The Weekly Community Newspaper of Associations, CVBs, and Hotels
Top Story
Implementation of U.S. Travel Ban May Be Imminent
By Jonathan Trager
The Trump administration seems poised to impose a new travel ban on foreign citizens from targeted countries entering the United States following a March 21 deadline for finalizing the proposed measure (after USAE went to press).
The New York Times had reported earlier this month that the administration was working on developing the proposal, which the news outlet said could affect citizens from 41 countries.
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Industry Movers
Alexia (Lexi) Zambrano
Alexia (Lexi) Zambrano is now The Ritz-Carlton, Denver’s Marketing Manager. The Denver native’s career began at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, where she was a vacation planner and subsequently a marketing coordinator. She then moved to the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in 2019. During her tenure there, she was marketing coordinator and marketing manager. She worked on the Gaylord Hotels’ brand marketing and creative team.
Dan Bell
Dan Bell has joined Agilysys, global provider of hospitality software solutions and services, in a newly created sales leadership role: Vice President, North America Sales East – Hotels, Resorts and Cruises. His background includes working alongside leading hospitality organizations such as Marriott International, Choice Hotels, Curator Hotel and Resort Collection and MGM Resorts. Most recently, Bell served as group vice president, Hotels and Resorts, for restaurant technology provider Toast.
Kimberly Rossi
Kimberly Rossi is the new General Manager at the Miraval Austin Resort & Spa, located in the Texas Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. Her experience ranges from directing spas in Westport, Connecticut, and managing a team of more than 100 professionals at the Cranwell Resort in Lenox, Massachusetts, to serving as the spa director for The Ritz-Carlton in Puerto Rico. Rossi worked at North Carolina’s Art of Living Retreat Center.
Matthew Avril
Matthew Avril has joined Marriott Vacations Worldwide as an independent director on the board. Avril has more than 30 years of experience, principally in the hospitality and vacation ownership industries, and he most recently served as CEO of Diamond Resorts International. Prior to that, he was CEO-elect for Vistana Signature Experiences after his retirement as President, Hotel Group, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
Joe D’Agostino
Joe D’Agostino is now Executive Chef of the Hyatt Regency Greenwich in Connecticut. Trinity Investments made the announcement. He is a French Culinary Institute alum with 15 years of industry experience and a New York native. Most recently, he was executive chef for Market Hospitality Group in Danbury, Connecticut. He was the executive sous chef de cuisine at HNA Palisades Premier Conference Center in Nyack, New York.
Gregory Joseph
Gregory Joseph is the new Executive Chef of the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe. Joseph is a seasoned hospitality professional who brings more than 25 years of experience leading culinary operations at luxury hotels, resorts and upscale restaurants across the United States. Originally from California, he has worked in New York City, San Francisco and most recently at the Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, in Phoenix.
Association NEWS
Around Associations
Events Industry Council Recognizes 2024 FICP Annual Conference for Achieving Sustainable Event Standards Certification… The Events Industry Council has announced the 2024 FICP Annual Conference, hosted by the Financial & Insurance Conference Professionals (FICP) in Denver from November 10–13, achieved silver level certification to the EIC Sustainable Event Standards. This is the first EIC certification for FICP, an EIC member and community of 1,500 financial services and insurance industry meetings professionals and hospitality partners from across North America.
“Achieving this certification is a testament to our team’s dedication and collective effort,” said Ellie Hurley, SECP, Director Of Events, FICP. “I’m honored to have led this initiative, but it would not have been possible without the full support of our team—from FICP staff to volunteers and our partners, including Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel and Visit Denver. This accomplishment truly showcases the power of collaboration and shared commitment to sustainability.”
The EIC Sustainable Event Standards were created through a global collaborative process with participation from subject matter experts in all sectors. They provide a framework for collaboration and a strong focus on guidance and metrics so that event professionals at all stages of their sustainability journey have the support needed to implement and measure sustainable practices.
“FICP’s certification demonstrates how organizations can embrace sustainability in ways that are both strategic and impactful,” said Amy Calvert, President & CEO, EIC. “By achieving this recognition, FICP is not only advancing its own sustainability goals but also setting an inspiring example for the meetings and events industry. We congratulate them on this important milestone and appreciate their continued support of EIC as an association member.”
The Alliance for Audited Media, a nonprofit auditing organization, performed the independent third-party certification of FICP’s compliance with the Event Organizer standard.
“FICP’s achievement at the silver level highlights their strong commitment to transparency and sustainable event planning. We commend them on this accomplishment,” said Richard Murphy, CEO, President, and Managing Director, Alliance for Audited Media.
Hotel NEWS
Checking Inn
A new boutique hotel has opened in Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown neighborhood.
The Canal House of Georgetown, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, and a Marriott International property, opened its doors and is now accepting reservations for hotel stays beginning March 12.
The property takes its name from the nearby Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, according to Marriott.
The Canal House offers 105 guest rooms, 10 specialty suites, three terrace rooms, and two townhouses; a fitness center, expansive lobby, and the C&O Lounge, which offers, breakfast and dinner. The C&O Lounge features a menu “inspired by heart, rustic, local ingredients and flavors,” the hotel said.
Each of the property’s guest rooms is non-smoking and pet-friendly.
NASCAR enthusiasts have the opportunity to experience the 2025 NSCAR Cup Series up close and personal through Choice Hotels International’s rewards program, Choice Privileges. Members can use their points to bid on race day experiences happening throughout the series throughout 2025.
Trackhouse Racing—a racing crew sponsored by Choice Privileges—will host the experiences, which include an exclusive tour of the team transporter and pit road, and meet-and-greets with the drivers. “After watching the final car adjustments in the team garages, members can watch part of the race in the pit box, sitting with the crew chief as they guide the drivers,” Choice said.
“As experiences increasingly become a key driver of people’s travel plans, we are committed to enhancing offerings available through Choice Privileges to give our customers unforgettable memories,” said Nandika Suri, Vice President, Loyalty, Co-brand Credit Card and Partnerships at Choice Hotels International.
For more information, visit choicehotels.com/choice-privileges.
Convention Bureau/Center NEWS
CVB Update
Nathan Tollett
Houston First has promoted Nathan Tollett to the role of Sr. Vice President of Convention Sales, the organization announced on March 12. He most recently served as Vice President of Citywide Sales.
Tollett replaces John Solis, who’s taking on the newly created role of Sr. Vice President of Convention Growth and Development for the organization.
In his new role, Tollett will be responsible for driving the department’s overall strategy and oversee all of the various sub-components of the department. Solis will provide ongoing guidance to Tollett as he transitions into the role.
“Having worked in multiple areas of our industry, Nathan has tremendous experience and perspective that, along with his creativity and passion, has translated to one win after another for Houston,” said Michael Heckman, President & CEO of Houston First. “This new role is one he richly deserves. Now, we have an opportunity with John’s substantial experience, skill and relationships, along with Nathan’s knowledge and innovation, to chart a fantastic course and prepare our team for the future with a reimagined campus.”
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