’re leading by example. This [effort] shows camaraderie among hotels and it’s good for the environment. It shows the nature of who we are as a city.”

honeyjars Petite jars of honey made perfect parting gifts

Like the cocktails, many of the new additions to the food menu incorporate homegrown herbs. Some of the offerings at the open house included watermelon salad with lavender-infused honey and Adobo-style ribs served with a red cabbage and lemongrass mango slaw.

Fresh, local cuisine isn’t a new initiative at the Clift. Executive Chef Thomas Weibull has partnered with local farmers and growers to produce menu items for Velvet Room (serving breakfast daily) that are locally grown in a sustainable and organic manner.

Each dish pays homage to a San Francisco neighborhood, explained the half-Swedish, half-Philippino chef. The grilled octopus salad nods to the Spanish communities in the city; the crispy popcorn chicken and salsa verde represent the mission district.

The honey bee sanctuary, herb garden and sustainable menu are just some of the socially responsible steps the Clift has taken to earn its green reputation. In addition to drastically improving their recycling diversion rate (70 percent in 2015), the hotel switched to environmentally safe cleaning products, reduced its paper use by 50 percent, and adopted the Linen Refusal program, which allows guests to opt out of housekeeping services to save water and energy.

Meet at the Clift

The tour began and ended in the famous and historic Redwood Room, which features redwood paneling and a giant etched-glass bar. The space is home to curated music provided by well-known native San Francisco DJs Thursday through Saturday nights.

redwood-bar Head mixologist Anthony Kim whips up a cocktail at the bar in the Redwood Room

The Clift offers many options for meeting and function space, each with its own unique décor and character. The greatest example of that is the Private Apartment, a beautifully furnished 1,100-square- foot apartment within the hotel that can be rented for private events and meetings.

The Clift Hotel San Francisco offers the suite as a special function room. The Spanish Suite

The Clift also offers two boardrooms (accommodating 8 and 12, conference-style), and the Spanish Suite, a 2,373-square-foot private function room that was once the home of original hotel owner Frederick Clift. The space offers two terraces overlooking the city and a wood-burning fireplace.

On the Mezzanine level are three exceptional meeting spaces. The Rita room offers 1,271 sq. ft. of space and can be combined with the Ava room for a total of 1,889 sq. ft. The third room is the Sophia, and offers 800 sq. ft.

The Velvet Room was designed to complement the Redwood Room, and is often the setting for unique corporate events. Lush velvet curtains, mahogany and leather banquettes and hand-blown Murano glass lamps create a dramatic setting for events.

The elegant details continue in The Living Room, an old English-style cozy space just off the lobby, that boasts velvet sofas and leather winged chairs.

Phoenix Airbnb Hosts

Out of several major metropolitan cities in the U.S., Phoenix has been identified in a national survey as having a large percentage of Airbnb hosts renting properties for more than 30 days, as well as a substantial number of multi-unit operators who rent two or more units. Research was released this week by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) in a two-part study that explored revenue trends behind the $24 billion home-sharing company.

Data reveals that up to 85 percent of Airbnb hosts in Phoenix could be operating illegally by renting properties for more than 30 days a year, which accounts for more than $41 million—the majority of Airbnb’s profits from the state. Approximately 14 percent of operators in the city listed properties available to rent for more than 180 days per year, generating $9 million in annual revenue. And a smaller figure—about 1 percent—offered units to rent throughout the year, contributing around $2 million.

The study also indicates that 14 percent of hosts in the Phoenix area operate multiple rental units. However, they contribute more than $17 million, which is about 40 percent of Airbnb’s total statewide revenue. Data surrounding the growth of multi-unit operators has become a contentious issue among state lawmakers across the country. Last fall, Airbnb narrowly dodged a ballot measure that would have greatly restricted short-term rentals in its hometown of San Francisco.

Arizona has gone the other direction. Earlier this month, the state senate approved a bill that would make it easier for Airbnb and other home-rental services to operate in the state. According to The Arizona Republic, the bill would allow Airbnb to collect state lodging taxes on behalf of property owners, keeping home rentals on par with the hotel occupancy tax.

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University’s School of Hospitality Management conducted the year-long study from October 2014 to September 2015, which was commissioned by AH&LA. The national association, which represents the U.S. lodging industry, has remained staunchly opposed to Airbnb’s unregulated services and encroachment on the hotel industry. Katherine Lugar, AH&LA president and CEO, released a statement on the role of Airbnb in the travel market place.

“Illicit and often illegal hotels operated in residential properties are disruptive to communities and pose serious safety concerns for guests, for communities and for neighborhoods,” she said. “Until Airbnb demonstrates that it can be a trusted and constructive partner in the effort to protect the communities it operates in and the travelers it serves, state and local governments must act to ensure a fair and safe travel market place by closing the illegal hotel loophole.”

The first part of the nationwide report, released earlier this year, took inventory of monthly host revenue and found that nearly 30 percent of the company’s revenue came from full-time hosts who list properties throughout the year in 12 of Airbnb’s largest U.S. markets. The number of multi-unit operators is rapidly growing; they make up nearly 40 percent of Airbnb’s profits, totaling half a billion dollars a year.

kayak_843x342jpg

The Henderson, a Salamander Beach & Spa Resort, debuts summer 2016 on one of America’s highest-rated beaches. Located on nearly two miles of white powdery sand and emerald-green water in Destin, Florida the 170-room resort will feature sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico and pristine dunes, as well as a thoughtful and respectful design. It is also adjacent to the 221-acre, environmentally protected Henderson Beach nature preserve, which will offer guests both a sense of privacy and a plethora of activities.

While its origins began as a small fishing village, Destin has grown into a dynamic destination for both leisure and group travelers. It is now one of the Emerald Coast’s most sought-after destinations. In addition to world-class fishing, it offers uncrowded, sugar white beaches, spectacular open-air shopping, fresh local seafood restaurants and championship golf courses. The harbor is only a five-minute drive from the resort, which will allow The Henderson’s guests to enjoy numerous water activities, shop in a festive marketplace, and interact with the fleet of fishing vessel captains and crews that pioneered Destin.

hotel-room_843x342

The Henderson features 10,000 square feet of indoor event space, including a dedicated meeting wing, a spectacular 5,200-square-foot ballroom, a junior ballroom, private boardroom, as well as nearly 20,000 square feet of outdoor spaces, including unrivaled Gulf-front function locations.

Learn more at www.HendersonBeachResort.com

wellness-for-millennials

Millennials and Gen Xers have become the main drivers of the wellness boom in the hospitality industry, and are calling for more outdoor adventure options at properties, according to a new report.

The second part of Spafinder Wellness 365’s report, based on a July 2015 survey of 200 North American and European travel agents, found that although both the millennials/Gen Xers group (49 and under) and the baby boomers and older group (50 and over) rated all 16 wellness property offerings as important, the younger group ranked the importance of all offerings higher or the same than the older group.

“As millennials and Gen X become the core wellness tourism demographic, trends are emerging,” said John Bevan, chief operating officer of Spafinder Wellness, Inc. “Not only do younger travelers demand more wellness offerings in general; they seek more intensive, out-in-nature adventure and fitness. And a property’s ‘values,’ such as respect for the environment and whether it gives back to the local community, aren’t niche considerations—they’re more important than traditional sports like golf or tennis.”

Travel agents were asked to rank age groups on a 1 to 10 scale, where 1 is not important at all and 10 is extremely important. Here are the results:

Property or Destination Element	Baby Boomers and Older	Millennials and Gen X
Beach access	8.2	8.8
Pools or swimming	8.3	8.6
Outdoor adventure programs	7.3	8.5
Access to nature/scenic outdoors	7.9	8.4
Fitness facilities and classes	7.7	8.4
Healthy cuisine	8	8.3
Environmentally friendly	6.9	7.7
Do good for community (volunteerism)	6.6	7.4
Traditional sports like golf or tennis	7.2	7.3
Hot or mineral springs	6.6	6.9
Weight loss programs	6.6	6.8
Spiritual healing	6.4	6.6
Alternative medical services	6.3	6.6
Detox programs	6.2	6.2
Healthy sleep programs	6	6.2
Traditional medical services	5.9	6

“The survey shines light on what’s ascending for the next generation in wellness travel, but also shows that boomers still rank traditional spa resorts first,” Bevan said. “The landscape is expanding, more complex, and less one-size-fits-all than ever.”

sleeping

In order to perform at their peak, meeting planners must be sharp and well-rested. A good night’s sleep is crucial to feeling refreshed and restored. Westin Hotels & Resorts has long been an innovator in wellbeing programs, including sleep initiatives. In celebration of World Sleep Day March 18, the company is giving away prizes that include a Westin Heavenly Bed and a 5-night stay at any Westin location. Sweepstakes entries will be accepted through April 30.

Below, Westin offers 12 tips for a better night’s sleep:

1. Develop a sleep routine that includes a consistent bedtime schedule. To alleviate morning stress, lay out clothes, prep lunch and set the coffeemaker the night before.

salad

2. To sleep well, eat a light dinner, avoiding complex carbohydrates, fried foods and elaborate desserts. The new Westin Sleep Well menu, available at all Westin properties, is chock full of amino acids, vitamins and minerals that prevent insomnia and encourage rest. Dishes reportedly conducive to sleep include grilled wild salmon with walnut quinoa and chopped turkey salad.

3. Beverages also play a role in restful sleep. It is recommended to avoid coffee six hours before bedtime, and wine three hours before retiring. Non-caffeinated teas are an ideal alternative. Lavender, chamomile or valerian teas are gentle sleep aids.

4. Certain smells have been shown to be conducive to better sleep. Prior to retiring, relax the room and its occupants with a lovely scent. Westin makes and sells white tea room sprays and reed diffusers.

5. Take a warm bath or shower about an hour before bedtime. In addition to being a relaxing way to prepare the body for slumber, it also provides more time in the morning for other pursuits such as exercise (see last tip).

meditation

6. Consciously wind down before climbing under the covers. Quiet the mind and relax the body with breathing and meditation techniques. Don’t fret about what was not accomplished. Tomorrow is another day.

7. Temperature influences sleep. Set the thermostat to a cool 65 degrees for the most comfortable sleep. Some find wearing socks to bed also improves sleep quality.

8. Make sure to turn off all tech, including smartphones and tablets. New research indicates that blue light emitted from electronic devices can prevent those who sleep near them from attaining deep REM sleep.

9. While some crave absolute silence, others require some noise in order to fall asleep. Instead of a blaring television, try some relaxing nature sounds. Many apps can provide ambient sounds or soft music.

bedding

10. A comfy mattress, pillows and sheet set are important components to resting easy. Westin is known for its Heavenly Bed, feather and down pillows, and soft Egyptian cotton sheets. Guests who wake up feeling great after experiencing them can purchase them online from Westin.

11. Don’t allow pets to sleep on the bed. Their dander can trigger allergies, disrupting everyone’s sleep. Westin actually sells a Heavenly Bed for dogs online that will keep them safely (and happily) on the floor.

12. Exercise is an important component of health that increases the heart rate and blood flow. When performed in the morning, it causes the release of “feel good” endorphins that linger throughout the day. Paradoxically, exercise also helps people fall asleep because it exhausts the muscles. For the maximum effect, exercise earlier in the day.

hotels in cuba

As President Obama is making history as the first sitting U.S. president to visit Cuba in more than 80 years, large hotel chains are making their own moves to lay claims to a hospitality and tourism market that officially has been off-limits to Americans for decades. Marriott and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide have applied for permission to invest in hotel development in the country, and Marriott President and CEO Arne Sorenson is actually part of an executive team traveling to Cuba during the President’s visit.

Starwood First to Penetrate Cuba

Last week Starwood received permission from the U.S. Treasury Department to proceed with its plans. It officially became the first American company to enter the Cuban market; inking a deal March 19 that will permit the hospitality giant to renovate, rebrand and then operate three existing properties in Havana.

Reuters reports that Jorge Giannattasio, Chief of Latin America Operations & Global Initiatives at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., said the deals represent a “multimillion-dollar investment to bring the hotels up to our standards.” Currently, most hotels in Cuba are government-run, with service and amenities that tour operators admit is less than stellar.

According to Reuters, Starwood plans to transition the military-owned Quinta Avenida Hotel to a Four Points Sheraton, and will fold the state-owned Gran Caribe Inglaterra Hotel into its Luxury Collection brand. The third property, The Santa Isabel, is technically still under negotiation, but is expected to also resurface under Starwood’s Luxury Collection brand. In addition to renovating and rebranding the three properties, Starwood will hire and retrain staff.

Michael Weissenstein of Associated Press reports that the Starwood hotels in Cuba will be outfitted with everything from new mattress to improved kitchen equipment. The properties will be managed by expatriate Starwood employees, as Cuban law currently prevents widespread direct hiring of Cuban workers by foreign firms.

Marriott Also Moves Forward

In a company statement, Sorenson said, “We are gratified to receive permission from the U.S. government to pursue business opportunities in Cuba. While there is still work to do before any agreement is reached, we are actively pursuing relationships in the hospitality sector. We have long been convinced that with the right frameworks in place, new economic opportunities, including dramatically expanded travel, abound in Cuba. These could deliver real benefits to the Cuban people and also have the effect of bringing both Americans and Cubans closer together.”

According to Sorenson, Marriott hopes to provide hospitality training and generate economic opportunities for Cuban nationals.

Currently, very few luxury properties exist in Cuba. Marriott’s presence could significantly expand the options for luxe accommodations on the tropical island, which boasts beautiful beaches and a vibrant culture.

Booming Interest in Cuba

In December 2014, President Obama took the first meaningful steps to thaw Cold War relations with neighboring Cuba, located just 90 miles off the coast of Florida. Cuba’s tourism industry has been booming ever since. The number of international visitors rose 17 percent to 3.5 million in 2015. A record 161,000 Americans journeyed to Cuba in 2015, representing a nearly 80 percent increase from the previous year, despite the fact that they technically had to travel under the auspices of 12 authorized purposes. Obama recently relaxed these restrictions, freeing Americans to visit the island without special permission or penalty.

With increased air lift, the number of American tourists visiting Cuba is projected to continue to skyrocket. According to AP, carriers are hoping to offer as many as 110 commercial flights a day from the United States.

book hotels in cuba

President Barack Obama’s historic visit to Cuba this week has brought a trailblazing round of changes expected to herald a new era of travel and connectivity between Cuba and the rest of the world. On day two of his three-day visit, Obama announced a deal reached with Google to expand Wi-Fi and broadband access, paving the way for online travel agencies and home-sharing companies to expand their services on the island nation.

Priceline is the first online booking agency to be given permission to list Cuban properties on instant booking platform, Booking.com. American travelers who meet current restrictions approved by the U.S. Department of State for travel to Cuba will be able to reserve accommodations on Booking.com in the next few weeks. They’ll be able to book rooms instantly without requiring a response or accepted request from a property owner.

“With the news of the easing of U.S. travel restrictions, we began working immediately with the local Cuban government, tourism authorities and our local hotel partners to launch the first platform to allow travelers to book and confirm instantly with the click of a button,” said Todd Dunlap, managing director of the Americas for Booking.com, in a statement.

The Obama Administration also gave online home rental company Airbnb the green light to offer its Cuba listings to visitors from around the world, as soon as April 2. Private homes, known as casas particulares, were previously available only to certain U.S. travelers. Soon after diplomatic relations between the two countries began to improve in 2014, Airbnb quickly entered the Cuban market ahead of other U.S.-based lodging groups. Already more than 4,000 private homes across nearly 40 different cities and towns on the Caribbean island have joined Airbnb’s platform.

“Airbnb was built on our belief that you can belong anywhere,” said Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk. “In less than a year, this has proven true in Cuba with more than 13,000 guests from each of the 50 U.S. states. Now, we will be able to offer the same belonging to travelers from any country, while doing our part to preserve what makes Cuba so special and unique.”

Private homes afforded by Airbnb provide visitors an alternative to Cuban hotels, which are often reported to be lacking in service and infrastructure. American hotel groups are racing to lay claim to hotel real estate in Cuba; Starwood Hotels announced that it signed an agreement to bring three hotels to the island. Marriott International was also given permission to consider its own arrangements in Cuba.

top meeting hotels Orlando skyline

Orlando leads the way with top meeting hotels, according to Cvent’s annual Top 100 list. It’s no surprise that one of the greatest meeting cities in the world also boasts some of the best meeting properties, with 12 Orlando hotels earning a spot in Cvent’s prestigious list.

Chicago had 10 properties crack the top 100, while nine Las Vegas hotels made the cut. Nashville continues to be a convention favorite, with the No. 1 and No. 2 top meeting hotels.

The No. 1 meeting hotel is Omni Nashville Hotel, which is next to Music City Center. The 2014 ASAE convention was held in Nashville and the Omni proved to be an amazing partner property. The road between the convention center and the Omni was blocked for a concert by Dierks Bentley and hosted several private functions held in conjunction with the annual convention. The Omni offers 800 guest rooms and 23,760 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, which will host IBTM America June 15-17, is No. 2 for the second-straight year. This convention hotel has 2,882 guest rooms and 55,314 sq. ft. of meeting space. Renaissance Nashville Hotel ranks No. 16.

The top meeting hotels in Orlando include Hyatt Regency Orlando, which ranks No. 8. Hyatt has 1,639 guest rooms and 54,638 sq. ft. of event space. Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center is No. 15, with 1,406 guest rooms and 178,340 sq. ft. of event space. Orlando World Center Marriott earned the No. 20 ranking. It has 2,004 guest rooms and 108,000 sq. ft.

“We are very pleased that Orlando had more hotels named in the list of Cvent’s 2016 Top Meeting Hotels in the United States than any other destination,” says George Aguel, president and CEO for Visit Orlando. “This is another testament to how important meetings and conventions are to the hospitality industry in our community.”

JW Marriott Austin in Texas is a newcomer to the 100 top meeting hotels rankings, checking in at No. 13 after opening a year ago. It offers 1,012 guest rooms and 29,056 sq. ft. of event space. The JW Marriott was a key event venue during the recent South By Southwest festivals earlier this month.

Other meeting hotels that debuted in Cvent’s top meeting hotels rankings include No. 39 Grand Hyatt Washington, No. 44 The Westin Charlotte, No. 55 Denver Marriott City Center, No. 62 Renaissance Washington DC Downtown Hotel, No. 66 Sheraton Nashville Downtown, No. 71 InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile and No. 74 Diplomat Resort & Spa Hollywood Curio Collection by Hilton in Florida.

brussels-airport-attack Brussels, Belgium

The attack today at Brussels Airport is a stark reminder of the importance of airport security. Paul Hudson, president of Flyersrights.org and former member of the FAA/TSA Aviation Security Advisory Committee, says the latest bombings may represent a new form of attacks that targets airports.

“While aviation security has made bombing or hijacking of airliners much more difficult, airport security is generally wide open,” Hudson said in a press release. “This needs to be tightened with perimeter bomb and weapons detection or else more airport bombings are likely to follow. Every new type of successful terrorist attack in history always generates copycat attacks until effective counter measures are put in place.”

Following the Sept. 9, 2011 attacks, National Guard and some bomb detection were set up around perimeters of major U.S. airports. Both have been taken down, allowing terrorists to enter airports with bombs without detection, says Hudson.

U.S. Travel Association met with Congress last week to discuss many travel issues including security. Roger Dow, president and CEO for U.S. Travel, is urging U.S. leaders to embrace policies that emphasize collecting information in sophisticated and innovative ways to advance the ability to prevent attacks in the United States and abroad.

“America’s travel community is outraged and saddened by the despicable terror acts in Belgium, and we condemn those who wish nothing more than to make us all fearful of going about our daily lives in peace,” Dow said. “As with every other such horrific event, we must shortly turn to the lessons that are to be learned for our security policies, which should continue to evolve along with the volatile global threat environment.

“The fact that travel and transit nodes were the object of this violence naturally has our full attention,” Dow said. “Those who would do harm to the Western world are a deranged minority and should be treated as such—our travel security policies should work to identify and separate them from the pool of legitimate travelers so that law enforcement can focus their full resources on bad actors and prosecute them as vigorously as possible.”

Josh Heidenreich

Omni Fort Worth Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, welcomes Josh Heidenreich as area managing director and general manager, where he will manage sales, marketing, food and beverage and operational efforts for the hotel. He will also oversee New Orleans properties, including Omni Royal Orleans, Omni Royal Crescent Hotel and Omni Riverfront Hotel. He comes with more than 20 years of hospitality experience and has worked at Omni Hotels & Resorts for eight years in various leadership roles.
Christof Pignet

AAA Five Diamond Acqualina Resort and Spa on the Beach in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, promoted Christof Pignet as general manager. He will oversee all aspects of resort and condominium operations, guest experiences and employee enrichment. Pignet has been with the resort for four years. Under his stewardship, Acqualina retained its Forbes Five Star rating for the fourth consecutive year and its AAA Five Diamond rating for the seventh consecutive year.
Casey Graves

Casey Graves was named general manager of The Inn at Laguna Beach, where he will also oversee sister property Laguna Beach House. He will be responsible for overseeing operations of the two boutique hotels. Graves was previously general manager of The Wayfarer in Santa Barbara, where he led the resort’s pre-opening phase. Graves is a native of Los Angeles and a graduate of San Francisco State University.

Caroline MacDonald

Rosewood Hotel Group named Caroline MacDonald as vice president of sales and marketing for the Americas and Europe. In her new position, she will oversee all sales and marketing initiatives, including the management and supervision of Rosewood Hotel Group’s five regional sales offices. MacDonald has more than 25 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry. Before working for Rosewood Hotel Group, she spent 15 years with Auberge Resorts.
Jason Lusk

Visit Denver promoted Jason Lusk to associate vice president of convention sales. Lusk joined the convention and visitors bureau in 2007 as a mid-market representative for Washington, DC, and later became director of sales. He has more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, management, conferences and events. Lusk is a fixture in the Denver meetings industry and a regular speaker at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Peter Strebel

Omni Hotels & Resorts named Peter Strebel chief marketing officer and senior vice president of sales. Strebel will create and drive branding, communications, marketing and business development strategies. Previously he was senior vice president of operations for Omni Hotels & Resorts, where he developed brand-wide property standards and worked directly with hotels. Strebel also serves on the board of directors for Global Hotel Alliance.
Dionne Williams

Dionne Williams was promoted to executive director of group sales at The National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia. She is responsible for leading the association and corporate sales team. Williams joined the conference center in 2014 as director of national sales. Previously, she was corporate director of business evaluation for Gaylord Hotels.

“We are delighted to announce that Dionne has received this promotion to the position of executive director of group sales at The National,” stated Lawson. “Her professionalism, leadership and sales abilities are a tremendous asset to our team.”

Mark Naber

Radisson Blue Minneapolis Downtown appointed Mark Naber as hotel manager, where he will oversee the guest experience, hotel operations, guest services department and FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar. Naber comes to the hotel from Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino, formerly Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa in Nord, Aruba. There, he implemented a program to provide guests with daily, complimentary activities focused on the needs of the energetic, experiential traveler. Naber plans to begin a similar program at Radisson Blue Minneapolis Downtown.

“I am very excited for this new chapter with Radisson Blu Minneapolis Downtown and ensuring we are providing great service for our guests,” said Naber. “The level of service provided in a city hotel should be the same as at a resort. It is the details that make the difference for the guests.”

Jason Williams

Hotel Zephyr in San Francisco hired Jason Williams as general manager of the property. In this position, he will lead all operations of the waterfront hotel, which recently opened after a $32 million redesign. Williams brings more than 13 years of hospitality experience to his role, which includes stints at Valley River Inn in Eugene Oregon, and Sheraton Iowa City Hotel and hotelVetro in Iowa City, Iowa.

“We are delighted to have Jason join the Zephyr family, said Albert Smith, senior vice president at Pivot Hotels & Resorts. “His seasoned hospitality experience and diverse portfolio brings an exciting perspective that will be a tremendous asset to upholding property standards and service quality.”

Dave Martinez

Dave Martinez was hired as director of sales and marketing for Hyatt at Olive 8 and Grand Hyatt Seattle. Martinez has been with Hyatt for 16 years, during which he has served as director of sales, marketing and events in Hawaii, director of sales and marketing in New Jersey and corporate director of sales in Chicago. Martinez began his hospitality career with Hyatt as a corporate management trainee at Hyatt Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco.

“Dave Martinez has excelled in his career with the Hyatt brand, and we are thrilled to be welcoming him to the Seattle office in this key leadership role,” said Steve Vissotzky, general manager of Hyatt at Olive 8 and Grand Hyatt Seattle. “We look forward to Dave using his expertise in marketing and public relations to establish a stronger presence for the downtown Hyatt properties with the greater Seattle community.”