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ASAE Welcomes Executive Order to Modernize Workforce Programs
By Todd McElwee
ASAE is applauding President Donald Trump’s Executive Order to modernize American workforce development programs to better prepare citizens for the high-paying skilled jobs of the future.
Signed by the president on April 23, the order directs the Secretaries of Labor, Education, and Commerce to conduct a comprehensive review of all federal workforce programs to modernize, integrate and re-align them to address urgent talent pipeline needs in emerging industries.
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Industry Movers
Kevin Harmon
Kevin Harmon, who has over a decade of experience and two years with Visit Indy, has been promoted to area sales leader—a new leadership role empowering senior staff to mentor sales managers and oversee specific markets. Harmon will oversee the Western region for groups ranging from 601 to 1,500 peak rooms. He manages groups with 601 peak rooms and citywide events across select Midwest states.
Stasha King Irby
Stasha King Irby is now the Little Rock CVB’s Vice President of Sales & Services. Irby brings more than two decades of industry experience to Arkansas’ capital. Most recently, Irby served as a global account manager at Choice Hotels International, where she was named a 2024 President’s Club Winner. Prior stops have included Visit Spokane, Royal Sonesta Houston, Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, and Hyatt Regency New Orleans.
Nele Breitbart
Nele Breitbart’s been named Executive Vice President & Head of Asset Management of Waramaug Hospitality. She’ll lead the asset management oversight of Waramaug’s hospitality portfolio. Prior to Waramaug, Breitbart was sr. vice president of asset management of BRE Hotels & Resorts, where she oversaw a national portfolio. She’s a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and a board member of the Hotel Asset Management Association.
Anthony Leitz
Anthony Leitz is now the Sr. Vice President of Premium Select Hotels at First Hospitality. He has been with the firm for 15 years and was the vice president of operations. He was also a general manager. Leitz will fine-tune processes, enhance brand recognition, and oversee the growth of the segment. First Hospitality is a development, investment, and operating company with a portfolio of branded and independent properties.
Alaina Sweeney
Alaina Sweeney has been appointed General Manager of The St. Regis Washington, D.C. Sweeney previously served as interim general manager since last May. Sweeney’s career spans multiple roles at properties across the St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International portfolio. Before joining the team at The St. Regis Washington, D.C., Sweeney held leadership positions at The St. Regis Aspen Resort and The St. Regis New York.
Randy Morton
Randy Morton has been appointed General Manager of Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas. He was president & COO of Bellagio Resort & Casino. Morton served as vice president of hotel operations of Bellagio, president of OVG Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and Co-CEO of Foley Entertainment Group and the Vegas Golden Knights. His career also included general manager and resident manager roles at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts.
Association NEWS
Around Associations
Dierks Bentley to Take Center Stage at 2025 NBAA-BACE Keynote… Multiplatinum artist, pilot and aviation champion Dierks Bentley will provide the keynote for the opening day of the 2025 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), October 14–16, in Las Vegas.
“I’m looking forward to sharing my love of aviation and talking about how flying and aviation have impacted my life and career,” Bentley said in a video address announcing his plans for the NBAA-BACE keynote. View the 2025 NBAA-BACE video address from Dierks Bentley.
Bentley’s career includes eight No. 1 albums, 22 No. 1 songs and 15 Grammy nominations.
His experience as an aviator began when he earned his pilot’s certificate in his early 20s, flying a single-engine piston airplane. From his earliest days on the concert circuit, Bentley’s use of aviation has allowed him to avoid the tour bus, and instead fly to concerts, then quickly return home.
“Just as his music has thrilled audiences around the globe, Dierks’s enthusiasm for business aviation allows him to connect with NBAA members in a unique and personal way,” said NBAA President & CEO Ed Bolen. “He’s just the right fit for an industry that is fundamentally about the unique and powerful connection made when people come together.”
Find more information at nbaa.org.
Hotel NEWS
Checking Inn
Hard Rock International opened its first hotel in Canada, the gaming and hospitality company announce on April 21.
The Hard Rock Hotel London Ontario is a locally-owned property offering 164 luxury guest rooms. London, Ontario, is the country’s only UNESCO City of Music, according to the Hard Rock hotel’s general manager, Brendon Ainscow.
“As a Londoner, I couldn’t be more proud and excited to see our city officially become home to Canada’s First Hard Rock Hotel,” Ainscow said. “With the addition of this hotel, London is strengthening its role as an international hub for music and culture. Our local team of over 100 employees are ready to welcome visitors from Southwestern Ontario and across the globe.”
The property boasts an indoor/outdoor pool, a signature Hard Rock GMT lobby bar, Sessions restaurant, a 1913 speakeasy, and a Rock Shop.
The Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown in Washington, D.C. announced spring events at the property: West End Weekends in the Courtyard Bar, and its annual Mother’s Day Brunch in the Colonnade.
The West End Weekends series begins May 2, and includes the Bubbles & Bites event every Friday night and the Whiskey & Cigars event every Saturday at the property’s Courtyard Bar. The Bubbles & Bites event is ideal for champagne lovers, offering a glass of premium champagne and three carefully curated canapés for $40. The Whiskey & Cigars event series offers guests an Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey cocktail and a handcrafted cigar, also for $40.
The annual Mother’s Day Brunch in the Fairmont’s Colonnade restaurant will have two seatings on Mother’s Day, May 11, at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The brunch has been a standing event at the property for 39 years. This year, it includes “a variety of regional favorites and innovative specialties” such as jumbo poached shrimp, snow crab, Dutch mussels, Chesapeake oysters and smoked whitefish with Marie Rose sauce, a cheese and charcuterie board, entrée selections from a carving station of poached king salmon and 1855 filet mignon, to Peri-Peri chicken and Chesapeake crab cakes, baked pastries, frittata, eggs benedict, French toast and other brunch classics. A seat at the Mother’s Day delicatessen is $169 per adult and includes a glass of sparkling wine, and is $79 for children ages 5–12.
For more information on these spring events, visit fairmont-washington-dc.com.
CVB Updates
The Baltimore Convention Center (BCC) on April 22 announced the release of its 2024 Sustainability Report, detailing the organization’s progress in environmental responsibility, social impact, and sustainability initiatives. The report highlights key achievements over the past calendar year and reaffirms the Center’s commitment to sustainability.
“Our 2024 sustainability outcomes are a testament to our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation,” said Mac Campbell, CVP, Executive Director of the Baltimore Convention Center. “By surpassing our diversion goals and integrating advanced energy monitoring solutions like SkySpark, we are now able to provide impact and data to our customers in ways few destinations can.”
Over the last year, the BCC has remained steadfast in its commitment to sustainability, continuously implementing innovative strategies to reduce environmental impact while enhancing operational efficiency. Guided by a comprehensive sustainability framework, the BCC prioritizes waste diversion, energy efficiency, water conservation, and local sourcing to minimize its carbon footprint. The Center set ambitious goals, including achieving higher waste diversion rates, expanding renewable energy integration, and maintaining its certification under the Events Industry Council Sustainable Event Standards.
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