The Online Weekly Community Newspaper of Associations, CVBs, and Hotels
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ASAE Urges Presidential Campaigns to Prioritize Associations in Policies
By Todd McElwee
A few weeks out from Election Day, ASAE delivered letters to both presidential campaigns urging them to recognize and prioritize the contributions of trade and professional associations in their policy agendas.
The sector’s economic impact, research and innovations were mentioned as well as concerns about lingering tax matters.
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Photos of the Week
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Industry Movers
Kamia Kinchlow
Kamia Kinchlow is now Visit Newport Beach’s Vice President of Global Luxury Leisure. She has more than 15 years of experience in luxury travel, strategic sales planning, and innovative marketing initiatives. Kinchlow joins Visit Newport Beach following her recent role as director of sales, transient at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club in Dana Point, California. She was director of sales at the Balboa Bay Resort.
Shannon Walters
Shannon Walters is the new Director of Sales and Marketing for Enchantment Resort and Mii amo in Arizona. Tanzerra Resorts made the announcement. Walters brings more than 25 years of experience. Originally from Southern California, she began her career in front office operations before rising to sales manager of the Hilton Hotel in Long Beach, California. She was director of sales at Pacific Palms Resort in California.
Vince Smit
Vince Smit joins Sensei Porcupine Creek as Director of Wellness, where he will oversee wellbeing and spa programming for the Rancho Mirage, California property. He comes to Sensei from his role as director of spa for The Miami Beach EDITION. Possessing extensive experience in the wellness space and serving with Marriott’s Corporate Spa & Retail Advisory Council, Smit was responsible for sales for the Edition brand globally.
Gayle Edwards
Gayle Edwards is the new owner of PAS (Professional Accounting Solutions). The firm provides back office and accounting solutions for the global hospitality industry. A 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Edwards’ experience has spanned operations, IT, consulting and accounting. She has held the role of PAS vice president managing director for eight years. Prior to joining PAS, Gayle spent 25 years in the hospitality field.
Abe Liao
Abe Liao has been appointed Managing Director of the Watergate Hotel. Previously, Liao served as vice president of operations of Aimbridge Hospitality, where he oversaw up to 20 hotels across the continental United States, with a specialization in independent and soft-branded properties. Prior to Aimbridge, Liao was the regional general manager at Lore Group in Washington, D.C., overseeing both the Riggs Washington DC and Lyle Washington DC.
Chef Nana Darkwah
Chef Nana Darkwah was recently appointed as Executive Chef of the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach. From Accra, Ghana, he started as a dishwasher before progressing through various culinary roles. He has been with the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach team for more than seven years. He earned Ocean Hai the title of “Best Sushi in Tampa Bay” and was named “Best Chef” by Tampa Magazine for two consecutive years.
Association NEWS
Around Associations
AMPs Covering Shifting Events Industry in Online Session… On November 12, the Association of Meeting Professionals (AMPs) will explore the seismic shifts reshaping the event industry landscape with a Zoom session led by Megan Finnell, Sr. Director, Strategy and Insights, Freeman Company.
“As we approach 2025, understanding and adapting to generational changes, evolving attendee and exhibitor priorities, and cultivating an empowered organizer mindset are crucial for success,” the association said.
Find more information at ampsweb.org.
Alzheimer’s Association Raises $1.2 Million at 40th Anniversary Benefit… The Alzheimer’s Association recently marked the 40th anniversary of its Imagine Benefit, built on the legacy of the Rita Hayworth Gala, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Founded by Princess Yasmin Aga Khan in honor of her mother, Hollywood icon Rita Hayworth, this year’s event raised more than $1.2 million to support the Association’s mission, while bringing the lifetime total to nearly $90 million since its inception in 1984.
More information is available at alz.org.
Hotel NEWS
Checking Inn
The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel
The Surrey in New York City, reopened under its new parent company, Corinthia Hotels, on October 25, marking the Corinthia Hotels’ debut in North America.
The Surrey was first built in 1926 as a residence hotel. It now boasts 70 guest rooms, 30 suites, and 14 private residences, the Surrey Spa, and the first Casa Tua restaurant in New York.
“We are incredibly proud to have our first opening in North America be one as meaningful as The Surrey, an address that has been lying in wait for its next chapter,” said Simon Casson, CEO of Corinthia Hotels. “We see this hotel as a love letter to New York and a beacon of the city’s creative spirit. As we embark on global growth, The Surrey is in many ways a new flagship, representative of the warm familial spirit of Corinthia that makes all guests feel perfectly at home.”
The Westgate Las Vegas celebrated Día de los Muertos—meaning “Day of the Dead,” the Mexican holiday dedicated to remembering loves ones who have passed on—with a themed suite.
“Westgate Las Vegas is proud to introduce this stunning suite that honors the rich traditions of Mexico while offering our guests an unforgettable experience in luxury,” said Dawn Rawle, Vice President of Marketing at Westgate. “Our themed suites continue to set us apart, and we’re thrilled to invite guests to celebrate the vibrant culture of Día de los Muertos with us.”
The suite features a private wet bar, “perfect for enjoying a handcrafted mezcal cocktail,” and decor curated by local artists designed to “evoke the essence of Mexican culture” through vibrant murals and traditional papel picado (decorative paper). The suite is available to book year round.
Convention Bureau/Center NEWS
CVB Update
The Charlottesville Albemarle CVB (CACVB) in Virginia announced on October 30 that the Charlottesville area was named a 2024 Top Adventure Town winner in the 14th annual contest conducted by Blue Ridge Outdoors. This marks the second time it has received this top accolade in the medium-sized destination category.
Through the Top Adventure Towns contest, Blue Ridge Outdoors encourages readers to vote online for their favorite top adventure towns across four different categories based on population: favorite tiny town (population less than 3,000), small town (population 3,001–16,000), medium town (population 16,001–75,000) and large town (population 75,001+). This year’s contest began with 100 destinations across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, with nearly 20,000 votes cast throughout several rounds of voting.
“Charlottesville and Albemarle County have some of the best outdoor adventure opportunities in Virginia and the southeastern United States” said Courtney Cacatian, Executive Director of the CACVB. “Whether visitors are looking for hiking, biking, water activities, horseback riding through vineyards, or soaring to new heights in a hot air balloon, we have options that can be tailored to nearly all abilities and budgets. Our proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park also makes this area the perfect home base for visitors seeking a vacation centered around the great outdoors.”
