Smart move for Portland travel, Metro Toronto conference

Megan Conway

Portland Tourism Conway was named president and CEO, promoting her from her previous role as chief strategy officer. She takes over the position upon the retirement of Jeff Miller, who has held the position for 19 years. Conway joined the team in 2010 as vice president of communications and public relations before joining the executive leadership team in 2017. She has played an integral role during her time with Visit Portland, including during the challenging pandemic, demonstrating her ability to deliver results, drive innovative strategies and gain a comprehensive understanding of the industry.

Lucis Dean

Atlanta’s Granada Hotel Appointed Dean as Sales Director. She has over 17 years of hospitality industry experience and has held multiple leadership positions throughout her career, including serving as Director of Sales for EVEN Hotels, Sales Manager and Sales Manager for the Crowne Plaza Houston, Hyatt Regency North Houston and multiple Holiday Inn hotels with Marketing Director for the entire Houston area. Her work has contributed to several industry awards, including the 2022 Most Profitable Business and Creative Business Awards and the 2023 Event Space Awards.

Kathy Haley

this toronto convention center (MTCC) named Haley its new president and chief executive officer. She has extensive experience leading successful multi-million dollar infrastructure projects and ranks among the top 2% of global experts in customer experience. She most recently served as chief customer experience officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), where she was instrumental in improving the customer experience at numerous airports in the region. Haley was also the first president of North America’s first dedicated airport rail system, the award-winning United Pearson (UP) Express, operated by Metrolinx of Toronto. She is the first woman to serve as president and CEO of MTCC.

Mauricio Patino

Patino joined the team at Villas Resort Serves as Regional Sales Director for Conferences and Incentives. He has more than two decades of experience and a proven track record of success in sales, marketing, hotel operations and business development. Throughout his career, Patino has worked with leading hotel brands and tourism organizations, including the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, Dolce Hotels & Resorts and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, and Consistently implement innovative strategies to drive growth, enhance guest experience and elevate hotel operations. He is a member of the Society for Incentive Travel (SITE) and will serve as President of the Florida and Caribbean Chapter in 2025.

Christine Thompson

Thompson serves as Director of Sales, Washington, D.C. Visit Denver. She has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, and in her new role, she will use her extensive expertise to promote Denver as the premier conference destination in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. She will oversee sales programs, interact with customers and generate leads for hotels in the Denver metro area. Thompson most recently served as associate director of global sales for Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

Kelly Miller

Explore Crystal River, FloridaCitrus County CVB promoted Miller to Destination Experience Specialist. She will now focus on further strengthening marketing and communications efforts and partnerships. She will lead Discover Crystal River Florida’s FAM tourism program and ensure the promotion of all visitor aspects of Citrus County and provide partners with every opportunity to ensure their products and services are supported by Discover Crystal River Florida’s marketing efforts, to increase the overall economic impact of the region. area and ensure that planners assessing the area have all the information they need to plan a great meeting.

Alyssa O’Bryant

Famous Santa Cruz Golf Resort cordvale Named O’Bryant director of sales and marketing. With more than 20 years of experience in the luxury hotel industry, she will work to further enhance the resort’s luxury offerings and deepen relationships with members, guests and the local community. She previously served as Director of Sales and Marketing for Bernardus Lodge and Spa in Carmel Valley, where she was instrumental in elevating the resort brand and driving significant revenue growth.

Stuart Evans

Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Evans has been appointed sales and marketing director. He has over twenty years in the hospitality industry and has extensive experience in sales leadership, strategic marketing and revenue growth. He most recently served as Vice President of Sales for Visit Phoenix and previously held leadership positions at Marriott International and Hyatt Hotels & Resorts for 11 years. Most recently, he led sales and marketing for the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Embarcadero and was known for his action-oriented, results-oriented leadership style. In 2019, he was a Hyatt Sales Leader finalist and is one of dozens of sales leaders handpicked for Hyatt’s 2023 General Manager Development Program.

Brad Barnett

davidson hotel group Named Barnett senior vice president of sales for its lifestyle business vertical, Pivot. He has more than 25 years of experience, most recently as senior vice president of sales and marketing for HRI Loding, where he oversaw sales, marketing and revenue management strategies for a $230 million portfolio of 25 hotels. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated expertise in implementing profitable revenue strategies, developing and executing sales plans, and penetrating strategic market segments.

Sandrine Boutin

Pudding franchise The Ritz-Carlton, Fari Islands, Maldives As Director of Sales and Marketing. She has over 24 years of experience in the travel, hospitality and ultra-luxury hospitality sectors, having held leadership roles with globally recognized brands such as Soneva, The St. Regis Bali and AMAN. In her new role, she will lead the commercial team including sales, marketing and reservations, while overseeing the strategy and direction of sales and marketing to ensure the resort is represented in key market segments.

Read more: Smart moves at the Anaheim Hilton, INNOV8 Meetings + Events and more,