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Realtors Assn. Pays “Volunteers” Six Figures in Free-Spending Culture
Other Expenses: Pet Sitters and Broadway Tickets
By Todd McElwee
Six-figure payments to “volunteer” officers, country club memberships, monthly first-class tickets, payouts to former executives, care for dogs and so many “Hamilton” tickets that bookkeepers took notice, all of these signify a few of the ways officials at the National Association of Realtors (NAR) have spent the association’s funds.
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Industry Movers
Carol Peach
Carol Peach has been appointed Director of Sales & Marketing at the Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman in Montana. Peach joined the hotel in October. Her hospitality career experience includes holding executive level roles with Rosewood Hotels, Belmond and Westin. Most recently, Peach served as the area director of sales and marketing at the Bardessono Hotel & Spa and Hotel Yountville Resort & Spa in California.
Jimmy Suh
Jimmy Suh has been appointed President of Arlo Hotels. Suh steps into the position with more than 20 years of experience in hospitality. He’s worked with Kimpton and Loews. In July 2021, Suh joined Arlo Hotels as the chief commercial officer, responsible for revenue maximization, profitability, marketing, brand value, public relations and stakeholders’ returns. In the past three years, Suh has helped launch three new Arlo hotels.
Kurt Siefert
Kurt Siefert has joined the Visit Indy team as an account manager. He will focus on strategic accounts in the express market nationwide and on the East Coast. Siefert recently graduated from West Lafayette, Indiana’s Purdue University with a degree in sales. He interned with Kirby Risk in an automation and specialty sales capacity and has also worked for Gelber & Associates in a remote prospector role.
Jacob Heck
Jacob Heck recently joined Sensei, a wellness brand and operators of Rancho Mirage’s California’s Sensei Porcupine Creek, as Director of Agronomy. Previously, he worked at Palm Valley Country Club in Palm Desert, overseeing 200 acres and 36 holes of golf. He has held roles in agronomy with Troon Golf and at locations across the Coachella Valley, including Gary Player and Pete Dye courses at the Westin Mission Hills.
Girlie Joseph
Girlie Joseph is now The Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead’s Director of Spa and Wellness. Joseph is an experienced spa professional with a distinctive blend of leadership and business experience. During the past 17 years, she has held a variety of spa director roles. Most recently, she was the spa director at Conrad Hotels & Resorts. Originally from Turks and Caicos, Joseph gained experience working throughout the Caribbean.
Luis Cuadra
Luis Cuadra is now Executive Chef at the Peninsula Beverly Hills. Cuadra boasts more than 15 years of experience in the luxury hospitality dining industry. Prior to joining The Peninsula Beverly Hills, Cuadra led kitchens at a variety of Ritz-Carlton hotels across the world. Most recently, he spearheaded a Michelin-concept restaurant at The West Hollywood EDITION. Born and raised in Miami, he attended the Culinary Institute of America.
Association NEWS
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American Bus Association Quarterly Survey Finds 15% Year-Over-Year Increase in New Motorcoach Sales… The American Bus Association (ABA) has announced the Third Quarter 2024 Motorcoach Builders Survey. Produced each quarter by the ABA’s research arm, the American Bus Association Foundation, each report includes data collected from surveys of the major motorcoach manufacturers that sell vehicles in the United States and Canada. This quarter the participating manufacturers sold 389 new and 47 pre-owned coaches, for a total of 436 motorcoaches. This compares with 442 during the third quarter of 2023. Sales of new motorcoaches have increased by 15.1% compared to the same quarter in 2023, however, the sale of pre-owned motorcoaches is 54.8% lower.
“The motorcoach, charter bus, and group travel industries continue to build momentum, highlighted by a 15% increase in new motorcoach sales over last year’s quarter,” said Fred Ferguson, President & CEO, American Bus Association. “This growth underscores the critical role motorcoaches play in connecting people with places nationwide, whether for leisure, business or travel. Looking ahead, our industry is dedicated to delivering safe, reliable and sustainable transportation options that connect communities and strengthen the group travel and mobility sectors.”
Oxford Economics contributed on the survey. Find more information here.
Hotel NEWS
Checking Inn
Hilton Hotels & Resorts was ranked the second best place to work worldwide in a recent survey of the best workplaces around the globe conducted by Great Place to Work and released by Fortune. The designation marks Hilton’s eight consecutive year as the top hospitality company on the list, according to Hilton.
“Across the globe, Hilton’s team members are united by a purpose to spread the light and warmth of hospitality. Established by Conrad Hilton more than a century ago, this vision inspires how we work, how we treat our guests and how we treat one another,” said Laura Fuentes, Chief Human Resources Officer at Hilton. “We’re incredibly proud to be recognized by Great Place to Work and Fortune as the best hospitality company in the world, and grateful to be in great company amongst others who are committed to creating exceptional workplaces where everyone can thrive.”
The Marker Hotel near San Francisco’s Union Square is prepared to wow guests this holiday season with Dickensian activations,and a partnership with the American Conservatory Theatre.
Throughout the holiday season, The Marker will host the award-winning Mistletoe Carolers decked out in costumes, festive specialty cocktails inspired by family recipes, including nonalcoholic Dickensian eggnog, gingerbread martinis and spice cranberry rum old fashions.
The holiday cocktail menu launches on November 22, just four days ahead of the American Conservatory Theatre’s opening night of “A Whynot Christmas Carol.”
“We are thrilled to create a truly immersive holiday experience this year, one designed for our local residents and out-of-town visitors alike,” said Brian Fenwick, Managing Director of The Marker Hotel. “We are decking our halls with music, mirth and a plethora of merry cocktails. Plus, our association with A.C.T. reflects our commitment to honoring San Francisco’s artistic legacy, and we can’t wait for guests to feel the magic of the holidays through this unique collaboration.”
Convention Bureau/Center NEWS
CVB Update
Visit Greater Palm Springs (VGPS) in California has announced the return of the “Meet the Mentors” program for a third year.
Following the iterations that have brought together 12 mentor and mentee pairings over the last two years, Meet the Mentors will return to pair the 2025 class of aspiring travel writers looking to jump-start their careers with accomplished journalists in the industry. Through this program, VGPS will provide selected participants with memorable travel experiences in the destination, mentorship from real-world travel journalists, and the opportunity for attendees to get their work published on the VGPS blog.
Now through January 6, Visit Greater Palm Springs is inviting aspiring journalists from across the United States to submit an application for the opportunity to participate in the program, which will include a hosted trip in Greater Palm Springs April 14-17. Following the January 6 deadline, a panel of judges from VGPS and the team of expert mentors will select six participants for the 2025 cohort. Selected candidates will be notified by January 24.
“It’s been an honor to welcome a dozen aspiring travel journalists to Greater Palm Springs for the last two years and we are eagerly awaiting our next group of driven and passionate writers for 2025,” said Colleen Pace, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer for Visit Greater Palm Springs. “Nurturing interest in the tourism industry is a core goal of our organization and we look forward to bringing together a group of talented mentors and hungry mentees for a career-shaping experience in the desert.”
To apply for the Meet the Mentors program, go here.
